A Brunch Review - Fresko
I am a purveyor of brunch… If there's a new brunch spot in town, I am all OVER it. Every month I will be reviewing a brunch spot in the Midwest. January’s review, which will be my first, is Fresko. A self dubbed ‘Natural food restaurant’ in Des Moines.
Now, I have brunched all over the Midwest, so I don’t lightly say this but this may hands down be the best brunch I've ever had. Food, Drinks, Staff, Ambiance, I mean Everything was at, or near perfection.
Mimosas - 9/10
There are so many different flavors of juice, and no question, a bad juice can ruin a drink, long before cheap champagne. Their juice is all prepared on site, rather it be hand squeezed or cold pressed. I literally watched the bartender making pineapple juice with their cool juice machine. They have all your standard juices, plus a take on a lavender juice, or I guess extract? I know, sounds nasty right… but its sooooo gooooood, like surprisingly good. Couldn't have more then 2 with that lavender stuff, as they are way to rich. If you are one that tends to want to get blasted first thing in the day, they would not be my first choice to get you there, its more of a sipper. Still it is a great option on their menu nonetheless, and a creative take on a glamorous classic.
Orange
Pineapple
Cranberry
Lavender
Grapefruit
Mix of any or all (I can’t recommend all but pineapple-orange is very good)
My favorite is definitely pineapple.
There is a bottomless, or pay as you go mimosa options. Obviously I love a good bottomless mimosa bar, but if that's not your, style I won't judge too harshly.
Food - 10/10
There is nothing on this menu I won't recommend, seriously it is all perfectly put together. Flavor combinations are paired to perfection. I have had the egg & cheese sandwich without bacon, the raspberry mascarpone cream cheese, and the banana bread French toast. Obviously my tastes tend towards the sweet, but I can guarantee the savory is amazing as well.
Now I don’t know if their claim to, “natural food” is true. However, aside from proving that, if you care, literally everything on their menu is to die for.
This is not a buffet style brunch (if they are even doing those anymore). You order your meal in the classic short order style.
Service - 7/10
There really is nothing to say about the service. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t amazing.
They do leave a carafe of water on the table. I don’t know why but I really like that, because then you don’t have a staff member coming over every 10 minutes to refill your water… I’ve got hands, I can do it.
My biggest complaint would probably be that they didn't bring the mimosas fast enough...I know that sounds a bit like a booze hound, but hear me out...leave a carafe of juice and a bottle of champagne on the table! Save your steps! I won't waste it, I promise!
Ambience - 8/10
The inside has a bit of a minimalist style, nothing too large on the table, which is great. A place with a bunch of crap that you have to move to talk to someone is a pain. Some of the tables are a little close together. Nothing like going to put your coat on and your sleeve is in someone else’s eggs. It’s a fairly large space, with lots of windows and natural light, so even if it is busy you don’t feel like a sardine stuffed into a can. Overall it is beautifully designed, and has an open lay out.
Overall: 8.5/10
https://www.freskodsm.com/
