Midwest - Coralville, Iowa

I'm there on business next week, being lodged by the company at "The Heartland Inn" in Coralville.
Any experiences at this place? Any recc's on restaurants, stuff to do, stuff to avoid, ettc.??
There's a good chance I may be up there for a while on a project later this summer, so I'm trying to get a feel for the area.

I'm there on business next week, being lodged by the company at "The Heartland Inn" in Coralville.
Any experiences at this place? Any recc's on restaurants, stuff to do, stuff to avoid, ettc.??
There's a good chance I may be up there for a while on a project later this summer, so I'm trying to get a feel for the area.


The Heartland is part of an Iowa chain. It is perfectly fine but nothing special - a step above a Super 8 and similar to a Comfort Inn. It is located a mile from our house so I know it well. My parents used to stay there when they visited but now prefer the Hampton Inn. There are a number of places to eat nearby but not much else to do unless you have a car - which I recommend.

Can you be a bit more specific on the type of restaurants you want and things you like to do? I can then make suggestions.

Coralville, my old stomping grounds !!

There is a new restaurant that some are claiming is incredible, it is called the Lincoln Cafe and is in Mt Vernon which is a beautiful 30 minute drive from Coralville, details of it here: http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=562986

Also, don't miss a good pork tenderloin sandwich, a specialty of IA. ^ ^
Grilled or Fried, both versions are great.

For a to-do, on a nice day go to the Coralville Reservoir and do some hiking or frisbee golf. We also used to rent pontoon boats, bring a grill and case of beer and lazily cruise the reservoir. We would also jump off the Mahaffey Bridge (sp?) into the reservoir if we were in the mood for some stimulation.

Palisades Park in Mt Vernon is another great spot for some hiking and river rafting.

Have fun. ^

If you golf, Amana has a pretty nice course. Get directions, as it is off the beaten path a bit.

The Coralville Mall isn't bad for shopping.

Downtown Iowa City is pretty good for nightlife, since its a collage town. I think the bar I went to last that was fun was Muddy Waters. I don't remember for sure, so take it with a grain of salt.

There are a ton of restaurants by the mall, but I would check out 3 Samurai's for sushi/hibachi and The Brown (bottle or bag) in Liberty for Italian. Those are two of my favorites.

There is also a decent science center with an IMAX movie screen in Cedar Rapids.

Thinkgs to avoid? Don't stay in Cedar Rapids, too many food processing plants. You will spend a lot of time asking what that smell is...

AJ

If you golf, Amana has a pretty nice course. Get directions, as it is off the beaten path a bit.

The Coralville Mall isn't bad for shopping.

Downtown Iowa City is pretty good for nightlife, since its a collage town. I think the bar I went to last that was fun was Muddy Waters. I don't remember for sure, so take it with a grain of salt.

There are a ton of restaurants by the mall, but I would check out 3 Samurai's for sushi/hibachi and The Brown (bottle or bag) in Liberty for Italian. Those are two of my favorites.

There is also a decent science center with an IMAX movie screen in Cedar Rapids.

Thinkgs to avoid? Don't stay in Cedar Rapids, too many food processing plants. You will spend a lot of time asking what that smell is...

AJ


The Coral Ridge Mall is quite big, second biggest in the state, it has the usual suspects plus Scheels. Scheels is a HUGE sporting good store - biggest between Denver and Chicago. Most of the remarks above are spot on but I'll add a few. Three samarai is excellent as is their sister restaurant in downtown IC - Takanami. Takanami is more fusion while Samarai is more traditional. Many people like the Brown Bottle in North Liberty and in Iowa City but I do not - too americanized Italian for me. I am not sure what bar the poster is referring to as there is no bar in IC named Muddy Waters but as he points out there are MANY bars to choose from. Remember though all these spots are a drive from the Heartland.

Solon (a town about 15 minute drive from Coralville) is having their Beef Days Celebration on July 21-22, 2006 see: http://www.beefdays.com/

mander, is the steakhouse in Tiffin called The Lark still around? I recall having a pretty decent steak there.

