By Jeff Pitts   When you think of an old-school classic dessert, chocolate cake probably comes to mind. Add in a deluge of cold milk to wash it down, and you have a timeless classic. Jim Lacona, of Noah’s Ark Restaurant and Lounge, knows a quality cake when he tastes one. He grew […]

By Eleni Upah and Meghan Johnson Coffee and dessert pair nearly as perfectly as peanut butter and jelly. Whether your preference is decaf or regular, a hot cup of Joe is the best complement to the sweet treat at the end of a meal. Naturally, then, one cannot go wrong with combining the two to […]

By Eleni Upah The culinary minds behind Baru 66 are continually working to create something new and fresh. Chef and owner David Baruthio changes up the menu regularly, with recipes that can’t be found anywhere else. He’s constantly trying to avoid that “déjà vu” feeling with desserts he feels have been overdone. That’s how the […]

By Eleni Upah Ice cream is as much of a summer staple as hamburgers, grilling and the Fourth of July. So it only makes sense to end a classic summertime meal of grilled chicken with a couple scoops from one of Des Moines’ many local ice cream shops. In the Pleasant Hill area, Over the […]

By Ashley Buckowing Strawberries are not just another fruit in Iowa. Just like apples, many people look forward to the opportunity to walk through the fields on a sunny afternoon and pick their own strawberries. There’s nothing better than fresh strawberries on a casual, sunny afternoon. And when it comes to putting them to good […]