Susan Stapleton

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Susan Stapleton

CelebrAsian, marking its 50th anniversary, showcases Asian food, music, and culture in Des Moines' Western Gateway neighborhood. The festival features more than 100 vendors, cultural performances, and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Fifteen villages representing different Asian countries offer diverse food options. Attendees can sample various dishes, from sugarcane drinks to bao buns and mochi doughnuts.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Susan Stapleton

Ben Luce, a chef with experience in Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning kitchens, started Blackhawk Provisions, a private chef company in Des Moines, Iowa. Luce focuses on showcasing local farmers and producers, creating unique, multi-course dining experiences tailored to each client's preferences. He sources ingredients from local farms and markets, incorporating them into dishes inspired by his culinary background.

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Susan Stapleton

Walk into a loft apartment with dim lights, soft music playing, and a setting that doesn’t feel like Iowa. Exposed brick walls, a concrete floor, and floor-to-ceiling windows shine a light on the tasteful art on the walls. A couch and two chairs in the living room spill into the kitchen, the centerpiece for this evening. An island separates the kitchen from the living room, with four chairs lined up at the counter with four place settings. Candles give the room an even softer glow.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Susan Stapleton

CelebrAsian, a festival showcasing 15 Asian villages and more than 75 vendors, takes place in Des Moines from May 23-24. Blank Park Zoo's Wild Lights Festival, featuring illuminated Asian lanterns and interactive exhibits, runs until May 25. Living History Farms hosts Decoration Day, featuring a historic baseball game, on May 24. Off Hours, your free weekly newsletter from the Des Moines Register, showcases all things fun you can do in central Iowa.

2 weeks ago | desmoinesregister.com | Susan Stapleton

Juniper Moon, a Des Moines cocktail lounge, will close permanently on May 31 after nearly 10 years. The owners cited the bar's role in popularizing craft cocktails in the city. A new concept from a group of local women will take over the space. After a nearly decade run on Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines, shaking elevated cocktails, Juniper Moon is calling it quits. The cocktail lounge closes on May 31, the owners of the lounge said on Facebook and Instagram. “It's official Friends.