I wish I could give it at 5! 4.5 is also spot on. Really great restaurant. Must go if you're a foodie in Des Moines. The bees knees cocktail was ok, masterpiece Pinot noir was ok, gnocchi was amazing in both the gnocchi dish and also the chicken. Definitely go for the food and atmosphere! (Which is what matters :)) Very sweet and helpful wait staff. The chicken, gnocchi and short ribs were spot on. The duck beneigts were good but not New Orleans magazine street mind blowing. Chicken and sweet potato gnocchi was excellent !! portion size is great which, as someone with zero self control, I greatly appreciate. Also very much appreciated the bread brought with dinner! read more

My goodness evidently we have a couple of 'Karens' that didn't read the menu and decided to leave a bad review. Alba is amazing. While we decided to enjoy a post Valentines Day visit, we understood there was a prix fix menu. The staff at Alba is amazing. They are kind and very knowledgeable and explanatory of the menu. We had delicious apps, stuffed dates and chickpea panisse. My hubby had scallops fantastic. My strip steak was delicious along with sides that I wouldn't normally have tried but loved. Desert OMG two words manchego cheesecake is there anything better. Just to cut to the chase Alba is amazing and you need to try it. read more

Are there for lunch for the first time on a weekday. Not very busy and service was great. I had the open faced veggie sand which and it was great because of the flavorful mayo type spread they put on the bread. It is unique to Iowa and close to much of the local shops in the east village. The only downside is parking can be tough. read more

My ideal night. Fill a pool with the gnocchi from here like full on Scrooge McDuck diving through coins style and just swim through gobbling it up like I'm Pacman. Basically my mom is Italian and her gnocchi that i have loved since my wee babydom now is dirt trash I want to throw in the street afterneating this gnocchi. Love her tho. But also love this gnocchi. read more

Food was awesome but the service was horrible. Our waiter acted like he hated his job. We definitely will not go back.

Very good restaurant with top notch help staff. My girlfriend & I came there for our first date & left very impressed. It isn't cheap, but you feel as though you get your moneys worth. The decor was very pleasant. I'd go there again for a special occasion. read more

I picked Alba after looking at their menu on their website. My nephew was graduating from Iowa State University and we needed a private room for 20 people. They have a private room that was perfect for our needs. Rarely do I find a restaurant that executes all phases of a successful dining experience. The management, food, ambiance and service were spot on! I enjoyed pan seared halibut, asperagus soup and strawberry shortcake with buttermilk ice cream. Garret and Sara made our special occasion memorable. The graduate grew up working at our family restaurant, dishwashing, prepping and cooking. It was important to me to recognize his accomplishments at a special restaurant. Alba was perfect. Thanks to all! read more

The uncertainty of the economy means that my family and I adhere to tighter pocketbooks and are more cautious of our spending- this is why whenever we venture out to eat we end up at Alba, a unique and innovative restaurant in Des Moines and an assured good time! On each occasion that we have had the pleasure of dining, whether it be for lunch or dinner, we have been greeted by the chef and owner who goes out of his way to ensure that we are taken care of. In addition, the wait staff has always been gracious and prompt. On our most recent visit I had the braised pork belly with butternut squash and my husband had the duck with roasted pear chutney. Both dishes were exceptional and served with delicious seasonal greens. For dessert, I had the chocolate lava cake with homemade ice cream and I can confidently say that it is the best chocolate creation I have ever tasted! We already have reservations for New Years and will probably be dining, at least once, before then. I strongly recommend Alba. I believe it is one of the best restaurants Des Moines has to offer! read more

Wonderful. I asked the server to have the chef make me "anything vegan" since their menu options don't have anything to offer really in the way of that. I was overwhelmed with the visual beauty and taste of the dish that was presented to me- one of the BEST dishes I have ever had in my life! Thank you to the amazing chef read more

Saturday night, 7:30, 4 ppl. Prime time. Restaurant not full yet decibel level 150!! Horrible! Osso Bucco came COLD, apparently made and refrigerated, then reheated - dry and no juice! Plastic wrap in our carpaccio appetizer, which was NOT cold (and should have been). Dessert: chocolate lava cake was very strange - it was flat like a brownie and lava not runny, more like custard - NOT HOT - c'mon people! Service was okay. Weird thing is, two of us had been here before and it was good. But clearly this was not just an off night, it was a turning point. We won't be back. read more

Atmosphere was ok, not bad, just nothing special. The food was good. Again, not bad, but nothing special. Our service wasn't the greatest, but overall it was a good experience; I would probably go again if I was in town. read more

