Mouthwatering Music

Dueling pianos double the fun at Grand Piano Bistro.

Words by Stephanie Fortman

The room is dimly lit except for a shining stage in the corner. Two women classily clad in dark denim and black hats walk across the stage and sit behind two black baby grands. Without warning, the whole restaurant resonates with modern piano music.

The Grand Piano Bistro isn’t your average Des Moines café—it features live pianists Wednesday through Saturday nights. This downtown hangout even hosts dueling pianos—two pianists, twice the talent. On Wednesday, Pianopalooza, one of the co-owners acts, takes the stage. A female duo, The Ladyfingers, shine on Thursdays, but the owners keep it fresh on Fridays and Saturdays. Different national acts perform every weekend. Some nights the entertainment is complimentary, and special cover charges rarely exceed five bucks.

An upscale lounge with a downtown urban twist, co-owner Sarah Middleton says she wanted to mimic the modern changes happening in the Des Moines East Village. The high exposed ceilings, concrete floor, and steel chairs give this bistro an industrial feel, but the dark blue walls and airy front windows keep it modern and contemporary. The pianists warm up after their first number and so does the crowd. Request cards are passed and the performers shout out to the audience, encouraging suggestions from each table. Popular songs by your favorite artist, whether its Ben Folds or Taylor Swift, are played at request. It’s a classic combination of live music and karaoke, but luckily the microphones and speakers are reserved for the professionals.

The pianos sit on a corner stage so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The layout of the tables gives the diners a chance to interact with the musicians, and judging from the cheers, it’s just what the audience demands.

While music may be the highlight of the Bistro, the food is enough to make this restaurant stand on its own. The Grand Piano Bistro offers both large plates—normal entrée portions—and small plates, or appetizer-sized portions. The mix of small plates is as equally eclectic as the large plates and is an excellent example of what Middleton describes as “new American cuisine.” The menu is a fusion between different world cultures, creating dishes like the Italian turkey meatballs or the shrimp and shitake mushroom lollipops. I like the goat cheese ravioli for a light meal. The sole saltimbocca—swordfish wrapped in prossciutto with a creamy mustard sauce—is delectable. The red roasted potatoes can be a bit dry, but it won’t ruin the night.

The diners are just as a different as the food. The Bistro caters to all ages, from 20-somethings to retired folk. It’s important not to forget the bar. The bistro offers a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers.

A unique menu, casually cool atmosphere, and upbeat tunes are sure to make The Grand Piano Bistro the song you can’t get out of your head.

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Click for more images Mouthwatering Music Dueling pianos double the fun at Grand Piano Bistro. Words by Stephanie Fortman The room is dimly lit except for a shining stage in the corner. Two women classily clad in dark denim and black hats walk across the stage and sit behind two black baby grands. Without warning, the whole restaurant resonates with modern piano music. The Grand Piano Bistro isn’t your average Des Moines café—it features live pianists Wednesday through Saturday nights. This downtown hangout even hosts dueling pianos—two pianists, twice the talent. On Wednesday, Pianopalooza, one of the co-owners acts, takes the stage. A female duo, The Ladyfingers, shine on Thursdays, but the owners keep it fresh on Fridays and Saturdays. Different national acts perform every weekend. Some nights the entertainment is complimentary, and special cover charges rarely exceed five bucks. An upscale lounge with a downtown urban twist, co-owner Sarah Middleton says she wanted to mimic the modern changes happening in the Des Moines East Village. The high exposed ceilings, concrete floor, and steel chairs give this bistro an industrial feel, but the dark blue walls and airy front windows keep it modern and contemporary. The pianists warm up after their first number and so does the crowd. Request cards are passed and the performers shout out to the audience, encouraging suggestions from each table. Popular songs by your favorite artist, whether its Ben Folds or Taylor Swift, are played at request. It’s a classic combination of live music and karaoke, but luckily the microphones and speakers are reserved for the professionals. The pianos sit on a corner stage so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The layout of the tables gives the diners a chance to interact with the musicians, and judging from the cheers, it’s just what the audience demands. While music may be the highlight of the Bistro, the food is enough to make this restaurant stand on its own. The Grand Piano Bistro offers both large plates—normal entrée portions—and small plates, or appetizer-sized portions. The mix of small plates is as equally eclectic as the large plates and is an excellent example of what Middleton describes as “new American cuisine.” The menu is a fusion between different world cultures, creating dishes like the Italian turkey meatballs or the shrimp and shitake mushroom lollipops. I like the goat cheese ravioli for a light meal. The sole saltimbocca—swordfish wrapped in prossciutto with a creamy mustard sauce—is delectable. The red roasted potatoes can be a bit dry, but it won’t ruin the night. The diners are just as a different as the food. The Bistro caters to all ages, from 20-somethings to retired folk. It’s important not to forget the bar. The bistro offers a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and beers. A unique menu, casually cool atmosphere, and upbeat tunes are sure to make The Grand Piano Bistro the song you can’t get out of your head. Small plates run from about $4-12 and include a mix of flavors, from sweet potato bruschetta to Chinese spring rolls. For larger plates, ranging between $12-25, the Grand Piano Bistro offers great choices from Veggie and Goat cheese crepes to the much meatier New York Strip. There’s also seafood, pastas, soups, and salads. Or if you’re into an after dinner treat, desserts are a great way to enjoy the tempting tunes on a budget. The Grand Piano Bistro is open Monday for lunch and Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. The music usually starts around 8:30, but check out thegrandpianobistro.com for a schedule. Bonus: there’s a full menu posted too. Price Guide Small plates: $4-12 Large Plates: $12-25 Desserts: Varies regularly Drinks: Beer $4.50-7.5 Wine $8-13 (for a glass) Cocktails $4-7
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