Le Jardin

It's sometimes tough to go to a restaurant that has food you truly cannot find elsewhere in Des Moines. Even when you get to the better dining establishments, everyone seems to have their variation on filet mignon, garlic mashed potatoes, chocolate flourless cake and so on. Not the case at Tag Grandgeorge's Le Jardin -- everything here is quite unique and quite delicious.

Decadent crepes, chicken topped with black truffle oil, polenta fries and pate I actually enjoy make this one fabulous new restaurant. And since the food makes such a bold statement, it seems alright that there's a somewhat stark, industrial atmosphere. While it's not a place where you'll want to cozy up all night long, the La Mie-by-day, Le Jardin-by-night atmosphere works with a minimalist, urban feel.

Another thing that will make diners happy is that this spot is affordable. Many often associate French food with high-dollar prices, driving most away unless it's a special occasion. Again, not so at Le Jardin, where even the bottles of wine are all under $40. I was, however, quite happy to hear that the owners were working on a reserve list. A welcome expansion to the short, but sweet wine list.

So, the verdict here? An excellent addition to Des Moines' restaurant scene. Merci, Le Jardin!

Posted 10/30/08 | Report Abuse

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