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The Lark is now in Iowa City - on Hwy 1 West (near WalMart)

is the steakhouse in Tiffin called The Lark still around? I recall having a pretty decent steak there.--

The Lark is now in Iowa City - on Hwy 1 West (near WalMart)

Yes indeed in the old red lobster location. When I last went, over two years ago, the food was EXACTLY the same as it was at the Tiffin location but the new place did not have the quaint charm of the old place. The old location in Tiffin burned to the ground four of five years ago. I ate MANY a steak at the old location.

several restrnts u may consider trying in IC:Thai Spice Restaurant, New Pionerr Co-op' also in Coralville( mostly for sandwiches), Linn-Street Cafe. No doubt you noticed Old Chicago nxt door to you and little farther down road is The Vine. You also have some good restaurants in Amana about 15 miles west:Redwood Steakhouse,Ronneburg Restaurant and the Colony Inn; not to mention the various craft stores, museaums, breweries and wineries.The Yacht Club is one IC bar that comes to mind. West Branch about 10-15 miles east is home of Herbert Hoover Presidential birthplace/library. Beyond that just walking thru the downtown/campus past old capitol is nice.

RAGBRAI will be coming through Coralville this year on July 28. Lance Armstrong has announced that he will be taking part and riding through Coralville.

RAGBRAI will be coming through Coralville this year on July 28. Lance Armstrong has announced that he will be taking part and riding through Coralville.

Yes indeed! All of us bike fanatics are looking forward to this!

Thanks, everyone, for these many great ideas. For my brief recent day there, I was pretty much at the "mercy" of the company, but did get a nice tour of the whole area and saw a lot of the spots recommended here.
The Heartland was exactly the "quality" level a previous post indicated. The staff were really, really friendly. The breakfast buffet is more than just the pastries/coffee thing, but made-to-order waffles, all kinds of cereals, variety of breads & bagels, etc...more of a Holiday Inn Express kind of setup. They also give you complementary passes to a local Gold's Gym just a few minutes away.
If I am called up there again, and I'll find out within a few weeks, I've got a great list now of places to check out. Thanks again for all the good recco's...feel free to keep 'em coming.

I will be in Iowa City this weekend. I love Prairie Lights Bookstore. There are also a couple of rewards network affiliated restaurants there, such as Venuto's and Linn Street Cafe.

This Restaurant in Cedar Rapids is ranked 42 in the Top 100 restaurants in the World

http://chef2chef.net/rank/rest2.shtml

http://www.biaggis.com/

The Lark is now in Iowa City - on Hwy 1 West (near WalMart)
The Lark in Tiffin was my favorite restaurant when I was at the University of Iowa ('67-75). Glad to hear its still in business. Is The Ranch (between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids still around?). The Lark had wonderful potatoes (can't remember if they were hash browns or baked) with delicious cheese over them (before the true evils of cheese was well known)

This Restaurant in Cedar Rapids is ranked 42 in the Top 100 restaurants in the World

http://chef2chef.net/rank/rest2.shtml

http://www.biaggis.com/

Interesting list, some unique listings but the only two non-US restaurants are one in France and one in Mexico and the French Laundry is 9th behind restaurants in NC SC MI AZ VA, so some voters are smoking crack.

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You know, sometimes I really miss IC and Coralville! I lived in the area for grad school 1996-2001 and there are some incredible places in Iowa City.

THE very best place to go, IMHO, is a truly unique slow-food restaurant called Devotay (http://www.devotay.com/) . Excellent menu, and unbelievable food. Sometimes SO and I talk about flying back to IC just to have dinner at Devotay. That's how much we loved it. Honestly? If you are looking for one place to have a special, delicious dinner, please, please go to Devotay. I can't believe no one else has mentioned it!!!

Let's see, what else?
I recommend the Ped Mall for some pleasant afternoon shopping. Java House is nice for a relaxing cup of coffee, and if the New Agey store is still next door, it's nice to wander through. Masala is a delicious vegetarian Indian restaurant if you're into such things. Prairie Lights bookstore is a great place for hanging out and reading.

The Univ. of Iowa campus is comfortably nested around the downtown area, so it's a very nice spot, especially this time of year when student population is down and parking is available.

A visit to the New Pioneer Co-Op is in order if you need any healthy snacks, groceries, or soup, salad, sandwiches, smoothies, vegetarian or vegan fare.

The Coral Ridge Mall is okay but it's a mall. Still, it's worth visiting if you have some extra time to kill, especially if you are trying to beat the heat and want to try some ice skating.

Linn Street Cafe was always just OKAY to me. My office was just down the street at Seashore Hall, so very close by, but it just never WOWed me. Three Samari is a nice teppenyaki place, Village Inn is a great IHOP type of place to get breakfast or dinner at 3 AM, and we also liked Sanctuary and The Vine, as far as dinner restaurants go.

