Jan 15, 2013

Our first interview subject is Mike Draper, founder of beloved Des Moines T-shirt shop RAYGUN. Ben Gran talked with Mike about tasting chemicals, the worst date he ever had, why Philadelphians are awful, and why he thinks everyone needs to leave Iowa.

Jun 29, 2012

10 things of Des Moines’ culture that did not exist when I made the transition from Rochester, NY to Iowa 5 years ago: 10) 80/35 9) Iowa Barnstormers (new team) 8) Dwolla 7) These restaurants: Django, Alba, Fong’s, Proof, or Zombie Burger. 6) West End Architectural Salvage 5) Startup City Des Moines 4) Pappajohn Sculpture Park 3) These...

May 8, 2012

It’s hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since I moved back to Des Moines from the San Francisco Bay Area. In so many ways it still feels like I just got here. Maybe it’s because of the mild winter and early spring that the time seems to have gone by so quickly. Or maybe it’s the fact that my wife and I are in the raising-a-baby time warp in...

Dec 19, 2011

He Ate What can you say about Centro that has not already been said? Quality food and ingredients prepared in a casual yet precise fashion? Check. Well-trained service staff eager to make your meal memorable? Check. Atmosphere pumping with the who’s who of Des Moines and one of the few places in town where you need a reservation? Check, check. SHE and I have...

Nov 23, 2011

We’ve been doing this Why eat at a chain Wednesday theme for quite a while, actually over two years, and we have never reviewed the same restaurant twice. Well, that is going to change today, as I am going to review Django a second time. You can see in my first review, I spoke about their lunch menu back in May of 2010 and had some pretty good things to say...