Asian food report
Thailand’s new prime minister announced a $1.4 billion subsidy to all citizens 16 and over. The money can be used shopping or in restaurants to boost businesses troubled by inflationary food prices, particularly rice which is up 40% this year. And yes, it's an election year. (NHK Bangkok)
Japan has been subjected to rampant bear attacks recently. One bear attacked two supermarket employees who interrupted his romp through the sushi and fresh fish sections, the only aisles the bear shops... The Japanese stock market soared 10% immediately after the Liberal Democrat party elected a woman who used to play in a rock band and rides motorcycles as their candidate for prime minister. She is considered the favorite winner and she professes a pro business agenda similar to Margaret Thatcher’s. And, yes, she is a Liberal Democrat. Japan is not like anywhere else. The yen actually strengthened vs. the dollar after her victory, making it likely that Japan will import more U.S. foods, even rice. (American rice is finally legal in Japan. It is cheaper than Japanese rice but considered inferior.) (Newsroom Tokyo)
Washington Post reported on how DC pubs are coping with the government shut down: At Tune Inn, “Gridlock Nachos” and the “Debt Dog” are flying off the menu. Barrel’s has introduced all-day “unhappy hour” specials. Crown & Crow greets visitors with a sign declaring, “If the government won’t serve you, we will.” Its “Executive Dysfunction” menu offers a “Hard Times” cocktail, “Affordable Beer Act” and “Emergency Shot,” all $5.
Weekend deals
• To celebrate their new store, Bamboo House (3805 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers a free appetizer with every entrée this weekend.
• Abundance to Go on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 3-6 p.m. at the Wallace House (756 16th St., Des Moines) brings a seasonal pop-up market from the historic farm. Tomato compote, garlic smoked salt, lavender sugar pair with prepared dishes to go with a spooky theme. Pre-order to go dishes, some extras may be available during market.
• Irina’s (650 Prairie View Drive, West Des Moines) offers an all-you-can-eat surf and turf special Friday and Saturday that includes slow roasted beef with chimichurri and demiglace, snow crab legs, loaded whipped potato, lobster bisque, corn on the cob, hush puppies, coleslaw and mussels in Chardonnay. $59.
• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers 20% discounts to first responders and military on Friday and Saturday
• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on their new Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.
• Paula's (524 Elm St., Valley Junction) has a meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy Friday special, $13.50.
• Hy-Vee Market Grilles offer a Friday special chicken enchilada with rice dinner for $8. They do rib dinners Saturday and Sunday for $15.
• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a ten for $10 wings deal on Sundays.
• Friday is Soul Food day at Joppa Experience (1829 Sixth Ave., Des Moines) with fried chicken and oxtail stew joining the usual menu.
• G Mig's has Friday prime rib dinners for $29.75 or blackened salmon with red pepper cream and garlic bread for $25.95. Saturday's special is pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy for $18.50.
• Django (1420 Locust St., Des Moines) offers a Sunday supper with a roasted half chicken as the main course. The meal includes house salad with red onion, apple, Roquefort, and candied walnuts; fresh baguette with whipped butter; roasted fingerling potatoes with fresh herbs; and sautéed haricot verts with caramelized onions and lardons. $30
• Table 128 (220 S.W. Ninth St., Des Moines) features a Saturday tasting menu for $58.
• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday.
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.
• Aldi stores haves sales through Tuesday on avocados at $.65, red grapes at $1.29/pound and Frenched rack of lamb at $9.99/pound.
• Fareways have specials through Saturday on T-bones at $12.99/pound, navel oranges at $1.49/pound and cucumbers or green peppers at $.77 each.
• Price Choppers have sales on red onions at $.99/pound, jumbo cantaloupes at $2.99, and entrees at $2.49 and perch frozen filets at $5.49/pound through Monday.
• Fresh Thyme (2900 University Ave., West Des Moines) has sales on clementines at $2.49/2-pound bag, gala, fuji and pzazz apples at $.99/pound and snow crab clusters and ahi or swordfish filets at $10.99/pound through Tuesday. They also offer 25% off all soups, hot or cold.
• Hy-Vee stores have sales on cosmic crisp, granny Smith, gala and fuji apples at 99 cents/pound, Bartlett pears at $1.49/pound and Panera soups at two for $6.99 through Monday.
Music
Betsy Hickok/Ron Roberts Duo plays Louie's Wine Dive (4040 University Ave., Des Moines) on Sunday at 5 p.m... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... Willie James Shay plays Sonny’s Pizza Bistro Saturday at 5:30 p.m... JB Williams play Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday... Chris Evers will be at Caffrey’s Irish Pub, Waukee, at 5 p.m.... Fred Gazzo Quintet plays Anna Dolce Ristorante, WDM, at 6 p.m. Saturday... Jake Schrodt is at Winterset Cidery Sunday at 2 p.m.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com | 
