Adventures, discoveries, and faves: A new eastern Iowa resident's journey of discovery

Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen
Updated ·4 min read

Since moving to Iowa City (or, more precisely, Cedar Rapids) in August, I have turned 25, rescued and fostered a kitten, met one of my favorite authors, and completed three TV series.

All of these are accomplishments.

Moving for a job as you enter your mid-20s is scary, but it is most often inevitable and a conversation that has been rolling around in my head since I finished college. The jump from Chicago to Iowa City was different, but now I have more places to recommend here than my six years of living in Chicago.

Here are my top five favorite places I have visited in Iowa City over the past five months, my biggest recommendations for locals, and where I take my friends when they come to town.

Iowa City Press-Citizen Entertainment Reporter Jessica Rish snaps a selfie, presumably before going to the movies.
Iowa City Press-Citizen Entertainment Reporter Jessica Rish snaps a selfie, presumably before going to the movies.
St. Burch Tavern serves steaks, seafood & other American plates, plus cocktails & brews served in a sophisticated setting, open to 9.m. daily.
St. Burch Tavern serves steaks, seafood & other American plates, plus cocktails & brews served in a sophisticated setting, open to 9.m. daily.

St. Burch Tavern

Turning 25 elicits some existential dread for most, and I have a journal entry from my birthday to prove it, which I happened to write at St. Burch Tavern. You don't stumble upon St. Burch Tavern. It is in one of the busiest areas of town, but you can't help but be curious when you walk by. When you gaze in, you will see in-love couples eating aphrodisiacs over a candle-lit dinner.

Most restaurants can be the perfect date night spot, but what really makes a restaurant work is if you can comfortably eat alone, and St. Burch Tavern passes that test for me. The establishment feels luxurious but is still attainable, with no compromises on the menu. I highly recommend the fish and chips and the green goddess salad. I believe St. Burch Tavern also has the best happy hour in town.

I left a few books in Chicago with some of my friends by accident, but "You Know You Want This," by Kristen Roupenian, was a book I made sure came to Iowa with me, and I am fortunate it did.
I left a few books in Chicago with some of my friends by accident, but "You Know You Want This," by Kristen Roupenian, was a book I made sure came to Iowa with me, and I am fortunate it did.

FilmScene

I have always loved going to the movies, in fact, it is my favorite thing to do.

I have pages of journals filled with ticket stubs, and in 2019, I saw more than 30 movies in theatres.

Until recently, I never went to the movies alone, but I was always a bit jealous of my friends who could. Living alone in a new city, I am constantly getting pushed out of my comfort zone, though I often stay on brand. After I saw my fifth film at Film Scene, I became a member, and now all my friends are jealous.

More: FilmScene celebrates 10 years of creating movie magic in Iowa City

Filmscene is my favorite theatre I have ever been to, and I am constantly raving about it. My favorite film I saw there is "Cat Person," which I watched during the ReFocus Film Festival. It is an adaptation of a short story written by one of my favorite authors, whom I even met.

Movies are truly magical, and Filmscene knows that and makes the movie-going experience special.

During the winter solstice, we did tarot readings and walked through Oakland Cemetery to see the Black Angel, one of the more underrated Iowa City icons.
During the winter solstice, we did tarot readings and walked through Oakland Cemetery to see the Black Angel, one of the more underrated Iowa City icons.

Press Coffee

You can give me any cup of steaming hot black coffee or any iced latte; I won't complain.

I love coffee.

But, if you give me a London Fog that doesn't have the perfect balance of floral and citrus notes that is the perfect sweet, we will have a problem. Luckily, I didn't have to search for very long to find the best London Fog in town.

It is hands down, at Press Coffee.

I typically find coffee shops very intimidating and unwelcoming, but Press Coffee isn't any of those. It's perfect, from the drinks to the vibes. Press Coffee also hosts community events, which inspired me to join the Iowa City Tarot Club. On the winter solstice, we set our intentions for the new year, pulled cards for the collective, and took a stroll to The Black Angel, one of my favorite nights in Iowa City so far.

Before moving to Iowa City, I worked at an ice cream shop called Jeni's. Who knew after nearly two years of working there that I would desperately crave my favorite flavor, Lemon & Blueberries Parfait. Luckily for me, New Pioneer has my back.
Before moving to Iowa City, I worked at an ice cream shop called Jeni's. Who knew after nearly two years of working there that I would desperately crave my favorite flavor, Lemon & Blueberries Parfait. Luckily for me, New Pioneer has my back.

New Pioneer Food Co-op

Each apartment I lived in in Chicago was a stone's throw away from Whole Foods. Missing a grocery store seems silly, but I can't deny I do miss Whole Foods.

Luckily for me, New Pioneer is just as good, even better. One thing I learned about Iowa City is the emphasis on shopping and eating local. I had never been to a food co-op before, but now, there is no looking back. It has local produce, fresh bread, grab-and-go meals, and products you didn't know about. After months of looking at other stores, I went into New Pioneer for a particular ice cream flavor and left victorious, which is why I keep going back.

The Record Collector specializes in new and used vinyl, as well as used CDs and special orders, with a keen taking to the oddities and rarities. The Record Collector is located at 116 S Linn St.
The Record Collector specializes in new and used vinyl, as well as used CDs and special orders, with a keen taking to the oddities and rarities. The Record Collector is located at 116 S Linn St.

Record Collector

There is no easy way to say this, but I have a boombox and a growing CD collection.

My favorite thing to do this summer was to visit Chicago record stores and thrift stores in search of CDs, and luckily, the addiction can continue in Iowa City.

At Record Collector, what you are looking for will find you, and that's how my first trip ended.

"Trio" is a collaborative album by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, and a Doobie Brothers vinyl record found me when I went shopping for my dad's birthday. Two albums that I didn't know I needed but have changed my life − "Trio" keeps me sane while I work from home, and The Doobie Brothers wish me goodnight before bed.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Rish: My favorite spots I've found since moving to Iowa City