Category Archives: 2) Frequent Destinations

January 25, 2013 · 10:49 pm

Glad I gave Cafe Fuzion a second chance in Des Moines

On a bitter cold day, while in search of a bowl of steaming hot soup, a friend and I decided to give Cafe Fuzion a try. It’s a small Vietnamese/Asian restaurant in a worn shopping mall on the east side of Des Moines. I wasn’t impressed when we went there several years ago for dinner but for lunch, it was fine and the Vietnamese soup I had – Pho (pronounced pheh – not pho, as I commonly mispronounce it) was excellent – great beefy flavor, meat that wasn’t too fatty or gristly or synthetic (which has been a problem at other Vietnamese restaurants), and steaming hot! I’ll be back.

An order of Healthy Spring Rolls with shrimp from Cafe Fuzion.

An order of Healthy Spring Rolls with shrimp from Cafe Fuzion.

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January 22, 2013 · 6:21 pm

Now this is tempting…a getaway weekend in Dubuque from Travel Zoo

Travel zoo must have read my mind – or more likely my emails and blogposts because they’ve sent me a good weekend getaway deal offer for a place I’d like to go – and maybe you would too. See below

The Deal

Experience the charm of downtown Dubuque’s historic Old Main District and stay at one of its top hotels for more than 50% off regular rates. For $99 per night February-April, two people can indulge in upgraded suite accommodations at the Hotel Julien, which was voted the No. 1 hotel in Dubuque by TripAdvisor readers. This deal also includes $20 to spend at the on-site modern American restaurant.

For an added dose of luxury, a $199-per-night package boasts an overnight stay in a suite along with two signature massages at the hotel’s full-service Potosa Spa, and a $20 dining credit.

Select the Premier King Suite with an open living room and private bedroom, as well as a kitchen with granite countertops and full-size appliances. Or choose the Luxury Queen Suite with a private bedroom with two queen beds and a separate living room with sleeper sofa.

The Hotel Julien, established in the mid-1800s, has hosted the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain and Al Capone. It overlooks the Port of Dubuque on the Mississippi River and is within walking distance of an array of shops, restaurants and bars.

Other nearby attractions to explore include the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the Diamond Jo Casino and the “Field of Dreams” movie site, a timely destination for an early spring getaway.

Terms and Conditions
Once the room is reserved with the hotel, hotel cancellation policy prevails, and cancellations or changes must be made seven days prior to arrival. Hotel-imposed penalties may apply. Any unused promotional value credit will be forfeited upon checkout. Up to two additional adults in the Premier King Suite and up to four additional adults in the Luxury Queen Suite are allowed and are priced at $10 each per night. Up to two children 17 years of age and younger are free. Parking is complimentary. Pets are not allowed. This deal cannot be combined with other offers. Taxes and gratuity are additional. Voucher must be used in 1 visit.

$99 – Luxury Suite at Dubuque Riverfront Hotel, Reg. $209
By Wendy Wollenberg  |  Source: Hotel Julien
As the state’s oldest city, Dubuque, Iowa, “has reinvented its Mississippi River waterfront as a lively destination,” praises Midwest Living Magazine. In the heart of this bustling district is the historic Hotel Julien, where an exclusive $99 getaway for two includes an overnight stay in an upgraded suite and a dining credit for more than 50% off regular prices.
Why we love this deal
  • Offer is valid daily February-April — ideal for a weekend getaway
  • Guests receive $20 to spend at Caroline’s Restaurant, known for “American cuisine with a twist” — with menu items from artichoke fritters to lobster mac n’ cheese bake
  • Suites have separate living rooms and kitchens with granite countertops
  • This recently renovated historic hotel has hosted many notable guests including Abraham Lincoln, “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Mark Twain and is said to have been a hideaway for Al Capone
  • Spa packages that include two 50-minute massages are $199 (reg. $349)

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January 20, 2013 · 4:02 pm

Haiku for Sushi/Asian food in Des Moines!

