Ecuadorean restaurant now open in former W.D.M. Yanni’s location

Mi Patria opened Sunday at 1410 22nd St. in West Des Moines, next to Michael’s craft and hobby store. It’s in the space formerly occupied by Yanni’s restaurant. The interior has been brightened with fresh paint.The owners are Cesar Miranda, who is also manager, and his wife, Dalila Alonzo. Miranda says his restaurant is the only one in the metro area serving all Ecuadorean food.Both a lunch menu and a dinner menu are offered. Menu items usually include rice and beans, such as lentils or fava beans, and plantains, similar to bananas, are common. Miranda said the food is typical of the coastal region of Ecuador, so many of the dishes include seafood, but meats such as chicken are also served.Miranda has worked in restaurants more than 16 years. He has also prepared and sold food at the World Food Festival in Des Moines for four years.

Some of Mi Patria’s specialties include ceviches; hornado – a slow roasted pulled pork; arroz con pollo – pulled chicken mixed in yellow rice and vegetables; and empanadas – a fried turnover stuffed with meat and vegetables.Most lunch items run about $8 to $9. Dinner items average $10 to $12. A large platter for two people includes pulled pork, steak, chicken, potato patties, white corn, fava beans, fried egg, rice, beans and fried plantains for $20.Wine and beer will also be available with meals. Other drinks will be added later.A buffet will be available from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. The restaurant is also open until 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.Cost for the buffet is $7 weekdays. The cost will be $9.95 on Saturday and Sunday, when more seafood dishes will be offered. There is no website yet. Call (515) 222-2755.

D.M. chef Formaro says Zombie Burger to open in East Village in summer

Zombie Burger. It’s a new restaurant concept under development for the e300 building, at East Fourth Street and Grand Avenue in Des Moines’ East Village, by George Formaro – he of the Centro/South Union/Django/Gateway Market/Orchestrate Management fame.The restaurant will offer quick service in one side of the restaurant where customers will be able to order food to go. Those who choose to dine in can go to the other side of the restaurant, which will be called the Drink Lab. Patio seating will also be open along Grand Avenue.

Zombie Burger & Drink Lab is expected to be open in August.

Vietnamese restaurant now open on Delaware Avenue in Ankeny

Pho K & K Vietnamese restaurant opened March 12 at 1701 S.E. Delaware Ave., Suite 200, in Ankeny, in the Kohl’s plaza, next to Fiscus Diamond Jewelers.Owner Hau Pham said most of the food is Vietnamese, but the restaurant also has Thai and Chinese dishes.The menu is extensive and includes pho, or noodle dishes; appetizers; soups; salads; and entrees. A couple of more popular items are pork chops and the banh uot thit nuong, a thin pancake with grilled pork, Pham said.

Most items are about $8.Pham has 14 years of experience in restaurant service and catering. His mother, who also has experience as a restaurant cook, is the head chef of Pho K & K.Hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Call (515) 964-2388.

East-side mainstay Kelly’s Little Nipper gets a new look

Kelly’s Little Nipper,1701 E. Grand Ave. in Des Moines, has a new look and new people running the place. Brad Beadle took over the business March 1, and although it doesn’t have a liquor license yet – that should arrive by the end of March. The pool table is still there, and so is the food the pub has gained a reputation for. The tenderloins are huge and extend way over the buns, which measure almost seven inches in diameter. Other bar foods are still there, too, including the Italian sausage sandwich made with Graziano’s meat, and served with hot or mild peppers.

Hours are 9 a.m.-close daily. Call (515) 265-2031.

Smithson opens pub just off Court Avenue; will serve food, too

Big Red’s Irish Pub & Pong opened in time for St. Paddy’s Day, at 207 Fourth St. in Des Moines.The location is north of Court Avenue, below sidewalk level, in what was for years the Trattoria restaurant, followed by a couple of other restaurants. Ryan Smithson, the owner, said food will be added in May. He’s planning to serve freshly prepared foods, not made from frozen, focusing on just two or three items that can be prepared to order. He mentioned fish and chips and Philly Cheesesteak made from ribeye as possibilities. A to-go window will allow pick-up of orders for those not eating in.Hours are 11 a.m.-close Mondays through Saturdays.

- Want to share some dining news? E-mail Tom Perry at tperry@dmreg.com.

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