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!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
St. George, UT.
Hello again my friends!
Can we please get back to the above average temperatures we enjoyed all fall here in Utah? This roller coaster of low pressure systems is killing me....and my skin.
It is this time of year I start to think about visiting Utah's Dixie, St. George. Always running about 15 degrees warmer than the Wasatch front I long to play some of the great golf courses that stay green year round. Some of my favorites in that vicinity are Sand Hollow, Sky Mountain, Coral Canyon, Green Springs and Sunbrook. Awesome!
But this isn't a golf blog. It's all about food here so here are some of my recommendations for your next visit to this golfing mecca.
Paula's Cazuela Mexican Restaurant:
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/312/1300976/restaurant/Utah/Paulas-Cazuela-St-George
This is one of the coolest Mexican restaurants out there. It has an awesome view of St. George as it sits up on a hill. I have enjoyed almost every dish I've had there but I love their Steak and Chicken Fajita Quesadilla and Paula's Special Burrito (Enchilada style). You can't go wrong with either of these. Of course their chips and salsa are excellent. There are Mexican restaurants popping up all over but this is one of the oldest and the best. Pancho & Lefty's is a close 2nd and a favorite of my in-laws and their Huntsman Senior Game posse.
Pizza Factory: http://pizzafactory.com/main.html
These are popping up all over Utah, and we have one in Syracuse now, but nothing beats the one in St. George. I think it's because it's the warmest one in the state and that must makes the food taste better. What makes their pizzas is the crust. Light and flaky but holds up no matter how many toppings you pile on it. They have great subs (I recommend the Sausage Sub especially after 18 holes of golf) and their salad bar is as good as Sweet Tomatoes or Sizzlers.
Painted Pony: http://www.painted-pony.com/st_george_restaurants.html
When you want to go nice go here. That is after you have cleaned up after those 18 holes of golf. It's been around for over a decade but I recently discovered it from a tip of a co-worker. It's a great place to take the Mrs.'s and thank her for letting you go golfing. The Seared Ahi Tuna was awesome with the sweet mango sauce. Go with the asparagus in season as your side as they tasted like they were just picked. You'll never forget the Painted Pony!
Beijing Buffet: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-52708009R-beijing_buffet-i
If you don't want to drive down to Mesquite or Las Vegas for a great buffet give this place a try. Out of the 5 or 6 dishes I tried at least 5 of them were excellent. The key with a buffet is to watch which dishes they just brought out and hit those. I never get the last scoop of any tray as the meat is usually tougher and the veggies get a little soggy. I've tried a few others but keep coming back here. Nothing beats a good Chinese buffet after 18 holes of golf.
I guess I need to go golfing don't I.
As St. George continues to grow please let me know your recommendations as I'll be down there in a few weeks visiting my extended family and I'm always open to something new and exciting.
Did I mention I'm going to golf?????
Can we please get back to the above average temperatures we enjoyed all fall here in Utah? This roller coaster of low pressure systems is killing me....and my skin.
It is this time of year I start to think about visiting Utah's Dixie, St. George. Always running about 15 degrees warmer than the Wasatch front I long to play some of the great golf courses that stay green year round. Some of my favorites in that vicinity are Sand Hollow, Sky Mountain, Coral Canyon, Green Springs and Sunbrook. Awesome!
But this isn't a golf blog. It's all about food here so here are some of my recommendations for your next visit to this golfing mecca.
Paula's Cazuela Mexican Restaurant:
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/312/1300976/restaurant/Utah/Paulas-Cazuela-St-George
This is one of the coolest Mexican restaurants out there. It has an awesome view of St. George as it sits up on a hill. I have enjoyed almost every dish I've had there but I love their Steak and Chicken Fajita Quesadilla and Paula's Special Burrito (Enchilada style). You can't go wrong with either of these. Of course their chips and salsa are excellent. There are Mexican restaurants popping up all over but this is one of the oldest and the best. Pancho & Lefty's is a close 2nd and a favorite of my in-laws and their Huntsman Senior Game posse.
Pizza Factory: http://pizzafactory.com/main.html
These are popping up all over Utah, and we have one in Syracuse now, but nothing beats the one in St. George. I think it's because it's the warmest one in the state and that must makes the food taste better. What makes their pizzas is the crust. Light and flaky but holds up no matter how many toppings you pile on it. They have great subs (I recommend the Sausage Sub especially after 18 holes of golf) and their salad bar is as good as Sweet Tomatoes or Sizzlers.
