We're not Good because we're old...

We're not good because we're old, We're old because we're good. This is what is written on the back of the shirts at a quaint little place on Main street in Park City called The Eating Establishment. Walking up and down main street and searching for something on an empty stomach is not easy. After reading numerous menu's we decided to stop into this place.


The awning was inviting, kind of like Cheers, and reading through the menu was easy and affordable so we decided to step on in. The Eating Establishment has been featured on Rachel Ray on the Food Network, and it has been around since 1972 and holds the record for oldest continuously operating restaurant in Park City. On the specials board was something called Rancho Benedict (it may be backwards). I decided to try it. Eggs Benedict with bacon, tomatos, mushrooms, and onions. The hollandaise sauce was smooth and light. I also ordered to drink a hot apple cider which came in a little fancy glass. It was also tasty.



There were so many items on the menu to choose from, and I believe that I just had the breakfast and lunch menu. Everything from lox, corn beef, chicken fried steak, and omeletes. The best part about this place for me was the seat by the window.

My friend had french fries which she couldn't put down, and a veggie sandwich. I didn't have a bite, but she finished every last piece.




If you are up that way, whether for a hike in the summer or a ski trip in the winter I suggest stopping in for the fresh fare.

http://www.theeatingestablishment.net/

Sweet Sweet Afton's

Tucked away in a tiny part of West Jordan is a little village. Gardner Village contains the outlines of the once bustling early Utah mill industry and history. It is now a bunch of little retail shops in the remaining historical buildings.

At the back of Gardner Village is one of the best down home candy stores you can ever possibly visit. Sweet Afton's is always bustling with big and little kids. The building is an old train station. As you walk in you are immediately swept up by the many flavors of home made fudge. We aren't talking your chocolate and penuche (which they do have for simpletons). Think: pistachio, pumpkin chocolate chip, caramel corn, jalapeno, chewy praline, rocky road, orange cremesicle, banana nut, candy corn, I could really go on and on, but their flavors do change often and sell out quickly.




It is hard not to take a stroll around the store to see what is new and what is old. When I say old, I mean you had it when you were a kid and it has finally made its way back into your life! I noticed today they even had candies that looked like peas and carrots. Now, those are peas I could eat! One wall is taffy made by Taffy Town a local company. You want pumpkin pie? They got it. How about caramel apple? That too! Buttered popcorn that won't stick kernels in your teeth?? They have that too! Now, don't get too grossed out, but one of my most favorite items at this store is the chocolate covered sunflower seeds. Yes, you've all seen them at the convenience store check out, highly over priced. Sweet Afton's is where I come to get many different colors at a fair price. **They are highly addictive.

You can find jelly bellys, and licorice, and gum, and don't worry there is even some sugar free fudge and candy variety!! I also suggest trying the home made sucker's that they carry.


During fall you can be lucky enough to get a freshly dipped caramel apple, which they kindly slice for you to enjoy as you walk around the shops.

Ps. they do offer only one sample of fudge- So choose wisely!!


http://www.sweetaftons.com/index.php?ID=148&XID=148:0:0:0:0

More Moochies Please!!

This blog has been a long time coming. I was quite hesitant to try Moochies as Downtown Philly has been a favorite for the past year, and I still love them- but now I love them both!! Being a Utah staple and featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the food network, I figured I better get on the ball and try me some Philly Cheesesteak from Moochies! I had the opportunity to meet the owner at the Utah State Fair a couple weeks ago and what a lovely lady to run such a cute little place.

Moochies is a very quaint small location on 232 E and 800 S in downtown Salt Lake City, it's yellow-you cannot miss it (unless you blink). The walls are covered in awards and pictures of celebrities that have visited. Rumour has it, if you aren't there at the right time you can wait in a line for quite a while because they ARE so popular. First you are greeted with a sign that tells you how to order your sandwich. I am sure the people behind the counter are grateful for this. Their two feature items are Phillys and Meatball sandwiches. Can you order something else?? You bet! They have salad's and other sandwiches as well. I definitely be back to try the Feta and Tomato sandwich. Yum!!

