Two Iowa companies are suing the state over its interpretation of a new law that restricts THC levels in adult beverages. Climbing Kites, a Polk County beverage manufacturer, and Field Day Brewing Co., the Johnson County producer of the Day Dreamer line of cannabis sparkling water, are suing the Iowa Department of Health and Human […]
Food & Drink
Posted inCommunity/News
Farmers markets open in Coralville and Cedar Rapids as summer draws near
Farmers market season continues as markets in Coralville and Cedar Rapids open this week. On Wednesday, the Coralville Farmers Market opens for its 2024 season, and then on Thursday and Saturday, two annual farmers markets in Cedar Rapids return. The two-hour Coralville Farmers Market will be held each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., starting on May […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Long before a Final Four, George’s has been the go-to spot to watch Iowa women’s basketball
Three blocks from the bar colony of downtown Iowa City sits the Northside Market, a neighborhood some of the quieter and more niche businesses call home. There’s Dirty John’s Grocery, the endless kitsch of Artifacts and the town’s only falafel joint, Oasis. There is also a little place called George’s Buffet. A slender two-story frame […]
Posted inFood & Drink
LV Recommends: The Bartender’s Handshake, an intimate place for a cozy cocktail in Des Moines
For 2024, “stale, cheesy cocktail bars” are out and “vibey, modern cocktail bars” are in. The Bartender’s Handshake located on Ingersoll in Des Moines is no stranger to the latter. Walking in, you’re greeted with moody lighting and the soft murmur of both conversation and music that elicits speakeasy vibes. The bartender behind the beautifully […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Iowa City Farmers Market opens its 2024 season on Saturday, along with Des Moines, Waterloo and more
The Iowa City Farmers Market returns to the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp this Saturday. The market’s hours this year will be 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays from May 4 to Oct. 26. One new thing at the market this season will be the person in charge. “This is my first season as the supervisor […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Photos: Table to Table’s big potato rescue
Little Village captured photos at Table to Table’s potato packing party on Friday, March 15. The nonprofit received a donation of an entire semi truckload of russet potatoes (an estimated 58,000 pounds). Volunteers from United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties and 5224Good sorted and moved the spuds into more manageable boxes. Table to Table […]
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Crossing the Reub-icon: Seven Iowa-made sandwiches, reviewed
From this year’s Reuben pageant sprung an unexpected star — a deviation, a meatless challenger from the sidelines. In the spirit of progress, we allowed its ascension; perhaps to set up 2025’s review, when the kitchen at Octopus in Cedar Falls should be in full service (owner Dave Diebler describes his tempeh Reuben as “off […]
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Pour things from Iowa breweries to imbibe this Oscar season
We’ve paired a pair of Iowa-made beers with each of this year’s Best Picture contenders so no matter who wins, you’re golden. American Fiction Bankrupt On Selling fruited sour6.4% ABVLua Brewing, Des Moines Mummer Saison-style mumme6% ABVQuarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery, Cedar Rapids Lua’s Bankrupt on Selling is packed with blackberry, pineapple, cinnamon and nutmeg. […]
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LV Recommends: New Taste of India spices up a ’50s diner in West Liberty
Many of us who lived in Johnson County in the ’80s and ’90s can remember Rockitz, an iconic traditional American diner right off interstate 80 by the West Liberty exit. I’m pretty sure Fonzie frequented there, or some scene of American Graffiti was shot there. The diner didn’t make it past the turn of the […]
Posted inEastern Iowa Food & Drink
Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week returns with a 10-day week and 19 restaurants
The name may say “week,” but Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week is a 10-day-long celebration of the city’s breakfast, lunch and dinner options. The “Cedar Rapids” part isn’t strictly accurate either, since Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in Swisher and the hip-stir in Marion are among the 19 restaurants participating this year. The week expanded to […]
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Joe Tripp on his trio of Des Moines restaurants, (accidentally) making gluten-free fried chicken and where the next Basic Bird may roost
If you Google “best restaurants in Des Moines,” you’ll be hard-pressed to find a list that doesn’t include Harbinger. The vegetable-forward, small-plate restaurant co-owned by husband-and-wife duo Joe and Alex Tripp has been a fine dining destination since it opened in 2017. In 2022, the duo opened Windsor Heights’ Little Brother, a breakfast-centric joint with […]
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LV Recommends: Lacayo brings exceptional Latin cuisine and fresh flavors to a beloved Cedar Rapids restaurant
The owners of Lacayo — the NewBo restaurant that was formerly Caucho — “boomeranged” back to Cedar Rapids with the dream of opening their own restaurant. Armina Grizak Lacayo and Daniel Lacayo lived in Chicago before moving to Daniel’s hometown of Cedar Rapids in 2015 to work for local restaurateurs Carrie and Andy Schumacher. “It’s […]
