Absolutely love St.Kilda. One of my favorite spots in Des Moines. The food and ingredients here just feel "clean". They also have a great drink selection, lovely space, and very kind staff. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Very clean and modern look to the restaurant. The server was quick and friendly. The food was fresh and healthy. I really enjoyed my avocado toast. Definitely worth the visit. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Avocado Toast - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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Returned to St Kilda's for lunch during the lunch hour -- wrong move -- it was super busy with limited seating and very loud. I ordered the Pretzel Bun with bacon, egg, and cheese very tasty. The only problem was the twenty minute wait after being sited for full service and another ten minute wait for my sandwich which had a lukewarm temperature. Overall, the fool was delicious and the wait staff very busy which reminded me to continue to return during their down hours should I not want a repeat. read more

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The food is so incredible. Fresh and the combo of ingredients makes for very delicious food. The pizza is the best in town as well. My fav dishes are the pesto gnocchi which chicken, the avocado toast, the the chicken Schwarma bowl and pepperoni pizza. We also loved the yogurt and the stuffed French toast. The bao buns very good. Husband loves the Milanese and also the steak. I dont think we've ordered anything we didn't like. Really a top restaurant in iowa. read more

This was an adorable restaurant. The food was so good and great service. They had a great selection of local drinks as well.

Stopped in here with my mom and sister for breakfast. This place was packed for a Tuesday morning. Staff were really knowledgable about what food we could not have due to gluten and dairy allergies. And my mom doing keto. We all ended up getting something different and trying each dish. We got the chili scramble (goat cheese on the side) and gf toast, the brekkie burrito ( no tortilla, no crema, no cheese) and a side of gf toast, and a big aussie breakfast (subbing the sausage links for their berkshire pork smoked ham because the sausage had gluten in it) gf toast and a side of hashbrown. We did have a few mishaps. Butter was brought out on 2 of our dishes and some got on the spinach from the big aussie breakfast so that did have to be remade and maybe they felt rushed because the spinach was not fully cooked. The gluten free bread was also very dry, but the homemade jelly made up for it. The hasbrowns had the perfect crunch on the outside and and softness on the inside. I think my favorite item on the menu was the chai latte with almond milk. The spice was just perfect! And I watched many people stop in to pick up drinks before heading out read more

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Literally was the best breakfast burrito I've had in my life and I've had breakfast burritos all over the states 10/10

Really great food and not common every day food that you find at so many other restaurants!

We rolled in with a party of six (reservation on point, confirmations and updates included), and they were ready for us like pros. Wood-fire kiln? It made the whole place smell delicious! Daily specials? Absolutely. A menu with a little something for everyone--bowls, pizzas, sandwiches--but make it high-end. Add in cocktails and lattes (because choices matter), a really nice space where you can actually sit, relax, and visit without shouting across the table, and you have a win. Service was solid and smooth, and the automatic gratuity for our group made checkout easy and drama-free. Though I will say I don't understand this philosophy, but okay! You would have gotten more out of me. If you are looking for a spot that delivers good food, good vibes, and room to enjoy the people you are with, St Kilda's delivered. read more

4.8* (out of 5) Food: 5* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $40 12/06/2024 Our friends took us here several years ago and we really enjoyed the experience...finally getting the chance to return and found it just as impressive. We started with drinks, including a Bloody Mary with Mezcal (see picture) and an After Midnight - both quite tasty. We then ordered Collective Wings (see picture) as an appetizer and found them so delicious that we were tempted to order more of them for our meal. For our dinner, my wife ordered the Cubano (see picture) and I opted for the Squash Risotto (see picture). As we always do, we shared tastes of each both of us thought that both meals were good enough to order again and recommend. A great place to eat towards the north end of the Valley Junction 'Strip' with an amazing atmosphere and fantastic service. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. read more

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Great neighborhood joint. Perfect for a latte to-go or a pizza party with friends. Interior is as good as any