Let's get down to business. Moochies Philly is so savory. It is a rib eye steak cut Philly style, you get onions, American cheese, and if you pay extra you can add things like mushrooms and peppers and extra cheese. I just went basic but of course had to have mushrooms! The bread is soft and fresh and I am not sure what kind of juice or oil they use to cook the meat but the smell follows you for hours. (and not in a "I just ate blue cheese" kind of follow) I love the onions on this sandwich because they have a juicy sauteed flavor and don't overwhelm you. The only issue I have with the authentication of the Moochies Philly is the lack of cheese whiz. But, that is a minor detail. Price wise, for a Philly that is 6" you pay about 5.99 for a basic one and 9 bucks for a 12". The 6" is very filling. You are paying for quality here though.

You can also find other tasty items in Moochies such as: Baklava!! (yay!!), two of my most favorite Sarsparilla brands (for those of you that don't know what that is, its like a rootbeer with a kick), a couple of variety's of tasty cakes, and a homemade jumpin jalapeno sauce. There is no label on this sauce for ingredients, but good news is, if you get it you can bring the bottle back and they will refill it for half the price!! If you like spicy this is a great sauce for everything! Chips, eggs, sandwiches, whatever you like a kick to! They also offer lasagna, pasta salad, and other tasty bits and pieces.

http://www.moochiesmeatballs.com/moochies.htm

Where is Emmett??

I feel like I've been inconsistent with my posting, but until someone pays me to go eat at restaurants and review them... I have to do in on my own time and when I have some money.

That out of the way. Let's get down to business!

I have done several blogs about burger places. Millies, Pace's, Purple Turtle, and Parkers. Today I add another. Emmett and Ethels use to just be a little small shack on Main street in Lehi called Emmetts. There was about 10 menu items (approximately) and if you knew someone named Emmett you could get a free shirt or something like that. Well, they closed up shop because they built an actual building for them to house in and they changed the name.

I was interested to go in and see what was different. The menu had expanded as did the prices. They have quite a few booths and tables you can sit at with your family or date or by yourself. The walls are painted with local landmarks (for those of you that don't know the Lehi Roller Mills is where Footloose was filmed and this restaurant is just down the street)

I looked through all the burgers and sandwiches. I asked the cashier her favorite and she said the most popular was the ranch burger. I went with the Rueben because pastrami was sounding tasty. I always like to try a few items and yes it makes me look like a pig, but I don't eat it all. I am sad to say this time I barely ate any of it. I like to give EVERYONE a fair chance, this is what this blog is about. I was really sad this time after the bill was paid and the first bite was taken. I also ordered onion rings and a lime rickey. That is grape flavor, lime flavor, and sprite. I think its only in Utah, but if you have seen it elsewhere let me know!! I also got a Mississippi mud shake that was chocolate with marshmallows,brownie pieces, and walnuts. I was shocked when my tab came to 17$!! It really wasn't that much food, no more than I have ordered from any of the other afore mentioned burger places.

I only live about 12 minutes from this place. By the time I got home my sandwich was really soggy and slightly burned. The meat was very nice and salty though. The shake was just ok. The onion rings were also just ok. The best part of my visit was probably the sample of the hard ice cream they have with honeycomb bits (no not the cereal) in it. I would definitely only go back for that.

I guess if you don't mind quality and price you could stop in here for something quick. If you want value, my suggestion is just drive east 15 minutes.

Connies Cookies!

I am not one to have much of a sweet tooth. I think I used it all up when I was a kid, just ask my mom. This past weekend I was working at the Bountiful Summerfest with the Oak Pit BBQ Co. And saw people walking around with the fluffiest cookies I have ever seen.

I do love a good cookie though.

Behind us was a small booth with handmade cookies and some cute earrings. Well, people this is not a jewelry blog!! It's a food blog!

