I had been through Iowa a number of times driving across the country, but hadn’t spent time in Des Moines.

Last month while attending a Soy Foods Council editors trip to learn everything there was to learn about soy, I also learned about Midwestern hospitality.

That welcoming began at the Suites of 800 Locust Hotel & Spa when I attempted to get online in my hotel room that purported to be wireless. I needed to post that week’s Bite. Who came to my rescue? Not a technician, but one of the hotel owners – Bradie Weeter.

I couldn’t believe Bradie’s smile and warmth, as she was having one of those days you couldn’t make up.

Her new employee had left the hotel with the only set of keys to their vehicle that transports guests from the airport. Bradie also needed to pick up her toddler. Her dad was having an emergency root canal, her mom’s had car trouble that morning, so she was driving a loner (which of course didn’t have a carseat)…. and the saga continued as she happily assisted me until we found a room where I could get online.

I thought perhaps her friendliness was a fluke. Not.

I met my friend Robin Kline (who lives in DM) in the East Village (a trendy part of town) and we stopped in Continental for a drink. (428 E Locust St Des Moines; 515.244.5845)

Chris, who was sitting at the bar with a pile of fresh mint in front of him, warmly welcomed us.  He described a couple of his specialty drinks including a mojito using the fresh mint, a caipirinha, the Brazilan cocktail made with Cachaça, lime juice and sugar and a few more.  We vacillated for a moment, and then all ordered a caipirinha.

“They’re on me,” says Chris as he delivered our first round of drinks. He placed a tall mojito on the table. “And I thought you’d also like to try this. Enjoy!”

But Chris’s hospitality didn’t end there.

“I thought you might be hungry,” he said as he placed some hummus and fresh pita chips on the table.

Now that’s hospitality —  thanks Bradie and Chris!