Visits to Ames Main Street

Left, Hot coffee and an apple fritter at Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery. Cozy, friendly staff, and a great view of the Union Pacific tracks for rail fans. But places in Des Moines like Donut Hut, Donut King, and Chu Chu Donuts have spoiled me with their richer flavors and more substantial textures. Center, The fritter at Van Hemert’s has a more delicate crumb and does afford some apple throughout. Its quite good, but altogether different from either Donut Hut or Chu Chu Donuts' fritters. The double chocolate donut, right, is a bit of a disappointment. Not as cocoa rich as Hiland Bakery or Donut King, and the frosting is decidedly sweeter.

A nearly hidden gem along Main Street is Morning Bell Coffee Roasters. I visited them on several occasions and was thoroughly impressed with the quality of their in-house roasted coffee.

Left, Nitro coffee and rooibos is a house speciality at Morning Bell Coffee Roasters. A rotating experimental brew, the Grass Hopper with mint, cocoa, and a homemade chocolate syrup is herbaceous with none of that neutered mint flavor so prevalent elsewhere. Right, The regular nitro is an easy drinking brew; I quaffed this pint far quicker than I wanted too.

One buck baklava… hell yeah! Honey sweet but not overbearing, large pieces of pistachio pepper the layer of ground nuts within. This is a superior baklava! Made by a bakery called Shatila in Dearborn, Mich. I could while away the morning noshing on several pieces with a hot cup of coffee plus a dash of cream.

Left, Off Kilter Scottish Ale at Olde Main Brewing is a malty, softly bitter brew suited for cooler months, but available year-round. 5.8% ABV, 11.3 IBU. Right, I didn’t know what the source of the high-pitched whine when I popped into Whiskey River for a beer. I quickly slammed down my overpriced draft and fled before my brain liquefied.

Exquisite bonbons from Chocolaterie Stam. Left, Clockwise from top right, seasonal Autumn Bonbons featuring a walnut and a coffee (acorn) ganache, Cherry Cordial, and Rum Bean. Right, The crisp interior of the Rum Bean breaks to release a splash of boozy rum. Pop the whole ‘bean’ in your mouth or you’ll be wearing it!

Left, Seasonal Autumn Bonbons are fun in design and a pleasure to enjoy. Rich chocolate takes hold, secondary flavors such as coffee and walnut come forth given patience. Right, Stam's Cherry Cordials ARE the pits! Mind the cherry liqueur and the pit; these put those ‘milky’ drug store candy aisle knockoffs to shame!