Guesthouse Tavern + Oyster — Restaurant in West Des Moines

TLDR: Can we give six stars please?

Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster has truly set the bar for exceptional supper club tribute experiences. From the moment we walked in, Amanda's warm welcome, deft pivot on preferred table timing, and accommodation for a seating request, set the tone for another unforgettable evening. Her hospitality made us feel like we were entering a cherished friend's home, and this high standard of service continued throughout our visits.

Our first experience with our server, Grace, was nothing short of stellar. Grace's attentiveness and knowledge of the menu were impressive, and she made us feel right at home. On subsequent visits, Sadie continued this trend of exceptional service, ensuring that every detail was perfect and that we were well taken care of.

Jared's contributions cannot go unnoticed. His engaging conversation and personalized recommendations from the fresh sheet added a personal touch that elevated our dining experience. Jared treated us with the same care and attention we give to guests in our own home, making each visit memorable. His menu knowledge and guidance contributed to another exceptional experience culminating in two homemade house desserts, the hyper fresh key lime pie with nilla wafers, & a taste of the butterscotch pecan opiate with a name I can’t remember but that everyone will know what you’re talking about when you request it from your server.

Jared’s guidance on the chef’s fresh sheet is a highlight of Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster. The chef is showcasing a diverse array of seasonal oysters which still have their flight tickets in shell from their journey from the coast 24 hours earlier. This fresh sheet with raw and roasted options is a must as a starter.

The pull tabs are a charming nod to the traditional supper clubs, adding a playful element to the dining experience. The menu is exceptional, offering a range of dishes that cater to every palate.

If Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster isn't already being considered for a James Beard award, they certainly should be. Their innovation and local focus are exemplified by their outstanding pork Milanese, a dish that combines creativity across cultures with a dedication to quality and sustainability to one of our state’s biggest industries and finest products.

We've had the pleasure of enjoying every appetizer on the menu, often at the repeat requests of friends and family. Each dish is crafted with care and showcases the culinary expertise of the kitchen. Never too heavy, but always filling and echoing the warmth of the home-cooked versions, but elevated thoughtfully to new heights without losing the essence of the core dish. This spot has quickly become a favorite for our guests, who frequently request it when they visit.

The creative and thoughtfully articulated cocktails are another standout feature. Each drink is expertly crafted, balancing flavors in a way that complements the food perfectly while bringing back the body and potential of egg white cocktails.

The fun, accessible vibe of the restaurant is reminiscent of the legendary supper clubs of yesteryear we never got to experience, but updated to meet modern tastes and sourcing standards in the best style of tribute possible, while forging a new, modern path elevating these dishes.

In summary, Guesthouse Tavern & Oyster is a shining example of what a dining experience should be. The exceptional service, respectfully innovative menu, and welcoming north woods ambiance make it a must-visit destination. We can't recommend it...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster, and I can't say enough wonderful things about the experience! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed by a warm, inviting atmosphere that set the perfect tone for the evening.

We started our journey with a glass of wine and a pour of the Heaven Hill 19-year-old bourbon, both of which were exceptional. It's clear that this place takes pride in their drink selection, and it was a perfect way to kick off our meal.

For our appetizer, we indulged in the supreme oysters topped with lump crab meat. Let me tell you, they were nothing short of divine! Each bite was a burst of flavor, combining the freshness of the oysters with the richness of the crab.

For dinner, we decided to try their special oyster mushroom pasta and the unbelievably good lobster roll. The oyster mushroom pasta was a delightful blend of textures and flavors that left us wanting more, while the lobster roll was, hands down, one of the best I’ve ever had. The lobster was so fresh and perfectly seasoned, and the roll itself was buttery and toasted to perfection.

Our bartender/waitress, Olivia, was the icing on the cake. She was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations that truly enhanced our dining experience. It’s rare to find such attentive service that feels genuine and personal.

Overall, Tavern and Oyster exceeded all my expectations. The combination of fantastic food, a great drink selection, and stellar service from Olivia made for an unforgettable meal. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. With the purchase of the oysters you get these little pull card games and we won a...

Let’s get the good stuff out of the way:

Cocktails: good Food: good (kinda of all over the place, but every item we ordered was delicious.)

Now, the bad: This place is loud AF. No drop ceiling. No sound buffers. It’s sounds like the inside of airplane engine in there. The service is abysmal. Like it borders on criminal. Server looked absolutely petrified to open the wine we brought, plus had to track her down to open the bottle when we were ready. No one could be bothered to clear our table of dishes when we were done. I resorted to forcing them to the runners when they dropped our food and even then I couldn’t get them to take everything, and these are small tables. My partners steak was over cooked and it took ten minutes to track the server down, to where I had to flag the hostess to get the server and even that didn’t work. Checkout. I get having electronic tablets for paying, but can you bring me a paper bill so I can look at what I’m paying for. When we asked to split it she just flashed the total on a screen. I asked for a print out and she brought me a two bills that weren’t even split evenly. Like $60 apart.

It feels like the inmates are running the asylum vibe going on there. If there was a manager I never saw them. I generally stay away from restaurants that have been open for less than six months because usually takes that long iron out kinks. This place is no different. Lots of promise, but no one...