Proudfoot & Bird

Proudfoot and Bird delivers a refined dining experience without any of the stiffness that sometimes comes with fine dining. I started with the French onion soup, rich, deeply flavorful, and perfectly balanced. The rack of lamb was outstanding, beautifully cooked and thoughtfully plated. My wife had the scallops and absolutely loved them, tender, fresh, and executed with care. What really stood out was the atmosphere. It feels elevated and special, but still warm and approachable. You get the sense of a true fine dining experience without feeling rushed, overdressed, or out of place.

All the food was extremely well prepared and tasted great. You can tell they pride themselves on doing things right and it has an elevated feel to it. The bar was a good hang and had comfortable chairs. It was a busy Saturday dinner rush and they would've benefitted with an additional bartender as sometimes it was hard to wave one of the two down. Would definitely return. The Farmer's Cheese was an amazing app and the bison was cooked perfectly

The place is very nicely decorated. Quite quiet with a cocktail and wine menu. The food was delicious. I tried the duck dish and it was excellent and the service was kind. Not cheap but really a good place.

Service was good and we enjoyed the atmosphere. I think I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could. I have two problems with the food: 1. two appetizers and main courses were all too salty. Seasoning/flavor was good. Unfortunately, they were not too salty to return them but too salty to fully enjoy them. 2. Overpriced too much. Even factor in atmosphere, it was just too expensive for what you get. Overall, we will NOT be returning because there is no justification for its high price (we usually would give food a second chance).

Wonderful meal to celebrate my sister-in-law’s retirement. My scallops were perfect; the cauliflower puree was a bonus. Our server, Allison was so professional and helpful. I’ll be back!

We stopped by for Valentine’s dinner with a special menu so we didn’t order off of their regular selection. The food was absolutely on point and tasted fantastic. The steak was perfectly cooked and well presented. They have an open fire in the kitchen, so you get a wonderful char. The soup and ricotta balls were also very flavorful. We had a couple of drinks as well. All were very well prepared and presented. Just be aware that the drinks are very pricey as well. We’d definitely come back to try their regular menu. The only thing that threw me off a little bit was the restaurant’s direct connection to the hotel. Obviously you have folks from the hotel wander to the restaurants bar. If you are dressed up for a premiere dining experience, some of the hotel guests might not look like that … at all. Again that’s just personal preference. Worth the visit!

Very nice place! Waiter was kind and knowledgeable about the menu. We sat in an area that had a privacy curtain that was very cool. Nice selection of drinks! The food was delicious. Everyone enjoyed the food. Pictured is the table setting, the menu, and also what I ordered. I got the scallops!

I love this place! First of all I stay here at the Fort hotel, how convenient! I love to have this elegant restaurant just steps away from my room. Too much wine? No problem! Now let me tell you about the food! Wow! The flavor of the rabbit meat balls.. that's right, rabbit! How cool is that! And last but not least the charming bar tender Sam made every bit of it more delightful! Very professional and polite! Good service can make the whole vibe more pleasurable. I'll be back!

When staying at the hotel not sure why you to eat anywhere else never had such a succulent burn and I'm from Kansas City. It's very different.. Farmers cheeses are ridiculous value on a happy hour menu I've never had a bad meal and Dave at the bar is the best

Wonderful wine selection, food was a delicious surprise and ambience peaceful. Great service. Dined like royalty.

I absolutely love this place. Been here quite a few times and consistently the food and service is great. The whole restaurant is beautifully decorated and well maintained. The food is always super. I normally get the duck and my husband the pork chop and I will say it's the best pork chop in all of dsm. Cocktails are always on point too. This is a great place for date night out or dinner with a group!

Proudfoot & Bird in Des Moines is a classy fine dining experience with a historical ambiance of marble staircases and elaborate gold ceiling inlays restored by painters lying on their backs (sound familiar? It's giving Sistine Chapel). The restaurant is named after the esteemed architectural firm Proudfoot & Bird. Upon entering, the huge circular bar greets you with their twist on a classic...A Vanilla Old Fashioned. The menu at Proudfoot & Bird threw me. It has several international influences I wasn't expecting. Our meal began with the farmer's cheese, accompanied by marinated local tomatoes and basil. The Kung Pao Octopus was a standout dish, creatively blending Asian flavors. The octopus was tender and perfectly cooked, paired with coconut sticky rice. The perfect spice. If you want a great meal and elegant dinner in Des Moines, I found this for you.

