Waukee FamilyFest 2016

January 13, 2016 by admin

Spend Quality Time Together at Waukee FamilyFest

After the busy rush of the holidays, peaking with the midnight ball drop of New Year’s it’s about time to take a sigh of relief. Mid-January is the optimal time to refocus on the self and the family. Things can get lost through the festivities of December, so as the tinsel and tree come down it’s time to recenter with fun (and better yet, free!) activities for the entire family.

Thankfully there’s the perfect organized opportunity to get in some fun and quality family time this weekend. On Saturday, January 16 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. the new Lutheran Church of Hope – Waukee will open its doors to the community for the Waukee FamilyFest.

Danae Edwards, City of Waukee recreation supervisor, explained this is the fourth annual year for the event.

“The Park Board wanted an event during this time of year that was free for families since we just got done with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season,” Edwards said. “We have other events going on throughout the year but we were lacking during the first couple months of the year.”

Like the years past the FamilyFest will provide delicious cookies and drinks. After munching down on cookies kids can jump their hearts out on the large inflatables. New this year will be a hired balloon artist at the ready to create magical shapes out of seemingly ordinary balloons. There is always a wide variety of vendors and this year will be no different. The roster is long including the Iowa Barnstormers, Iowa Animal Rescue League, Avon, and Happy Feet Des Moines. The local businesses will provide a free game, craft, or activity for the children. Some will also have information and promotional materials on hand as well.

“We encourage all of the young families in Waukee to come and enjoy this free event,” Edwards said. “Kids of all ages are welcomed to attend, but I think the kids that will enjoy it the most will be school-aged kids.”

Spend Saturday morning sharing some laughs, connecting with community vendors, and spending some quality family time together.

Where: Lutheran Church of Hope – Waukee, 305 NE Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA 50263

When: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Price: Free

Web: http://www.waukee.org/FamilyFest

2016 Waukee Fitness Club Guide

January 11, 2016 by admin

You’re not alone if your 2016 resolution includes hitting a local gym more often or finding your way to a healthier life style.

Now the big question, “How do I find the ‘perfect’ gym for my workout goals?” Luckily, we have compiled a list of the top Waukee gyms to get you moving just a little bit faster!

Waukee YMCA

Visit Website
Address: 210 N Warrior Ln, Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-987-9996
Hours: Weekdays: 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Family rates range from $57 to $79 per month; Individual rates range from $42 to $56 per month
Childcare: Free with family membership; 6 weeks to 8 years old

The YMCA is a fantastic place for families with kids of all ages! As a nonprofit organization, the Y is focused on building the community and youth development. Whether you are looking for fitness classes or activities for the kids, the Y has just about everything you could want!

It is a great balance between high intensity workouts, including Bootcamp to Spinning, and low impact exercise, like Yoga or Tai Chi.

Koko FitClub

Visit Website
Address: 9350 University Ave, Suite 122, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-987-4322
Hours: Open 24/7 for members; Staffed hours M-F from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; M-Th 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Sundays By Appointment
Cost: 30 days for $30 promotion going on now
Childcare: No

Koko FitClub is a digital gym with short, efficient workouts tailored to meet your specific needs and goals.

If you are looking for quick workouts, these 45 minutes training sessions are just for you. Your results are tracked digitally so you can stay up-to-date on your progress. With your membership you have access to guided strength and cardio programs as well as meal plans.

Farrell’s

Visit Website
Address: 215 N. Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-978-3000
Hours: Monday 5 a.m.-7 a.m., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday 5 a.m.-11 a.m., 2 p.m.-8 p.m.; Wednesday 5 a.m.-6 a.m., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday 5 a.m.-10 a.m., 2-8 p.m.; Friday 5-7 a.m., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cost: Contact For Pricing
Childcare: No

Farrell’s is a 10-week program that combines cardio, strength training and healthy eating habits to achieve extreme results.