Painted Pony: http://www.painted-pony.com/st_george_restaurants.html
When you want to go nice go here. That is after you have cleaned up after those 18 holes of golf. It's been around for over a decade but I recently discovered it from a tip of a co-worker. It's a great place to take the Mrs.'s and thank her for letting you go golfing. The Seared Ahi Tuna was awesome with the sweet mango sauce. Go with the asparagus in season as your side as they tasted like they were just picked. You'll never forget the Painted Pony!
Beijing Buffet: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-52708009R-beijing_buffet-i
If you don't want to drive down to Mesquite or Las Vegas for a great buffet give this place a try. Out of the 5 or 6 dishes I tried at least 5 of them were excellent. The key with a buffet is to watch which dishes they just brought out and hit those. I never get the last scoop of any tray as the meat is usually tougher and the veggies get a little soggy. I've tried a few others but keep coming back here. Nothing beats a good Chinese buffet after 18 holes of golf.
I guess I need to go golfing don't I.
As St. George continues to grow please let me know your recommendations as I'll be down there in a few weeks visiting my extended family and I'm always open to something new and exciting.
Did I mention I'm going to golf?????
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Heber Valley, UT.
Wow! a whole month has gone by. You would've thought I had given up eating out. NOT!
It seems like the last quarter of a year is eaten up with one holiday after another. The kids are in fast forward from all of the treats and even though it's a crazy time I do like the company, family and neighborhood parties however and there are plenty of opportunities to eat out at some new restaurants with these gatherings.
Over the past month I visited the Heber Valley (Heber City and Midway) a couple of times and I have a few places to recommend. You don't even have to be Swiss to enjoy them. However if you ever get the chance to attend Swiss days in Midway I highly recommend it. It is the closest thing to visiting Switzerland without the high cost of air fare.
Let's start with Midway:
Tarahumara Comida Mexicana: http://www.tarahumara.biz/
Have I mentioned you have to have good chips and salsa to be considered a great Mexican restaurant in my book. Well how about 20 fresh salsas made fresh every day. You can spend at least a half hour trying all of them but a few of my favorites are the mango and green chile salsas. Try mixing a few of them together as well as some are really hot so you might need to cross the streams to tame them a little. I recommend the Pork Loin Chile Verde. They are large tender chunks and the flavor is excellent. They give you a hearty portion of all of their entrees so try to lighten up on the chips and salsa. Their desserts are killer as well so save room to share one. The fruit tart I've had was huge and very flavorful.
Cafe Galleria: http://www.cafegalleriapizza.com/
I spent a few weeks traveling through Europe after graduating from college and during our three stops in Italy I was able to eat a lot of nice Italian dishes. I remember the pizza most of all. It was really thin and it didn't look like there was much to it but man did it have a lot of flavor. This little joint has the pizza that I remember eating in Florence. I usually get the Americano pizza which has pepperoni. Again it is flat and not much to look at but their wood fire stove captures all of the flavor and holds onto it. You also have to share a few of the giant meat balls in their excellent marinara sauce.
Heber City:
Dairy Keen: http://www.dairykeen.com/
No stop to Heber is complete without a stop here. This is one of the coolest places you will ever eat. Of course it is complete with train motif to pull the Heber Creeper tourists in but the diner food is 2nd to none. Now let me make a confession. I'm a mayo guy. Not a miracle whip guy. I have never liked the sweet taste of miracle whip. So the first time I visited this place a lot of their sandwiches had miracle whip on them. I was leery to say the least. But I tried their turkey sub, with miracle whip, and it worked. I was as shocked as any one. They also have a killer Ranch Burger and of course you will need to try the original Train Burger. Get one of their shakes as well to wash it all down and then go run a mile or two for the guilt you will feel afterwards.
So there you have it. When you are fed up driving up and down I-15 all of the time take time out when your traveling between Salt Lake and Provo to take Hwy 40 through this quaint little valley and tell me if you agree with these selections. Make sure to let me know your favorites up there as well.
As the Swiss say "We like our chocolate and cheese with holes in it!".....I'm sure some Swiss person has said this before.
Enjoy!