Dudes... Happy hour Sunday with Sam is fun time. The pork burnt ends were super effin tasty.. Sunday Sam will set you up. Cheers

Really superb. They offer a grilled Caesar that I asked for un grilled and it was delicious and huge. I then followed with the pork chop. The first one was too salty ( beware of sauce) but the second was fantastic. Service was exceptional. I loved the ambiance

This place is fantastic! A great spot to add to the food scene in Des Moines! We've been here twice now- once while staying at the hotel and another to celebrate our anniversary! Both for breakfast and dinner! Can't say enough great things about this restaurant! Definitely an upscale dining experience! The service is excellent and the atmosphere is like being transported back into a 1920s movie. The decor is top notch.

Proudfoot and bird is a great place I eat. I visited with 3 work colleagues post a day of meetings. Overall it is a great restaurant for being connected to a hotel. I generally think of restaurants connected to hotels as a convenience place not good quality food for a fair price. I typically think of it as paying a premium just to be connected to the hotel. Proudfoot is not that. I personally had the Duck Breast. Which had a great Asain Flare. I personally have had better cooked Duck (I thought it was a little dry) but the flavor was great and was reasonably priced. The service staff were friendly and knowledgeable.

I was staying at the hotel (Fort Des Moines- Hilton Curio Collection), in a great part of downtown Des Moines. I typically try to go to places not at the hotel I'm staying in but this one came highly recommended by a colleague. It was a slow night when I went, so the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was there was no hostess or greeting for 10-15 minutes & no one from the bar which is right in the middle of the entrance greeted or acknowledged me either. Eventually a blonde female server did greet me & she acted super annoyed that I wanted a table because I was traveling by myself. When she did seat me in a room of of open tables 10 feet from the door, she probably should have waited more than taking three steps away before saying to the other servers behind me, "I don't want it, do one of you want it?" Needless to say after that part of the night & I luckily did get a different server (Brad), the service and food were exquisite. Brad was the perfect ratio of attentive but also gave me space. (Which as a former server I know can be hard on slower nights.) The menu was pretty straight forward with a smaller selection of options but seemed to still offer something that was appealing to most. The first pleasant surprise of the night after I ordered was a single delightful cheese stuffed meatball with a vodka sauce on it. I ordered the Steak Bavette for my entree & it was perfectly cooked to the medium rare temp and had classic seasoning. The potatoes were also cooked well and served on a verde sauce that gave them a little extra flavor. I had ordered a side of asparagus in an attempt to have some veggies balance out the meal. All the food was perfect! The portions were larger than anticipated & I could have definitely split this with one or two more people. After I had to box most of my meal up to take with me the 2nd surprise of the night came at the end. I had ordered a second glass of wine to take back to my room with me and Brad presents this rich ping pong sized chocolate truffle on a little dish. It paired amazingly with the wine. It was a great way to end the night before heading to my room. All in all it was worth the upfront poor welcoming to get the experience I had with Brad, who did a fantastic job,

The place was elegant and the service was second to none. The food was just ok, No great shakes. We split an appetizer and an entree. It is a bougie place so not sire it is high on my list to repeat.

Staying at Hotel Fort Des Moines for the evening and this in-house restaurant looked like the perfect place to celebrate my MA with my mother. Proudfoot & Bird was beautiful and elegant with lovely jazz music playing in the background. Cara took great care of us and was warm, friendly, and went above and beyond to give us some little extra treats to celebrate! All of the food and drinks were amazing! I loved everything here. This restaurant is truly a gem of the historical landmark. Thank you so much to everyone for your kind hospitality! I will be back again! :)

This is the bar/restaurant at my hotel across from work. My boss & coworker met me here for breakfast one morning. They don't have a large breakfast menu, but we each found what we wanted. We had a booth and lovely server. They chose scrambled eggs & toast. I had the oatmeal with fruit. I asked for blueberries and they provided them. It was filling and delicious.

the menu, curation, service, was beyond exceptional. Very fortunate to have not based this off reviews rather going and experiencing. Highly recommend!

Decent service - I had an appetizer of smoked oysters that was way overdone on the garlic. I love garlic- but this was overwhelming that I couldn't even taste anything else. $30 for 6 oysters that taste like garlic but only has the texture of oysters is too much.