Generally, Cedar Rapids is just kind of blah unless you actually live in Iowa City and there's nothing else to do but drive a half hour to get to the "big city."

I absolutely agree with other posters that a trip to Amana is well worth the drive. If you go, have dinner at the Ox Yoke Inn, the most popular and famous of the Amanas. Taste some of the wine- you probably won't be too impressed, but it's still kind of fun. The Amanas are just a really pleasant place to visit, IMHO.

Wow, I really miss Iowa, and I'm amazed that I'm saying that. I couldn't wait to leave, but apparently, some of the warmer, friendlier qualities just grew on me a little. I have a really soft spot in my heart for Iowa City and the Amanas.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And thanks for taking me down memory lane a bit.

: )
GG

[QUOTE=MCI_flyer]This Restaurant in Cedar Rapids is ranked 42 in the Top 100 restaurants in the World

http://chef2chef.net/rank/rest2.shtml


Where is it? My in-laws from there have never heard of it... that doesn't say a lot, but...

Also, can't find it on that ranking.

Where is it? My in-laws from there have never heard of it... that doesn't say a lot, but...
Also, can't find it on that ranking.

Biaggi's Restaurant
Chef Tracy Tonning, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
320 Collins Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 393-6593

http://www.biaggis.com/restaurants.htm

There wasn't a Cedar Rapids location when I lived there, but they did have one in West Des Moines. It has the feel of a chain to me, but it's privately owned and it's a small chain that seems to be growing. I admit, as Americanized as I think they are, I still wish they had one here!

: )
GG

This Restaurant in Cedar Rapids is ranked 42 in the Top 100 restaurants in the World

http://chef2chef.net/rank/rest2.shtml

http://www.biaggis.com/

That list is idiosyncratic to say the least. The chef used to be the chef at the State Room here in Iowa City. Excellent, but 42nd in the world?

The Lark in Tiffin was my favorite restaurant when I was at the University of Iowa ('67-75). Glad to hear its still in business. ... The Lark had wonderful potatoes (can't remember if they were hash browns or baked) with delicious cheese over them (before the true evils of cheese was well known)


Potatos Lyonaisse they call them; Hashbrowns with green onions and cheese. Truly excellent and truly not a "healthy choice".

Well, heck, with all these great recco's it may be worth a "road trip" just to go check it all out..work or not.
Who knows, maybe we need to plan a "Middle of Nowhere" Do there :D

What's amazed me from all the people I've talked to and posts I've read, is the consensus that everyone thinks it's in the middle of freaking no-where, yet people really, really like the area. I'm hearing from a lot of people who hated while there, but love it in retrospect, or people who lived there thinking they were in a hole in the wall, then in hindsight realize how good they had it.
Sure, you could drive ten minutes outside the city & be in the middle of a very, very quiet cornfield....but the restaurants, shops, nightlife, etc. all weren't that bad at all.

Well, heck, with all these great recco's it may be worth a "road trip" just to go check it all out..work or not.
Who knows, maybe we need to plan a "Middle of Nowhere" Do there :D

What's amazed me from all the people I've talked to and posts I've read, is the consensus that everyone thinks it's in the middle of freaking no-where, yet people really, really like the area. I'm hearing from a lot of people who hated while there, but love it in retrospect, or people who lived there thinking they were in a hole in the wall, then in hindsight realize how good they had it.
Sure, you could drive ten minutes outside the city & be in the middle of a very, very quiet cornfield....but the restaurants, shops, nightlife, etc. all weren't that bad at all.

Iowa City, in particular, was a lovely place to live. All around, it was very pleasant there. It's just a nice little oasis in the midst of a very rural state. And I would so totally go to a Middle of Nowhere Do there. In a heartbeat.

In fact, after I read and participated in this thread, I told SO about it and he and I agreed to factor in a trip to Iowa City in our mileage plans for 2007. :)

GG

What's amazed me from all the people I've talked to and posts I've read, is the consensus that everyone thinks it's in the middle of freaking no-where, yet people really, really like the area.
"Is this heaven?"

"No it's Iowa"

Quote from the movie Field of Dreams (which is a very fun place to play a game of baseball or softball ^ ) http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/

Well, heck, with all these great recco's it may be worth a "road trip" just to go check it all out..work or not.
Who knows, maybe we need to plan a "Middle of Nowhere" Do there :D

I’d love the idea. ^ ^

How about Sept 23/24 or Oct 7/8 ??