It seems like the last quarter of a year is eaten up with one holiday after another. The kids are in fast forward from all of the treats and even though it's a crazy time I do like the company, family and neighborhood parties however and there are plenty of opportunities to eat out at some new restaurants with these gatherings.
Over the past month I visited the Heber Valley (Heber City and Midway) a couple of times and I have a few places to recommend. You don't even have to be Swiss to enjoy them. However if you ever get the chance to attend Swiss days in Midway I highly recommend it. It is the closest thing to visiting Switzerland without the high cost of air fare.
Let's start with Midway:
Tarahumara Comida Mexicana: http://www.tarahumara.biz/
Have I mentioned you have to have good chips and salsa to be considered a great Mexican restaurant in my book. Well how about 20 fresh salsas made fresh every day. You can spend at least a half hour trying all of them but a few of my favorites are the mango and green chile salsas. Try mixing a few of them together as well as some are really hot so you might need to cross the streams to tame them a little. I recommend the Pork Loin Chile Verde. They are large tender chunks and the flavor is excellent. They give you a hearty portion of all of their entrees so try to lighten up on the chips and salsa. Their desserts are killer as well so save room to share one. The fruit tart I've had was huge and very flavorful.
Cafe Galleria: http://www.cafegalleriapizza.com/
I spent a few weeks traveling through Europe after graduating from college and during our three stops in Italy I was able to eat a lot of nice Italian dishes. I remember the pizza most of all. It was really thin and it didn't look like there was much to it but man did it have a lot of flavor. This little joint has the pizza that I remember eating in Florence. I usually get the Americano pizza which has pepperoni. Again it is flat and not much to look at but their wood fire stove captures all of the flavor and holds onto it. You also have to share a few of the giant meat balls in their excellent marinara sauce.
Heber City:
Dairy Keen: http://www.dairykeen.com/
No stop to Heber is complete without a stop here. This is one of the coolest places you will ever eat. Of course it is complete with train motif to pull the Heber Creeper tourists in but the diner food is 2nd to none. Now let me make a confession. I'm a mayo guy. Not a miracle whip guy. I have never liked the sweet taste of miracle whip. So the first time I visited this place a lot of their sandwiches had miracle whip on them. I was leery to say the least. But I tried their turkey sub, with miracle whip, and it worked. I was as shocked as any one. They also have a killer Ranch Burger and of course you will need to try the original Train Burger. Get one of their shakes as well to wash it all down and then go run a mile or two for the guilt you will feel afterwards.
So there you have it. When you are fed up driving up and down I-15 all of the time take time out when your traveling between Salt Lake and Provo to take Hwy 40 through this quaint little valley and tell me if you agree with these selections. Make sure to let me know your favorites up there as well.
As the Swiss say "We like our chocolate and cheese with holes in it!".....I'm sure some Swiss person has said this before.
Enjoy!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Logan, UT.
I love Cache Valley!
There is something about downtown Logan and Utah State University campus that has that old west charm. The people are very friendly and because it is a college town you get a great diversity of people which makes for some good eats. You are only 45 minutest from Bear Lake and about 45 from Ogden so there is a lot to do when you visit. My wife and I used to visit annually for the USU Glen Miller night that consisted of a Broadway style show, dinner and swing dancing. But my most recent trip was a golf trip to play it's two beautiful courses. Luckily my buddy I went up with graduated from USU so he had some killer recommendations on where to eat.
Here are a few my favorites:
Juniper Take Out & Restaurant http://www.junipertakeout.com/
My buddy was raving about their ham and potatoes for one of our lunch stops but that is something I really don't crave unless its Easter. There menu had a lot of excellent choices so I was leaning towards something else but he assured me I would not be disappointed so I went with the Roast Pit Ham. I'm glad I did. The ham was thick and juicy with a nice smokey flavor and the pineapple glaze they give you gave it a really sweet kick. The augratin potatoes were some of the best I've ever had an they put funeral potatoes to shame. It came with a veggie and a nice thick fresh roll with honey butter. This place will definitely be on my Cache Valley rotation.
Fredrico's http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-19938483R-fredricos_pizza-i
Located on the east side of campus on your way up Logan canyon this pizza joint is excellent. Make sure you get the spicy Italian sausage on your pizza as it adds just enough spice. They have great garlic bread and salad so you can't go wrong with anything you get there.
