Des Moines Restaurant

Spring Greetings from Cafe di Scala!

May 2nd, 2013

Spring Greetings Friends!

Well… Sorta. As I write this, snow is falling in Sherman Hill. (Snow?!). But let’s pretend for a second that you’re here in sunny Calabria, looking up at my ancestral hometown of Scala Coeli.

Ahh… feel better? Good. Me too.

New Menu
We’re excited to debut our new spring menu at Scala today. As the winter squash cappellacci pasta and braising pans have been tucked away until next fall, still there is much too look forward to. Chef Phil and Tony have been honing this menu for the past few weeks. From a new style of pizza crust, a couple divine pastas or a lovely fennel salad that embodies everything spring, we invite you to Scala for a dinner and celebrate an evening with friends. As an added bonus, our wrap around porch is ready for alfresco dinning and we updated our all Italian wine list with some new gems. The menu is posted on our website HERE or attached to this email below.Beatles Brunch
Come grab a seat for our always sold out first Sunday of the month Beatles Brunch. Get your reservations for brunch today by calling 515-244-1353.

Private Gatherings at Scala
From rehearsal dinners to baby showers to business gatherings, make Scala your home for your special event. Check our private parties page on our website if you’d like more info.

No Corkage Fee Thursdays
As always, we welcome you to join us on Thursday and bring in a bottle or three. We’ll gladly waive your corkage fee.

Cheers!
Tony & Scala Staff
Cafe di Scala

644 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Open 5-10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the rest of the week for private events

P.S. Check out our all new menu at Gusto Pizza Co and check out a new gourmet hotdog project I’m working on with friend James Bruton called Hotshots. As promised, below is our new menu.

Tags: cafe di scala, cafe di scala menu, Des Moines Restaurant, scala coeli
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Happy New Year Friends!

January 4th, 2013

Happy New Year Friends!

We hope you’re like us and resolve to have long laughs with your good friends, eat real food and slow sip on good wine. Hopefully, we can play a small part in your 2013. Just a quick couple of notes today…

Beatles Brunch: Come rock out to Chef Phil and Tony’s breakfast show. Our next first Sunday of the Month Brunch will be held January 6th from 10-2. Reservations are required by calling 515-244-1353.

No Corkage Thursday: Every Thursday at Des Moines Restaurant Cafe di Scala, simply bring in your own bottle and we’ll waive our usual corkage fee.

Vote for Chef Phil: We like our Chef Phil Shires. He’s the hardest working man in the Des Moines food business and he’s a master at his craft. Not sure where we’d be without him. Can you take a minute and vote for him for Best Chef in the annual Cityview “Best of” Awards? Click here to vote for us: Cityview Best of Des Moines Awards. If you could slip a note in there for Scala for Best Italian and Best Restaurant we’d appreciate that, too.

Private Parties: There’s always room in here for private events from Sunday-Wednesday evening or for corporate lunches, bridal showers and family dinners. We also rent out the space on Thursday, Friday and Saturday upon request. Visit our website, Call us at 515-244-1353, or email event planner Amy Carrell at eventplanner@cafediscala.com.

Blessings for a prosperous and joy filled 2013!

Cheers,
Tony & Scala Staff

Cafe di Scala
644 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Open 5-10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the rest of the week for private events

Tags: Beatles Brunch, Des Moines Restaurant, Phil Shires
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Cafe di Scala New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu

December 21st, 2012

Seasons Greetings Friends!

With snow on the ground, Santa’s packing up his sleigh and a New Year is in the making. Blessed Holidays to all of you.

New Years Menu at Des Moines Restaurant Cafe di Scala: We’re offering Five wonderful courses for $60. Check out the menu at the bottom of this post. Reservations are required and seats are limited. 515-244-1343

Scala Gift Card: Don’t just buy that special someone a dinner… give them an experience to remember. Our seasonal menu, award-winning wine list and our charming old victorian are sure to please a friend or relative looking for something unique.

Beatles Brunch: Come rock out to Phil and Tony’s breakfast show! Our next first Sunday of the Month Brunch will be held January 6th from 10-2.

A la Carte:
–No Corkage Thursday’s every week at Cafe di Scala. Bring in your own bottle and we’ll waive our usual corkage fee on Thursdays.

