Oak Park

"What an experience!! Having been a server in a fine dining restaurant many years ago what stood out to me most at Oak Park, on top of the amazing food and classy aesthetic, was the clockwork like polished service provided by the waiters and sommelier. Maybe it's a post COVID nostalgia for the old days of a well staffed restaurant, but it's been a long time since we've had every need proactively taken care of and plate settings artfully whisked away without thought. Top it off with a great menu and fantastic flavor combinations created by the kitchen team with no detail ignored. Keep up the amazing work!"

"A fantastic experience all around! Our server, Alexis was so kind and was great at being present but not overwhelming. The food was incredible. We had a few small plates, a salad, an entree each, and finished the night with some small treats. You can tell they take such care in sourcing quality ingredients. They also have one of the only josper grills in the country, so the steak had an extra beautiful flavor. Everything was cooked beautifully and full of flavor. You’re going to drop some money, but you pay for quality. We will definitely be back as the menu rotates to try new, seasonal offerings. What a treat to have in Des Moines."

"We had an absolutely phenomenal dinner at Oak Park. Service was perfect; and all the food and cocktails were fantastic. We particularly loved the caviar cones, gnocchi, mushrooms, the filet entree, beet salad, and the duck pasta. I personally really enjoyed the carrot Wellington as well. And we finished with the fancy banana split - very expensive but delicious and has lots of tasty and visually appealing elements. All in all, a very pricey, but fantastic dinner. We will certainly plan to return and try additional items!"

"Hands down, the best Des Moines restaurant I've visited in all my years of living here. The Prairie style architecture was beautiful and floor-to-ceiling wood paneling, paired with tall booths, kept it so quiet that we didn't hear a peep from other diners. I so appreciated the framed write-up about the architect and her background, which explained not only the style, and how the restaurant got its name but also the incredible history about the woman behind it all. The service was impeccable- always kind and attentive but never over-bearing. He explained the entirety of every dish calmly and with detail, and answered all our questions. The food. Flavor explosions in every single bite. My husband and I ordered all vegetarian dishes and had absolutely no disappointments. The most intensively flavored onion broth I've ever had. I'm still dreaming of the gnocchi sauce. The carrot wellington was meaty and savory and hearty and unforgettable. Each dessert had gold-crusted nuts and sugar coated rose petals....I might never finish this review if I continue to describe the awe I experienced in every bite, so I'll leave it here. Worth the price, worth the time. Don't miss out."

"Service is what stands out first and foremost. Everyone in the staff was friendly and not uptight or bougie at all. The table was prepared perfectly before we sat down, and all silverware and plates were elegant and fine. Drinks were good; I especially loved the Old Fashioned. Food was delicious, presented well, and timed perfectly. The appetizers were unique and very flavorful. I had a steak and it was perfect. Desserts were good but not great in my opinion. Even though we were there for 3 hrs, we never felt we were waiting for anything. It's great for our city to have a fine dining experience like this.. so go try out for a special occasion as it's for sure very pricey. Make reservations months in advance."