Bluebird Restaurant http://national.citysearch.com/profile/10403804/logan_ut/bluebird_restaurant.html
This place has great ice cream and food. I've eaten here every time I've visited Logan and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I usually go with the roast beef which is very tender and I love dipping the fresh rolls in the tasty gravy. Make sure to get a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
Aggie Creamery http://www.usu.edu/traditions/icecream/index.cfm
You just have to have ice cream when you visit Cache Valley. Because of all of the cattle farms the cream they use to make their ice cream is gathered only blocks away from the creameries which makes the ice cream taste so fresh. The Aggie Creamery has 26 different flavors of ice cream so you will not be disappointed. You have to try the Aggie Blue Mint however as it has a lot of great stuff in it and it's blue....which is cool!
So take a trip up through the canyons this fall to Logan and enjoy one of these stops. All of you Aggie lovers out there let me know what you like as well.
Go Aggies!!!!
There is something about downtown Logan and Utah State University campus that has that old west charm. The people are very friendly and because it is a college town you get a great diversity of people which makes for some good eats. You are only 45 minutest from Bear Lake and about 45 from Ogden so there is a lot to do when you visit. My wife and I used to visit annually for the USU Glen Miller night that consisted of a Broadway style show, dinner and swing dancing. But my most recent trip was a golf trip to play it's two beautiful courses. Luckily my buddy I went up with graduated from USU so he had some killer recommendations on where to eat.
Here are a few my favorites:
Juniper Take Out & Restaurant http://www.junipertakeout.com/
My buddy was raving about their ham and potatoes for one of our lunch stops but that is something I really don't crave unless its Easter. There menu had a lot of excellent choices so I was leaning towards something else but he assured me I would not be disappointed so I went with the Roast Pit Ham. I'm glad I did. The ham was thick and juicy with a nice smokey flavor and the pineapple glaze they give you gave it a really sweet kick. The augratin potatoes were some of the best I've ever had an they put funeral potatoes to shame. It came with a veggie and a nice thick fresh roll with honey butter. This place will definitely be on my Cache Valley rotation.
Fredrico's http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-19938483R-fredricos_pizza-i
Located on the east side of campus on your way up Logan canyon this pizza joint is excellent. Make sure you get the spicy Italian sausage on your pizza as it adds just enough spice. They have great garlic bread and salad so you can't go wrong with anything you get there.
Bluebird Restaurant http://national.citysearch.com/profile/10403804/logan_ut/bluebird_restaurant.html
This place has great ice cream and food. I've eaten here every time I've visited Logan and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I usually go with the roast beef which is very tender and I love dipping the fresh rolls in the tasty gravy. Make sure to get a scoop of ice cream for dessert.
Aggie Creamery http://www.usu.edu/traditions/icecream/index.cfm
You just have to have ice cream when you visit Cache Valley. Because of all of the cattle farms the cream they use to make their ice cream is gathered only blocks away from the creameries which makes the ice cream taste so fresh. The Aggie Creamery has 26 different flavors of ice cream so you will not be disappointed. You have to try the Aggie Blue Mint however as it has a lot of great stuff in it and it's blue....which is cool!
So take a trip up through the canyons this fall to Logan and enjoy one of these stops. All of you Aggie lovers out there let me know what you like as well.
Go Aggies!!!!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Oh Canada & Calgary!
Hello eh! I hope your summer has been full of fun and lots of good food eh!
My folks went up north to Alberta a few months ago and it got me thinking about the yummy food I enjoyed while serving an LDS mission there for 2 years back in the early 90's. Let me tell you that Canada is just as much the melting pot for worldly cuisine as America is. I spent over a year in Calgary. The North West section has a high Asian population while the North East section has a high Middle Eastern population. Throw in the Cree Indian nation, Russian Orthodox etc. you began to get my drift that there are some good eats in this part of the world.
I have a few people I work with who hail from Canada and I have them bring me back Cadbury Mr. Big and Crispy Crunch candy bars all of the time. If you can ever get your hands on a Mr. Big I guarantee it will be the best candy bar you will ever have. I have contacted Cadbury, who is now owned by Kraft, to see why they won't sell it here in America and they give some lame excuse about contracts, licencing...blah...blah! The Crispy Crunch is their version of the Butterfinger but better. Also try their Smarties (M&M's) but with Cadbury chocolate which is better. Do you see "better" as a theme here. Viva La Cadbury!!!!