If you have set high fitness goals this year, then Farrell’s might just be the solution for you, in 45 minute workouts, six days a week.

Anytime Fitness

Visit Website
Address: 790 Alice’s Rd., Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-987-6543
Hours: Open 24/7
Cost: Inquire about pricing; 7 day free trial available
Childcare: No

If your schedule prevents you from getting to the gym, then this is the fitness solution for you. Anytime Fitness is literally open 24/7 for it’s members leaving little excuse not to get to the gym.

With a full selection of cardio and strength equipment, you will find just what you are looking for in a gym! Membership even includes free tanning and weight loss programs.

Elite Edge

Visit Website
Address: 495 Southeast Alice’s Road, Waukee, IA 50263
Phone: 515-987-8100
Hours: Bootcamp offered M-F 4 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Cost: Call For Pricing
Childcare: No

If you are looking for a program that gets results with more guidance, then this gym is likely the perfect fit for you. With a personal training group of no more than 4 people, you work closely with a trainer on achieving your fitness goals.

These Bootcamp style classes offer high-intensity workouts including cardio, strength training and toning.

Lifetime Fitness

Visit Website
Address: 11911 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50323
Phone: 515-362-3500
Hours: Open 24/7
Cost: Visit website to request pricing; Includes 14 day money back guarantee
Childcare: Yes with membership

Truly your one-stop health and fitness solution, Lifetime Fitness has everything from robust exercise equipment, a spa, child center and swimming pool.

Whether you are trying to get into shape, looking for a healthier lifestyle or simply wanting to get your kids involved in activities, Lifetime Fitness is more than just a gym.

Aspen Athletic Club

Visit Website
Address: See locations
Phone: 888-994-3834
Hours: M-Th 5 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.; F 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday 7:15 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cost: Current offer is $9.95 to $24.95 per month
Childcare: Yes

Aspen Athletic Club offers 5 different locations across the Des Moines area, giving you the flexibility to workout close to home or work.

From group fitness classes to massage, Aspen gives you the variety you need to meet your fitness goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle all year long.

What are your fitness goals? Do you have any local gym?

Book Review – The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin

January 7, 2016 by admin

I was oh-so-lucky to receive a package from Random House in early November containing an advance reader’s copy of Melanie Benjamin’s latest novel, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, which will be published January 26.

Based on Truman Capote’s life in New York and his gloriously wealthy lady friends – “The Swans”, as Truman called them; this fictional story offers a well-told glimpse of society’s upper crust in New York City’s late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

From his modest roots in Alabama, Capote climbed into New York society. The publishing of his seminal non-fiction best seller, In Cold Bood secured his place there. The powerful husbands of these fabulously rich women approved of Capote and felt no rivalry with him – after all, he was gay. As such, he was included in the intimate gatherings of his Swans, and soaked up myriad secrets of the wealthy and powerful.

Alas, Capote’s writing success did not continue, largely due to his excesses of drugs and alcohol. In 1975 he wrote a short story for Esquire magazine, titled ‘La Cote Basque 1965’, which laid bare the excesses, affairs, and confidences of the Swans, which insured his immediate expulsion from the group.

Benjamin beautifully describes the clothes, beauty rituals, and luncheons, and Capote’s relationship with his Swans. I’d recommend it, but be prepared to stay up late reading as it’s hard to put down once you start!

Trail Mix

January 6, 2016 by admin

Not a fan of the pre-mixed trail mixes at the store? Make your own!

Some of my favorite mix-ins are peanut M&M’s, garlic bagel chips, dry roasted peanuts, carmel corn…

Add your own favorites like jelly beans, puppy chow, or whatever you like! The sky’s the limit and it’s just great for road trips and/or movie night.

Feeling adventurous? Try some exploring some ideas to make the perfect mix.

