OK, so as a writer, I have an affinity for Mark Twain. I’ve been reading Twain since 10th grade, when Ms. Schideler assigned “Huckleberry Finn.” Now, my love for all things Twain has expanded to Twain’s Billiards & Tap in Decatur.

Twain’s, located in downtown Decatur, opened in 1996. It started brewing its own crafted ales 10 years later under the direction of brewmaster Jordan Fleetwood. But to say Twain’s is a brew pub or restaurant doesn’t quiet do it justice. And it’s also not just a pool hall, although there are several tables (as well as dart boards, shuffleboard tables and foosball). It just sort of

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With its fabulous patio and deck, Mullet’s might get by with serving frozen pizzas and rote burgers – people would probably still come here just for a few beers and the venue’s phenomenal view. But Mullet’s does much better than that.Atmosphere: The rough-hewn, roadhouse-inspired spot gets its name from the mini-gallery of celebrities sporting the mullet hairstyle. While the indoor seating offers a good groove and plenty of windows, I always head outdoors, where the lower patio and upper deck give expansive views over the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers and the cityscape beyond.

Menu: Located just off the bike path, the restaurant attracts a crowd of cyclists, and indeed, the big food here seems best suited to those who’ve spent a few hours working up an appetite.

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Bluemound Road west of 124th Street seems to be one strip mall after another, with every restaurant chain imaginable, but it is easy enough to escape this scene and find unique, compelling places to dine. A few blocks north in Elm Grove, for example, you will encounter Village Court, a small development of shops and offices. Among these shops is The Grove, a bar and restaurant with Veuve Clicquot umbrellas that beckon diners to outdoor seating.

The interior is inviting as well. A large and comfortable bar sits in the center of everything. Pale yellow walls and exposed rafters enhance a dining area filled with booths and tables.

The menu is as casual as the setting. Full Post…

Scene: A sign at the new Urbandale location of Cozy Cafe advises that its maximum occupancy is 49 people, and despite torrential rains on the day we visited, the place was well on its way to capacity by 11:30 a.m. The café truly is cozy, with paintings of coffee cups on one brick-red wall and a mix of fun, colored tiles accenting two others. Seating consists of a handful of booths, tables and counter seats.Food: Like its counterpart in Clive, the Urbandale Cozy Cafe offers breakfast only until 11 a.m. weekdays. For lunch (and dinner), choices include a variety of 1/3-pound burgers, several salads and soups and a refreshing assortment of sandwiches, such as BLT, chicken, hot dogs (with chili or not), barbecue beef and pulled pork, chicken salad, Graziano’s sausage or homemade meatball.

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Sometimes you go out for a big meal in New York City.  Perhaps you grabbed some incredible meatloaf at Eatery NYC.  Or enjoyed the cheese plate at Artisanal.  Or maybe, just maybe, you ate your way through an entire 5 Napkin Burger.  You are full, sated and very happy.  But, as it’s only 8:30pm or so, you just aren’t done for the evening. In the s

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Oscar’s Pub & Grill (1712 W. Pierce St.) is located in a neighborhood known for its Mexican and Southeast Asian restaurants. So the fact that its specialty is all-American hamburgers is a bit of a novelty in and of itself. Oscar’s casual setting has recently been renovated, but it retains a vintage ornamental tin ceiling. Expect to find low prices—the basic burger, 8 ounces of Angus beef, includes mighty fine homemade fries for just $5. Others have “big” names and slightly higher prices ($6.50-$6.75), including the Big Hongo, Big Aloha, Big Foot and Big Gringo. The specialty is the Big O ($7.25), which adds chipotle jack cheese, smoked Gouda, bacon, chorizo and a few slices of jalapeño, as well as a small side of guacamole. Other Full Post…