🌟 Good morning, Des Moines!
Your weekly nudge to get out, feel connected, and love where you live.
In this week’s AroundDSM:
🍜 A Des Moines restaurant I’ve been going to since 1989 (and still ordering the same favorites).
🚲 Warmer days are coming! This sale might be the excuse you need for a new set of wheels.
😂 Jerry Seinfeld is coming to Des Moines and he still finds the little things in life very funny.
🍽️ Restaurant Spotlight
A Dong Restaurant | 1511 High Street, Des Moines |
Photo: #7C | Emily Johnson
Photo: #79 | Emily Johnson
🍜 A Des Moines classic with decades of comfort. A Dong has been a staple for locals for years (I’ve been going since 1989!), and stepping inside still feels like reconnecting with old friends. The menu is extensive and ordered by number, which makes it easy to try something new though I often find myself returning to my longtime favorite, 7C: vermicelli with vegetarian egg rolls.
🦐 Big menu, reliable favorites. On our most recent visit, I stuck with 7C while my husband ordered #79 — stir-fried shrimp with cashews, vegetables, fried rice, and an egg roll. Everything arrived fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. This is why it has become a lifelong “go-to” for so many of us.
🍵 More than a meal — it’s a ritual. I always start with a pot of hot tea. It’s the perfect way to warm up and settle into conversation. The staff has been there for decades and the friendly banter is part of the charm. No matter the season, A Dong is one of those places that always feels welcoming and familiar. 👉 View the menu here.
🤝 Partner Spotlight: Amazon Echo Spot
The new Echo Spot shows time, weather, song titles, controls your lights, and plays music with rich, clear sound. It also has built-in privacy controls that are as easy as pushing a button. #ad Learn more here.
Enjoy great sound with deep bass and clear vocals.
Check time, weather, and alarms at a glance.
Photo: Outside of Al’s Dairy Freeze in Grimes | Al’s Facebook Page
🍦 Family-Friendly Pick: Al's Dairy Freeze Reopens for the Season!
Nothing says warmer days are on the way quite like the return of a neighborhood ice cream stand. Al’s Dairy Freeze in Grimes is reopening for the season on March 11th at noon, kicking off year #5 of serving up classic soft-serve treats, sundaes, shakes, and smiles.
It’s the perfect excuse to grab the kids, meet up with friends, or celebrate that spring is finally starting to peek around the corner. | Wednesday, March 11th | Opens at noon | 1220 NE Station Crossing Dr., Grimes |
Photo: Des Moines Playhouse stage | Des Moines Playhouse FB page
🎉 Top 5 Things to Do
The best bets handpicked for your week:
🍷 Wine, Food & Beer Showcase | Des Moines Marriott Downtown
One of the metro’s most anticipated tasting events returns for another delicious evening downtown. The Wine, Food & Beer Showcase brings together 40 of Iowa’s restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries, and distilleries for a night of unlimited sampling.
Even better, the event’s proceeds help fund OPERA Iowa, Des Moines Metro Opera’s statewide touring program that brings music education and arts experiences to more than 25,000 students each year.
There’s also a high-end silent auction featuring unique experiences — past packages have included Hinterland festival passes, luxury travel stays, show tickets, culinary classes, and more.
| Friday, March 6th | 6–9 pm | Tickets start at $55 | desmoinesmetroopera.org |
🚲 Warehouse Sale | Bike World
Spring may still be teasing us, but it’s the perfect time to start thinking about bike season. Bike World’s annual Warehouse Sale is your chance to score high-quality bikes and gear at discounted prices before the trails and bike paths fill up.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current ride, tune up for the season, or get the whole family rolling, this sale is worth checking out while inventory lasts.
| Happening now through March 7th | bikeworldiowa.com |
🌿 DIG Symposium | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
If you’re dreaming about spring gardens already, the DIG Symposium is a perfect way to get inspired. This half-day event at the Botanical Garden brings together gardening enthusiasts, Polk County Master Gardeners, and plant lovers for a morning of learning, ideas, and conversation about cultivating beautiful spaces.
Whether you’re planning a backyard refresh, looking for new techniques, or simply love being surrounded by people who appreciate plants, this symposium is a refreshing way to spend a winter morning.
| Saturday, March 7th | 8 am – 12:30 pm | Tickets at dmbotanicalgarden.com |
😂 Jerry Seinfeld Comedy Show | Des Moines Civic Center
One of the most recognizable voices in comedy is bringing a brand-new stand-up routine to Des Moines. Jerry Seinfeld — known for finding humor in the everyday moments of life — takes the Civic Center stage for a night of classic observational comedy that everyone can relate to.
From the legendary sitcom Seinfeld to projects like Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee and his Netflix specials, Seinfeld has spent decades making audiences laugh with his sharp, relatable take on life.
| Saturday, March 7th | 8 pm | dmpa.org |
🎭 Season Announcement Party | Des Moines Playhouse
Want to be among the first to hear what’s coming to the stage next year? The Des Moines Playhouse is unveiling its 107th consecutive season with a free announcement party open to the public. Stop by for a casual evening with beverages, light refreshments, and the excitement of discovering the shows planned for the upcoming 2026–27 season.
Doors open at 5 pm with a social gathering before the official reveal — and if you can’t make it in person, the announcement will also be livestreamed on Facebook.
| Tuesday, March 10th | Doors 5 pm | Free (reservation requested) | dmplayhouse.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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