If you have never been to this part of the world you really need to head on up and hit Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper on the BC, Alberta border. It is a trip you will never forget. I still need to get back east to Montreal and Toronto someday as it's the closet thing to Europe without jumping the Atlantic I hear.
Here are my picks I recommend to anyone heading north of the border.
Sky360 Restaurant http://www.sky360.ca/
First off the view of downtown Calgary at this place is worth the higher cost of the food by itself. Like many other towers around the world it slowly rotates so you get a view of the awesome city from every angle so I suggest eating before dark so you can take it all in. My menu item of choice is the 6oz AAA Beef Tenderloin. This cut of meat melts in your mouth. The Albertans love their beef and almost think of themselves as more Texan than their Province brethren. Make sure you start off with some Fried Calamari as it's some of the best I've had. This is rather pricey as you can see by the menu but eat light that day so you can blow your daily allowance here for an early dinner.
Joey's Fish & Chips http://joeys.ca/index.html
This place is all over Canada but we ate at the one in downtown Calgary all of the time. I know that your thinking fish & chips! Whoop-a-de-doo! but trust me you will love them here. The fish is battered light and fried to perfection and the fries and golden and crisp. Sprinkle on some malt vinegar, lemon and then dip away in their excellent tarter sauce. Trust me you will never have fish & chips like this but of course there are other menu items if you must branch out on your own. Don't be afraid of sea food in Alberta as the BC coast is only a few hours by flight away and most of the restaurants fly in fish daily.
Earls Kitchen http://www.earls.ca/
This restaurant is also all over Canada and in Denver??? go figure. They have a cool parrot motif at the one in downtown Calgary and an even cooler menu. Lots of unique takes on the standard sports bar food items but what kept me going back time after time was the Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Quesadilla. After 20 years and it's still on their menu so you know it has stood the test of time and taste. Their burgers are gut bombs and delicious if your in the mood for some sight seeing fuel.
These are the places that stand out to me but other things you have to try while your in Canada are Perogies. They are a Polish dumpling that is stuffed with sauerkraut, mashed potato's, bacon, onions, fruit etc. My favorites are the mashed potato, cheese & bacon and then deep fried. French Fries with gravy and of course the candy bars mentioned above. Let me know what you have enjoyed on your trip as well as I will be taking my family up there soon.
So take off you hoser and head to Canada sometime eh! I miss Bob & Doug McKenzie!
My folks went up north to Alberta a few months ago and it got me thinking about the yummy food I enjoyed while serving an LDS mission there for 2 years back in the early 90's. Let me tell you that Canada is just as much the melting pot for worldly cuisine as America is. I spent over a year in Calgary. The North West section has a high Asian population while the North East section has a high Middle Eastern population. Throw in the Cree Indian nation, Russian Orthodox etc. you began to get my drift that there are some good eats in this part of the world.
I have a few people I work with who hail from Canada and I have them bring me back Cadbury Mr. Big and Crispy Crunch candy bars all of the time. If you can ever get your hands on a Mr. Big I guarantee it will be the best candy bar you will ever have. I have contacted Cadbury, who is now owned by Kraft, to see why they won't sell it here in America and they give some lame excuse about contracts, licencing...blah...blah! The Crispy Crunch is their version of the Butterfinger but better. Also try their Smarties (M&M's) but with Cadbury chocolate which is better. Do you see "better" as a theme here. Viva La Cadbury!!!!
If you have never been to this part of the world you really need to head on up and hit Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper on the BC, Alberta border. It is a trip you will never forget. I still need to get back east to Montreal and Toronto someday as it's the closet thing to Europe without jumping the Atlantic I hear.
Here are my picks I recommend to anyone heading north of the border.
Sky360 Restaurant http://www.sky360.ca/
First off the view of downtown Calgary at this place is worth the higher cost of the food by itself. Like many other towers around the world it slowly rotates so you get a view of the awesome city from every angle so I suggest eating before dark so you can take it all in. My menu item of choice is the 6oz AAA Beef Tenderloin. This cut of meat melts in your mouth. The Albertans love their beef and almost think of themselves as more Texan than their Province brethren. Make sure you start off with some Fried Calamari as it's some of the best I've had. This is rather pricey as you can see by the menu but eat light that day so you can blow your daily allowance here for an early dinner.
Joey's Fish & Chips http://joeys.ca/index.html
This place is all over Canada but we ate at the one in downtown Calgary all of the time. I know that your thinking fish & chips! Whoop-a-de-doo! but trust me you will love them here. The fish is battered light and fried to perfection and the fries and golden and crisp. Sprinkle on some malt vinegar, lemon and then dip away in their excellent tarter sauce. Trust me you will never have fish & chips like this but of course there are other menu items if you must branch out on your own. Don't be afraid of sea food in Alberta as the BC coast is only a few hours by flight away and most of the restaurants fly in fish daily.
Earls Kitchen http://www.earls.ca/
This restaurant is also all over Canada and in Denver??? go figure. They have a cool parrot motif at the one in downtown Calgary and an even cooler menu. Lots of unique takes on the standard sports bar food items but what kept me going back time after time was the Roasted Vegetable & Chicken Quesadilla. After 20 years and it's still on their menu so you know it has stood the test of time and taste. Their burgers are gut bombs and delicious if your in the mood for some sight seeing fuel.
These are the places that stand out to me but other things you have to try while your in Canada are Perogies. They are a Polish dumpling that is stuffed with sauerkraut, mashed potato's, bacon, onions, fruit etc. My favorites are the mashed potato, cheese & bacon and then deep fried. French Fries with gravy and of course the candy bars mentioned above. Let me know what you have enjoyed on your trip as well as I will be taking my family up there soon.
So take off you hoser and head to Canada sometime eh! I miss Bob & Doug McKenzie!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Sushi
The first time I ever had sushi was at the Shogun restaurant in Salt Lake back in the early 90's. I was in this play and the director took all of us out and said we would love it. I kept waiting and waiting to love it but it never happened. Now that I've been in the business world the last 15 years sushi has moved from a novelty act to a full scale circus. Sushi places are popping up quicker than Walgreen's. Try as I might I can't help but think of sushi as an appetizer. I don't mind a few pieces but to eat a whole roll is a real stretch for me. But I need to make mention of a few places locally and nationally that I have really enjoyed the sushi. Here they are:
Ginza http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/54/590851/restaurant/Downtown/Ginza-Salt-Lake-City
For the longest time I had driven by this restaurant thinking it was a hair salon studio as their is a large marquee of a woman with a fashionable bob cut on the front of the building. I finally figured out it was a Japanese restaurant when some co-workers dragged me along. They were raving about a spicy roll called the Mars Twist. Needless to say I couldn't give into their hyperbole from past experiences. What a surprise it was for me that I enjoyed eating the whole roll by myself with a side of Edamame. I highly recommend this place if you count yourself a sushi connoisseur.
Ahh Sushi http://utah.citysearch.com/review/35671840
It's funny that the first comment on the citysearch site mentions the Funky Vegas roll as it is probably the 2nd best roll I've eaten. This is a cool little spot right down by the new City Center that will be completed shortly in Salt Lake.
Teriyaki Grill http://t-grill.com/menu-page/
First off I must say I always get the combo (steak and chicken) rice (if I'm really hungry) or noodle (if I'm almost really hungry) bowl. But I always get a roll to share with whoever I'm with. Why not have the best of both worlds with Japanese fusion establishments (fusion as far as sushi and rice bowls are concerned). You will love this place that is starting to franchise through Utah and just opened one up the road in Clinton.
Kona Grill http://www.konagrill.com/
For a national spot I will go with Kona Grill in Denver but I imagine their other locations are the same. I mentioned the pot stickers in my Denver post a while back but wanted to make sure I mention I have also enjoyed their sushi rolls as well. They have a sushi menu second to none and will have just about every type of sushi you can imagine on there.
So there you have it. From someone who is a timid sushi eater I stand by these selections if you want to impress your savvy sushi eating friends. Unless they are from mainland Japan you will be able to impress them. If you have some excellent choices I would love to hear about them and keep broadening my horizons.
Before I go I really have to say I need to try the Shogun again as it was a long time ago and people downtown really seem to like it so here is their link:
http://www.shogunslc.com/Shogun/Welcome.html
Sayonara for now!
