🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🚂 Cozy, classic, and quietly excellent — meet this week’s restaurant spotlight.
🌺 Escape winter for a few hours and step into a world of rare, exotic orchids in full bloom.
🐶 The only football game where everyone wins: Puppy Bowl Watch Party at Paws & Pints.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
The Club Car Restaurant & Lounge | 13435 University Ave #200, Clive |
Photo: Vegetarian Pasta | Emily Johnson
Photo: Philly Steak Sandwich & Seafood Chowder | Emily Johnson
🍝 Reliable Comfort, Done Right – Club Car is one of those places where you can relax the moment you sit down because you know the food is going to be good. My go-to is the Vegetarian Pasta (and no, I’m not a vegetarian) — a perfectly balanced bowl of zucchini, squash, grape tomatoes, onions, peppers, and mushrooms tossed in a garlic butter white wine sauce over linguini. It’s simple, flavorful, and consistently excellent every single time. No additions needed.
🥩 Classic Dishes That Deliver – Across the table, the Philly Steak Sandwich with a cup of seafood chowder did not disappoint. Steak, Swiss, onions, mushrooms, peppers, au jus and it’s executed exactly how you want it to be. We barely spoke for the first few bites, which is always the sign of a great meal. Comfort food that earns its spot on our regular rotation.
🚂 Cozy, Local, and Family-Run – Don’t let the strip-mall exterior fool you. Inside, Club Car Restaurant and Lounge is warm, inviting, and full of personality — from retro railroad memorabilia to a lounge that feels like a neighborhood living room. Family-owned since 1996 and now lovingly carried on by longtime staff, the service is genuinely kind, attentive, and familiar. Whether you’re in the dining room or the lounge, it’s the kind of place that makes you start planning your next visit before you’ve even paid the bill. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: It’s A Date!
Want to add some novelty to date night? Scratch it. Reveal it. Do the date. It’s a Date makes reconnecting fun again. Comes with 40 scratch off dates in the box. Pick a card that matches your vibe including time of day, length, and cost. Find it on Amazon #ad at https://amzn.to/4bmno67
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
🎭 Kimberly Akimbo | Des Moines Civic Center, Downtown Des Moines
Winner of 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Kimberly Akimbo is one of those rare Broadway shows that’s heartfelt, funny, and unexpectedly profound. It tells the story of growing up and growing old with humor, tenderness, and a whole lot of heart. With a Tony Award–winning creative team behind it (including the writers of Shrek and Fun Home), this is the kind of musical that sneaks up on you, makes you laugh, and then quietly stays with you long after the curtain falls. | Feb. 5th–8th | dmpa.org
🎨 First Friday at Mainframe Studios | Des Moines
This month’s First Friday invites you into a deeply thoughtful and visually rich experience. EMBODIED, curated by Lydia Nong, is a multimedia exhibition exploring the human body as a storytelling force — where posture, gesture, and form express emotion, identity, and lived experience. The body isn’t just the subject here; it becomes the narrator, asking us to reflect on what it means to be human, seen, and felt. Pair that with live music, interactive art, and open studios across five floors, and you’ve got one of those nights that reminds you why Des Moines’ creative scene is so special. | Friday, Feb. 6th, 5–8 pm | mainframestudios.org
💘 Cupid’s Lounge w/ Ramona & The Sometimes | xBk Live
Skip the overpriced prix-fixe dinners and celebrate love in all its forms at this lively, feel-good night of music and community. Ramona and the Sometimes host their 4th annual Cupid’s Lounge, opening the evening with original songs before teaming up with The Lovin’ Forkful and a rotating cast of Iowa musicians to cover classic, beloved songs of love, passion, and heartbreak. Add in DJ Mouth Brooder spinning between sets and Annick Sjobakken’s iconic photo booth in the back, and you’ve got a Valentine’s-season event that’s equal parts heartfelt and fun. | Saturday, Feb. 7th 8:30pm | xBk Live | wl.eventim.us
🌸 Orchid Fest | Reiman Gardens, Ames
Step into a winter escape filled with color, elegance, and inspiration at Reiman Gardens’ annual Orchid Fest. This beloved event transforms the gardens into a showcase of rare and exotic orchids in full bloom, created in partnership with the Iowa Orchid Society. Wander stunning displays, learn from experts, and shop unique orchid varieties and supplies from local specialty vendors.
Free for ISU students and Reiman Gardens members; general admission applies to all others. No registration required. | Saturday–Sunday, Feb. 8th–9th, 9 am–5 pm | reimangardens.com
🐶 Puppy Bowl Watch Party with AHeinz57 | Paws & Pints
Are you #TeamRuff or #TeamFluff? 🐾 Skip the penalties and head straight for the puppies at this feel-good watch party hosted by AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport. Watch Puppy Bowl XXII on the big screen, meet real AHeinz57 alumni pups who’ve starred on Animal Planet, and say hello to adorable adoptable dogs who might just steal your heart. Expect a silent auction with great prizes plus food and drinks while you cheer on the puppies.
🎟 Tickets (advance): $15 adults | $5 kids (ages 3–10) | Free for ages 2 & under
🗓 Sunday, Feb. 8th, 12-4 pm | aheinz57.networkforgood.com
Stop wondering what to do and start doing. Pick one and make it happen!
🐾 Pet Pick-Me-Up
Now get out there, Des Moines!
With local love,
Emily
AroundDSM
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