Visiting my friend in Des Moines and she took us here. It was delicious. Street parked on the main street. The service was lovely. The staff was very professional and nice. The food options had something for everyone. Iced tea was good but wish I would've tried the coffee or cocktails!! I had the shawarma bowl and it was sooo good. Interior modern design. Very aesthetic and photo worthy. Loved the artwork. Would love to be back. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Craft cocktails-- 10/10 From scratch soups, salads, & sandwiches--10/10 Wait staff-- 10/10 read more

Breakfast Steak Bowl... prepared with a well done slab of flank steak to tough to cut. Only came with one egg and the peppers and onions were barely warmed. We were in for a late lunch on a Sunday and the staff was ready to be done for the day. There was only 5 tables seated and we didn't get a check in or water fill until we had completed our meal. We were shared between two servers and neither of the girls seemed to concerned with our experience. My Wife had salmon and eggs and it was great, she got two eggs. read more

Great food, bistro cuisine and friendly informed service. Chill venue with street parking.

Hoo boy. Where to start? This was our second visit, at the request of MIL for her birthday, so we gave it another try. It will have been our last. We were seated quickly, as one would expect with a reservation, and seated at the back of the dining room, which was all fine, but, for a party of six, they were only able to provide three menus (explanation - they had too few, which seems odd for a well-established business). They had plenty of drinks menus, which might explain one of our server's barely concealed disdain when most of us only wanted water (per usual for us). Even then, they brought a coffee when the order was for a coke. At least 10 minutes after were ready to order, a server came to take our order. Mostly fine, but the server had to go ask if the granola was gluten-free (it is not). Considering how many folks are GF these days, that might be a designation they could add to the menu. Another 10-15 minutes pass, not unexpected for made to order food, but not a single server came by to check on us or refresh our water. Fortunately the server station was right behind us, so hubbins was able to do the honors. When the food came, four of the five of us were served - MIL's grilled cheese (not a difficult order) didn't come out with the rest of the food. Hubbin's cheeseburger was served with the sauce he specifically asked to be omitted on the top bun. He caught it before the server departed and said he could scrape it off the burger if she could bring a fresh bun top. It took at least 10 more minutes before that was done, while his burger sat there cooling. Younger offspring bit into their burger and we realized the server hadn't bothered to ask how they wanted it done (it was pretty rare). Three of us were basically done eating before MIL's food and the burger bun arrived. All this time, still no one came by with a water pitcher, so hubbins helped them out again. The only explanation we got was that the kitchen was "swamped" - after 1:00 on a Sunday. They comped MIL's meal and offered a leftover pastry as a birthday treat. The place is loud, service was overall pretty lousy (although very polite), and the food is nothing special. We won't be going back. Update: I greatly appreciate the prompt response from the owner and certainly can better understand what was happening behind the scenes. I hope the in-laws will take an opportunity to give them another try. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Chai latte - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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It's always great to come back to Des Moines and see how restaurants like this do things right. I think outsiders see DSM as a town that only serves pork chops and corn on the cob. But with a place like this, it reminds me how DSM is turning things around. We came here on a Sunday morning and were able to get a table quickly. I had the salmon and eggs and it was delicious. We also ordered the avocado toast. Which was also great. Please come here and support a great local business. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

I had eaten dinner here before, but not breakfast. We had heard great things. I did look online for reservations. The earliest we could find was 11. We were headed there about 10. We walked in and were able to get a table for two. The hottest was very hard to hear. Very nice, just with acoustics, and she was soft-spoken. Our server created us mins after we sat. We ordered our coffee. When she brought the coffee, we ordered our food. The coffee was very good. My dining companion thought it was the best coffee we have had out in a while. My dining companion ordered the Big Aussie Breakfast. It looked delicious, which was exactly how it tasted. He took a bite of the sausage and raved about it. So I asked to try it. OMG! It's probably the best sausage. I have been out at a restaurant in a very long time. I tried his bacon as well. It was good, but that sausage was the star. I had the Brekkie Burrito. It came cut in half, which made it way easier to eat. It was filled with tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and egg. The sauce that came on the side was avocado sauce-it had a little kick to it. It was very good. I don't usually order Burritos, but I would order this one again. read more