–We’d be humbled if you’d vote for Scala for Best Chef (Phil Shires), Best Italian and Best Restaurant. Click here to vote for us: Cityview Best of Des Moines Awards.
Cheers,
Tony & Scala Staff
Cafe di Scala
644 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Open 5-10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the rest of the week for private events

P.S. Our New Year’s Eve Menu is below as promised:

Tags: Beatles Brunch, cafe di scala, Des Moines New Year's Eve Dinner, Des Moines Restaurant, New Year's Eve
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A Scala Server’s Reflections on His Last Day

October 7th, 2012

Cafe di Scala’s Tony Lemmo with Phil James

Last night I worked my final shift at my homey Tony Lemmo’s Cafe di Scala. I worked six of the seven years it’s been open. With all my life changes this month, I figured it was time to move on.

And today I’m sad.

Scala never felt like work. Sure it was great to have the extra money, but it was always a safe place for me to enjoy the company of a tight group of loving people. Back when I was a drinker, I got to experience some of the best wines on earth for free. And then there was the food of creative people doing cool shit with simple ingredients. Being around Chef Phil taught me about the intricacies of pan searing salmon and the revolutionary act of a hand hug.

Back in 2005, my old roommate Tony bribed Nicole and me (using slices of Centro pizza) into helping him paint the place. We weren’t professionals, but we survived those hot July nights on music from KUNI, paint fumes and promising conversation of what was to come. And then he conned me into working for him. I thought I’d just work a month or two and then let someone else take over. But it was too fun.

Tony built something fantastic. He turned a 120 year old Victorian home without any parking into a successful place for people to get their romance on. He did everything people tell you to avoid when you start a business, but there’s a good reason that it works. It IS what true art should be. Some people desire a lot of money and to build an empire of restaurants, turn a profit and work yourself to death… Nothing wrong with that, but what’s the fun in that if you don’t have something that truly lasts? What’s the joy in doing anything you do if you don’t put 100% of your love into it?

I think that’s why Scala always attracts such a great staff of friends. People work there for the same reason people eat there — to experience something that’s right with the world. Friendship. And love. And art.

And Cafe di Scala is right. Thanks, friend.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

Written by Phil K. James

Tags: cafe di scala, Des Moines Restaurant
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Summer Turns to Fall at Cafe di Scala…

August 30th, 2012

Greetings Scala Friends and Lovers!

Fall has almost arrived, Friends. That means football, golden and amber leaves. Our roasted butternut squash cappellacci is just around the corner. Enjoy the last couple weeks of our summer menu on our patio, or cuddled up at a table for two indoors. Here are a couple notes this month…

Restaurant Week Thanks… First, a warm thank you to all of you who joined us for Restaurant Week this year! We set many records for attendance. More than that, it was great to meet so many new people who were trying us out for the first time. If you have a friend who hasn’t tried us out, don’t keep us a secret!

MISC…

No Corkage Thursday
Grab a bottle. Grab a friend. Grab a lover and visit us on Thursdays for dinner.
We are officially waiving corkage fees on Thursdays permanently!

LouAnn’s Italian Specialties
My mom LouAnn Lemmo is the inspiration for the majority 0f what we do here at Cafe di Scala. It was in her kitchen were I learned much of my cooking craft… If you have a big event coming up and want her to make some wandas, love knots or even an Italian Wedding Cake, give her a call at 515-282-4951.

Private Events
Let Cafe di Scala be the venue for your next event. If you have an anniversary, baby shower, wedding rehearsal dinner, business lunch or dinner, we’d love to talk with you. We let you create your own menu and choose your own wines. Give Cafe di Scala Event Planner Amy Carrell a call at 515-244-1353 or email her at events@cafediscala.com.

Sunday Beatles Brunch
It’ll be back on Sunday, September 2nd from 10-2. Happiness is a warm brunch. Call 515-244-1353 for reservations.

Cheers!
Tony

Cafe di Scala
644 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Open 5-10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and the rest of the week for private events

Tags: Beatles Brunch, Brunch, cafe di scala, Des Moines, Des Moines Restaurant, Fall Menu, iowa, Private Events, Restaurant
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Cafe di Scala Turns Lucky Seven!

July 23rd, 2012

7th Anniversary Coursed Food & Wine Dinner
This Wednesday July 25^th, Chef Phil and I will be crafting a five course meal paired with wines to celebrate seven years of Cafe di Scala. We’d be honored if you could join us. We still have slots available for this special evening. A small reception starts at 6:30 with dinner commencing at 7PM. Cost is $75 per person plus tax and gratuity. Please call the cafe 515-244-1353 as reservations are very limited.

