We wanted to go someplace special on Monday in Des Moines as that is the day off for the Des Moines Metro Opera which was the purpose of our trip to Iowa. It worked out wonderfully that we found a super space downtown called DJANGO which fir our group of seventeen for dinner perfectly into their great private dining space.
Will & I arrived early to meet Kaylee, our server, and I explained we would order some wine and probably switch bottles around every now and then, but just to keep it coming. We took our time sipping on the Paco & Lola ‘Rainbow’ Albariño, La Vielle Ferme Blanc & La Vielle Ferme Rouge while we perused the truly monstrous menu.
Some folks ordered oysters after we gobbled up the yummy baguettes and whipped butter(extra charge!), but I felt heathy and got a yummy Caesar Salad which Kaylee managed to get a ton of anchovies on top (photos on FB). Escargots, Poutine(with beef or veggie style), and Beef Tartare all of which were excellent.
The mains were HUGE and the 8 ounce steak looked more like a pound or more! A lot of us chose the superb Moulard DUCK leg confit, potato Parisienne, charred cipollini cream, pickled plum, spiced baby carrots, Sunstead Farms spring garlic and fennel frond pistou(pesto), which was not very fennel-y at all! Huge plates of Moules Frites(many different options), Seared Sea Scallops with Asparagus, red onion, sweet corn, lobster pomme puree and beurre blanc which boated five giant diver scallops!
Everything was yummy and Kaylee kept up with us and always excelled. I don't think anyone could fit dessert, but I know some of us stayed until the doors closed drinking more red wine until I think Des Moines had shut down (which is not that late!) having a super time.
Django will always be on our go-to list when we return.
