Proudfoot & Bird — Restaurant in Des Moines

Never imagined I would write such a review because I never thought I would feel this way at this restaurant. I've stayed at Hotel Fort Des Moines several nights these past few weeks and again over a year ago for two weeks. Tonight on 9/20/23 around 9:40pm I arrive at the bar to sit down to grab a drink to take back to my room. On the side where the bartender goes to ring up orders at the register I take a seat knowing any second he is going to be helping me because he just helped the gentleman right beside me.

A group of 4 gentleman come in 4min after I've already been sitting there and are helped almost immediately. I patiently wait and a couple comes in a minute after that group and he told them he would be with them shortly. Inside I'm starting to get upset because he has not spoken to me yet and something is telling me he is never going to come say anything to me. He then goes to the couple and helps them out now I'm beginning to really get upset. Not only because of that but also because a group to my left just had 6-8 people come to the bar. And I'm in my head debating if I want to call this bartender out because he is literally about to help out a total of 12-14 people before even saying a word to me. And there is a guy 4 down to the right of me staring at me like "wow he hasn't helped you out yet". I wanted to say "you were really about to help out all these people before me" but I chose not to because I don't like confrontation and he may of had some deeper motive and possibly would've chose not to serve me tonight.

Back before he helped that couple he told that large group of 6-8 people "I have two to take care of behind me, then you're next", and that was the last straw for me so I had to call him out like "can you take my order?".

Side note: I was the only black person at the bar. I work in software and travel weekly for work across the country. I just wanted to portray an image of me before anyone rushes to conclusions.

He came over right near me on several occasions to make drinks but never said anything to me. Normally, I patiently wait for bartenders as they always do a great job of getting to you. But to possibly be helped 12-14 people later is ridiculous no matter what!

I understand, my review is probably going to get a response to it from you all but I don't need it. It won't benefit me, its just for you to show customers and potential customers that you read these reviews and you take their concerns "seriously". So you are trying display an image that you care about your customers. My goal of this message is for the bartender working tonight to see this post or have someone tell him about it. Later tomorrow, I may choose to post his name so there is no confusion of who I am referring to. But I would prefer for that to remain an internal matter for the restaurant.

To potentially be helped 12-14 people later. There is no way of justifying that. You can try all you want, but inside there has to be part of you that says there was some intent behind that. Imagine for a second 6 people have been helped before you and you were here before them. How would you feel? Probably not so good. Then the bartender tells a large group of 6-8 people they are next. You would probably be furious too.

Thanks to whoever reads...

I would like to preface this review by admitting I did not choose this place. I attended a birthday dinner and admittedly, I looked at the menu online and thought it looked pretentious and assumed it would be a mediocre and overpriced experience. What a ridiculously elementary lesson I had to teach myself, knowing better than to judge a book by the cover. This restaurant is nothing short of amazing. Hands down one of the best meals I have ever eaten and the fact that it is right here in Des Moines, incredible! My only regret is that I did not take any photos of the food, hoping my words can do it justice. Start to finish everything was meticulously handcrafted with a quality you can taste. I started with the Hemmingway Daiquiri; light, fresh, not overly sweet. Delicious. The table started with family style veggies; broccolini, crispy Brussels, charred carrots and mushrooms; a mix including oyster mushrooms, hen of the woods. Flavors bursting in every bite. Never did I think I would find such satisfaction in consuming vegetables. Salads were fresh and crisp, main courses arrived including Black Angus filet over a creamy Yukon gold mash and red wine demi glaze (my choice), a 15oz bone in Ribeye pork chop wood fired with sweet potatoes and apple slaw, and cauliflower steak. Every single bite was consumed. They have something for everyone, seafood, food allergies, picky eaters, etc. I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about this experience. The chef visited our table prior to cooking the steaks to be sure they understood exactly how we wanted them cooked, attentive wait staff, we spent 3 hours here and never wanted or needed for a single thing. The perfect finish came when the birthday in our party was presented with a Sticky toffee pudding dessert, shareable of course, and decadent in a way that left you wanting more but satisfying in a way that you can still taste the recollection. Ironically, when we first arrived our server began by explaining that everything they make starts in the hearth. To which some of us misunderstood that it "starts in the heart", which is also true. The quality of this meal far surpassed any expectation I could have had and is very evident that everything is made with love. Quality you can taste. 10/10 DO RECOMMEND, I will be back. Looking forward to seeing...

I had stayed at the Hilton Saturday night and I made a dinner reservation for 6pm. Me and my Boyfriend arrived for our reservation 10 min early and instructed our table wasnt ready. we took a seat at the bar reveiwed the menu and nothing seemeed to tickle our fancy and the pricing was quite over the top. We opted to leave and eat elsewhere. Come sunday morning for breakfast at the hotel we stop in. The restaurant was fairly empty 2 tables were seated there appeared to be one server and maybe a bartender. We were greeted but had to wait to be seated. Once seated we ordered 2 coffees and 2 mimosas and were offered sugar and cream coffees were $6 each mimosas $10 each. We waited about 15 min for coffees were informed there was no cream and were brought milk. We waited another 10/15 min for mimosas. At this time only 1 other 2 top in the entire resteraunt. The other table didnt seem happy with service either they waited quite long time for the bill it was never brought. The server had dissapeared and they finally got up in frustration to go look for someone and found what appeared to be the bartender and paid at the bar. We had ordered the pancakes and the breakfast sandwhich. Food wait was long for only having 2 tables. Food was tastey and we enjoyed it but was not super impressive for the price. As we ate there was LOUD banging sounds coming from what seemed like the kitchen it lasted for while and was quite distracting . We had asked for the bill and it was brought promtly but when it came time to pay there was no one to be found we had to go find someone as well. Overall the decor is beautiful and the food is nice. Service was subpar, pricing was inapropriate and was not enjoyable. The hotel is amazing but if you want to have less than stellar food and service you can get that...