Had the Farmers Cheese last night. Fantastic! Never change a thing with that dish. Delicious and so, seemingly, simple. Warm Ricotta - Honey - Sourdough Bread Jokingly commented that if I was on death row, I'd want it to be included in my "last meal." LOL (but seriously)

Pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere, menu and quality of the food. Loved the old charm elegance of the restaurant together with great service. The easy going jazz music in the background was very pleasant. The menu was not the biggest but carefully put together and pretty high end. Quality over quantity! Had the pork chop which was perfectly prepared and really enjoyed my meal.

My husband and I had an excellent dining experience. The restaurant is housed in the historic Fort Des Moines Hotel and its decor keeps with the buildings age but with contemporary touches. It provides a romantic, sophisticated atmosphere perfect for the beautifully plated food. The menu is thoughtful, creative and expertly prepared. They have a well rounded wine selection and craft cocktail menu. I was delighted to see they also offer house made Limoncello. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a special place to spend an evening.

Updating my review because of the simply amazing steak I had here last night. It was the rib eye with mushroom ragout and blue cheese crumbles. For me, this is the best steak among all the establishments in Des Moines. Now you have to like a steak with sauce and obviously mushrooms but for me....this is hands down the best steak I've had in maybe my ENTIRE life! It was cooked perfectly medium, and covered in mushrooms and shallots, blanketed in a demi glace sauce and sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles. The platonic ideal of steak for me. I didn't need a side or anything else, the sauce made the steak more flavorful and the mushrooms added umami. My amazing waiter made me some horseradish cream (off menu item) that helped to cut the richness. Seriously nothing better, better than Flemings, Ruth's Chris, 801, blah blah, blah they are all distant memories when compared to this steak. It's such a good steak it deserves a proper name....and I shall name her "Lucy". Lucy you are amazing and changed how I will look at steaks forever.

Delightful entrees with things you don't typically see in Iowa. A place that would be good anywhere - not just. "Good for Iowa"

If you haven't been here, you're missing out! I will start by saying the service was impeccable. Liz was our server and she was amazing. You can tell all the staff is well-trained and that this is something that really matters to them. The vibe is very cute, you can see the wood fire burning in the kitchen, which was cool. Not the be ignored, the food was to die for. We started with the oyster which were so fresh and delicious. I got the angus filet and wow. I can't say enough good things about it. Melt in your mouth and perfectly cooked. My partner got the pork chop which was also so good. The flavors on the chop were amazing. They also started us off with a little bite that was delicious and a nice touch. We got a little dessert bite too. Which was perfect since we were super full. Overall, it was an awesome date night that left me wondering why we hadn't been sooner!

Meh. I happened upon this place after arriving in town after 8pm on a Sunday night. With all the other nearby restaurants being closed I came here. It sits inside the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. The decor is nice and I sat at the bar. The bartender didn't say a word when he handed me a menu and silverware or when I ordered, just nodded. Even after ordering, he handed me a glass and beer can, he didn't even bother to open the beer. I ordered the sea bass. Considering I ordered fish and there were only two other tables occupied, my food took a while. When it arrived, the bass was over cooked. Overall, this was a short and disappointing first time visit. For the prices they charge the bartender should at least pour your drink and the food should be cooked properly.

Treated my parents to a meal here for my father's birthday and we all loved it. Expensive, but the food makes it so so worth it. Such a beautiful restaurant as well. All together it is definitely a place worth splurging at for a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion in my opinion!

Amazing Pork chop!! Superior service. Excellent craft cocktails the old fashion was top of the mark. The environment is strait out the the 1930 fun just to be here.

Got in late to DSM last night- the Hilton Ft Dee Moines held my bags while I snuck in under the last call for food at Proudfoot. I had one of the best French onion soups I've ever had (lots of delicious mushrooms- unexpected but delightful). Bartender whipped up a perfect martini for me- I sat at the gorgeous bar. Great service and ambiance. Will return while I'm in DSM.

This was good. I didn't love it. The food wasn't served super warm. I like my grits smooth. Bread had a great texture but not a lot of garlic.

Sam and Billy were fabulous behind the bar and we even met Kayla and Cole from the kitchen. The drinks were fantastic and the pork chop was among the best I have ever had. Everything was delicious. Fantastic experience all around!!!

