First bite: Hugo's Wood-Fired Kitchen

I've been excited to try Hugo's Wood-Fired Kitchen since December when I wrote about the new $13 million Meals on Wheels campus and hydroponics farm.

• At that time, the restaurant was still being constructed on the first floor of Drake University's former education building.

The latest: It opened at the end of May.

On the menu: Lots of Mediterranean dishes, including lamb shank, shrimp skewers, smoked salmon, stuffed eggplant and salads.

• It's got a full bar and offers specialty drinks like "The Hugo,"— St.-Germain liqueur, pear soda and mint.

On my plate: I intended to order a dinner entrée, but was intrigued watching staff alongside the open-flame fire come to the dining room with gorgeous pizzas in hand.

• So I tried the fig & honey, a pie with goat cheese, pickled walnuts and figs.

My thought bubble: The savory/sweet combination was an explosion of complex flavor in comparison to typical delivery pizza.

Where to find it: 11am-9pm Tuesday-Thursday; 11am-10pm Friday-Saturday and 11am-4pm, Sunday.

• 3206 University Ave., DSM

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