10 Simple Trail Mix Recipes on Craftsy

21 Trail Mix Recipes To Make Yourself on Greatest

10 Salty & Sweet Trail Mix Recipes on Babble

Featured Recipe: White Chili with Chicken and Cannellini Beans

January 5, 2016 by admin

Who doesn’t love chili? It’s a healthy, hearty, and tasty way to warm up your winter and chase away the cold weather “blahs.” This one’s a little something out of the ordinary. You can add more chilies for extra zip, and it pairs deliciously with all of your favorite chili toppings (and perhaps a local craft beer)! It’s also a great idea for New Year’s Eve!

6 chicken breasts, poached in 8 cups of chicken stock—shred with fingers and add back to retained water
4-5 cans of cannellini beans, undrained
2 tbsp olive oil
2 yellow onions, chopped
8-oz can of chopped green chilies
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano, crumbled
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
3 c (12 oz) Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided
Sour cream
Salsa
Cilantro

While the chicken is poaching, sauté onion in olive oil, add chilies through pepper and sauté another 3 minutes. Add this and beans to stock with chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, add 1 cup of cheese, and stir to melt. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with rest of cheese, sour cream and salsa and cilantro.

Featured Teacher: Shannon Roberts

January 5, 2016 by admin

For sixth grade math and science teacher Shannon Roberts, the purpose of a fun classroom is to help students develop their natural curiosity. “I think if we can get them to love learning at this age, it will carry on throughout their life,” she said. Student Nathan Schwab, who nominated Roberts to be featured in myWaukee, said that Roberts “always has a positive attitude” and “makes her classes fun by having us learn through games.”

Roberts has been teaching for five years and has spent the last two of them at Waukee Middle School. She enjoys being a math and science teacher because it offers a balance between the straightforward, logical nature of math and the testing and exploration of science.

Seeing the learning process in each student inspires Roberts as a teacher. The most inspiring thing, she said, is when students score well on a test and she “can actually see the joy on their face that they got it.”

The best part of teaching, according to Roberts, is being able to work with many different teachers as well as students. Regarding her collaboration with other teachers of various backgrounds, Roberts said, “We’re not just a group, we’re a team that’s working together, and we all have the same goal.” She also appreciates the support system of the school staff members. “If there’s ever any need for help, you can always reach out to somebody,” she said.

Roberts loves teaching because her daily work makes an impact that goes beyond the walls of the classroom and into her community as a whole. She cares about the growth of her students even after they move on from her class. “I hope that students can always reach out to me as a teacher,” she said, “and I would enjoy hearing about their journeys in other grades.”

Faces of Waukee: Tim Moerman

January 5, 2016 by admin

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Sioux Center, Iowa. My father owned a Coast-to-Coast hardware store, where I worked as a teenager. My wife Sherri and I managed a Ben Franklin store from 1977 to 1986. I graduated from Dordt College in 1986 and then began my career in public administration. During that time, we also had our three wonderful daughters.

Tell us a little about your current career.

My entire public administration career has been in Iowa. My first position was as Finance Officer with the City of Jefferson in 1986. I managed the cities of Sibley and Jefferson from 1988 to 1995, I served as the Assistant City Manager of Dubuque from 1995 to 2001, and I managed the City of Mason City from 2001 to 2005. My career changed course in 2005, when I became the Economic Development Director for the City of Ankeny. I was then Assistant City Manager in Ankeny prior to starting as City Administrator of the City of Waukee in 2013.

What do you do with your free time?

My wife and I dabble in biking and golfing. I follow college and pro football during the fall. We have 11 grandchildren living in Iowa, so there are many weekends devoted to birthdays, sporting activities, and other celebrations. We are also active in our church.

With the city’s continued changes, there’s always something new. Care to share any updates?

One challenge for Waukee in the next three years will be the widening of Alice’s Road from University Avenue to Hickman Road. It will take a significant amount of coordination, communication, and patience by Waukee residents and city staff. Discussions are already taking place on how to engage and inform motorists throughout the project. Residents will hear more about it as the project planning begins in 2016.