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My husband and I came on a Tuesday morning to enjoy a breakfast without the kids. I'd been to other St. Kilda locations and also this one, once for takeout coffee. My husband had never been to one. Parking is on the street with diagonal parking. We were promptly greeted upon entering the restaurant. They weren't overly busy and we were seated with ample space between other tables/diners. I knew I liked there coffee so I ordered a mocha. My husband ordered a smoothie. We knew we had a busy morning and afternoon after breakfast so we went with some filling meals. I ordered the salmon & eggs while my husband asked for the steak & eggs. The food came out quickly and the presentation looked great. My salmon was cooked perfectly. Slightly crisp on the outside and moist inside. The eggs and potatoes were perfectly paired as was the sauce. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his steak & eggs too. We were stuffed at the end of the meal. So stuffed, we didn't eat until dinner that night. Such a great place to get quality and filling food. I'll definitely keep going to the St. Kilda locations. read more

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St. Kilda Collective is such a gem! The atmosphere is chic and cozy, perfect for catching up with friends or getting some work done. Service was great! The food and coffee are always top-notch--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Highly recommend! read more

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Valley Junction, Iowa. A sleepy strip of Americana, where the ghosts of old Main Street linger in the clapboard storefronts. At the tail end of this nostalgic drag sits St. Kilda, a place that's trying to be everything at once: breakfast joint, lunch spot, dinner haunt, coffee shop, bakery, bar, and even a rentable event space for your cousin's third wedding. It's ambitious, maybe too ambitious, like a chef plating a dozen ingredients hoping they all sing. They don't always, but damn if they don't try. I roll in at 12:30, the witching hour for lunch, expecting a mob. Every joint I passed on the way was buzzing--diners spilling out, waiting for a seat. But St. Kilda? It's a ghost town. Four, maybe five tables occupied. The kind of quiet that makes you wonder if you missed a memo about a health code violation. At least I won't be elbowing for a chair. I know what I want before I cross the threshold. The menu's been burned into my brain from too many visits. I order the Chicken Shawarma Bowl, and the kitchen, probably twiddling their thumbs back there, sends it out faster than a New York minute. Grilled marinated chicken, farro, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper hummus, lemon, garlic cumin yogurt, and za'atar flatbread. It hits the table, and it's a looker--vibrant, like a painter's palette before the chaos of the fork. The chicken breast--yeah, I'd rather have thigh, but this ain't bad--carries a smoky char that whispers of open flames. It's cooked with respect, not some dried-out tragedy. But the real gut-punch here is the hummus and flatbread. That hummus is velvet, earthy, with a depth that makes you want to cry for every sad tub of store-bought you've ever endured. The flatbread, kissed with za'atar, is crisp and fragrant. If they sold this duo solo, I'd be back daily, double-fisting it with a bottle of good olive oil and a lemon to squeeze. Hell, a drizzle of EVOO and a citrus hit right now would take this from a solid 10 to a transcendent 15. I'm dreaming of it already. But here's where the wheels wobble. This dish is screaming for acid like a junkie in withdrawal. A lemon wedge, a splash of vinegar in the farro, some pickled onions--something to cut through the richness and wake the damn thing up. And the farro itself? Served cold, like it's staging a protest against the piping-hot chicken piled on top. The result is a tepid, confused bed of grains that can't decide what it wants to be. I ask the server if this is intentional. They nod, like it's gospel. Maybe I'm being a prick, but I don't sign up for hot food lounging on a cold mattress. They offer to heat it, but I wave it off--I'm not here to make them run laps. The dish is good, don't get me wrong. The hummus and bread are great. But with a little acid, a little fat, this could be a knockout. After my meal I wash down a pistachio latte, expecting the usual Starbucks travesty--flavorless milk with a whisper of regret. But this? This is a revelation. Nutty, bold, not afraid to be itself. I'm half-tempted to ask for a slug of Disaronno to make it sing, but I have to go back to work. Here's the thing: St. Kilda should be packed. I've been here a dozen times, maybe more, over the past year. The food's good, better than okay, but not great. But the service? Spotty as hell. Water glasses sit empty, servers vanish like they're auditioning for a magic act. No one checks in while I'm eating--not once. It's a shame, because the bones of this place are solid. The food's got soul, the coffee's got guts, and the vibe is pleasant enough to make you forgive the missteps. But in a town where every other spot is slammed, St. Kilda's quiet tables feel like a warning. They're swinging for the fences, but they're not quite connecting. read more