ImageIf I was really clever, I’d write this post as a haiku – but bit much to ask on a Sunday  morning. I don’t know why it never occurred to us to try Haiku – a sushi/Asian restaurant in a strip mall near us at the western edge of Drake University. (Maybe because it’s in a strip mall near us at the western edge of Drake University). And when our friend Art suggested it – he’d had a good lunch there, I believe – I remained skeptical. But it was really good. We had several very inventive dishes – a sushi appetizer (my favorite was Leo’s Treat  Tempura- crabmeat, shrimp, avocado, asparagus & cheese),  a very interesting Haiku Salad with spring greens, seaweed, chopped squid, crabmeat, crispy Tempura bits in a sweet-tangy dressing.  Our  entrees were refreshingly lightly seasoned and sauced stir fries. The heavy use of panels of blue light in a darkened dining room with black furniture was a bit jarring at first but our table – at least – ultimately decided it created a soothing atmosphere. We arrived at 6 p.m. on a Saturday and the place was almost empty but was full when we left 1 1/2 hours later (to catch a movie.)

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January 18, 2013 · 11:52 pm

Cheaper Book of Mormon tix available by lottery in Des Moines!

Des Moines Performing Arts/The Civic Center

The Book of Mormon is arriving soon in Des Moines – and I bought  tickets long ago for Feb. 2 (commonly know as Groundhog’s day but in this household as Dirck’s bday.) But according to the newly branded Des Moines Performing Arts/Civic Center (still commonly known as the Des Moines Civic Center),  some cheap tickets ($25 vs. the $60 or so I spent) will be available by lottery. Not sure what’s up with that but interesting…see the new website: http://www.desmoinesperformingarts.org

The Book of Mormon

LOTTERY ANNOUNCED – READ MORE

Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it’s the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says, “It’s the funniest musical of all time.” And The New York Times says, “It’s the best musical of this century.” It’s THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart calls it “So good, it makes me angry.” Contains explicit language.

There will be a pre-show lottery at the ticket office, making a limited number of tickets available at $25 apiece. Entries will be accepted at the Civic Center Ticket Office beginning two and a half hours prior to each performance; each person will print their name and the number of tickets (1 or 2) they wish to purchase on a card that is provided. Two hours before curtain, names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets priced at $25 each, cash only. Only one entry is allowed per person. Winners must be present at the time of the drawing and show valid ID to purchase tickets. Limit one entry per person and two tickets per winner. Tickets are subject to availability.

More Info

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January 11, 2013 · 12:43 am

One more reason to visit Dubuque

Downtown Dubuque, Iowa, Oct 2008.

Dubuque has been high on my list for a return visit lately and here is one reason, (see below) mentioned by Lynn Hicks in the DMRegister yesterday. Last I heard, there wasn’t much in the Millwork District yet but that can and will change – certainly if Des Moines’ East Village is any indication. Dubuque has long been one of my favorite Iowa cities to visit – as I noted in my latest travel story on Iowa…for Delta Sky magazine, in which I recommended: the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium; Fenelon Place Elevator, a funicular built by a banker in 1882 to travel from his office downtown to his house atop a bluff; The Redstone Inn, among several inns located in elegant Victorian mansions; the 170-year-old  Hotel Julien Dubuque, now a boutique hotel after a $30 million renovation; contemporary Main Street restaurants like L. May Eatery; and the   old school beer-and-burger joint, Paul’s Tavern, where stuffed  Big Game animal heads are mounted on the wall.

Here’s Lynn’s blurb:

Is Dubuque hipster heaven? MSN.com has named the city’s historic Millwork District one of 10 industrial neighborhoods that are becoming “hip hangouts.”

Other neighborhoods mentioned included the Warehouse District in Cleveland, Brooklyn’s Red Hook area, Manhattan’s Meatpacking District and Dogpatch in San Francisco.

MSN.com called the Millwork District “a work in progress.” The area was once the nation’s largest manufacturing district for windows and doors, the website said. It now has about a million square feet of vacant warehouse space. City leaders have tapped into federal and state money to develop a sustainable neighborhood, creating bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets and attracting housing, art galleries and venues and community gardens.

One of the projects under way in the district is a $29 million rehabilitation of the CARADCO building, a 186,000-square-foot millwork factory that will contain 72 residential units, commercial and retail space and room for nonprofits and arts and culture initiatives.

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December 31, 2012 · 1:31 am

2012 in review – Thank you to my most “active commenter”: Dad

Some strange stuff worth reading here – who knew I had readers in Afghanistan? (Although I could have guessed my most “active commenter” was….”Dad.”)  Thanks to one and all!
Happy 2013! Betsy

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 20,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 5 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

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December 2, 2012 · 12:08 am

where to stay along the Mississippi in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota

One of the worst nights we’ve had was staying aboard a boat that doubles as a hotel of sorts along the Mississippi River in Dubuque Iowa. It seemed like a good idea but the quarters were cramped and strange; the boat was docked beside not only a busy road but a railroad track so it was noisy; and we were the only people aboard. Given that this boat was among the recommendations listed for where to stay along the Mississippi in a 2009 issue of a Minneapolis based mag, I’m not sure how the other recommendations will be. But here they are just in case:

– Golden Lantern Inn, Red Wing, MN

– Tritsch House B&B, Alma, WI (this is a really nice little river town!)