Is there any one thing you are particularly excited about for our growing community?

I’m excited that Waukee and its neighbors are growing to a point where new businesses are interested in investing in Waukee. The opening of Grand Prairie Parkway will provide new development land to Waukee. Combined with the land on the Hickman Corridor, businesses have a variety of development options for retail, personal and professional services, restaurants, and hotels. Additionally, Waukee will have ideal land for office buildings and be able to offer opportunities for Waukee residents to work in Waukee. With a stable economy, the next several years should result in new services and career opportunities for Waukee residents.

In this issue, we talk about making smart choices when cooking at home or going out. What are some of your go-to meals when you want a healthy option?

The evening meal is often a scramble. The healthiest options for us are grilling fish, chicken, or a lean cut of pork or beef.

Any New Year’s Resolutions for 2016 that you’d like to share?

I am sort of a New Year’s resolution curmudgeon. My approach to making change is to commit to the change regardless of the time of year.

Faces of Waukee: Elizabeth Sweers

January 5, 2016 by admin

Where are you from originally?

I grew up in a small town in northwest Iowa called Odebolt. It has a population of 1,000 on a holiday weekend when everyone is home to visit, but I absolutely loved growing up there. I have lived in the Des Moines area for just over a year now, and I’m very excited to call it my new home.

Tell us a little about your career.

I attended school at Odebolt Arthur High School before heading to the University of Iowa, where I majored in Integrative Physiology and minored in Psychology. After a tough decision between Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida and Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, I decided to stay in the Midwest and move to St. Louis to attend chiropractic school at (what is now) Logan University.

What do you do with your free time?

I spend the majority of my free time with my husband, Aaron. We both enjoy staying active with sports or any outdoor activity. We play on a few different softball, kickball, and volleyball leagues, which usually keeps us entertained and busy. We also like to play with the Aerobie and go hiking when we can. When we’re not being active somewhere, you can usually find us with our families. We both have several siblings—I have six, and he has eight! We are truly blessed!

What are some of the things you like most about living and working on the west side of the metro?

One thing I like is the camaraderie. Everyone is very proud of being from the west side, and they absolutely should be. Although I am not native, I know how much things have changed in the last few years. It’s amazing how much everyone has embraced the change. The possibilities in this area are endless! Another thing I enjoy is the young families. This is truly a great place to raise a family of our own someday, and also to be a pediatric and family chiropractor that can help these families grow in health.

What should a person new to chiropractic care know before coming into your office?

The most common fear of new patients is whether their adjustment will hurt. Adjustments are not typically painful. More commonly, there is an almost immediate sense of relief. Your chiropractor will talk you through your first adjustment and make you feel comfortable. Another important thing to know is that it’s never too early or too late to start chiropractic care. So many people are surprised when I tell them I treat several kids! They are even more surprised when I tell them I have adjusted babies that were only a couple days old.

In this issue, we talk about making smart choices when going out to eat. What are some of your go-to restaurants when your family doesn’t eat at home?

Going out to eat truly is about making smart choices. I find that you can go almost anywhere and still choose to eat smart. You can always replace fries with veggies; get grilled instead of fried; skip the bread; skip the fancy drinks; skip dessert; box half of your meal before you even start; and drink lots of water before, during and after! But if I must say, one of my favorites lately is Fresh Mediterranean Express. It’s so delicious and pretty healthy! I also like places where I can make it myself, like Qdoba, Chipotle, and Pita Pit. Tripling the veggies always makes me feel better about going out to eat.

Care to share any of your 2016 New Year’s resolutions?

Some things my husband and I are working on for next year are spending more time in the gym and decreasing our stress levels.

Save the Date… Night!

January 5, 2016 by admin

Choose Your Own Adventure this Valentine’s Day!