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The absolute most delicious wood fired pizza and great staff. Seasonal drink menu with modern decor and superior service. No wait on this Saturday night and valley junction is adorable. . read more

Popped in here for lunch on Sunday before heading back to KC. We wanted salad and sandwiches and these were delicious. We shared the chopped salad and turkey sandwich and both were really good as were the fries. We did a shared table app of brussels sprouts and they were delicious. Our waiter was friendly but not the greatest. Had to beg for water refills and ask multiple times for sauces. But all in all, it is so cute and good food so if we are in the area again, would definitely go back. read more

I love st. Kinda. The food is incredible and so are the cocktails. The service is great and the staff is helpful with your needs. The ambiance is also really nice and it is family friendly as well. read more

This place has consistently bad service. It's a shame because the food is good. We have never been in where the service wasn't poor and we've been here many times. They ignore you. Every single time. And really aren't friendly at all. read more

Stopped in for lunch and had smash burger, 4 cheese pizza with hot honey and grilled cheese with mushroom, grilled onion, Fontana cheese. Everything was incredible. Great looking space too! read more

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Delighted with my breakfast at this restaurant. Excellent food. They were very busy, but we still had great service. I recommend the salmon and eggs. My husband loved it. My daughter and I had the green goddess omelette, absolutely delicious. My granddaughter tried the stuffed French toast and really enjoyed it. Lovely place. read more

If you're looking for a fresh and delicious breakfast or brunch spot, St. Kilda collective is for you. We went for brunch, and were happy with our decision. There is a variety of coffee options, including seasonal options, as well as an appropriate amount of meal options. The ingredients tasted fresh, healthy, and light, and the coffee drinks tasted just like they would at a coffee shop. I was happy with my meal, although the side of hash browns was my least favorite. The restaurant has a really nice atmosphere. It is an open layout, with a lot of natural light. It is a little pricey, so would be perfect for a girls brunch, or breakfast date. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Chai latte - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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FOOD: We came in for a quick lunch and I got the Collective Grain Bowl with grill chicken. When ordering I was a bit worried the bowl wouldn't fill me up, but boy was I wrong! The bowl had a great combination of flavors and left me very full and happy. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Collective Grain Bowl - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

Came to Iowa from Ohio and I really wanted to checkout Reading in Public. St. Kilda was really close. Didn't know what to expect, but walked in and fell in love! It's brightly lit with modern decor. I ordered the avocado toast with a side of sausage. It was a totally different take on avocado toast and I loved that! Really savory, the use of hot sauce and pickled onions took it to the next level. The sausage was some of the best breakfast sausage I've ever had. My husband had the breakfast sandwich and said it was really good. Service was okay. Seemed like we had several servers at once. The two females were super nice! The male seemed rather put out. Regardless, they checked on us often and our food was prompt. Can't complain. Overall, I'd highly recommend definitely a breakfast/brunch I'll be thinking about for a while. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Avocado Toast - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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I had a burger where the beef was clearly past its code date. I was being treated, so I didn't feel comfortable complaining, I just did didn't eat it. And no one asked how our food was, so I didn't feel prompted. We are a large party and the restaurant was clearly understaffed on a Monday. It took two hours from arrival to exit. That's a lot of time for a coffee and a partial burger. I'm sure the restaurant doesn't appreciate this review and would preferred me complaining, but you would think that the cook would've smelled the problem and just not had it on the menu that day. read more