First Course

roasted fennel puree and orange zest on crostini
marinated olives, soppresatta mortadella and pickled banana peppers
adami “garbel 13” prosecco

Second Course
calabresse vegetable minestrone
librandi “ciro rosso”

Third Course
angel hair with anise, olive oil and peccorino romano
librandi “efeso”

Fourth Course
beef braciole over a roasted pepper and potatoragu with peccroino and basil
librandi “magno megonio”

Fifth Course
walnut and honey pound cake with citrus and mascarpone mousse
vignia del papi “vin santo del chianti”

MISC…
No Corkage Thursday
Grab a bottle. Grab a friend. Grab a lover and visit us on Thursdays for dinner.
We are officially waiving corkage fees on Thursdays permanently!

Private Events
Let Cafe di Scala be the venue for your next event. If you have an anniversary, baby shower, wedding rehearsal dinner, business lunch or dinner, we’d love to talk with you. We let you create your own menu and choose your own wines. Give Cafe di Scala Event Planner Amy Carrell a call at 515-244-1353 or email her at eventplanner@cafediscala.com.

Sunday Beatles Brunch
It’ll be back on August 5^th from 10-2. Happiness is a warm brunch.

Host and Gusto Pizza
As most of you know, I’m also partners on two other downtown eateries and I wanted to thank you all for your business there. Host is happily open for lunch downtown from 11-2:30. Until the end of August, get a free fountain drink or a free Iowa brewed beer if you mention this email. At Gusto Pizza Co., during the entire month of August, print off this email or show it to us on your phone, and we’ll honor it for a buy one pizza, get the second pizza 1/2 off. (August 2012 only)

Cheers,
Tony

Tags: Anniversary Dinner, cafe di scala, Des Moines, Des Moines Restaurant, iowa, Private Events, Restaurant
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Help us celebrate seven great years!

July 11th, 2012

Celebrate 7 years with us on July 25th!

Happy Summer Scala Family & Friends!

Cafe di Scala is celebrating our seven year anniversary this month. Seven years! Amazing, huh? Four executive Chefs, 50 thousand pounds of homemade pasta and dozens of successful marriage proposals later, Scala has been one epic journey.

It’s astounding to think back to those final days leading up to Scala opening our doors on that hot and steamy Friday night back in 2005. Good pals Gabe Lueders, Mike Webster and I sawed boards, swung hammers and updated light fixtures for what seemed like an eternity of 15 hour work days. The late David Ryan, one of my best friends and greatest chefs to find inspiration, collaborated on a dinner menu. Justin Berkley and Kevin Fazio fine tuned the beer and wine lists. My parents (Tony and Lou Ann) worked on reconfiguring the dinning room space and tidying up things. (As my mother later admitted, the place was truly a “diamond in the rough.”) Throw in a couple dozen friends (Nicole & Phil James, Carlos Garza, Rob Jesmer, a couple other Phils and many more, — apologies for not mentioning you) who helped landscape, brush on paint, sample food and provide moral support, that twenty-six year old kid (me) would have never been able to achieve the recognition and success without being surrounded by those wonderful people who championed my vision.

And we couldn’t have been here without the many thousands of customers like you. Bless you for being a part of what we do.

Visit the Cafe and celebrate the month of July with us!

7th Anniversary Coursed Food & Wine Dinner
On Wednesday July 25^th, Chef Phil and I will be crafting a five course meal paired with wines.
A small reception starts at 6:30 with dinner commencing at 7PM. Cost is $75 per person plus tax and gratuity. Please call the Cafe (515.244.1353) as reservations are very limited.

First Course
roasted fennel puree and orange zest on crostini
marinated olives, soppresatta mortadella and pickled banana peppers
adami “garbel 13” prosecco

Second Course
calabresse vegetable minestrone
librandi “ciro rosso”

Third Course
angel hair with anise, olive oil and peccorino romano
librandi “efeso”

Fourth Course
beef braciole over a roasted pepper and potatoragu with peccroino and basil
librandi “magno megonio”

Fifth Course
walnut and honey pound cake with citrus and mascarpone mousse
vignia del papi “vin santo del chianti”

MISC…
No Corkage Thursday
Grab a bottle. Grab a friend. Grab a lover and visit us on Thursdays for dinner.
We are officially waiving corkage fees on Thursdays permanently!

Sunday Beatles Brunch
It’ll be back on August 5^th from 10-2. Happiness is a warm brunch.

Cheers,
Tony

Cafe di Scala
644 18th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Open 5-10, Thursday-Saturday and the rest of the week for private events

Tags: cafe di scala, Des Moines, Des Moines Restaurant, iowa, Private Events, Restaurant
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Happy Scala New Year!

January 6th, 2012

Tony and Phil Want You to Try Our Beatles Brunch

Dear Friends,

We welcome in the new year with promises of a new beginning — a fresh start on all that we wish to become and gratitude for all that we are. We hope you can welcome in the new year by joining your friends at our cafe with some hand crafted Calabrese-style cuisine, a glass of wine and a promise of renewed friendship.