This is sooooooo overdue...I am a huge fan of Alba and Jason,the owner/chef. As I have dietary issues, he has always been accommodating and innovative to the point I let him create whatever he desires and it has always been unbelievable!!! The atmosphere is quaint, the staff great and Jason is usually seen checking on his guests. My husband had his staff Christmas party there and the staff was in food heaven....and as dessert is a must, they left with their sweet teeth more than satisfied. If you do not like a restaurant with personality, great staff, the BEST food DM has to offer, savor a quiet dinner with your spouse, or meet friends for a special supper.....Stay away!!!!!!! read more

The service and atmosphere was eye-opening, but the food was good. Me and my best friend went on Saturday night and they weren't busy (we got in without a reservation). There were a couple waiters around but both of them ignored us for like 10 minutes before our waiter came over. He was shy but ended up being a good waiter. We were the only African Americans in the restaurant and some of the older customers were staring at us as if we didn't belong there. Honestly, I was a bit surprised since everyone I had encountered was welcoming and awesome for the most part since visiting Iowa. It was a bit disappointing that it happened. Although the food was good I would never go back because of the initial way the wait staff acted and the hateful glares from the other customers. It's sad because it was such a cute little restaurant. read more

Honestly, Alba is one of the best restaurants in Des Moines. The food is inventive and creative and very approachable. The Brussels & Chorizo salad, as a starter is just outstanding. Great drinks, fantastic entrees, etc. REALLY GOOD. read more

An excellent place for a special night out. The appetizer scallops are amazing. The sauces made the dish, along with the perfect cooked scallops. We also had the braised beef, which was also perfect, The wine by the glass selection was great as well. The owner/head chef came to visit our table, which almost never happens to me for some reason so that was a nice touch. The service was great as well. read more

I have never been to Alba before but have driven by many times and wondered about it. After reading good reviews on yelp I thought I would like to try it. Not knowing what to expect we went without making reservations. Big mistake unless you are ok with sitting at the bar which is what we did. I'm glad we decided to stay because the food was some of the best I have ever had although a bit pricy. I tried the butternut squash soup for starters WOW I could have eaten a gallon it was so good!! My main meal was a chicken dish the name I could not pronounce let alone remember what it's called but it was unbelievable as well! This could be my new favorite place in Des Moines too bad it cost so much I'll have to limit myself. I'll definitely be going back but will make reservations next time. read more

I had the goat cheese stuffed pasta - amazing. Absolutely amazing. Some real culinary geniuses at work here.

The best meals I've had in Des Moines: brilliant menu, inspired cocktails, almost always Templeton on hand. I keep trying to like Baru 66 more, but Alba won't let me. Shannon at the bar is always superb. read more

I'm a foodie from out of town. Really enjoyed the experience tonight. The Elderwine Blue Cocktail was to die for. Scallop appetizer well executed and flavorful. Beet salad was presented well with robust flavor & braised short ribs excellent. Great experience! Recommended. read more

Great season menu, hip ambiance. I had the pork osso buco with polenta and it was amazing.

I have dined at Michelin star restaurants that weren't as good as this. The service was impeccable, the food was fantastic it was a great experience and well worth your time. It is very good. read more

Had a great meal at Alba this weekend. First off, the service was professional and first rate. This is really saying something in Des Moines, which usually seems OK with taking any college kid off the street and saying "go." I've learned to deal, but boy it was nice to get really friendly, helpful service - they even asked before clearing the plates - doesn't happen much in Des Moines. The room was even sufficiently warm even though it was 20 outside - I hate restaurants that are cold in the winter. The food was excellent. Had an apple squash soup, which wasn't very apple-ey, but was wonderful nonetheless, even if a touch cool. The spinach salad was really nice too. The short ribs were boned, which was a treat. Incredibly tender beef in a rich, somewhat sweet, french-onion type broth. There was plenty of meat but I wouldn't have minded more of the spinach and spaetzle that accompanied underneath. Excellent flavor - I cleaned my plate. My wife had chive gnocci. It was really nice, but not shy. You knew that there were chives involved. Yumm. My only complaint - cost. If the prices on the appetizers and deserts were a buck or two less, and a nice side came with the entree, we'd be back a lot. read more

This is my favorite restaurant!! I love everything on the menu and they also change it up based on the season. I love the ambiance and decor! The food and experience is definitely worth every penny!! read more

