***** (5 stars)
This is a phenomenal museum. Such clear story telling, and great displays. I knew very little about Hover and really came away with an appreciation for the man and his accomplishments. I wish we'd had more time here. Allow two hours.
Herbert Hoover Library
210 Parkside Dr
West Branch, IA 52358
***** (5 stars)
I have no interest in cars or trucks. I loved this museum!
Each truck is presented with a paragraph that really brings its time, place, and use in perspective. If you are going past on I80 you really need to stop. And it's free.
I could easily have spent much more than the hour we had here.
Iowa 80 Trucking Museum
505 Sterling Dr
Walcott, IA 52773
**** (4 stars)
This place was much better than I was expecting. Good Mexican food in a nice place with fast service.
I highly recommend the very authentic tacos al pastor. The refried beans were the real deal, too.
La herradura mexican grill
540 N Cody Rd
Le Claire, IA 52753
https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-herradura-mexican-grill-le-claire
***** (5 stars)
If you've seen American Pickers on TV you'll get a kick out of visiting this shop where they sell all the junk they pick.
They also have quite a bit of their own souvenir merch for sale.
Friendly service.
Antique Archaeology
115 Davenport St
Le Claire, IA 52753
***** (5 stars)
Excellent traditional steakhouse with an extensive menu and wine list. I highly recommend the wet aged rib eye and the oven baked cream spinach.
Excellent professional service. Reasonable pricing for what it is.
Note that the nearest entry is on High Street, not Grand.
801 Chophouse
801 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
**** (4 stars)
Well it's just a stone marker, but it's a cute idea. Worth the visit for the selfie if you're a fan.
The marker has been moved from where a lot of maps show it, but there are directional signs. It is near the city hall at 2022 on Greene St. The Voyage Home museum and shop is a few blocks away, across from the statue of Kirk, in Railroad Park off of first street.
Birth Place of James T. Kirk
51 IA-22
Riverside, IA 52327
https://www.yelp.com/biz/birth-place-of-james-t-kirk-riverside
**** (4 stars)
Home cooked style Mexican food in a nicely decorated (but questionably lit) space.
Good margaritas and friendly service.
Las Lomas
800 E Altamonte Dr
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
**** (4 stars)
Great location next to the Brandenburg Gate. Light and airy inside. Nice menu of traditional pizza and pasta dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients. Friendly service.
mama trattoria
Theodor-Heuss-Platz 2
14052 Berlin
Germany
***** (5 stars)
Fabulous five star dining in what is far more than a typical bistro. A wonderful selection of caviar with traditional preparations.
The wine list emphasizes local wines but there are also some great French offerings.
If you are lucky enough to go during white asparagus season, be sure to order that.
Quarré
Unter den Linden 77
10117 Berlin
Germany
***** (5 stars)
Lovely two-star Michelin on the rooftop. In a glass box surrounded by trees you feel you are in a forest rather than the middle of Berlin. The lighting and acoustics contribute to a perfect atmosphere.
The eight course tasting menu (actually many more dishes) is inventive and beautiful. Standouts for me we're the amuse bouche of coconut foam covered falafel, the osetra caviar, and the shabu shabu. The leek was visually stunning, individual sections, nori wrapped, hollowed out and filled with a variety of creations.
Service is professional yet friendly. And excellent wine list offers some great choices at reasonable prices for this level of dining.
Facil
Potsdamer Str. 3
10785 Berlin
Germany