Harbinger - Des Moines

I was pleasantly surprised by the vegetarian options at this restaurant that my colleague and I came across by accident. The cocktails were fantastic and the sm... read more I was pleasantly surprised by the vegetarian options at this restaurant that my colleague and I came across by accident. The cocktails were fantastic and the small tapas-style plates were delicious.

We visited this restaurant for my birthday, where the menu consists of small plates that are usually ordered in sets of 3-4. A substantial 30% of the plates off... read more We visited this restaurant for my birthday, where the menu consists of small plates that are usually ordered in sets of 3-4. A substantial 30% of the plates offered are either vegetarian or vegan. The food was delicious, and the staff was friendly and attentive.

Had the 7-course Valentine's Day menu tonight. Took nearly 2 hours to finish everything, but definitely an experience to remember. A cavalcade of delicacies. Fr... read more Had the 7-course Valentine's Day menu tonight. Took nearly 2 hours to finish everything, but definitely an experience to remember. A cavalcade of delicacies. From caviar, to lobster, truffles, even Wagyu beef.. what more could you ask for? Stellar service is the cherry on top.

For Des Moines Restaurant Week, my wife and I decided to try Harbinger for the first time. We also brought a friend who’s birthday was recent and we wished to c... read more For Des Moines Restaurant Week, my wife and I decided to try Harbinger for the first time. We also brought a friend who’s birthday was recent and we wished to celebrate her birthday as well. When we first arrived we had some issues with thereservation. These were handled swiftly by a very friendly manager and we were sat within 5 mins of arriving even though theissues were created by us, not them. Because of restaurant week, Harbinger was offering a four course tasting menu. My wifealso ordered the wine pairing while I had the sweet corn infused old fashioned and our friend had the highball. The wines wereperfectly paired for each meal. I even ordered a second old fashioned. I am not sure our friend liked the highball or not as sheonly finished half, but she said she did. Not on the menu, but received first, was the amuse-bouche of a sweet corn purée andcrab. Delicious! And my drink paired well. For the first course we were served a heirloom tomato dish which was described askind of “zombie” tomato because it was dehydrated then rehydrated. I thought it was good, but some parts, eaten separately,didn’t seem to…fit. But all together in one bite was pretty delicious. Our second course was a squash and mushroom dish. Itwas good, but I could not shake the feeling it smelled and tasted like biscuits and gravy. That’s not a bad thing! Just mywife and our friend didn’t get that impression and that’s all I tasted. So there’s that. Our third course we were allowedto choose our dish. I chose the pork and the ladies ordered the salmon. The pork was cooked in a tamarind paste and placed on acorn purée. As I loved the corn in the first dish and my drink, I was easily amazed and devoured it. The pork could be cut witha fork and the tamarind paste contrasted so well with the corn. I wanted to lick the plate clean. Both of the ladies liked thesalmon. My wife did mention the texture of the salmon was odd, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the dish. We were

We have been a couple times and enjoyed both. Once ordering from the normal menu and once recently for the wine pairing menu. We always enjoy the bao buns, and... read more We have been a couple times and enjoyed both. Once ordering from the normal menu and once recently for the wine pairing menu. We always enjoy the bao buns, and enjoy trying lots off the menu from starters, mains, and desserts. Cocktails are also good. Service has always been very attentive as well.