Soon the red and pink hearts will be everywhere you look. Candy hearts and chocolate boxes will move into the seasonal candy aisle at the grocery store. Red roses will beckon from the flower shop, reminding you that Valentine’s Day is once again fast approaching. But, unlike last year, you will be ready this year—ready to break the chains of stress and expectation that come with the holiday. No denied reservations at the overbooked bistro, or last-minute excuses about how takeout and an (awful) romantic comedy was the plan all along.

You could pick up a cliché Hallmark card from Walgreens, pair it with a cheap stuffed bear, and pretend that you’ve done a good job. But, the secret to a holiday about expressing love, is just that. Love is best shown, at all ages and stages of relationships, by shared experiences.

Whether you plan to celebrate the day with your significant other, best pals, yourself, or as an entire family, make a lasting memory by picking and choosing from all that Waukee and the surrounding metro area has to offer. Who knows, you may just fall in love with Valentine’s Day all over again.

Date for a Cause

While bidding on a date may or may not be more intimidating than just giving someone your number, it’s for a good cause when done at this event. Variety will once again host the annual Des Moines Sweethearts Charity Date Auction where attendees will bid on 20 of the metro area’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes and their accompanying unique date night ideas. Variety Iowa—the Children’s Charity—is a fantastic non-profit organization that serves underprivileged, at-risk, and special needs children throughout the state. So not only are you helping local youth, you get to meet a great new person that could turn into a wonderful friend (or something more), and you don’t have to plan a date—it’s already done!

January 16, 5-10 p.m.
Jasper Winery, 2400 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines
varietyiowa.com

Flower Bouquet

Let a local florist, such as family-owned and -operated Classic Floral Design, create a custom bouquet that your Valentine’s date will adore. Sure, roses are rad, but if your love is entranced by tiger lilies or enamored with purple tulips, work with that. Valentine’s Day is all about crafting an experience centered around your unique love.

450 6th Street, Waukee
515-987-1552
classicfloralwaukee.com

Sweets for a Sweetheart

Valentines of all ages get weak in the knees for something sweet like treats at Echo’s Cookies. Placing an advance order for a freshly baked bouquet of red, pink, and white frosted sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, marshmallows, and suckers is a delicious way show your love—without having to mess up your own kitchen! Or, go big before you go home to your love, with a mouthwatering cookie cake in hand. Better yet, the locally-owned shop delivers—$6 for the Waukee area and $15 for surrounding areas.

272 West Hickman, Waukee
515-508-1273
echoscookies.com

Louie’s Wine Dive

Cheese, wine, and chocolate may be the ultimate staples of a solid Valentine’s dinner out, and Louie’s does not disappoint. The warm ambiance is akin to the essence of a soothing glass of cabernet, but at the same time, it doesn’t try too hard. Cocktails are shaken and stirred, but the showstopper is the wine list. Their shtick is “Wine is supposed to be fun,” which is what your date should be. Pair a glass (or three) of vino with savory starters and main courses that blend comfort food with a healthy heap of classy ingenuity. If you’re still hungry, the desserts are decadently delectable and perfect for romantic sharing.

1378 E Hickman Rd., Waukee
515-518-2075
louieswinedive.com

Table 128 Bistro + Bar

Just a stone’s throw from Waukee are the tantalizing tastes of Table 128 in Clive. The bistro is all about sourcing ingredients locally as well as concocting sauces, breads, and desserts from scratch. The menu appropriately evolves with the changing needs and supplies of the seasons. Each dish is presented in an artistic, yet non-pretentious manner. Since Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year, consider making a reservation for Friday or Saturday night instead. And, believe us, you will want to make a reservation to make sure you don’t miss out on this magically delicious, rustically modern dining experience.