BEATLES BRUNCH: Join us this Sunday, January 8th from 10am-2pm for our monthly Beatles Brunch. Reservations are recommended by calling us at 515-244-1353. View the menu here (the link to the brunch menu is in the first paragrah).

CITYVIEW “BEST OF DES MOINES:” We usually don’t like to toot our own horn too often, but once per year, Des Moines Cityview Magazine does it’s annual “Best of Des Moines” competition and occasionally we liked to be liked. Last year, we were fortunate enough to win “Best Wait Staff” and earn the distinction of Runner-Up for such prestigious categories as “Best Chef” and “Best Restaurant.” This year, we’d like to win the “Best Restaurant” and “Best Chef” competition. Please take a minute of your day today to vote for Cafe di Scala for “Best Restaurant,” “Best Wait Staff” and Chef Phil Shires as “Best Chef” if you feel we deserve this honor. Please click on the logo below to vote or click here.

VALENTINES DAY: Keep an eye out for our Valentine’s Day menu which will be posted in the next week or so on our blog. We encourage you to get your reservations in early by calling us at515-244-1353.

PRIVATE PARTIES: So we hear you, your friends or a family member got engaged? That’s great news! Congrats! Let us take care of the rehearsal dinner for you. Check out our private parties page on our website for more information by clicking here. So think of us the next time you plan a baby shower, office party, wedding shower, rehearsal dinner or anniversary party. Email our event planner Lisa Hutchins (eventplanner@cafediscala.com) if you have questions.

Thanks to all of you who made 2011 our best year ever, and many blessings to you and your family for a safe and healthy 2012!

Have a Blessed New Year!

Tony and Scala Staff

P.S. Please continue the conversation with us by “liking” us on our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/cafediscala

Tags: Beatles Brunch, cafe di scala, Des Moines Restaurant, Newsletter, Valentines Day
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Join us this Holiday Season!

December 2nd, 2011

Dear Friends,

It’s been a great year here at Cafe di Scala. We hope you can join us this month for a toast with friends, a bowlful of homemade pasta or just to stop in to say a warm hello. Here are a few things to keep on your radar this month.

BEATLES BRUNCH: Join us this Sunday, December 4th from 10am-2pm for our monthly Beatles Brunch. Reservations are recommended at 515-244-1353. View the menu here (the link to the BB menu is in the first paragrah).

GIFT CARD SPECIAL: Since it’s the holiday season and all, we’ve decided to give back. This time, with a fist full of gift cards. We’re going to be super generous, and for two hours only, we’re going to let people purchase a $60 Cafe di Scala gift card for only $50, or a $120 gift card for only $95. We’re only doing this from 4pm-6pm, on Friday, December 16th. One day only. So if you work downtown, stop in before you head home and pick up a few gift cards. To sweeten the pot even more, we’ll hold a drawing for a $25 gift card for anyone who shows up to buy a gift card on Friday. You can also call us during that time and we’ll take your gift card offer over the phone. You can use it yourself if you want, or you can give it to your friends, employees or co-workers. See you Friday the 16th and spread the word to your friends and family!

HOLIDAY PARTIES: Would you like to make a big impression this year by having your office/family/friends Holiday Party here at Cafe di Scala? There are still a few dates available for you to choose from. Check out our private parties page on our website for more information by clicking here. Keep in mind that our cafe is always available for your office Holiday party. We’re offering you an incentive to ask your boss to hold your company’s party at Cafe di Scala. We’re offering a $50 gift card to you if your company ends up having their Holiday party at Cafe di Scala (for parties 20 or more). It’s a big incentive, but a huge thank you to you for spreading the word about us. So think of us the next time you plan a baby shower, office party, wedding shower, rehearsal dinner or anniversary party. Email our event planner Lisa Hutchins (eventplanner@cafediscala.com) if you have questions.

HOLIDAY HOURS: The Week before Christmas, we’re going to be open on Wednesday the 21st, Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd, but we’ll be closed on Christmas Eve.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: You’re invited to a special prix-fixe menu on New Year’s Eve at Cafe di Scala. It’s a four course menu that Chef Phil and Tony created which includes a sparkling wine toast. View our menu for this event below the text of this email and call us at 515-244-1353 to save your spot.

Have a blessed Holiday season!

Tony and Scala Staff

P.S. You can view our menu for the New Year’s Eve event below:

Tags: Beatles Brunch, cafe di scala, Des Moines Restaurant, Holiday Parties, Newsletter, Private Events
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