My Biz: Devotay focuses on fresh, local food

Having worked in food service his whole life, Kurt Michael Friese made it a goal to open his own restaurant before he turned 35.

That goal was achieved when Devotay opened on North Linn Street in 1996.

Back then, Friese along with his wife and co-owner, Kim, ran the restaurant by themselves while their children - Devon and Taylor - slept in the back. Today, he has a staff of 10, many of whom have been with the restaurant for more than seven years.

'We're proud of the lack of turnover in our staff,” Friese said. 'They are career professionals, not part-timers, so they are passionate about food and about the business.”

Friese is also proud to now be working side-by-side with his son Devon. Devon runs Devotay's bar, which features classic and signature cocktails. 'I contend that we have the best cocktail bar in town.”

Friese said, from the start, he planned to focus on northern Mediterranean foods and didn't want to open a big restaurant. 'In 1996 no one in Iowa had heard of tapas,” he said. 'We wanted people to gather around the table with people they loved and enjoy good food. Tapas are meant to be shared. The small plate idea really took off.”

While the small restaurant hasn't had any room to physically expand over the years, there have been changes. And to celebrate the restaurant's 18th year, Devotay is getting a face-lift, including new flooring, chairs, and lighting. There has been an expansion at the bar as well, tripling the number of taps offered. All are Iowa craft beers.

Come spring, Friese said, customers will be able to dine on a patio outside.

'Anytime I can inspire a love of food in my guests I have done my job,” he said.

While he rarely cooks these days, Friese works with his team of chefs to decide on the ever changing menu.

He claims that Devotay was one of the first restaurants in Iowa City to emphasize the local food trend. And Friese said it sources 60 percent of its food from within 100 miles of the restaurant, supporting about 40 local purveyors.

'In a cutthroat business like restaurants, 18 years is a very long time, especially for a small, independent place like Devotay,” he said. 'But buying locally is not just about fresher food, though it is that. It's also about a commitment to support the community that supports us. I think that's why we're still here.”

l Know a manager or company in business for more than a year that would be ideal for 'My Biz”? Contact Chelsea Keenan at chelsea.keenan@thegazette.com

At a glance:

l Name: Kurt Michael Friese

l Title: Owner

l Company: Devotay

l Address: 117 North Linn St., Iowa City

l Phone: (319) 354-1001

l Website: www.devotay.net