The Perfect Iowa Date

Romance in Unlikely Places: A Quirky Guide to the Best Iowa Date Spots

BY KIRSI MARCUS & DONNA SCHILL

Kirsi Marcus dives into the spicy African food at Cookry in Des Moines.

Let’s face it, we’ve all been in that place between relationships where it seems like you’ll never make it into a stranger’s front door (and we’re not sure you’d want to!). Whether you are a confident dater, or are a little rusty in your game, the experience of dating can be mortifying. And if you’re living in a small town where the dating scene can be summed up as “slim pickings,” you may have developed the ability to keep an optimistic attitude about not-so-promising suitors. On your quest for Prince Charming, you may find yourself at the local bar flirting with the motorcycle salesman clad head to toe in camo attire. Or when you’re dining alone, you may be tempted to wink back at the lady in the corner sporting a Laura Ashley frock and an inordinate amount of blush on her cheeks. Don’t worry, it’s just a phase.

This article will address how to experience the Perfect Date. We believe the Perfect Date is composed of 60 percent the right guy, and 40 percent location. While we’re not love consultants, we have spent the past month investigating the best date spots within driving distance, so you can devote all your spare time prowling for eligible singles. Once you’ve found Mr. or Ms. Nearly Perfect, you may wonder what to do. Now you’ll be able to say, “I know just the place. . . .”

Leaf Kitchen, Iowa City

When you are just getting to know someone, it can be hard to think of things you have in common. Lucky for you, a common appreciation for good food will be sure to bail you out!

On a clear and sunny day, a picnic in the park is just the thing. Stop by Leaf Kitchen in Iowa City to get gourmet take-away dishes for a romantic picnic with your date. Leaf Kitchen is a recently opened tea room and café situated at the corner of Kirkwood and Gilbert, south of the downtown area in Iowa City. Pick up a turkey and Swiss sandwich on cranberry pecan bread, a spinach salad, and handmade truffles. We scouted out Riverside Park for your picnic destination, where we ate in the shade of dozens of large oaks. P.S.: Remember to bring bug repellent, and steer clear of the trash cans!

Fun City, Burlington

Speaking of good food . . . there are, of course, the usual sit-down dinner places: Top of the Rock in Fairfield (order the salmon), Cafe Dodici in Washington (ask for Steve as your waiter), Petit Paris in Fairfield (go on karaoke night), and many other favorites.

But for a quirkier night of entertainment, we recommend you head to the food court at Fun City in Burlington. With laser tag, go karts, a full arcade, and a water park with hot tub and bar, you can’t go wrong. Open until midnight, this is a great place for a first date. There will be so much to do, you won’t have to worry about making conversation.

The Latin King, Des Moines

When exploring date spots in Des Moines, ours was a rather personal mission. We set out to find The Latin King, a restaurant Kirsi’s mother used to frequent while growing up. It is located behind the A&E dairy cow statues right off 163 as you drive into Des Moines. Run by two generations of the Tursi family, the restaurant is overflowing with family history and ambiance.
The secluded patio seating may set just the right mood for a romantic dinner. Or sit inside where the walls are covered with old black and white family pictures, like the one of Bob Tursi’s grandmother posing in her first communion dress in a small southern Italian town. The menu is diverse, with good options for vegetarians, including a bruschetta appetizer, a wide variety of salads and pastas, and––if you’re lucky—the bartender will make you a strawberry milkshake to die for.

Cookry Authentic African Cuisine, Des Moines

If you ever find yourself lost in campus town, Des Moines, stop for a lunch date at Cookry Authentic African restaurant located on University Avenue near Drake University. Nestled in an unlikely spot between a tattoo parlor and a hippie clothing store, Cookry is a family-owned restaurant, serving flavorful West African cuisine. Try the Jollof rice with a side of plantains, or cassava leaves with groundnut sauce. Plantains, for the record, are relatives of the banana family, and—when deep fried—savory and delicious. The restaurant is clean and spacious. Regional maps of Africa and cultural artwork of ladies dancing in vibrant robes decorate the walls. Jive out to the African drum music and let the spicy food bring out your wilder side.

The Romance of ... Graveyards?

Not all of us are bold enough to declare it across the “Welcome to Fairfield” sign, although we applaud those of you who are. But for an exciting way to say, “I love you,” “I think you’re kinda neat,” or just have a crafty date, the recipe is simple.

Bring some paper, crayons, or charcoal, and head to your favorite graveyard (we went to the one off B street, south of the reservoir). Spend the day writing love notes for each other using the relief designs and wording on the weathered tombstones. Walk across the sloping hills sheltered by old pines. Spend a moment reading the graves of husbands and wives lying close to each other for all eternity. Don’t let this activity strike you as morbid or depressing. We guarantee you’ll be surprised at just how romantic a graveyard can be. For an added touch, go just before a lovely sunset.

Zoo Brew, Des Moines

If your man is a bit of a beast or your woman a tigress, take a trip to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines for “Zoo Brew,” special summer nights when the park is open after hours so that you and your date can wine and dine among the animals. Take your pick of five different Zoo Brew events, such as the “Brew Uncorked” where you can taste and vote for your favorite wine and beer.

Vedic Observatory, Fairfield

To set a more romantic mood for a late night stroll, we recommend the Vedic Observatory, located off Observatory Road in Vedic City, for some late night stargazing. Go on a clear night and bring a blanket to sit on and a flashlight to help you explore all of the interesting structures. You’ll find the place to be secluded and quiet. If you’re lucky, you may even see a few shooting stars.

Reiman Gardens, Ames

Reiman Gardens in Ames is sure to satisfy your botanical curiosity. With a butterfly garden, conservatory, and extensive outdoor gardens, this facility makes a great Sunday afternoon date. My personal favorite attraction is the butterfly garden, housing numerous species of exotic butterflies.

Make sure you check out the glass butterfly-emergence windows past the information desk, where you can study the chrysalises of different butterflies and watch them hatch. A glass encasement against the right wall houses row upon row of different colored and sized cocoons, some looking like wooly Brazil nuts, others like wrapped up turquoise fairy wings with gold filigree, and some like little golden peanuts. Past the emergence windows is a display of every butterfly where you can match each chrysalis with the pinned-up body of its corresponding butterfly.

After a thorough introduction, you and your date are ready to enter the butterfly garden. You will feel like you’re outside with the high arching ceilings, natural light, and warm and moist air to match the tropical conditions the butterflies are used to living in. You may have to watch your step as you walk hand in hand, butterflies weaving in and out of the fuzzy strings of the chenille plants growing on the path’s edge. We think you and your date will find your afternoon among the butterflies, angel’s trumpets, bleeding heart vines, and yellow Japanese irises both a romantic and educational experience.

Now It's Up to You

Hopefully we have planted the seeds for some great dates, and we’ll leave the rest up to you. Knowing that Iowa can provide romance in the most unlikely places should give you the confidence you need to take a chance and hit the dating scene. So, ladies, put on that red lipstick, heels, and your favorite polka-dot dress and, gents, grab your wallets on the way out the door. It’s dating time!

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Website

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment