Gourmandise = Indulgence

My love for this small little place started from a local newscast. One day they were featuring Gourmandise (295 S 300 w) and they were eating off the breakfast menu which included... are you ready for this?? ... creme brulee oatmeal. I almost died. Now, amazingly enough the couple times I have been to Gourmandise I have yet to try it because I always make it in for lunch.

I have written in the past I am not a big fan of pastries. This place brings it to a whole different level. Slices, whole cakes, tarts, cookies, breads, and a regular menu with home made items. My first items to try were the marzipan cake which I didn't even use a fork. I just took the slice and ate it! It was smooth, creamy, and I really loved the design on the top. I also ordered a slice of pumpkin bread pudding. Don't roll your eyes at me. I know it surely is an acquired love, but please I beg you, try it at least once. Make sure it is good bread pudding as well. (I make a mean eggnog bread pudding for Christmas every year)

I don't know if it is the wet texture that people don't enjoy, but this piece was amazing. I think I need to go back for seconds. I am looking forward to trying their ciabatta bread because it is enormous, as well as the challah for some home made french toast!

I have only been in at lunch. This particular time I was in a bit of a hurry and they were very accomodating and quick. I was met with too many decisions. Do I get the reuben? Maybe basil egg salad sandwich. I went with a half a sandwich and soup. Gourmet grilled cheese. Cream cheese Parmesean spread-provolone- feta- grilled carmelized onions- tomatos. Wow. Then there was the homemade cream of mushroom soup. No canned mushrooms here. This was legit!

Gourmandise has been in Salt Lake for over 20 years. Jean-Jacques Grossi is the general manager and head chef. He worked his way through French culinary school and to this day continues to refine his pastries. The location has limited parking, but the feel inside is that of a cosy cafe.


Even if you have just a moment and you are in the area stop in for a quick sweet and a cup of coffee or whatever might be your fancy.


http://gourmandisethebakery.com/index.html

Bruges Waffle and Frites

While I sit down to contemplate how to even begin to describe how I felt eating at Bruges Waffle and Frites, all I can think about is the waffle melting in my mouth and the sweet crystalized sugar dancing on my taste buds!!!


When you visit Uffens market place across from Pioneer Park (336 W 300 S) in downtown Salt Lake, it is hard to chose between Tony Caputos, Carluccci's bakery, or Bruges Waffle and Frites. I will write about the other two down the road, but today my friends, today is all about Bruges. The store is small. The menu is simple. The food is amazing.

The girl that helped me at the counter took time to explain how it all worked. She told me about the waffles, and then she told me about how the frites (aka fries) are made. You have two waffle bases: vanilla and cinnamon. I went with vanilla. Then you can choose a topping if you like. Dark Belgian chocolate, fresh strawberries, creme fraiche, vanilla bean ice cream, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, and speculoos (which I had to Google, and it is a cookie that has been turned into a spread)!! Now, keep in mind, each one of these toppings cost extra. I went with the creme fraiche.. YUM! For those of you unfamiliar with creme fraiche, it is a french version of sour cream. However, it is not sour at all, even though it is made in a simliar process. Think whip cream but thicker and more amazing.


I wish there was an easier way to explain how happy my mouth was when I took the first bite of my piping hot waffle. It was almost like ... well... a hot sugar cookie but better!! I wanted to savor it, but I wanted to just eat more and more of it. The best part is even after I had my frites, I could still taste the waffle.

Now, I may have written before that I am not much of a fried food eater. I was however looking forward to double fried french fries. There is nothing worse than a soggy french fry. Blech. Since I got my frites to go, they came in a bag. I think they normally are served in a cone shape paper. THEN, then comes the magic. Sauces galore! I had a hard time chosing. I went with the andalouse (peppers, cayanne pepper, mayo base, basil, mustard and seasonings) and the Brasil (tomato sauce, pineapple, honey, curry) These sauces were like night and day eaten next to each other. It was dip a fry in the sweet, dip a fry in the spicey. I couldn't really make up my mind.

Bruges also offers something called the Machine Gun sandwich. It is a baugette, lamb, the andalouse sauce, and STUFFED, yes I said STUFFED with the frites. Do you dare?


The gentleman that started this company is from Belgium. He is from the town of Bruges. These yeast waffles are sold by street vendors. Lucky people, right? When you are on the website for Bruges Waffles and Frites make sure to read the history of the waffles and the frites. Quite fun and interesting.


Visiting this place reminded me of the passion I have for local food places and renewed my excitement for tasty morsels!! Please make sure if you are downtown that you stop in and enjoy a waffle, frites, or both! Yes, your pocket will be a little lighter, but your tastebuds will be satiated and happy with how amazing this food is!


I can't wait to go back. Definitely a Utah treasure, even if it did come from miles away!!
http://www.brugeswaffles.com/main.php

When life hands you lemons... YOU MAKE COOKIES!!!

In February I had the honor of writing about a place I have come to love even more over the year. Let's rewind, if I may, to this past summer. . .

A quaint and tasty bakery located on 770s and 300w in downtown Salt Lake City by the name of "My Dough Girl" was given a cease and desist letter from Pillsbury (or as we now call them Pillsbury) letting her know she had to change her name. After much protest and boycotting from consumers, and as much media attention we could give her without getting her in trouble, my friend Tami Cromar- owner and baker extraordinaire- decided it was better to just change her name.

** for more information follow this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38646774/ns/business-consumer_news/

This is a very personal blog entry for me, because of how much I admire Tami. From the moment I walked in her store to this day, she has treated me like a friend. She stood tall through every month of this, even when she felt broken. To have that strength and still hold strong to personal creativity is admirable and it makes her one of my hero's.

On that note, December 1st, was the unveiling of the new name. *drum roll please*

Same sassy red head who is still serving the most wonderful cookies every day, with every bit of passion involved, just a different name. I can't wait to get up and try December's cookie "Noelle"!! Yum!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/pages/RubySnap/114126331987914

http://www.rubysnap.com/

You call that a sandwich??

As a matter of fact I do!!

I am very particular about my deli's because of one back in New Jersey (the Millburn Deli) that will have my heart forever.

Last summer I went to a bring your own entree BBQ and a friend brought a sandwich. But this wasn't an ordinary sandwich it was GINORMOUS!!! Of course I had to ask where in the world it came from. Grove Deli he said. I had never heard of such a place. I knew I needed to visit though. If you drive down Main street and blink you will miss this little gem. It is on about 1900 S and Main Street on the west side of the road.

When you pull up its a great little spot, not a lot of parking but what better than a deli with benches outside to enjoy your food and some sun? As I took a step inside, it wasn't really what the deli's I knew looked like. It was more of a convienence store, but with the best part at the back. The menu is basic. The specials are hand written. I went with the pulled pork bbq sandwich, and my friend got just a regular sandwich... or so I thought. When they handed it over, I am pretty sure it was the length of my elbow to my shoulder!! Mine wasn't quite as big, but it definitely wasn't something I could eat on the way back to work. (there is a reason for those benches) I can tell you that next to the amazing pulled pork at Rib City Grill, this pork was a very close second. It was juicy and tender, the bread was fresh, and the bbq sauce was just right and not overwhelming. I hope this isn't just a special they have sometimes.

I liked that they have almost any soda or juice you could want in their fridges. Any candy (American or foriegn) or chip to go with your sandwich. Although it is such a small space and it would probably take a couple times going back to get acquainted, there is always something unique about the first time. The cashier was super friendly, the sandwich maker very accomodating. I am looking forward to enjoying my next sandwich.