Des Moines restaurants: A primary primer
In January the 2008 presidential candidates will all be making appearances in Des Moines, said Nick Fauchald in Food + Wine,
In January the 2008 presidential candidates will all be making appearances in Des Moines, said Nick Fauchald in Food + Wine, “hungry for votes and for campaign-trail fuel.” Here are some of the city’s best places to eat.
Lucca
This minimalist establishment in the “trendy East Village” offers up Italian- and French-inspired dishes, including scallops with ricotta ravioli and pork shoulder in a shiitake broth.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
420 E. Locust St., (515) 243-1115
Sage
A city mainstay that does “haute Iowan cuisine,” including a double-cut pork chop with potato-and-apple salad.
6587 University Ave., (515) 255-7722
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
801 Steak & Chop House
“A deal-making den friendly to cigar-puffers.” The Iowa pork is stellar.
801 Grand Ave., (515) 288-6000
La Mie
“Best brunch.” Offerings include homemade pastries, butter-and-banana crepes, and an egg-white omelet with prosciutto and asparagus.
841 42nd St., (515) 255-1625
-
The marvelous powers of mucus
The Explainer It's snot just a pesky cold symptom
-
What to know about the 'no tax on tips' policy
The Explainer The new bill would make tip income exempt from federal income taxes
-
Dehorning rhinos sharply cuts poaching, study finds
Speed Read The painless procedure may be an effective way to reduce the widespread poaching of rhinoceroses
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy