Provo/Orem, UT.

Ahhh! Happy Valley!

I can't believe it's been almost 1 year since my first post and I haven't even mentioned some of my favorite restaurants in the Provo/Orem area. With many family members as big BYU fans I have been visiting this lo-cal for a better part of 30 years now and have enjoyed many a good eats in these neck of the woods.

As you drive down state street in Orem and into downtown Provo I'm always amazed at the diversity of dinning options on this stretch of freeway. In most cities they have a higher concentration of certain ethnic food restaurants in certain areas or they are located at opposite ends of the city but in these towns you will have a Mexican joint next to an Italian, next to a Japanese, next to Indian etc. So you don't have to drive to far to get what your craving. So I will attempt to give you a mosh-posh of my favorites.

Los Hermanos Mexican Restaurant:     http://loshermanos.weebly.com/

This has been one of my favorite Mexican restaurants for as long as I've been visiting Provo. Provo actually has a lot of Mexican food and I've eaten at a few other joints and enjoyed them but if I have my choice I always end up here. Located in the historic section of downtown the ambiance is second to none and the food is even better. I love their Halibut tacos as they are really meaty and not the usual cod that is used at most restaurants. I'm a sucker for a good Chile Verde as well so the Smothered Burrito is also one of my favorites if I'm really hungry. I love their Fried Ice Cream and make sure you add all of the extras for a buck as it will be one of your favorite desserts anywhere.

Gloria's Little Italy:    http://www.gloriaslittleitaly.com/aboutus.html

This cool Italian restaurant located close to Los Hermanos is fantastic. Talk about your signature dishes. You can really tell that each item on the menu is made to stand out from the others and it tastes like you just made it in your kitchen. Although I have never made anything Italian from scratch personally. Start with the Minestrone as the spices used in this vegetable soup are amazing. The Tortelloni Alla Boscaiola is one of my favorite dishes. It has mushroom and a smooth cheese filled pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce. Or you can build your own pasta in one of their many made fresh daily sauces. This is great to do in a big group so you can try a lot of them at once.

Bombay House:     http://www.bombayhouse.com/

Tikka Masala. Tikka Masala. It is so fun to say but so much funner to eat. This is a chicken dish that is to die for. The tomato creamy sauce the tandoor chicken is cooked in could stand by itself. Make sure you have plenty of Garlic Naan bread to dip in the sauce. It is some of the best Masala I've had anywhere (although I've never been to India I did have an Indian professor in college and he liked this place). My wife always goes for the Coconut Chicken Kurma in it's sweet and spicy sauce which I always help myself to as well. Ah the joys of marriage. There is a location in Salt Lake as well so you don't have to drive all the way to Provo but since there is not an Indian restaurant in Utah County that can touch this place it's worth the visit if your down there.

Yamato Japanese Restaurant:     http://yamatogo.com/index.html

This place was referred to me by some buddies that went to BYU and they assured me it was the only place to get great Japanese food in Utah County so this is the only place I have frequented so let me know of any others you like. The Tempura is some of the best I've had. Very light and flaky as some Tempura is a little too heavy if done incorrectly. I love their Beef Teriyaki with the Shrimp Tempura. Get some of their perfectly steamed Edamame and Yasai Tempura for an appetizer as well.

Carrabba's Italian Grill:     http://www.carrabbas.com/

OK so I broke a rule and added a chain restaurant here. But since it is the only location in Utah that I know of it is well worth the visit. Since it is located in Orem and not Provo I can mention two Italian joints in the same blog can't I???? If you love Calamari everyone I've eaten with says it's some of the best but I would rather go with the Grilled Bruschetta. I'm a big fan of the Chicken Carraba as the sauteed mushrooms make this entree. The Tilapia Nocciola is a fantastic fish dish if you want something truly Italian exotic. The Tiramisu is a light way to finish off the dinner if you have not eaten too much of their fresh bread.

So now you're set for your next visit to Cougar country. Go ahead and wear your Utah gear as well as I have worn my Weber State attire and have not been turned away. The BYU/Weber State rivalry is just as big as the BYU/Utah rivalry right???

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We will chat next year.....if their is a next year as it will be 2012 after all. Yikes!