12695 University Ave, Suite 140 (northeast quadrant of University Ave. & 128th St.), Clive
515-327-7427
table128bistro.com

Rube’s Steakhouse

What sets this mouthwatering restaurant apart is its claim to be the original “grill your own” steakhouse. Founded in Montour, Iowa, this longstanding establishment has set the bar high when it comes to prime cuts of meat. This makes it the perfect “experiential” locale for a dinner date out with your sweetheart. It won’t be the cheapest date in the books, but your love is worth a salad, warm bread, a bacon-wrapped ribeye (grilled to perfection, of course), and glass of rich, red wine. Follow the whole ordeal with the chocolate torte cake or Bailey’s Delight, a to-die-for dessert comprised of ice cream nestled in a chocolate-swirled glass topped with a shot of Bailey’s, whipped cream, and finished off with a drizzle of chocolate.

3309 Ute Avenue, Waukee
515-987-8237
rubessteaks.com

It’s a Chocolate Thing

The weekend after Valentine’s Day is a great time to plan a memorable Valentine’s themed experience. There’s learning and treats to be had for the whole family at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden during “It’s a Chocolate Thing,” part of the youth-centric Garden Growers group. Our chocolate addictions are all thanks to plants, and the event hosts will divulge the interesting information about where it comes from and how it grows. Attendees will be able to make their own V-Day chocolates, which is a hearty bit better than a cheap box of stale chocolates. Registration deadline is February 16.

February 20, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Dr., Des Moines
515-323-6290
dmbotanicalgarden.com

Get Dolled Up for Valentine’s Day

Salon Utopia in Des Moines is hosting a Girls Night Out pamper-yourself party on Friday, February 12—perfect for a group of friends that want to play around with hair and makeup under the expert instruction of professional stylists. Have a dinner date that night? Let the experts (and your friends) help you prepare the perfect look! In addition to being fun, the event also raises money for the social justice non-profit, Dignity.

February 12, 6-9 p.m.
Salon Utopia, 1208 42nd St., Des Moines
515-274-1888
Stylefordignity.com

My Funny Valentine

Laughter is a key ingredient for a successful relationship. Enjoy a night of laughs with your sweetheart as comedians Pat Hazell (an original writer for Seinfeld and a veteran of the Tonight Show), and Karen Morgan (a finalist in Nick at Nite’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America and the 2012 winner of The Improv’s National Comic Search) touch on topics ranging from dating to parenting. There will also be an opportunity to ask your burning relationship questions and get some real advice in return. Bring a sense of humor and a date to any of the show times February 2-7 (with two shows on February 6).

The Temple Theater, 1011 Locust St, Des Moines
515-246-2300
desmoinesperformingarts.org

Some Sweet Day

Romance plays out on the Ankeny Community Theatre stage in “Some Sweet Day,” perfectly timed for the love-based holiday. Do you have regrets about a past love? Maybe there was a chance you wish you would have taken? A kiss you would have gone in for? That’s exactly what Ken does when he travels 24 years back in time for another chance at landing his first true love, Jenny. You’ll want to share this funny and entertaining theater-going experience with someone special!

Feb 8-28; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.
Ankeny Community Theatre, 1932 SW 3rd St, Ankeny
515-964-5007
ankenycommunitytheatre.com

Teen Crafting

Teens ages 12+ can get into the Valentine’s Day spirit by learning how to use keyboard keys to make “love keychains.” These keychains make fun and unique gifts for family members—or for someone special! Registration is required, either online or by calling 515-222-3403.

February 11, 6-8 p.m.
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
515-222-3400
wdmlibrary.org

Mommy & Me Sweetheart Dance

Valentine’s Day is not only a great time to go out with your significant other, but to let your little ones know they are loved! Variety—The Children’s Charity of Iowa will be hosting the third annual dance just for moms and kiddos at the downtown Holiday Inn. Activities will include dancing (of course), a delicious dessert and candy buffet, a crafting activity, and a keepsake photo. Get your tickets soon because local superheroes from the Iowa League of Heroes may be making an appearance, too! All proceeds will go to support the organization’s initiatives.

February 6, 5-8 p.m.
Downtown Holiday Inn, 1050 6th Ave, Des Moines
515-243-4660
varietyiowa.com

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Jr.