There is a lot to recommend St. Kilda Collective. We usually stop by for a late lunch focusing on breakfast options and cocktails that lend themselves to our food choices. We have yet to come away disappointed. Fresh, well-considered ingredients, all well-prepared. Today, though, we decided on a mid-afternoon cocktail and a snack. I opted for a pimms cup and could not have been happier one of the best I have had the pleasure to drink. We opted for the creamy hummus with pistachios and pickled cherries. Smooth, subtle, and those cherries... A good example of St. Kilda putting an interesting spin on a staple. We have yet to have a bad experience with any of the crew at St. Kilda. Ever helpful, up on the menu, and quick to tend to your needs, and fun to chat with on a slow afternoon. If you are looking for something fresh in a pleasant modern setting, St. Kilda Collective is well worth a stop. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Creamy hummus with pistachios and pickled cherries. - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

This place. Where do I start? The food is never disappointing. I have never had a meal here, breakfast or dinner, that I did not love. Now, let me tell you, the espresso martinis are the best I have honestly ever tasted. Not all full of sugar and stuff. Just a legit espresso, made correctly with some booze in it haha. My favorite place of all time. I never walk away hungry or disappointed. read more

What a great experience! Great variety. Loved the bar and seating area. The food is amazing. It has become one of our favorite places to go in Des Moines. read more

I'd like to preface this review by saying that the food was good, the host/baristas/servers/bartenders were kind and were not the source of the discomfort that I felt while dining at the West Des Moines location. However the Manager with the Australian accent made having lunch at St Kilda one of the most uncomfortable experiences I've had in long time. This manager clearly does not handle stress well because I watched him run around the restaurant screaming at his team members left and right. I watched this man degrade team members, bark task at them task after task after task, I watched this man yank the company phone from a bartender and proceed to yell at someone on the other line. This guy literally yelled as his team members sometimes across the 8+ feet. The way he spoke to staff was completely unacceptable and malice. It was so bad that all the other tables around us noticed as well and started talking about it. I left lunch feeling sad for the team members. I cannot emphasize enough how degradingly this manager spoke to his team in front of guest. He ran around like a chicken with its head cut off unable to communicate to his team like a true leader and this truly affected the overall atmosphere of what could have been a beautiful Sunday lunch service. read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

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Finally was able to visit St Kilda here in West Des Moines and it was what I hoped and expected!! Lovely lovely lovely! During COVID19 review: Visited for my birthday on a Tuesday brunch time: 10:30am. We did not make reservations but PRO TIP: make a reservation!!!! It is found here in the YELP app. It was busy for a Tuesday mid morning in the middle of winter and pandemic. I was shocked to see so many people dining in on a weekday. Tells you how much patrons love St Kilda. Walking in, GORGEOUS restaurant with all the minimalistic decor. The open glass area gives amazing lighting in the front. Seating was a plenty. All patrons were spaced out but someone who is not comfortable sitting near 6ft of others may not feel comfortable dining in. We were close to the bar area. We sat close enough to hear our neighbors' conversations. (Who happened to be celebrating a birthday as well) Ordered the street tacos, as the chef has a rotating filling. My husband ordered the steak and eggs. We shared the creamy hummus with flatbread. Strawberry mimosa, breakfast English tea, and Australian iced coffee. Total was $63.xx before gratuity. All of it was FANTASTIC!!!!! I was very appreciative of our server and the chef and how they were accommodating to food intolerances. Many plant based options available, pescatarian options available, and traditional dishes are galore! Everyone we interacted with were understanding and gracious. We even met St Kilda's owner, Alex, and had an awesome chat. Amazing man to talk to! We enjoy and appreciate how his restaurants operate. Overall it was a wonderful time enjoying fine dining for a birthday. The ambiance was calm and relaxing. I wasn't even done eating yet and I couldn't wait to come back!!!! Highly recommend a visit to try out amazing, delicious, creative curated dishes. read more