– Alexander Mansion, Winona, Mn.- Wilson Schoolhouse Inn, LaCrosse, WI

– The Hancock House, Dubuque

– Mont Rest, Bellevue, Ia. (long been curious about this place)

– Tatanka Bluffs, Redwood Falls, MN

– Belle Rive, Lanesboro, MN

– Oakenwald Terrace. Chatfield, MN

– Woodland Trails. Hinckley, MN

– Inn at Sacred Clay Farm, Lanesboro, MN

– Solglimit, Duluth, MN

– Blue Heron, Ely, MN

– Loon Song Bed and Breakfast, Park Rapids, MN

– A.G. Tomson House. Duluth, MN

– Covington Inn, St. Paul, MN

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November 7, 2012 · 3:30 am

Watching US election results in Arequipa Peru

Well it would help if we understand Spanish. But hey, we just found CNN in English so we are all set. But there is a certain cognitive dissonance to be watching American election results in this very ancient city in Peru.. We are in an 18th century hostal in the old section of Arequipa, in a room with thick stone walls, worn wooden French doors, wrought iron grills on the windows, thick red bricks by the bathroom. our room opens up into a small stone and tile courtyard with lots of potted plants. Oh god, CNN is talking about how close the vote is in Iowa. This is nerve wracking.

Arequipa is absolutely charming. The Plaza des Armas is gorgeous with a huge white stone cathedral with snow capped mountains looming behind it and two story arched colonnades lining the rest of the square. Oh god, james carville says Obama will likely carry Florida and win the election. Back to Arequipa, the creamy white sone facades of the churches and even the banks are stunning, many opening into lovely courtyards. Then some buildings are painted in deep shades of blue, red, mustard
including la casa de melgar hostal where we are right now. We had an excellent dinner two blocks away at Zigzag, which specializes in meat and fish served sizzling on black volcanic stones. I had rack of lamb. Dirck had chunks of pork, beef and alpaca. yes alpaca. No guinea pig this time.Tomorrow we sight see…first stop the monasterio de Santa Catalina, whose thick stone walls line a long block. Cannot wait. Love this place. Reminds us at times of places in Spain and Italy yet it feels very Distinctly South American…especially Peruvian. Here are some photos of our hostal. Oh my god elizabeth warren won. I am soooooo happy!

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November 1, 2012 · 4:26 pm

New in Iowa City – Iron Hawk restaurant for all things pork

The Tenderbites ($7) at Iron Hawk are breaded pieces of pork loin served with a choice of barbecue sauce, chipotle ailoi and ranch.

The Tenderbites ($7) at Iron Hawk are breaded pieces of pork loin served with a choice of barbecue sauce, chipotle ailoi and ranch. /

It’s hard enough already deciding where to eat in Iowa City – so many options, so little time. But here’s another restaurant to add to the “to try” list courtesy of Family Living, the Iowa Farm Bureau publication (that, full disclosure, my husband edits): Iron Hawk Restaurant serves pork from a local family farm in nearby Kalona. There’s pork burgers and pork marinara sandwiches, pork loin appetizers, even pulled pork atop pizzas.  And of course that Iowa staple, a pork tenderloin sandwich. Seems like good timing since pork is so popular these days at restaurants. (We ate it all over New Orleans).

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October 31, 2012 · 11:16 pm

take me to Spillville Iowa for some crazy clocks

Clocks

Inside view of the museum

I was writing a travel story about Iowa for a in-flight magazine last week and it dawned on me that I need to get to Spillville Iowa sometime. It’s a tiny town in northeast Iowa not far from one of my favorite cities – Decorah – and it has this interesting museum full of massive wooden clocks handcarved by two Czech Bohemian farmers during many a long winter during the early 1900’s. One clock pay homage to Charles Lindburgh’s historic flight, another – the apostle clock – features the 12 apostles who appear on the hour! Can’t miss that. Adding to the oddity, this is also the house where Czech composer Antonin Dvorak lived briefly in 1893 – long enough the compose a well-known string quintet there. The museum has an exhibit of some of his stuff. Interesting combo…

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