Some of Des Moines' best dining experiences can be found in unexpected places. Just ask restaurant critic Wini Moranville.
In a recent appearance on WHO-TV's Look WHO's Talking with Andy Fales, Moranville shared her picks for some of the metro's best restaurants, along with three hidden gems she believes deserve more attention.
Among those hidden gems? Vita, the fine-dining restaurant inside WesleyLife's Wesley on Grand community in Des Moines.
Moranville, a Des Moines-based longtime restaurant critic, cookbook author, and food journalist with more than 25 years of experience covering food and dining, praised Vita's carefully prepared cuisine, highlighting dishes such as scallops and steak with chimichurri. She also suggested stopping by the community's Chamberlain Pub for a drink.
The recognition is especially meaningful to WesleyLife because it reinforces a message the organization's culinary leaders have been sharing for years: Great food and exceptional dining experiences aren't limited by age or address.
And Vita, like Wesley on Grand's other restaurants, is open to the public.
Challenging expectations, one plate at a time
Sam Kolner, director of dining services at Wesley on Grand, has long been passionate about challenging assumptions about dining in communities for older adults.
"It bothers me when people assume senior living restaurants serve only meatloaf and mashed potatoes," Sam says. "It's time to make aging services part of the fine-dining, culinary, and hospitality conversations!"
That philosophy is reflected in Wesley on Grand's three distinct dining venues: Vita, a fine-dining restaurant; Santé, a casual bistro; and the Chamberlain Pub, which offers small plates and pub favorites.
Each offers a different experience, giving residents and visitors choices that extend well beyond traditional expectations of senior living dining.
"We truly have something for everyone, and that's always a great surprise when I interview someone for a culinary role here and they come in with preconceived ideas about what it's like to work in a community," Sam says. "Food is a great way to demolish stereotypes, and you can believe we will keep doing that."
More sophisticated tastes, more choices
Sam also recognizes that culinary expectations are changing as new generations of older adults seek dining experiences that reflect their interests, lifestyles, and commitment to well-being.
"In a world of celebrity chefs and the Food Network, our customers expect more culinarily advanced presentations with a focus on healthier diets," he says.
That means incorporating global flavors, plant-based options, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes while continuing to offer familiar favorites. Choice is central to that approach; residents and guests can enjoy the foods they've always loved while exploring new flavors and experiences.
And the benefits extend beyond the food itself. Dining provides opportunities for social connection, discovery, and engagement, all important elements of WesleyLife's commitment to helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.
A restaurant that welcomes the whole community
One of the most distinctive aspects of Vita is its connection to the broader Des Moines community.
Rather than serving exclusively those who live at Wesley on Grand, Vita welcomes the public, creating opportunities for residents, families, friends, and neighbors to share a dining experience.
That openness reflects WesleyLife's belief that communities for healthy living should be connected to the world around them, not separated from it.
Damon Buskohl, executive director at Wesley on Grand, has seen firsthand how surprised visitors can be when they discover the community's dining options.
"I'll see people who don't live here but come in to dine at Vita, and they'll say, 'I can't believe you can have food like this in a community for older adults!'" Damon says. "And I tell them: 'Yes, and if you like our food, wait till you see what else we can do!'"
Recognition worth celebrating
Moranville's recommendation places Vita alongside some of the Des Moines area's most respected dining destinations and introduces a wider audience to a restaurant they might otherwise have overlooked.
For WesleyLife, her praise also is a welcome acknowledgment of the culinary creativity, hospitality, and attention to detail that team members bring to their work every day.
The recognition is a point of pride for the entire Wesley on Grand team, and another reminder that rethinking the experience of aging includes rethinking what people should expect from the places older adults call home.
Haven't experienced Vita for yourself? Take Wini Moranville's advice and discover one of Des Moines' hidden culinary gems; call (515) 697-0074 to make a reservation. And while you're there, consider a visit to the Chamberlain Pub or Santé as well!