Ginza http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/54/590851/restaurant/Downtown/Ginza-Salt-Lake-City
For the longest time I had driven by this restaurant thinking it was a hair salon studio as their is a large marquee of a woman with a fashionable bob cut on the front of the building. I finally figured out it was a Japanese restaurant when some co-workers dragged me along. They were raving about a spicy roll called the Mars Twist. Needless to say I couldn't give into their hyperbole from past experiences. What a surprise it was for me that I enjoyed eating the whole roll by myself with a side of Edamame. I highly recommend this place if you count yourself a sushi connoisseur.
Ahh Sushi http://utah.citysearch.com/review/35671840
It's funny that the first comment on the citysearch site mentions the Funky Vegas roll as it is probably the 2nd best roll I've eaten. This is a cool little spot right down by the new City Center that will be completed shortly in Salt Lake.
Teriyaki Grill http://t-grill.com/menu-page/
First off I must say I always get the combo (steak and chicken) rice (if I'm really hungry) or noodle (if I'm almost really hungry) bowl. But I always get a roll to share with whoever I'm with. Why not have the best of both worlds with Japanese fusion establishments (fusion as far as sushi and rice bowls are concerned). You will love this place that is starting to franchise through Utah and just opened one up the road in Clinton.
Kona Grill http://www.konagrill.com/
For a national spot I will go with Kona Grill in Denver but I imagine their other locations are the same. I mentioned the pot stickers in my Denver post a while back but wanted to make sure I mention I have also enjoyed their sushi rolls as well. They have a sushi menu second to none and will have just about every type of sushi you can imagine on there.
So there you have it. From someone who is a timid sushi eater I stand by these selections if you want to impress your savvy sushi eating friends. Unless they are from mainland Japan you will be able to impress them. If you have some excellent choices I would love to hear about them and keep broadening my horizons.
Before I go I really have to say I need to try the Shogun again as it was a long time ago and people downtown really seem to like it so here is their link:
http://www.shogunslc.com/Shogun/Welcome.html
Sayonara for now!
Friday, July 29, 2011
New York, NY.
"Start spreading the news....I'm leaving today"....you know the rest!
I love NY!
Not because I'm a huge Yankee's fan, history fan, food fan.....OK, it is all because of those things. The few days the misses and I spent there a few years back were unforgettable. The weather was a little rainy when we were there but it didn't bother us at all as it kept it cool and the crowds away. After walking Utah blocks in SLC all of my life which are about a quarter mile square the little blocks in Manhattan were no problem to navigate on foot. We didn't even try the subway as we didn't want to miss any of the sites or smells. Again it was cool so the smells were not that bad.
A couple of my neighbors are heading to the the Big Apple this weekend for business & pleasure so I thought I would jump in with a couple of local joints. The main focus for me was NY style pizza. My director at work is from NY and is always raving about the pizza and no matter where we get "NY style pizza" west of the Mississippi he always comments how it's not the same. So I was eager to try it. I also remembered the scene in Iron Man where Jeff Bridges brings a NY pizza with him and Robert Downey Jr. is so happy with him. So without further adue:
Roxy's Deli: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/roxy-delicatessen/
Everyone makes it to Times Square and this place was recommended by everyone I knew that had been there. We really tried to make it there for lunch or dinner but by the time we made it there it was about 9 so we just had a slice of cheesecake. All 4 of us all got a different kind and they all melted in your mouth but can I just put a shout out for the Heath cheesecake. First off I love toffee but to make it work so well in a cheesecake and make it so smooth and flavorable was beyond me. I can't wait to try one of their huge sandwiches on my next visit as the insane amounts of meat made my muscles spasm just thinking about it.
Carmine's Italian: http://www.carminesnyc.com/
First off there are a lot of choices near Times Square for great dinning. After spending the day making our way from lower Manhattan to Times Square and asking people along the way what was good eats this was the first place that reached 3 recommendations which I felt fell in line with my rules of the road mentioned in my first blog. Can I just say it must be the sauce that makes people remember it. When you have a sauce you can dip anything in and just blows you away with it's flavor you know you have a keeper. I think I used my sock to sop up the rest of the sauce...A little descriptive I know! I went with the Rigatoni w/sausage and broccoli but make sure you go with the marinara sauce as opposed to the cream sauce as my sister-in-law made the mistake and wished she hadn't. The Calamari as an appetizer was fantastic dipped in the marinara. The Chocolate Cannoli is a great way to finish but I'm glad we all shared it as we knew we were heading to Roxy's later that night. They have a few locations so I imagine they are all great!
Lazzara's Pizza Cafe: http://lazzaraspizza.com/html/home.php
This jewel located right next to Rockefeller plaza was excellent. The pizza was so foldable and flavorable which is always what you want in a NY pizza. My director was right, you cannot duplicate it out west here and again it's due to the dryness of the air. The dough back east is so moist and bakes perfectly in a thin pizza crust. The other place we ate at near the financial district was just as good but I cannot remember the name. Bottom line is get a recommendation from whatever section of Manhattan you are in and go as you will not be disappointed. Just remember to order quick during the lunch hour as like the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld they get perturbed if you lallygag.
You also need to have a hot dog from a street vendor when your out and about as they are just as good as the Chicago dogs. After visiting NY I began to appreciate the difference in food between them and Chicago. Thank goodness for originality in this great country of ours as most metro cities have their own unique touches on the standard eats.
Viva la New York!
I love NY!
Not because I'm a huge Yankee's fan, history fan, food fan.....OK, it is all because of those things. The few days the misses and I spent there a few years back were unforgettable. The weather was a little rainy when we were there but it didn't bother us at all as it kept it cool and the crowds away. After walking Utah blocks in SLC all of my life which are about a quarter mile square the little blocks in Manhattan were no problem to navigate on foot. We didn't even try the subway as we didn't want to miss any of the sites or smells. Again it was cool so the smells were not that bad.
A couple of my neighbors are heading to the the Big Apple this weekend for business & pleasure so I thought I would jump in with a couple of local joints. The main focus for me was NY style pizza. My director at work is from NY and is always raving about the pizza and no matter where we get "NY style pizza" west of the Mississippi he always comments how it's not the same. So I was eager to try it. I also remembered the scene in Iron Man where Jeff Bridges brings a NY pizza with him and Robert Downey Jr. is so happy with him. So without further adue:
Roxy's Deli: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/roxy-delicatessen/
Everyone makes it to Times Square and this place was recommended by everyone I knew that had been there. We really tried to make it there for lunch or dinner but by the time we made it there it was about 9 so we just had a slice of cheesecake. All 4 of us all got a different kind and they all melted in your mouth but can I just put a shout out for the Heath cheesecake. First off I love toffee but to make it work so well in a cheesecake and make it so smooth and flavorable was beyond me. I can't wait to try one of their huge sandwiches on my next visit as the insane amounts of meat made my muscles spasm just thinking about it.
Carmine's Italian: http://www.carminesnyc.com/
First off there are a lot of choices near Times Square for great dinning. After spending the day making our way from lower Manhattan to Times Square and asking people along the way what was good eats this was the first place that reached 3 recommendations which I felt fell in line with my rules of the road mentioned in my first blog. Can I just say it must be the sauce that makes people remember it. When you have a sauce you can dip anything in and just blows you away with it's flavor you know you have a keeper. I think I used my sock to sop up the rest of the sauce...A little descriptive I know! I went with the Rigatoni w/sausage and broccoli but make sure you go with the marinara sauce as opposed to the cream sauce as my sister-in-law made the mistake and wished she hadn't. The Calamari as an appetizer was fantastic dipped in the marinara. The Chocolate Cannoli is a great way to finish but I'm glad we all shared it as we knew we were heading to Roxy's later that night. They have a few locations so I imagine they are all great!
Lazzara's Pizza Cafe: http://lazzaraspizza.com/html/home.php
This jewel located right next to Rockefeller plaza was excellent. The pizza was so foldable and flavorable which is always what you want in a NY pizza. My director was right, you cannot duplicate it out west here and again it's due to the dryness of the air. The dough back east is so moist and bakes perfectly in a thin pizza crust. The other place we ate at near the financial district was just as good but I cannot remember the name. Bottom line is get a recommendation from whatever section of Manhattan you are in and go as you will not be disappointed. Just remember to order quick during the lunch hour as like the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld they get perturbed if you lallygag.
You also need to have a hot dog from a street vendor when your out and about as they are just as good as the Chicago dogs. After visiting NY I began to appreciate the difference in food between them and Chicago. Thank goodness for originality in this great country of ours as most metro cities have their own unique touches on the standard eats.
Viva la New York!
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