Iowa Cuisine help

Someone wrote:

>Will be passing throug Iowa soon on Interstate 80 and need suggestions
for
>good stopping-off for fine dining.  Thanking you in advance for your
>consideration.  Any Iowa specialities?

Several years ago I ate at a place called Quinnell's.  It was in the Marriott Hotel at 7th and Locust Streets in downtown Des Moines.  As I recall, it was the only Mobile Travel Guide Four Star restaurant in the state.  I don't know if they're still there but you could try.  There was also an excellant Italian place not too far from the Marriott.  The name started with a "G" and I think it was either Guido's or Gulio's (sp?). Sorry I don't have anything more current.

Jack

From X Sat Sep  3 15:19:57 EDT 1994
Article: 10298 of rec.food.restaurants

Someone wrote:
>Will be passing throug Iowa soon on Interstate 80 and need suggestions for
>good stopping-off for fine dining.  Thanking you in advance for your
>consideration.  Any Iowa specialities?

About 13 miles west of I-35/I-80, and a few miles north of I-80 per se, west of West Des Moines and Clive, lies Adel (pronounced Adele, like Fred Astaire's sister).  Just off the main drag is the Old Depot, which is a microbrewery and adjoining fine restaurant.  Not exactly cheap (entrees up to about $22, but starting much lower); well worth it.  Skip appetizers (who goes to Iowa to eat seafood?) and just have the beer sampler (five pony glasses; you might want to share, if you're driving)--ale, porter, lager, wheat, and another one.  I had the Mix-Your-Own-Grill dinner, which allows you to choose three grilled meats from a list of 12 or so.  That includes game, unusual sausages (rabbit w/wild mushrooms), and more.  There are also more traditional dishes. The wine list is OK, with good by-the-glass picks.

In downtown Des Moines, stop at Taste of Thailand on E.2nd (2 minutes from I-235).  Fans of free speech will love the decor and the owner; fans of beer will like the 350-item list; and the Thai food is pretty good, too.  Yes, Old Depot in bottles.  Prominent folks around town are listed next to their favorite dishes...

Thank *you*, everyone who sent suggestions by email or in postings; I wound up working all week in WDM, but took time for dinner every night.

Roger

From [email removed] Wed Jun  7 10:58:15 EDT 1995
Article: 16538 of rec.food.restaurants