Quote from the movie Field of Dreams (which is a very fun place to play a game of baseball or softball ^ ) http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/



I’d love the idea. ^ ^

How about Sept 23/24 or Oct 7/8 ??

There is another less well known quote from the movie. When the lead (Kevin Costner) is talking to his daughter about whether people will visit the field of dreams she repies something to the effect of: Yes. They will visit Iowa City and get bored and then come to the field. :)

David, far from bored in Iowa City

Quote from the movie Field of Dreams (which is a very fun place to play a game of baseball or softball ^ ) http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/



I’d love the idea. ^ ^

How about Sept 23/24 or Oct 7/8 ??
Along that line, Dubuque was the site also of the movie F.I.S.T., were there are some beautiful victorian mansions set on the cities' seven hills. Oh by the way, Biaggis is just up the road from the Marriott and Collins Road is a marked exit on I-380 about 3 miles North of dwntwn CR.

Well now, the "Middle of Nowhere Do" does sound like a fun idea. It would prolly be the only "FT" Do I may not fly to: something about spending $250-350 for an hour flight in an ER4 :D, esp. when driving there might be faster :D. While likely best planned by current or ex-locals, maybe this thread is the place to toss a few ideas around before posting in community.

This could involve a "friday night" arrivals drinks thing at one of the local pubs suggested. A Saturday outing to the "field" itself, and/or a Saturday dinner at one of the great eateries suggested. Sunday for people on their own...

If this company decides to take me on this fall, I'd be a new local who'd be willing to help (with a "no-flames" guarantee for lack of familiarity with the new digs)...pretty speculative until they pull the trigger, but who knows.

[QUOTE=skye1]Well now, the "Middle of Nowhere Do" does sound like a fun idea. It would prolly be the only "FT" Do I may not fly to: something about spending $250-350 for an hour flight in an ER4 :D, esp. when driving there might be faster :D. No guarantees of course but there might be a wkend fare special on aa STL-CID or united via ord that could possibly get you back monday am. Or burn 15k for AA's reward travel.

Or burn 15k for AA's reward travel.
or UA's 15,000 mile award as well. ^ Into Cedar Rapids or Rock Island/Moline.

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or UA's 15,000 mile award as well. ^ Into Cedar Rapids or Rock Island/Moline.

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well yeah, that would work for u from ORD, but from STL it won't since change of planes-15k on NONSTOPS 700 miles or less .

This Restaurant in Cedar Rapids is ranked 42 in the Top 100 restaurants in the World

http://chef2chef.net/rank/rest2.shtml

http://www.biaggis.com/


No one should actually go to CR believing they are headed to a top 100 restaurant. Biaggis is probably some of the best Italian food you can get in CR/Iowa city but is not worthy of such high praise.

Also, the Lark still has decent food...but the other poster was right, it is in IC now and it is literally in a WalMart parking lot.

Best steak in town, in my opinion, is at the Iowa River Power Company.

No one should actually go to CR believing they are headed to a top 100 restaurant.
I agree. This sounds like a hoky rating system.

For a unique restaurant experience in CR, I like Zindrich's Czech restaurant.

Also, the Lark still has decent food...but the other poster was right, it is in IC now and it is literally in a WalMart parking lot.
The location is horrible and can't be good for business. The only thing going for them must be the name recognition. When I first moved to Iowa City, I would never have stepped foot in there just driving by the restaurant. I was invited to a dinner there and agree that it's pretty nice.

Best steak in town, in my opinion, is at the Iowa River Power Company.
Good choice! There's also the new pretentious steakhouse in dowtown IC, Joseph's.

As for an Iowa DO, I'm all for it. I'm actually living in IC now (should really update my profile!).

As for an Iowa DO, I'm all for it.


Has the Iowa Do idea been put on hold until spring or summer of 2007?

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Has the Iowa Do idea been put on hold until spring or summer of 2007?

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Good question. After reading all the great posts about the area, I'd go. Probably better answered by a local/Iowa FT person....

Who lives there to organize it?

I'm must admit that I'm surprised to find so many and such enthusiastic CID-based responses here. Not that Iowa City and Coralville aren't impressive (I love the area), but I don't think of University towns, and especially state University towns as hosting that many frequent flyers. Of course, UI graduates do go far and wide after graduation.

My favorite restaurant in town is the Linn Street Cafe, fantastic wine list, careful and creative food preparation, and decent ambience. Devotay, right next door, is also fantastic. My regular lunch spot, Venuto's World Bistro, sadly recently closed. I felt like I lost a family member.