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Won't bother making the trip to come back. First their attention to detail is quite lax. Chair full of crumbs, water ripped all over a sticky table. Coffee came without asking us about cream and sugar. When it came, we the. Had to ask for a spoon. More lack of attention to detail Food was really not worth all the rave. And no salt and pepper on the table to season it myself. Best part of the meal? The pickle in my Boring Bloody Mary. FYI, We had a porchetta bagel sandwich and the pork tinga. Don't let me discourage you from trying this restaurant based on other reviews. I just know we won't be back. read more

Hadn't planned on eating here but the casual eatery I was going to eat at in the middle of a bike ride was closed. I was looking for a place with vegetarian options and this place was suggested. At just after noon on a Saturday, I was concerned there might be a wait but I was immediately seated at the bar. I ordered the butternut squash salad (kale, butternut squash, pickled onion, fried garbanzos, white balsamic vinaigrette) There is an option to add grilled chicken for $5 or seared salmon for $6 but since I'm a vegetarian, I didn't. The salad came very quickly and I was able to slowly enjoy it. As someone who has cut up many butternut squash, I appreciate how small the pieces were chopped but if they were a little bigger, they would have been easier to spear with my fork. The kale needed to be massaged as it was a little tough but at least it was 95% de-stemmed (not all restaurants do this). It was lightly dressed (the way I like it) and the pickled onions, fried garbanzos and goat cheese all complemented the kale and squash. Atmosphere was light and bright and after I finished my salad, I was ready to continue my bike ride! read more

St. Kilda - Valley Junction - Butternut Squash salad - Cafes Near Me - West Des Moines, Iowa

I visit st Kilda at least 3 times a year, every time I'm in Des Moines. Both of the old locations were absolutely terrific. Their new locale in west Des Moines is so disappointing. I've order the same thing at each visit...avocado toast with poached egg, mocha and an oj. The oj is fresh squeezed, perfection. This last time there was like zero mocha in my coffee and the avocado toast quite frankly sucked. So sad. read more

We've been to many of the other current and previous locations of St. Kilda's, so we decided to try this one that's reasonably close to our house. We were glad we did, as the food quality and service was on par with the other locations. Good, fresh, creative food, and prompt and courteous service. A group of three of us went for dinner on a Thursday night during the Farmer's Market, but parking on this end of the street was great, and we got a spot and were quickly seated inside. There are also a few tables with umbrellas protecting them out in front. There is a wine and beer menu, as well as a creative cocktail menu. The wine selection is a bit eclectic, with something for everyone. Pricing varies a bit, with something for everyone, and some items around the average cost in the area and some a bit higher. The food menu is very creative with options from tapas to sandwiches, to salads, to entrees. We each decide on an entree. I had the Lamb Ahogadas. The lamb leg was nicely cooked and the accompanying flavors were a wonderful mix of sauce and spices. Everything but the lamb was only slightly warm, but when everything was combined it was a great combination. My wife had the salmon, which was also a great combination of flavors, and our dining companion had the fried chicken. It was two pieces - with dark and white meat - and was nicely crisped and had good flavor as well. She found one random pepper piece that was quite spicy, which I would have enjoyed more than she did, but she really enjoyed her choice too. On the recommendation of our server I got the ice cream sandwich. It was a delightful, light and tangy combination of lemon and blueberry. Everyone at our table had a taste and we all enjoyed it! This is not a Midwestern eat your meal and take the leftovers home for tomorrow's lunch kind of place, BUT that's a good thing! It's fresh and flavorful, and wonderfully creative. If you have a big appetite, order a tapa or salad and enjoy your meal and the fund drink choices. We'll come back and just do some shared plates next time - from reading other reviews it sounds like the Beet Salad is a must! read more

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