Beautiful place, great service and great food! Definitely recommend everyone to try it. I love how it's connected to the hotel lobby. It's just steps away from Hob Knob. Our friend from overseas said the steak knives here are French! An interesting detail of the restaurant that I would not have known. I'm so glad she liked the place.

Drinks were good. Service was great. Food? Pretty average. Not worth the money though. Ribeye was lacking flavor. Asked for medium rare but was served well done. Way off. Not sure how you can screw that up with a steak that's 85 bucks. Disappointed.

Great bar scene in an elegant restaurant located within the Hotel Fort Des Moines. The food is high end and well prepared. Only knock is that the menu is a bit limited but everything they do prepare is done in a great way.

Food was so so. And the server was kind of snobby. it's just a restaurant we arent a michelin star place...

When we were looking for a nice date night spot, a friend suggested Proudfoot & Bird. It was PHENOMENAL. One of the best meals I have had in my life. And we indulged. The Aviator drink: a great drink if you're into gin, which I am. Very strong. Oysters: so delicious. The shrimp cocktail sauce was like nothing I have tasted before. Grazing board: a great selection of meats and cheeses. Even honeycomb. My favorite was the cranberry jelly. Warm Ricotta: SO GOOD. Warm, sweet ricotta on toast. We used some of the meat and jelly from the grazing board on our ricotta. Black angus filet: this was probably the best steak I've had. The crust was crusting, and it cut like butter. The red wine Demi-glaze and mashed potatoes was a great complimentary side to the steak.

Our favorite dishes of the night were the ricotta and honey with warm bread and the octopus. The bread was a buttery goodness! My husband loved the octopus. It was very tender and had a light and refreshing taste to it. The other items we had were good but not mind blowing. The menu selection is a little small and the portions were alright. The ambiance was really welcoming and warm. The service was excellent! We also received a couple complimentary items (some type of fish with caviar at the start of dinner and macarons when we paid our bill).

This was our second visit and it surpassed our first visit, which was already a five star experience. The service at both visits was great. The food was incredible both times. It is worth the price! The atmosphere was really solid. I love the wood fire smell (at least i think its a wood fire smell). My wife got the steak frites and it was unbelievable. I got the chicken biscuit and it was the best chicken I've ever had. The biscuits and compound butter were perfect, and so tasty. I hope they keep that menu item! Also they should offer the biscuit/butter as a start because it was so good! This has evolved to be one of my two favorite places to eat in DSM! Would highly recommend.

This was such a wonderful restaurant. The ambiance is incredible, they have restored this 1919 building to its original glory. The food was spectacular and the service was above expectation. This restaurant is 100% worth a visit.

The food and service was great! The ambiance was just right, our waiter Eric was very nice and patient with us his recommendation was very good and I'm happy because I didn't know what to order. Honestly this restaurant and the valet workers made my stay. The attitude they had was so positive it honestly didn't seem as if they were working. I'm from Illinois we came to bring our son to Drake, this will be our go to hotel because of the attitude of the workers. Thanks guys

We recently celebrated my parents 50th Anniversary here. I'm not one to leave reviews but because of the food and exceptional service, I had to. A huge shoutout to the sever we had...Levi...you are a true asset to this company. The food was delicious, service was impeccable and the overall vibe was warm and welcoming. Would definitely recommend... ask for Levi as your server.

I cant recommend this place enough! The Cod was AMAZING! Melt in your mouth. Drinks and apps were also great. Waitress was super helpful and made great recommendations for the food. My MIL dropped her coat and a waiter literally ran over and grabbed it for her before she could get up. Great service!

Wonderful ambience & food. Steak was super tender and duck was great. Pricey ($70 for 8oz steak) but worth it for a special occasion or if you a are just up for a great meal.

This place is upscale in every way. Presentation is upscale, the service is upscale, the food is fancy and in a good way, and the prices are also fancy. This is our second time here and we are very pleased every time. I only come here on special occasions because we tend to spend $200 including tip every time we come. But the quality of food and service we get is fantastic. We usually get 3 drinks, two appetizers, and two meals. All the food and drinks are pleasing on the eyes and taste. Expect to spend 2-3 hours when you come to dine here as that's the type of atmosphere you are in. The drinks will come, then the appetizers, then a long wait for main course. The food is very good and the portions are a good size too so you don't just get fancy without a proper portion. In any case, I have to give it 5 stars because everything here is very good. It's a bit expensive for myself but if I want to go to an expensive place this is on top of my list.