If the kiddos love bacon as much as you do, share the love at the Science Center of Iowa. Live science demos, hands-on activities, presentations by guest speakers, and prizes will all be focused on the science of the salty, meaty treat. Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Jr. is sure to be an engaging and educational day for the entire family.

February 15, 12-5 p.m.
Science Center of Iowa, 401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines
515-274-6868
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Food for the Soul: Table 128 Bistro + Bar

January 5, 2016 by admin

As a former server, I’ve worked in a number of restaurants around the Des Moines and Ames areas—some of them infamous, some of them, not so infamous. I’ve picked up life lessons from each of those experiences, such as how to uncork a wine bottle, how to carry five trays of wings at one time, and how to balance three glasses of beer in two tiny hands. But it wasn’t until I worked at Table 128 that I learned what happens when food is cooked from the heart.

Even at first glance, it’s clear that owners Sarah and Lynn Pritchard leave no detail overlooked in their establishment. In fact, it was their high standards (and their disagreement over them) that brought them together.

When they first met, Lynn worked at a locally-owned bistro in the Quad Cities as the Executive Chef, and Sarah was dining with a group of friends. “The appetizer wasn’t as fresh as the entree, so I sent it back,” Sarah told me. Lynn, of course, thought his dish was perfectly executed. “He was back in the kitchen, going, ‘Who is this lady sending back my food?’” His curiosity got the best of him, and he came out from the kitchen to meet this mysterious woman with chutzpah. “It was love at first sight,” Sarah laughed as she recalled the memory. They’ve been married for ten years now.

The Pritchards craft the menu of Table 128 together. “We try to get a sense of what’s going on in other communities so we can bring it back and create it in our own way,” says Sarah. “It’s important to look outside as well as inside our own communities because it gives us a chance to be creative.”

They also pride themselves on offering a variety of menu options that are both healthy and flavorful. “You can have healthy, rich, and delicious food. For us, healthy is wholesome and well-balanced meals,” says Sarah. Every dish is balanced with protein, carbs, fats, and flavor profiles, and dishes range from lean and light to decadent and rich. Their winter menu features entrees like beef tenderloin with roasted beets, spanish chorizo, a poached egg, and a rich red wine demi-glace. Or, on the lighter side, guests can choose scallops with sweet potato puree, roasted root vegetables, spinach jus, and smoked almond gremolata.

The Pritchards make a point to know their farmers so they can provide the best available food for their customers. “We try to create an environment where something good is made even better when it’s sourced and cared for properly,” Sarah says. They work with 20 vendors on a national and hyper-local level. “Flavor doesn’t have to be lost when you make healthy eating choices,” she says. They focus on making their food from scratch and avoiding preservatives and chemical enhancements.

Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and dinner only on Saturday, the restaurant provides a warm and inviting atmosphere that works just as well for a business lunch as it does an intimate dinner. The bar is well-stocked with the classics (and the obscure), a creative wine list, and cocktails mixed by their mixologist, the ever-inventive Blake Brown. And if you didn’t save room for one of their amazing desserts, one can always snag a perfect salty-sweet chocolate chip cookie on the way out the door.

I met the Pritchards during a hard time in my life—you know, the “my guy left me, I ain’t got no job, and my dog died” type of blues. They were wonderful from the start. I wandered in and out of working for them as time allowed, and as their need for servers fluctuated. Later, when I had less time to pick up shifts because I was gaining more writing work, I was surprised to find myself disappointed.

I realized that when you go without home-cooked meals for a length of time, you tend to forget what they’re like. It’s not until you sit down, fork in hand, looking at the creation in front of you, that the drought of the soul becomes apparent. In those cases, it doesn’t matter what it is or how it looks—it’s the feeling you get when you know it was made from the heart. Eating at Table 128 is like eating a home-cooked meal made with love. Only this time, your mother has some serious culinary skills.