December 13, 2006
We just found a terrific new trend in dining on the Food & Wine website: A “restaurant” that has no building, and no specific location … in Iowa! That’s right: An ever-changing secret location! How cool is this? Not only that, it’s an avant garde dining trend originating in one of the most Midwestern cities possible! (Go figure)
Underground Inc. is the brainchild of Chef Hal Jasa, one of Des Moines' Top Chefs. The whole idea works this way: You make a reservation for a specific night and then you’re informed as the date nears where the dinner will be located. It’s completely clandestine. Could be a roof top. Could be a loft. You won’t know until you’re there.
When you get there you’re offered a fantastic menu of five to nine courses with wine pairings. What will be served is also secret, although the Chef offers examples on his website. The secret is not just the food and the location, but also with WHOM you’ll be dining. One reviewer compared the experience to a reality show. (However, there are no cameras or “confession” booths where you rat on your fellow diners.)
We think this is a fantastic idea. We love to be surprised at dinner, and we suspect others will like the idea as well. Food & Wine put this on its list of Tastes to Try in 2007, and we agree. While we won’t be traveling to Des Moines to try it any time soon, we expect the idea will make its way to other cities. New York next, please.
Underground Inc. will be having a special New Years Eve experience. If you’d like to give it a try go here.
Comments
Hal Jasa wrote:
Thank you, Bravo for posting this up about us. It is hard work to be recognized national as a chef based in Iowa.
I would take a chance and come to Iowa for a dinner with us it will be worth your time.
Best regards,
Hal Jasa
Underground Inc. & Staff
posted on December 13, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Kathi Slaughter wrote:
We've attended several of Chef Hal's undergound dinners, and they've all been fantasitic -- great food, great wine, great locations, great dining companions. Any of the underground dinners would be worth traveling to Des Moines ... even in the winter.
posted on December 13, 2006 at 4:50 PM
Andy Walsh wrote:
We attended one of the underground dinners in August for our Anniversary and absolutely loved it. Hal and I went to the same Culinary School and I am quite proud to see someone coming with great ideas like this. Thanks again Hal and you will be seeing us again and next time we will bring friends.
posted on December 14, 2006 at 4:16 PM
Neil Salowitz wrote:
I'm from the east coast and in my business travels I eat at many of the best restaurants in cities all over the country. I've attended Hal Jasa's Underground Dinners, and I can tell you that they are amazing! Aside from the fun of meeting new people in interesting locations, the food is simply some of the best I've tasted anywhere. Chef Hal is inventive without being precious. He really wakes up jaded taste buds, and his food-wine pairings are impeccable. It's worth a trip to Des Moines. (Actually, a lot of things here are worth the trip--restaurants, great music, theatre, a superb art museum, etc., etc.)
posted on December 14, 2006 at 6:27 PM
Laura Juarez wrote:
Hal Jasa has made a niche with his creativity that is not only new in the Iowa scene but also nationally. The experience he gives is amazing and full of excitement, splendor, and close-your-eyes-and-savor-the-flavor food. I hope that he will stay local and delight us in more dinners!!
posted on December 20, 2006 at 3:21 PM
g-dog wrote:
Other experiences have not been so favorable:
http://blogs.dmregister.com/?p=3901#comments
Even with all the logistical difficulties of any large event - it is very disappointing that the chef's response to a complaint was excuses - not an apology.
I have not attended any Underground events, so cannot personally comment on the events - at least the earlier events sounded great, and we all hope that New Year's Eve was just an off-night.
I checked the reservations page today and note that the events open for 2007 are now listed as 7-10 course tasting events (not dinners?)
posted on January 14, 2007 at 12:16 PM
E. Harris wrote:
My husband and I have attended two separate Underground events and have been extremely pleased with not only the exciting dishes but also the overall experience! We had the unusual opportunity to meet other couples who enjoy dining as much as we do! Thank you Underground Inc. and Chef Hal Jasa for bringing such a fresh concept to the Midwest!
posted on January 21, 2007 at 11:41 PM
E. Harris wrote:
My husband and I have attended two separate Underground events and have been extremely pleased with not only the exciting dishes but also the overall experience! We had the unusual opportunity to meet other couples who enjoy dining as much as we do! Thank you Underground Inc. and Chef Hal Jasa for bringing such a fresh concept to the Midwest!
posted on January 21, 2007 at 11:46 PM
IrishWalsh wrote:
Maybe you should reserve judgement of Mr. Jasa and his dinners until you actually attend one?
posted on January 30, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Austin wrote:
I had a dinner at the 25th st. cafe for Hal's valentines day dinner in 2006 and it was a dismal experience. My complaints from that night were very similar to those I read about in the Des Moines Register blog, as noted above. I called the restaurant after my dinner to talk to the owner and he was very sorry and offered to refund my money. I think this kid is over rated and maybe BRAVO should look a little closer at a chefs they promote.
posted on February 1, 2007 at 2:00 PM
g-dog wrote:
IrishWalsh - I feel my posting is fair, based on published reports of actual attendees and the Chef's response to complaints. Like I said, maybe it was an off night.
Were you at the event in question? If not, you know no more about it than I do. If so, you can directly rebut the complaints reported - I admittedly cannot.
posted on April 15, 2007 at 7:23 PM