Discover the Unexpected at DaDa Gastropub

BY MARY MICHAELS | PHOTOS BY JULIE PRAIRIE PHOTOGRAPHY

To most people, “Dada” accompanies “Mama” as a child’s first words.

What you may not know, however, is that DaDaism was an avant-garde intellectual movement that started around the time of World War I. The general premise behind DaDaism was to prove that anything could be art if the artist declared it to be. It went against the standards of society and influenced artists like Salvador Dali and writers like American playwright Eugene O’Neill.

So, how did a word that is a century old come to light in the Sioux Falls restaurant scene?

The credit goes to the owners of Parker’s Bistro, Stacy Newcomb-Weiland and Rick Weiland, and their circle of family and friends. In addition to owning Parker’s, the couple also has the majority role at Icon Lounge and Events after serving as partners there for several years. With the change in their role at Icon, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided it was time to look at the space in a different way – to innovate and to reinvent its identity.

And so, last October, the DaDa Gastropub was born in the space that was previously known as the Icon Lounge.

HOURS: Tuesday — Saturday: 4pm - 12am • Sunday & Monday: Closed Kitchen open until 10pm Tues-Thurs and until 11pm Fri-Sat

The venture is a family affair, with their daughter Taylor Newcomb-Weiland serving as the event director and their son, Carter Newcomb-Weiland, at the helm as executive chef. They say the pandemic gave them time to think about where they wanted the business to go. The concerts, for which the Icon Lounge had come to be well known, were being postponed or canceled, so it was time to consider a different direction. Transitioning to a casual restaurant and bar within the concert venue seemed to be a practical approach to meet the growing demand for dining and entertainment options in the downtown area.

Patrons will still enjoy the industrial warehouse environment of the space, which has been updated with unique lighting, furnishings and art. As the Icon Lounge, the bar already had several pop art pieces featuring well-known “icons” like Audrey Hepburn and even the Statue of Liberty. Many of those original pieces have been given the “DaDa treatment” and have been repainted with graffiti-style additions that celebrates creativity, diversity and challenging “societal norms.” Artist Rae Benson led the mural painting and artist-and- DaDa-bartender Rory Cowger is responsible for the reimagined artwork.

Much of the lighting throughout the space is courtesy of Steve Bormes, who is well known in the area for his original light sculptures made from materials ranging from upcycled boat motors to other “found items.” For DaDa, one of those “found items” happens to be massive swiss cheese vats. Most of the furniture was either made or reused. Staff members pitched in to assemble retro-style chairs, and the team found several old church pews from White, South Dakota, that are used as table benches. You can sit at small tables, long tables or high tables if you’re enjoying tasty items from the menu, or you can find cozy seating areas with comfy chairs if you’re there to relax at the end of the day.

The concept of a gastropub allows the owners to offer unique, elevated food and yet remain “bar forward.” DaDa doesn’t have a lengthy menu as you might find in a restaurant, but they do have fantastic, flavorful dishes that also include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Chef Weiland puts his original twist on everything from vegan tostadas and a beef bulgogi burrito to a ramen bowl and a savory buckwheat kimchi pancake. DaDa also benefits from the ability to carry over items from their sister company, Parker’s Bistro, like the chislic and fries – although they add their own “DaDa Sauce” on the side. Save room for dessert, too, because they have sweet treats like Tres Leches Cake and hot chocolate made with marshmallow, chiles and cinnamon.

The lead bartender for DaDa Gastropub is Arnie Cowger, who like many of the staff, has also been part of Parker’s Bistro (and if his name is familiar, it’s because Arnie is the twin brother of DaDa artist Rory). The drink menu that Arnie and his team created is as distinctive as Chef Weiland’s food. The DaDa Collins, for example,

402 North Main Avenue 605-444-4266 | hello@dadagastropub.com

is made with white gin, lemon, house made cane syrup and lavender kombucha. The Long Falls Iced Tea, a nod to our fine city, includes vodka, gin, rum, tequila, orange liqueur, lemon and house made strawberry syrup. If you are overwhelmed by the list of libations, you can enjoy a sampling by ordering the Boozy Flight, which gives you half pours of a few of the offerings. DaDa also has a selection of beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks – all of which can be served to-go, along with food from the restaurant. Yes, that’s right – cocktails to go.

Their online menu lists all the food items you can enjoy at home, as well as bottled to-go cocktails that include all the frills like drink umbrellas. In addition, DaDa has started to sell off sale liquor – allowing patrons to basically purchase anything you’d normally find behind the bar at competitive prices. The bartenders even offer to share recipes with you so you can enjoy your favorite drinks right at home.

The Icon stage still stands in its place on the north wall, and music is starting to come back to the venue. They are starting small but hope that concerts will return once it is safe to bring bigger crowds back together. And, the event hall portion of the Icon Lounge and Events, which is available to rent for weddings and other special occasions, remains the same.

So, if you want to experience a local twist on DaDaism and enjoy an unconventional twist on food and drink, head downtown to DaDa Gastropub.

Love what you see.

WE’LL HELP YOU SEE THE (RIGHT) LIGHT.

free upgrade to blue light filtering anti-glare lenses.

EYE CARE

6201 S. Minnesota Ave. (605) 274.6717 visions@sdvisions.com sdvisions.com

Free upgrade available with any glasses purchase through March 31, 2021.