Proudfoot & Bird: A First Look

Proudfoot & Bird's Alaskan salmon is accompanied by horseradish cream and a side of rye berries and beets.

Top 3 Dishes to Order at New Downtown Hot Spot

Writer: Karla Walsh

You’ll feel transported in time the moment you walk into the lobby of the new Hotel Fort Des Moines and its restaurant, Proudfoot & Bird. The bistro’s name even hints at another era—it’s a hat tip to the hotel’s original architects who drew up plans for the 122-year-old landmark on the corner of 10th and Walnut streets.

You may remember the dining room from its days as the “old Django,” but it looks like nothing like its previous incarnation. Art deco details, plush banquettes, marble tables and an ornate gold-adorned ceiling give the dining room a 1920s vibe. A circular bar and the wood-fired-oven-lined kitchen provide the two focal points.

Executive chef Andrew Wilson’s resume lives up to the showy space; in addition to being a contestant on the Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay,” he most recently worked at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, California, and earned a Best Chefs America nod during his time at the Hu Hotel in Memphis.

Come to Proudfoot & Bird ready to invest—it ranks among the city’s pricier restaurants—but the ingredients and execution make the recipes worthy of their fair price tags. I’ve visited the restaurant twice since opening day, and after sampling a variety of the menu offerings (shishito peppers, sea bass, olive oil cake and more), I landed on three personal favorites that I’d recommend for your first foray:

● Warm Ricotta: Scoop up the crunchy-topped (thanks, truffle honey and sea salt!), warm whipped ricotta ($14) to smear on slices of grilled bread for a marvelous start to any meal.

● Charred Carrots: Entrees range from chicken and duck to cauliflower to a variety of fish. No matter which main dish you choose, add a side of this shareable vegetable ($12) that features gorgeously grilled multicolor carrots atop a swoosh of curry-spiced labneh (yogurt cheese), accented by a sprinkle of salty pistachios.

● Alaskan Salmon: In a neck-and-neck battle for best in seafood alongside the black cod with miso, turnip and uni butter ($34), this salmon dish is equal parts hearty and healthy thanks to whole grain rye berries and beets on the side of the seared seafood ($30). Peppery, earthy and faintly citrusy caraway seeds accent the horseradish cream with flair.

Proudfoot & Bird is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. The Hotel Fort Des Moines, a Curio Collection by Hilton property, is located at 1000 Walnut St. Check out the menu and make your reservation on Opentable, and keep up with the latest on Instagram @proudfootandbird.

Terry Virts has served as pilot for the space shuttle Endeavor and as a crew member on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Hear him speak and answer your questions at the Des Moines Civic Center on Friday. Photo: Terry Virts

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

NASA Astronaut Lands in Des Moines Friday

Terry Virts spent 200 consecutive days as commander of the International Space Station, one of the longest continuous visits to space for a NASA astronaut. Find out what that experience was like at "National Geographic Live: View From Above" at the Des Moines Civic Center. Presented by Des Moines Performing Arts, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, when Virts will share a presentation and answer questions from the audience.

Virts captured photos and video of Earth while in space, and they were used to create the 2016 Imax film “Beautiful Planet” and the National Geographic book “View From Above: An Astronaut Photographs the World.” This event is the first in a four-part speaker series from National Geographic Live. Learn about other upcoming shows at dmpa.org.

PLAN YOUR WEEKEND

Justin Favela: Central American (all weekend; hours vary): This weekend is your last chance to see Justin Favela's exhibit at the Des Moines Art Center featuring the artist’s vibrant, site-specific works exploring Latinx culture. Find details on the Art Center’s hours online, and read more about Favela in this dsm story. Also at the Art Center: Well-known vocalist Tina Haase Findlay will perform at 5:30 p.m. Friday, during the museum’s extended hours.

Embrace Winter DSM (4-7 p.m. Saturday): Join in on the family fun at Waveland Golf Course for this last winter parks event hosted by Friends of Des Moines Parks. You’ll hike or snowshoe to the observatory and take home Fat Joe’s pizza.

Botanical Blues (1 and 3 p.m. Sunday): Heath Alan, a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Des Moines native, will perform two shows at the Greater Des Moines’ Botanical Garden. Regular admission rates apply.

Iowa Wolves vs. Texas Legends (4 p.m. Sunday): Close out the weekend with a lively basketball game between the Hawkeye State and the Lone Star State at Wells Fargo Arena.

ARTS AND CULTURE
Free Little Art Gallery opens: The Des Moines Art Center has unveiled Des Moines' first Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG). Visitors and passersby are invited to take a treasure, leave a treasure or both. The mini gallery space establishes an inclusive and playful way for anyone and everyone to share their artwork. But think small — artworks taller than 5 inches won't fit! The FLAG was built by local volunteer and engineer Kenneth Claypool and it depicts a downsized version of the Art Center's I.M. Pei wing.

FOOD AND DRINK
Restaurant rebrands: Several changes are coming to RC’s Diner, located in Windsor Heights, including its name. Joe Tripp of Harbinger and his wife, Alex, are now the sole owners of the newly named Little Brother, the restaurant announced on social media. The shift has prompted several other changes, including new hours of operation, a revamped breakfast menu, and the introduction of a lunch menu. The new menus will be served starting Jan. 28.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Tea and talk: Terrace Hill will host four programs in February, each followed by tea and treats. Speakers include Michael Egel, general and artistic director of Des Moines Metro Opera, Feb. 5; historian John Zickefoose, Feb. 12; Kim Perez, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Feb. 19; and artist and author duo Tara Gartin and Susan Maupin Schmid, Feb. 26. All programs begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 per program with all proceeds benefitting Terrace Hill gardens. Find more info here.

The new issue's cover features jewelry by Ann Au and photography by King Au. Find out more about the cover here.

EVENT
Celebrating the New Issue of dsm magazine

A lively, energetic crowd gathered last night to celebrate the new issue of dsm at the River Center, where host extraordinaire Michael LaValle and his talented team welcomed guests with exquisite appetizers and desserts, excellent wine and beverages, and a beautifully decorated space perfect for the occasion. The cover, featuring jewelry by Ann Au and photography by King Au, wowed all. Relive the fun event (or take a peek at what you missed) in this video and through photos on our Facebook page.

And then we invite you to dive into the January/February, which is packed with stories you won’t want to miss. Fill your calendar with 2022’s premier arts events, take a fresh look at the Highland and Drake neighborhoods, freshen up your house with houseplants, discover ways to enjoy diverse Des Moines, learn how to make an easy and phenomenal chocolate pie … and all of that is just for starters. Read the full issue online.