Prime and Providence — Restaurant in West Des Moines

A Sumptuous Evening at Prime and Providence

Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Prime and Providence, a new gem in West Des Moines, and it was nothing short of spectacular. The occasion was a simple Sunday dinner, yet the experience was unforgettable, marked by a visit at 8 PM that ushered us into a realm of culinary delight.

The building itself is a testament to elegance, boasting an interior crafted by a prominent designer. The décor, a sophisticated blend of dark grey and gold, sets a luxurious yet welcoming tone right from the entrance. The attention to detail in the ambiance is palpable, creating an ideal backdrop for a special meal.

In honor of Mother’s Day, my wife was pleasantly surprised with a complimentary glass of Prosecco, a thoughtful gesture that set the tone for the evening. We selected a bottle of Bordeaux, priced around $40, which proved to be a superb choice—rich, flavorful, and remarkably reasonable for an establishment of this caliber.

Our culinary journey began with an array of East Coast oysters, each variety better than the last, fresh and bursting with flavor. Opting to skip the salad, we dove straight into the main course—a majestic 24 oz prime Delmonico steak priced at $89. The steak was a masterpiece, perfectly seasoned and cooked, then thoughtfully sliced for sharing. Accompanied by Au poivre sauce, it was a dish that showcased the chef’s prowess in highlighting premium ingredients.

The sides were equally impressive. The rainbow carrots with hot honey butter and yogurt verde were exceptional; even my wife, typically not a fan of cooked carrots, found them irresistible. The 50/50 mashed potatoes—half potato, half butter and cream—were decadently creamy, a sinful delight that paired beautifully with our steak.

We concluded our meal with a slice of carrot cake, enhanced by a tangy pomegranate compote that added just the right touch of zestiness. This dessert was not just a sweet ending but a memorable part of our dining experience.

Prime and Providence is a high-end steakhouse that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the city, like 801. The prices, though reflective of its upscale nature, are justified by the impeccable quality and service. For those in search of top-tier dining in West Des Moines, Prime and Providence is undoubtedly a prime choice. Additionally, General Manager Andy Crounse spent some time chatting with us, telling us how the restaurant came to be, and was very grateful for any feedback we could provide. Partner Cory Gourley also stopped to say hello and ask how our meal was. Chef Dominic Iannarelli should...

So...I liked it. I didn't love it like I expected to. The restaurant is incredibly beautiful inside, but the food didn't exactly match the elevated style. Don't get me wrong...it was good, but not great, and certainly not worth the $200 bill. There were just a few things that were lacking, or overdone. The Bone Marrow with the brisket jam was phenomenal! But, that's kind of where the magic stops. The New York strip was okay--a bit too cold for mid-rare and under-seasoned. Kind of disappointing for $67 and no side. My Chilean Sea Bass was a bit confusing. The fish itself was SO GOOD--perfectly cooked. It had a crispy sear on the outside with tender flakes on the inside. What I didn't like was the lemon fondue. It tasted like an orange marmalade. I wasn't expecting orange and it was too orangey and too sweet to complement the sea bass and capers. I was expecting the brightness of a zesty lemon. I pushed the sauce aside and ate the fish without it. The accompaniments are family-style, like other typical upscale establishments. We chose truffle risotto, which was good. That was probably my favorite part of the meal besides our starter. Our server was really funny and helpful (when he came around). He wasn't very attentive and seemed like he catered to regulars or the older folks. We barely got a glance when he walked by. I guess his humor kind of made up for the lack of awareness. According to time stamps on the pictures, it took 7 minutes for our server to greet us, 13 more minutes for water to arrive, and another 13 for the appetizer. Our entrées finally came at 8:23. We sat down at 7:40 (at a dirty table). I worked in fine dining for over 14 years before getting into my career and I have eaten in everything from Mom & Pop restaurants to Michelin Star restaurants in over 30 countries. Maybe my expectations are too high for Des Moines. I honestly thought Prime and Providence would have been at the top of my list. I'm shocked that it's not even close. Looks like they have a decent Happy Hour. Whether or not we go back to try it in the distant future is up in the air. It seems like they're trying too hard to be worth the price tag. My advice is to not over-complicate things and just focus on basic flavor,...

Went to visit my brother Dan (who provides amazing service to ANYONE, most knowledgeable person of food and drinks and has amazing taste). I got the dorito mac n cheese which was sooo good and then he brought out the sorbet made fresh from fresh fruit they get in each week, it was raspberry, strawberry and peach flavored and was TO DIE FOR. Honestly my favorite thing from tonight and my 2yo daughter devoured it! I also got to try their oatmeal cream pie dessert which was so warm and gooey and tasted like brown sugar which melted in your mouth and was topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel, HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Their menu is definitely a must try if you love steak and seafood, and their wine menu/beverage list is nice and long if you are a connoisseur in reds, whites and bubbly's. He even showed me a salad they offer that has a warm gooey cheese in the middle which was paired with their peaches tonight, but the fresh fruit changes each week! So even if you're wanting a salad, they have something delicious for you to try that is bound to be made fresh and be flavorful! If you ever choose to stop in, you will be greeted with friendly smiles and warm welcomes from the staff who offer very prompt service and the environment is incredibly fancy yet very inviting even if you are wanting something casual. They have a huge bar with plenty of seating and tvs available for your viewing and incredibly nice bartenders! Feel free to say Hi and ask for Dan who works the bar area with his fellow coworkers who are just as amazing as he is, and I promise you, you will have an incredibly fun and enjoyable experience filled with delicious drinks and food and great conversation all day/night long 😊 Definitely will be back for more and it is kid friendly (they dont have a kids menu, but they do a little magic to make things work and make sure everyone is well cared for WHICH I HIGHLY APPRECIATE AS A SINGLE MOM who was nervous on how she would do in a fancy restaurant) They staff loved her and...