Posted July 03, 2024in Belly Up To...
When approaching 30hop at The District at Prairie Trail in Ankeny, the colorful outdoor patio resembles a large downtown metro area. Maybe because, on the second story of the building, is a New York Life sign. Turning the corner, yet another patio provides both sun and shade options. Inside, the
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Posted June 05, 2024in Belly Up To...
The warm, relaxing atmosphere inside Francie’s Bar and Grill creates a vibe that makes customers want to settle in for a few hours, order another drink, and maybe even an extra appetizer. The friendly and knowledgeable staff makes the southside staple even more enjoyable and makes it easy to understand
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Posted May 01, 2024in Belly Up To...
As the Court Avenue district seeks solutions to revitalize the area, one restaurant – The Stuffed Olive — is eager to showcase its food and drink offerings. The Stuffed Olive, a martini bar and restaurant, found success just off Third Street — so much so that the owners were turning
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Posted April 03, 2024in Belly Up To...
You won’t find a teacher or students writing their ABCs at this charming, refurbished one-room schoolhouse in Cumming, but you will see a chalk board with available house wines and musicians singing tunes. The Middlebrook Mercantile owners opened in 2022 in downtown Cumming. For newbies to Iowa — yes, that
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Posted March 06, 2024in Belly Up To...
The Continental was one of the first restaurants in the up-and-coming East Village district in 2005. Known for its narrow bar, weekly jazz sessions, innovative cocktails and menu sharables, it was a fan favorite. When the Continental lost its lease in 2020, owner Jennifer DuBay didn’t call it quits. She
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Posted January 31, 2024in Belly Up To...
When walking into a bar, an instant vibe is set off. Is it a dive or too high-end? Or does it get lost in the shuffle, trying to please everyone? At the Cork, the vibe matches what they do successfully — focus on unique wines. The Cork 50131, located at
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Posted January 03, 2024in Belly Up To...
Tito’s Vodka was the best selling liquor in Iowa in 2023. Another Tito’s name — Tito’s Lounge — might soon be in the “best” category of food and drink in Urbandale. Tito’s Lounge, located at 3916 N.W. Urbandale Drive, opened in November 2021. Owner Haris Zuljevic hails from Bosnia. With
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Posted December 06, 2023in Belly Up To...
Buildings constructed nearly a century ago don’t generally survive, unless it was a quality build. For The Walnut, a bar and grill located at 1417 Walnut, it’s like time stood still. The tall, unique windows, heavy, wooden doors and solid brick interior and exterior create an architectural treat and an
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Posted November 01, 2023in Belly Up To...
Take a drive to Waukee and you will find a sea of new construction with tower cranes, steel structures and the latest, greatest car wash popping up in this bustling suburb. Along the everchanging Hickman Road is a small bar in a strip mall, a former home to several establishments
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Posted October 04, 2023in Belly Up To...
As a landlocked suburb, Windsor Heights businesses can’t just plow up valuable Iowa farmland and construct a shiny new building. Business owners require creativity to repurpose existing buildings. That’s the case with the Centerfield Sports Bar located at 6555 University Ave. The building previously housed a Hawkeye bar, the Front
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