I just wanted to say this place is very lovely inside, great for a date night. We started out with drinks and they were okay, I don't think they were worth their price only because they weren't that good, $15 for a old fashioned it should be the best I've ever had. I wish there were more side options for the table, really nothing I would crave to eat. I had the half roast chicken; it was amazing, very good, and filling with a side salad. My husband had the sea bass. It was also amazing. Don't get me wrong, I would go again but not for drinks, and maybe next, they will add more options for the table.

Plenty of street parking and we could make a reservation! Showed up right on time and we were sat immediately. Extensive wine menu but we opted for some cocktails. They were tasty! Started off with some oysters, the peppers and ricotta appetizers. Our waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and made recommendations. She also kept our waters filled and offered more drinks. Our table ordered the black cod, duck and chicken. We were able to sub a side and our food was delicious. Had the Brussels and mushrooms for table sides. Brussels were great. Mushrooms were okay. Declined dessert. Worth a try for a great date night or special occasion. Definitely not cheap, plan for $100/person easy.

Parking: it's downtown so you've got meter (mostly coin, although some card meters are a couple blocks away) and parking ramps. Atmosphere: I felt like I was a flapper in the 20's or on first class of the titanic. I legit felt like I entered a different decade. Very upscale vintage feeling with the decor, chandeliers, and huge circular bar. Seating: booths, low top tables, and large bar Service: service was very upscale, pretty sure servers were all in black and white banquet uniforms and were very pleasant, helpful with food suggestions, boxed up our leftovers for us, etc. Food: a decent variety of lunch options from apps and small plates to entrees and desserts. Very tasty, full of flavor, and decent portions.

I love the food and the ambiance. We asked if the wedge salad could be split between us and they obliged. I had the salmon and he had the bavette steak. We also got the warm ricotta to enjoy - so good, as well as roasted brussel sprouts. Everything was delicious and the service was very good as well. I enjoyed the attention to detail. It was pricey, but it was a treat that we both appreciated. Went for breakfast the next day and it was also wonderful. I had avocado toast with poached eggs and he had oatmeal and poached eggs. This is weird, but I think it was the best coffee I've ever had.

Wonderful service! Had the glazed pork belly appetizer and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. That is funny because pork belly is definitely speeding my path toward heaven. Great place for a nice, quiet dinner!

Travel for work frequently and I'm not a fan of in house hotel restaurants but this place was phenomenal!

Dinner for four. Shared the special/ ordered two. A ribeye with mashed potatoes and green beans. Plenty of food to share!! The steak was cooked perfect medium temperature. Wait staff was friendly and they squeezed us in for a table that was a private room. We waited a little longer than we wanted however the experience was worth the wait. Nice ambiance. Easy to talk and have a conversation. The bar is super accommodating and because we were staying at the hotel was convenient for helping open wine bottles for our room. We ordered drinks before dinner and the martini was well made. Pricey restaurant with a limited menu.

Excellent food... atmosphere is great. Service is amazing. Sea Bass..Raw Oysters. Must visit!

Great food, portion size and atmosphere! We split the wedge salad and for our entrees chose the smoked pork and chicken. Ordered the cauliflower gratin to share but didn't even need it since the entrees were substantial and with sides.

Looking for a fancy pants night on the town?! GO HERE. like now. Really. Okay, well secure that reservation. I'll wait.... Alright, you're all set, so I can begin to tell you what an amazing meal and dining experience you're about to have. I've been here 2x now. Both times have been stellar. Try sitting near the kitchen. It's semi open and you can get a decent view of the hardworking kitchen crew. The servers are so professional and friendly (Love that!) I enjoy engaging with staff because they are always so eager to share their recommendations. We have tried a few different cocktails and I have been stuck on their sparkling wine from California.....it's so bubbly and delicious. Your meal starts with a little amuse bouche. It's just bite, but something to kick off your dining experience. Get the octopus. I know.........this is Iowa. Why would I order that?? Because they prepare is to perfection. It's so perfectly tender and not tough at all. I have had fish and steak entrees. Both have been wonderful. I actually think I preferred the fish. The flavors are incredible and the presentation is beautiful. Sadly, too full for dessert. Have no fear--they deliver a little one or two bite dessert with the bill. Proudfood, you are too good for Des Moines! And I love you for that.