Stellar bar service, solid wine selection, and outstanding food. Bar was a little too dark and the decor was interesting - look UP! Food preparation was spot on. I had the pork chop and they prepared it perfectly. Solid choice for business dinners, date night, or out with friends. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Des Moines. I highly recommend the chive potato gnocchi with prawns - best gnocchi I've had anywhere, including Italian districts in Boston and New York. read more

Had an amazing dinner here the night before Thanksgiving. I had their burger, perfectly cooked, great flavor. My wife had the pâté appetizer and the mushroom salad, both were amazing. One of our dinner companions had the roasted chicken entrée, and though I didn't try it, it looked beautiful. Great wine and beer list. Very reasonable prices, especially considering the quality of the food. Our server was wonderful. The dessert menu looked awesome, I wish we would have had time and room to indulge several of the desserts. Will definitely be back! read more

Alba is located in the East Village area of downtown Des Moines. Love the casual chic ambience of he restaurant. Food was a hit and a miss. We started with a nice bottle of Zin. Wednesday is half price bottle night for everything less than $100. Moved on to sharing two dishes, the Fritters and mushroom/arugula bruschetta. Both were good but especially enjoyed the freshness and taste of the bruschetta. The server recommended the gnocchi. Choice of shrimp or chicken. Prepared with Brussel sprouts and carrots in a light cream sauce. There could have been a bit more gnocchi. But my primary disappointment was that the Jumbo shrimp were overcooked. Basically, had the consistency of mush. My table mate ordered the same thing and his shrimp were similar. For dessert, we ordered the bread pudding. This rendition was similar to French Toast. I wasn't a fan. They ran out of short ribs when we were seated for a 715 reservation so maybe this is the dish to order? Service was good. read more

Alba - Gnocchi with shrimp - American Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

The best meal in the east village and maybe in the top 5 in Des Moines. Alba has been here a long time and it features above all talent and innovation. Also the open kitchen is impressive and the bar is well run with the same skills. You cannot go wrong here. read more

My first time at Alba was crap-tastic, and it was over a year ago (when it first opened). HOWEVER, fortunately for those in search of excellent food, a lot of things have changed since then. I've been there at least four times since that horrible visit, and I must admit that Alba is currently my favorite place to eat in Des Moines. The only reason why I didn't give it five stars is because of that first visit. It tops Bistro Montage and Sbrocco, without at doubt. John always serves us (we now request him), and he is attentive, personable, and efficient. The vegetable plate (beets included) is my favorite dish, as the chef masters interesting combinations of FRESH, in-season ingredients. The food is not heavy like Sbrocco. Nor is it bland and outrageously priced like Bistro Montage. There is also a corkage fee for those who want to bring their own wine. Great space and location. Wonderful service. Outstanding food. What else can one ask for? read more

Dirty place, cold food, so-so staff, and the owner is a huge jerk! Def stay away. Not worth the trip. Save your $

Very tasty and nicely diverse food. The angliotti was delicious without being too heavy. It was tossed with very fresh veggies and not too large, so no post meal overstuffing. The drinks were tasty and well mixed, no half ass cocktails here. Everything was just 2-3 dollars more than I wanted to pay, but it was worth the price. read more

Had the beef stroganoff and flank stake. Amazing food and service. Great dinner and drinks were wonderful! Will be coming back again!

Where do my wife and I take visitors to Des Moines? 3 places, and Alba might be #1. First, you have to know what this place IS and what it ISN'T. (All MY opinions, here) Alba IS a middle-priced eating establishment with SUPERB dishes, expertly prepared and presented. It IS a casual-to-nice atmosphere, where you and your companions can feel comfortable all dressed up for a night on the town OR nice-casual. Alba DOES attract hip, youngish wait staff, who - if you take a minute to notice - are interesting people, doing a good job for you. Alba IS NOT an exclusive-feeling place, where you come to indulge in a sense of high-class (sic) entitlement. The food IS NOT overly-spiced, over-the-top trend cuisine. The wait staff is NOT obsequious, (they ARE conscientious and professional). When I ask a question about a dish, I universally have received an informed answer. In a nutshell: I have visited this restaurant dozens of times, over many years, for lunch and for dinner, and I have never, not once, left feeling less than "well, THAT was yummy!" The menu is always changing, and the items on it are always beautiful, balanced and nuanced in flavor and worth coming back for. I never order chicken at restaurants, because I usually come away feeling like I could've done it better at home, but these folks make chicken entrees that blow my mind. Think angels and unicorns. One steady over the years - Gnocchi at Alba are a heavenly thing utterly unlike gnocchi elsewhere. Firm, but creamy inside. Do not miss this opportunity to learn what gnocchi can be! read more

