Bikers! Try This New Eatery

Creating a summer oasis at home

Outdoor living space is a vital aspect of a beautiful home. When done well, landscape and outdoor design has the power to greatly increase the value of your home. More importantly, it can significantly enhance the enjoyment, functionality and even energy efficiency of your home. In order to create the most satisfying and successful outdoor space, here are the top six most important considerations for your landscape and outdoor design.

The carrot appetizer at Trailside Tap features chile-lime marinated char-grilled carrots with XO sauce and cilantro.

TRAILSIDE TAP WILL DRAW YOU TO UPTOWN ANKENY

Writer: Karla Walsh

As proved by other locally owned gems like Lola’s Fine Kitchen, Flavory Bistro and Guadalajara, Ankeny is becoming a dining destination. Each year, more small businesses are bringing new, innovative and totally fresh flavors to the growing north side of the metro.

Delivering on all of those adjectives and more is Trailside Tap (710 S.W. Third St., Ankeny), a casual-yet-classy bar and bistro along the High Trestle Trail. The eatery opened nine months ago, and I’d previously only grabbed takeout—including a to-go cocktail to sample for our 3-Ingredient Cocktail feature—but had yet to dine in. At first bite, I was sure glad I had made the quick 20-minute trip from downtown to meet a friend for dinner.

The Tap is terrific, and it’s oh-so seasonal, too. We swooned over the appetizer simply named tomatoes ($7), and the produce tasted like it was freshly plucked from the garden minutes before. The shareable plate featured a mix of heirloom tomatoes with homemade, goat cheese-like cottage cheese crumbles, cucumber, radish, olive oil and herbs. We also enjoyed the carrots ($6) appetizer: A pile of chile-lime marinated char-grilled carrots with XO sauce (a flavor-bomb Asian condiment that’s rich in umami) and cilantro. To wash it all down, we each cooled off on a humid day with an uber-refreshing Black and Blue Mojito ($9), which showcased Bacardi rum (or your alternate spirit of choice; I chose bourbon), a splash of club soda, plenty of fresh lime atop muddled mint, blackberries and blueberries.

That was all building up to my true, summery highlight: the panzanella ($12). The sizable main dish salad was beautiful balanced and definitely a meal—perfectly toasted bread salad with tomato, cucumber and arugula, all tossed in a lemon-herb vinaigrette. I opted to add chicken for a flavorful protein boost. My dining companion went with the salmon sandwich ($13), grilled salmon on ciabatta, topped with sliced avocado, arugula, tomato, corn relish and green goddess dressing with a side. (She went for skin-on fries. Other side choices include bourbon baked beans, house salad, Caesar salad or country pea salad.)

After we nearly cleaned our plates, our only regret was that we didn’t save room for dessert. Luckily, this makes the perfect excuse to plan a return visit soon, perhaps to check out their brunch menu—and perhaps by bike. ‘Tis the season!

Learn more about Trailside Tap and order online at trailsidetap.com. Stay up to date on specials and events on Instagram @trailside.tap and at.facebook.com/trailsidetap.

Show art for "Long Day's Journey Into Night," part of Iowa Stage Theatre's 2021-22 lineup. The play will be performed Feb. 11-20, 2022, at Stoner Theater. Photo: Iowa Stage Theatre

IOWA STAGE UNVEILS 2021-22 SHOW LINEUP

Iowa Stage Theatre has announced its upcoming 2021-22 schedule, and all five shows will be in person with full attendance at the Des Moines Civic Center's Stoner Theater. Two of the plays, "The Cake" (Nov. 12-21) and "Sweat" (March 25-April 3, 2022), are rescheduled from 2020, when the pandemic sidelined live performances. Also on the schedule are Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Long Day's Journey Into Night" (Feb. 11-20, 2022) and the premiere of "Girls' Weekend 2" (April 29-May 15, 2022) by Iowa playwright Karen Schaffer.

During the holiday season, Iowa Stage will bring back a "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," which tells the classic story via a re-creation of a 1940s radio broadcast. Find the full schedule and ticket information online.

Photo: Jennifer Boyles

HOME DESIGN SPOTLIGHT
THIS URBANDALE POOL MAKES A BACKYARD SPLASH

Designed by K. Renee Home, this Urbandale pool oasis offers the ultimate in staycation appeal. With several zones for relaxing, the outdoor area is as inviting and comfortable as any interior space, says Julie Ross with K. Renee.

“Outdoor spaces with uncomfortable furniture just don’t get used all that much, so our clients opted for a sophisticated outdoor sectional and coordinating swivel chairs,” says the designer.

Innovations in outdoor fabrics mean accessories such as pillows and rugs as well as furniture—even with white upholstery—can withstand the elements.

For a pop of color, matching planters spill with bright annuals, while tropical cannas contribute height.

This project was an entry to dsm’s inaugural Home Design Awards, announced March 9. See the winning projects at dsmhomedesignawards.com.

The World Food and Music Festival is back this year, and its food vendor lineup promises to make it a can't-miss event.
Photo: Catch Des Moines

FIRST LOOK AT VENDORS FOR UPCOMING FESTIVAL

While applications are open until July 30, the World Food and Music Festival released an initial list of 40 food vendors, representing 23 countries, for the free celebration on Sept. 17-19 at Western Gateway Park. Included in the lineup are 13 new vendors, such as Creme de la Crepe (El Salvador), G.G.'s Chicken and Waffles (United States), Heart & Seoul (South Korea), Kathmandu Restaurant (Nepal) and Nina's Tacos (Mexico), among others.

When menus are finalized next month, items will be marked gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan. There also will be a healthy helping of live entertainment as well throughout the three days; that lineup will be announced in August.

Find the vendor list and updated information online.

The Downtown Farmers' Market is an ideal place to bring your family for some fun on Saturday mornings.
Photo: Catch Des Moines

EXPLORE DES MOINES DURING FAMILY WEEK

If you can believe it, the fall semester of school is right around the corner, but families will get at least one week of a break before summer ends. All high school sports and music events will be paused from July 25 to Aug. 1 to allow time for "Family Week," a perfect time to explore Greater Des Moines and Iowa.

Here are a few events we recommend if you're looking for things to do with the the family.

Iowa Cubs: The minor league baseball team will play a six-game series against the Louisville Bats, the Triple-A team of the Cincinnati Reds, starting July 27 at Principal Park. Friday night's matchup will feature a postgame fireworks show. On Sunday, kids will get a chance to run the bases after the game.

Downtown Farmers' Market: Enjoy local vendors, fresh food and live entertainment at Iowa's biggest farmers market from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 31.

National Balloon Classic: In Indianola, the annual National Balloon Classic kicks off on July 30 and runs through Aug. 7. During that first weekend, July 30-Aug. 1, there will be balloon flights at 6:30 p.m. and live music throughout the night.

The 2019 Trivia Smackdown was held at Noce's backstage venue with 31 teams. Photo: Des Moines Public Library

LIBRARY BRINGS BACK TRIVIA FUNDRAISER

Here's a good way to flex those trivia muscles: The Des Moines Public Library Foundation is hosting Trivia Smackdown, a live trivia event and fundraiser, at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Central Library. Questions will center on the Iowa State Fair, so be sure to brush up on your knowledge about the annual celebration. Your team can get there early for tours of the space starting at 6 p.m.

Registration is $150 for a team of up to six people, with group and door prizes handed out throughout the eight rounds. Register by texting 41444 with the key word DMPL Smackdown, by completing and sending in this registration form, or by calling the foundation office at 515-412-0180.