Here Comes the Sun: Cafe di Scala Beatles Brunch

Kensie Smith

“Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” -John Lennon

"The things is, we're all really the same person. We're just four parts of the one." -Paul McCartney

The Beatles knew a thing or too about the good things in life–golden slumbers, walruses, submarines and how to come together. In their next reunion tour I fully expect to hear a song about Des Moines, because Cafe di Scala knows a few things about the joys in life too. Like brunch. Combine the two and you’ve got Cafe di Scala’s Beatles Brunch.

After two visits to the Cafe, it’s clear that brunch should be Sunday staple. As compared to the rush of the week, it should be done slowly and tastefully. You should saying hello (not goodbye) to and let your date hold your hand. It should be savored like the last lingering line of a McCartney melody. (Sorry, no more poor attempts at song title inserts.) Lennon would have loved it tenderly.

Cafe di Scala contemporary italian restaurant located at 644 18th Street, Des Moines

The British invaders croon over the speakers as brunchers settle into the warmth of the historic Victorian Sherman Hill mansion. Light streams past the wrap around porch through the numerous parlor windows to highlight the smiles of a crowd that vary from young couples to groups of old friends. It’s the place to be to start of a simple Sunday to stop for those good things in life. Forget that impending project at work and the house cleaning can wait. Beatles Brunch is a time for creative cuisine to rejuvenate the basic breakfast.

Menu items are playfully based of Beatles tunes, like the savory Sgt. Pepper crepes filled with a fresh variety of veggies and chevre. Relish the Rubber Soul french toast topped with a meld of marscapone, maple syrup and mandarin oranges. Portions are plenty, but if you can resist the temptation to eat all of entre there is also a delectable set of desserts, like the Strawberry Fields fruit-topped vanilla panna cotta.

To accompany the small, but seasonal menu, is a sophisticated sampling of prosecco based drinks. The coffee mugs never run dry with the friendly staff that seem to have a sixth sense for when another sip of the smooth brew is needed.

Indulgence can only happen the first Sunday of every month. Not only is this good on the pocket book (more pricey than your basic buttermilk pancakes), but good for the novelty of the experience. Reservations are required for the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Call 515.244.1353)

Can’t make brunch? Cafe di Scala is open Thursday-Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and if there is any need for extra incentive–corkage fees are waived and free desserts are offered for the rest of January. Follow @cafediscala for tasty tweets, menu updates and reservation openings.

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