The meal, vibe and service were supurb. We brought 6 people, ordered a couple of bottles of reasonably priced wine and we got great value for the money. We ran the gamut of the menu with pork cheeks and chops, trout, short ribs. The salads were excellent - I had the arugula/apple combination which was a lot more interesting and tasty than I expected - cool surprise. It was recommended that the lava chocolate cake and buttermilk ice cream was a knockout. True statement. I highly recommend this little gem in the East Village....... read more

On a regular basic, my father and I like to visit local restaurants, especially new ones. He used to own a couple restaurants and a catering business in the 80's and coming from an Italian family, cooking is a big passion for us. We try to visit a new restaurant once a month and last month we tried Alba, and brought our wives. The service, contrary to other reviews, was perfectly fine. Our waiter was responsive and answered any questions we had. It was the food that I had an issue with. Overall, there is nothing wrong with Alba's food. It's well above average in every way and the prices are not really too much higher than any other comparable restaurant, but everything seemed to miss the mark a bit. Appetizers: Gnocchi, Deviled eggs. The gnocchi dish was a small entree that we ordered as an appetizer on our waiter's recommendation. The gnocchi themselves were very good. A little chewier and a little more potato flavored than I normally like, but better than most gnocchi I've had. The sauce it was in was a light marscapone cheese based gravy with grilled corn. It was an interesting sauce and had so much potential, it just fell flat. It was nice to see a cheese based sauce not turn into an alfredo, but it was just flavorless. The deviled eggs were good, but the lemon flavor was a little intense. Entrees: I ordered a seafood pasta. It was refreshing to see it was used with a variety of fish instead of shellfish that a seafood pasta would normally come with, but more variety would have been nice. There were three types of fish but it blended together. There wasn't enough variety in flavor. My father ordered duck. This was the best dish of the night - the duck was cooked perfectly - but again, the extreme potential of the blueberries in the sauce fell flat with a lack of flavor. My wife ordered a fish filet wrapped in prosciutto. The prosciutto was sliced thin and really added nothing but a fancy name to the dish. It would have been 10x better if they would have used a smoked meat -like even bacon. The worst dish of the night was my mother's fresh vegetable plate. This is Iowa, and summer time. Fresh vegetables are falling off every plant in every garden in the state, so why was this plate so bad? Because it seems nothing was Iowa grown. There were three types of tomatoes, all boring, an asparagus puree that apparently was there for color because it had no taste, and pickled beets. That was about it. How dull. And for $14.... Dessert: We were given complimentary fresh made basil ice cream with a balsamic sauce. The sweet basil worked so well in the ice cream and the balsamic sounded weird, but it was quite good. Overall, I feel like I'm being to harsh because the food was good. The problem is each thing I tasted had so much potential, and we could see very good ideas thrown in, it just missed the mark by a little and left me feeling disappointed. read more

Excellent food and portion sizes! Between appetizers, an entree, and dessert, you'll be satisfied and your taste buds will thank you. The quality of food here is exceptional and makes up threefold for the smaller portion sizes (though the meat entrees were just right!). The red wine recommended by our waitress also went well with all the different food choices made at or table. The waitress was pretty soft spoken and it was hard to hear her suggestions sometimes but that was a minor issue. The decor and ambiance are wonderful! I would definitely go again. read more

I visited once with a friend when it first opened - the service was great, but I wasn't as impressed with the meal. I'm a vegetarian, so I was disappointed to see there was only one veggie-friendly dish on the menu - and it definitely wasn't worth the price I paid. read more

This is a fantastic find! Incredible flavors, service and ambiance. Can't recommend it highly enough!

This was my first time to Alba. Nice atmosphere, however with the open layout, it did get noisy making it hard to talk with my friend. Food-wise, I give this place 4 stars. We tried and loved the avocado & grape tomato bruschetta. Yum. The whole white beans gave it a hummus-like flavor without the mushy texture. Nicely done. It was Super easy to find a nice wine on the (long) wine list, too. My friend and I felt everything on the menu looked good... in the end we decided on the BBQ pork cheeks and the wild salmon as our entrees. Both were extremely well-prepared and fresh. (For the record, we voted the cheeks as the flavor winner.) I recommend this place if you're in Des Moines. read more

LOVED THIS PLACE! Food and wine was amazing. Lucas provided excellent service. Will definitely be back.