The Cheese Shop is probably the most specialized food shop in Des Moines, even more than Allspice or Gong Fu Tea. The cheesemonger used to work at Gateway Market and traveled to study cheese.
Cheese Shop of Des Moines by
Tyrgyzistan, on Flickr
Macaroni and Cheese from Cheese Shop of Des Moines by
Tyrgyzistan, on Flickr
They sell a ton of their mac and cheese, craft beer, and meat trays.
I haven't made it to Baru but the guy behind it seems to have the local newspaper food and wine writers salivating over everything he does. Chef Baru was also a co-conspirator at a fast casual place in Clive, Tartine, that closed last year. He took over the Art Center Cafe this fall, and should have a pasta restaurant in Valley Junction open soon.
The people who left the Art Center Cafe took over a new project called
Hub Spot at the Riverwalk, but its not a full restaurant just a building with only a small oven for baked goods. This was part of a large renovation of the river area to make it more pedestrian friendly and the weekend crowds during the summer farmers market are huge.
Riverwalk Hub Des Moines by
Tyrgyzistan, on Flickr
Architecture worked into the artwork in a long overdue public renovation project. The public art installations around the building are still unfinished.
Salami Baguette from The Riverwalk Hub in Des Moines by
Tyrgyzistan, on Flickr
La Quercia Salami and havarti cheese on a baguette for grab and go snack.
The Riverwalk Hub in Des Moines by
Tyrgyzistan, on Flickr
The Riverwalk Hub
215 Water Street,
Des Moines, Iowa 50314