Mangez bien: ‘Eat well’ at Django

Django offers a wide variety of wine, cocktails and French cuisine.

It’s Saturday night, and the whole group is together. The women want different wines, and men want football and a cigar-induced hangout. The only thing the group can agree on is that everyone wants to go somewhere classy. Sound familiar?

Downtown Des Moines is home to a place that can help when these situations arise. Not to be confused with the Western action flick “Django Unchained,” the French-themed Django restaurant feels like a cozy man cave that people are sure to love. The décor is filled with brass, dark woods and dim lighting. Televisions surround the bar area to satiate the manly needs for football. Women with an upscale palate will love Django for its extensive wine list, delicious desserts and the option to have a cheese and meat plate. A wine bottle Christmas tree welcomes customers when they walk in the door.

The convenience of having the drinks on an interactive device is exciting, and it really shows how Django is trying to adapt to the technological world. For the wine connoisseur, the extensive options and types of wine that are available is great, but if you’re anything like me, you will quickly find out where your wine education lacks. That being said, the staff is very helpful in suggesting wines that are cohesive with your tastes, whether those are sweet, dry or a mix of the two.

Stop in Monday through Friday between 4-6 p.m. and enjoy $5 specialty cocktails. Django offers shrimp cocktail for $1.50 during happy hour. The drink and wine lists are featured on a tablet at the table and are neatly organized into categories such as wine and cocktails. However, if you wish to bring your own wine, Django boasts an unusual offer: no corking fees. Ever.

Django offers several menus including lunch, brunch, cheese and charcuterie, dinner, dessert, happy hour, kid’s menu, kid’s brunch and a mid-day menu. Dishes are mid-priced and feature an array of classic French dishes such as crepes and duck confit, to classic American dishes such as burgers and fries.

Burgers are served with a choice of soup, fries or salad. The tomato bisque was creamy and flavorful. The burger featured a grilled Portobello mushroom surrounded by a homemade bread bun, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, onions and lettuce. It was simplistic and delicious. The French ham and cheese is warm and tender with homemade bread on either side, topped with an extensive amount of Swiss cheese. Cheese lovers will enjoy this French take on the classic ham and Swiss sandwich.

The staff is friendly and food and drinks are served in a timely manner.

Don’t get lost in the interesting décor of Django lest you miss the warm bread and crisp wine sitting in front of you. Django is a great place to enjoy with friends and family and sure to be a place the entire group will want to visit again. CV