Chef Grant Gillon’s dinners have become a sensation, often selling out in minutes. His upcoming pop-up on January 24 is already fully booked, and future events are also in high demand. One of the latest events available for booking is the Woodland Cottage Farm to Table Dinner, scheduled for May 4 at 2866 270th St., Fredericksburg, Iowa. Tickets for this dinner, which will feature Aaron Holt, are priced at $200 per person. Other upcoming dinners include stops in Donnellson, Cumming, and Clarion, with dates yet to be released. You can stay updated by following Gillon on his website or Instagram.
Chef George Formaro, renowned for his restaurants like Centro, Django, and Gateway Market, will be hosting a six-course dinner inspired by pizza history at his new project, Chef George’s Slice House. The dinner, set for January 23 at 6 p.m. in the Reinhardt Room at 1430 Locust St., Des Moines, is priced at $65 per person. The event promises to explore the evolution of pizza from its origins to modern variations, making it an exciting culinary journey for pizza enthusiasts.
RoCa’s Sea Smoke Wine Dinner
RoCa, the popular restaurant known for its craft cocktails and shared plates, will be holding a special Sea Smoke Wine Dinner on January 23. This event, starting at 6:30 p.m., will showcase wines like the limited-production Chardonnay and iconic Pinot Noirs. The $165 ticket includes a gourmet menu featuring lobster bisque, Caesar salad, seared chicken with marsala and mushroom cream sauce, and Champagne cake, paired with exceptional wines. The dinner will be led by Courtney Lewis, the Constellation field sales manager, and will take place at 208 Court Ave., Des Moines.
Lynn Pritchard of Table 128, located at 220 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines, continues to offer a chef’s tasting menu on Saturday nights. On January 30, he will host a special pairing dinner with Cedar Ridge Distillery, offering an exclusive experience for $127 per person. This five-course meal will feature unique pairings like croque-monsieur with Cedar Ridge vodka and pan-roasted pheasant with Cedar Ridge bourbon. Guests can enjoy a memorable meal paired with expert selections of spirits, and reservations are required through the Table 128 website.
Moxie Kitchen & Events and The Royal Mile Celebrations
Moxie Kitchen & Events, located at 4119 University Ave., Des Moines, is hosting its monthly dinner on January 18 with a Burns Supper. This event, inspired by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, features traditional Scottish fare and costs between $55 and $150. On January 22, The Royal Mile will also host its own Robbie Burns Night, offering a five-course meal for $60. Iowa Nice Guy Scott Siepker will be the host for this festive event. Both dinners are excellent opportunities to enjoy cultural cuisine and celebrate Burns’ legacy.
Winefest Des Moines is hosting its Winter Wine & Dine Week, a culinary celebration with a variety of local restaurants participating. From January 21 to 27, diners can enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu with optional wine pairings, ranging from $50 to $80. Restaurants like Allora, Bubba, Centro, and HoQ are among the many involved. Guests can explore diverse dining experiences while savoring expertly curated wine pairings. For more information on participating restaurants and reservations, visit the Winefest website.