By Wini Moranville 

  

Get ready for another irresistible restaurant interior from Annie Baldwin, the restaurateur behind Magnolia Wine Kitchen. Her completely different--but equally dashing-- Blu Toro opens  this Thursday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. She invited me in for a sneak peek just yesterday.

  

What a beauty! Natural wood and neutral colors, with ocean-blue accents, dominate the rustic-refined decor, which includes drum lights, an expansive Day of the Dead mural above the soon-to-be-bustling open kitchen, and--always my favorite--plenty of banquette seating.

  

I'm equally excited about the menu: Encased in velvety cowhide covers, it opens to a variety of Mexican and Southwest-inspired specialties. Appetizers include chips and popular trimmings (salsa, guacamole, queso), but also travel beyond, with oysters, shrimp ceviche, and a seafood tower speaking to the coastal side of Mexican food. For main dishes, expect great range, with street tacos on homemade flour tortillas (at $5 each) to scallops, sea bass, beef short ribs and other $25-plus entrees.

  

Something else tells me steak-lovers are in good hands, too. A bone-in ribeye and tenderloin filet are on the menu; better yet, Blu Toro's culinary director is Josh McCurnin, who once headed up the kitchen at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse.

  

For dessert, a lime tart, a meringue-topped butter cake, and a Mexican-chocolate brownie sundae, served in a small skillet with brandy butterscotch sauce and fried ice cream, all veer refreshingly off the beaten path.

Also impressive: The bar features more than 70 tequilas, some of which will make their way into the numerous craft margaritas and other cocktails.  

  

Blu Toro is in West Glen Town Center at 5585 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines; (515) 223-2302.

  

Catch any of 11 performances Dec. 9- 22 at the Des Moines Social Club's Kum & Go Theater. Tickets are $28-$33, with discounts for students and seniors. The schedule, other details and ticket info are here.

"Beautiful--The Carole King Musical" opens tonight, with performances through Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Des Moines Civic Center. Look for Michael Morain's review of the show tomorrow morning on dsmmagazine.com and on our Facebook page.

  

The production company arrived in seven truckloads late Monday afternoon. A crew of 60--including 40 local carpenters, electricians and others--unloaded scores of crates last night and set the stage this morning, starting with lighting and flooring, then filling in the sets and props.

  

The show tells the inspiring story of King's rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

 

The cast of this national touring company includes Iowa native Curt Bouril, who grew up in Cresco and majored in theater arts at the University of Iowa.

  

Most tickets are $35-$95 and, as of this morning, some seats remain available for all performances. Contact the Civic Center box office or get tickets online here.