I recently went to Guido's on Gilbert, which was very affordable and very tasty. I'd recommend it as a nice date place.

I liked the Iowa River Power Company's steak, too, but all in all the restaurant has never impressed me. The best pork chop in town (and the biggest portions of, well, everything) can be found at Mondo's on the strip.

I'm must admit that I'm surprised to find so many and such enthusiastic CID-based responses here. Not that Iowa City and Coralville aren't impressive (I love the area), but I don't think of University towns, and especially state University towns as hosting that many frequent flyers. Of course, UI graduates do go far and wide after graduation.

My favorite restaurant in town is the Linn Street Cafe, fantastic wine list, careful and creative food preparation, and decent ambience. Devotay, right next door, is also fantastic. My regular lunch spot, Venuto's World Bistro, sadly recently closed. I felt like I lost a family member.

I recently went to Guido's on Gilbert, which was very affordable and very tasty. I'd recommend it as a nice date place.

I liked the Iowa River Power Company's steak, too, but all in all the restaurant has never impressed me. The best pork chop in town (and the biggest portions of, well, everything) can be found at Mondo's on the strip.
I heart Devotay. Have the bacon-wrapped dates. Yum.

Mondo's chocolate souffle is outstanding.

And finally, if you want a less-expensive steak at the Iowa River Power Company, eat at the bar. That's what we used to do when we were poor grad students.

Iowa City. Good times. :)
GG

This idea of an Iowa do is too good to die. I'm several hours away in Minnesota now, so I can't organize it, but I'd be there in a flash.

Anyone?

I gew up in Iowa City and go back at least a couple of times a year to reuinte with my friends (most of whom have also moved away, but we love having IC as our home base.)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Pagliai's Pizza or the Hamburg Inn. These are very old school IC institutions. Pagliai's has a menu that fits on the table card - just delicious thin crust pizza that you can watch them make through the front window. Get the Palace Special if you go.

Hamburg Inn is a diner, basically, but famous enough that Reagan ate there when he visited and now has his own dedicated booth. The owner of Hamburg Inn uses the leftover grease from his restaurant to power his own biodiesel fuel car. If that's not classic Iowa City, I don't know what is.

The Sanctuary on Glibert is a bar with live music on weekend nights and a large selection of microbrew beers. It has a very nice atmosphere, all wood and sort of an English pub feel. The nice thing is that the smoking and non-smoking sections are in separate rooms. It is very large and comfortable with good hot drinks in the winter.

That's the info on classic Iowa City spots, I don't know about all this newfangled stuff!

In general, straying beyond a pork tenderlion sandwich can be setting yourself up for disappointment. Or, when in Iowa, do as the locals do.....eat at home. So when/where is the party??

I gew up in Iowa City and go back at least a couple of times a year to reuinte with my friends (most of whom have also moved away, but we love having IC as our home base.)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Pagliai's Pizza or the Hamburg Inn. These are very old school IC institutions. Pagliai's has a menu that fits on the table card - just delicious thin crust pizza that you can watch them make through the front window. Get the Palace Special if you go.

Hamburg Inn is a diner, basically, but famous enough that Reagan ate there when he visited and now has his own dedicated booth. The owner of Hamburg Inn uses the leftover grease from his restaurant to power his own biodiesel fuel car. If that's not classic Iowa City, I don't know what is.

The Sanctuary on Glibert is a bar with live music on weekend nights and a large selection of microbrew beers. It has a very nice atmosphere, all wood and sort of an English pub feel. The nice thing is that the smoking and non-smoking sections are in separate rooms. It is very large and comfortable with good hot drinks in the winter.

That's the info on classic Iowa City spots, I don't know about all this newfangled stuff!
And the cool thing about those 2 places is they are about a block apart so if you don't like one when u walk in u can go to the other!

As for an Iowa DO, I'm all for it.
Has the Iowa Do idea been put on hold until spring or summer of 2007?
Good question. After reading all the great posts about the area, I'd go. Probably better answered by a local/Iowa FT person....
This idea of an Iowa do is too good to die.

Can we get the idea of an Iowa Do to take hold again?

I'm up for it, still haven't made my trek to dine at the Lincoln Cafe in Mt Vernon http://www.foodisimportant.com/ and it has been far too long since I've had a pork tenderloin sandwich !!!

If I wasn't living in London a.t.m., I'd be all over it. :)