There wasn't much of a selection on the table the first day I went because she was almost sold out!!! What is so special about this Connie?? She is a yoga instructor in Bountiful and Sugarhouse (a plus) and her cookies come in all tastes. All tastes you say?? Connie specializes in Gluten free cookies. This is a blessing for those of you with wheat allergies or Celiac disease. Connie also does vegan cookies and of course for regular people like me.. regular old cookies.

We are talking tasty flavors like triple peanut butter (gluten free), zucchini chocolate chip (gluten free), everything nice (which is like a little bit of everything), double chocolate mint, regular chocolate chip, and these awesome ginger cookies. I was wary because I am not a huge ginger person, but the ginger cookies are like gingerbread but a BILLION times better. She uses natural and the finest ingredients and the size and texture of each one is almost perfection. Besides cookies she also does cakes in the gluten free genre.

Right now she just takes orders through her email yogacookie@gmail.com and she is also at the Bountiful Farmers market on Thursdays from 4-7pm.

http://yogacookie.blogspot.com/

Its Gelato.. Not Ice Cream.

THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED!!!! ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...


Good Evening. Today's lesson is the difference between Gelato and Ice Cream.

1- Gelato: The Italian version of Ice Cream. It is like high end ice creams. Made with less than 55% air, creating a denser product. Usually made with fresh fruit, chocolates, cookies, biscotti, etc. Flavors like Pistachio, Hazlenut, Biscotti, Mascarpone, Straciatella, Honeydew, Cantalope, etc. etc. Gelato is said to originate in the North of Italy, where its counterpart Sorbetto came from the south. (that is fruit and water based)
2- Ice cream: that other stuff.. not comparable.. not as tasty.. you get my drift.


On Center Street in Provo there is a beautiful big red door. Maestro's is the name you will see printed on it.





Behind that door lies sweet , sweet tastiness. If you love gelato and if you love crepes- I promise this is the place for you. It's not over done. Pure and simple from the walk in to the walk out.


I had some Gelato there one day, but I didn't feel I could add it to my blog until I had a crepe. I didn't know what a treat I was in for. I love marshmallows (as you should know by now, and if you don't... well now you do) so I ordered the S'mores. They made the crepe like crepe makers do. I use to make crepes at home when I had more time. My favorite to make is ham with some apples, brie, and walnuts. So, the crepe maker started to make my S'mores. She sprinkled it with graham crackers and marshmallows. Then the magic happened!! SHE PULLED OUT A BLOW TORCH!! She toasted the mallows for me, then sprinkled just a little bit of chocolate syrup on. When you order a crepe you can get a scoop of gelato for 1.50! This time I had the biscotti. It kind of had the taste of nilla wafers. I wanted the mascarpone from the first time I went... but it wasn't there.


If you are looking for a surprise treat after you visit one of the many restaurants on Center Street, then Maestro's is the place!!



**Warning: Don't get your heart set on a flavor because they are always trying new things!

La Dolce Vita

This didn't need a fancy title because the restaurant name just makes it all perfect. I went to this restaurant in Provo because my uncle went to Italy and he says that this is the closest he has had in Utah to what he remembers.




La Dolce Vita is a quaint little place just off center street and about 1st East in Provo. When you walk in it feels Italian. Anyone who has been to someone's home who is Italian or a REAL Italian restaurant (like in Little Italy in NYC, or actual Italy) knows there is a little bit of tackiness that comes with the decor. It is not a bad thing by any means, its actually quite comforting.


I treated my aunt and uncle to dinner when we went and we browsed the menu for what seemed like forever. Too many decisions that sounded great. We started with a small pizza margharita.. perfect size for one person or a few people to share. Then came the big guns. When you go to an Italian restaurant you should at least try one Italian Soda. Mine was peach. Just the right amount of syrup so you didn't feel all sugared out at the beginning of the meal.

I ordered a combo that had gnocchi which I am still on the hunt for some that is better than, dare I say- Buca Di Beppos, and it also came with some ziti with an awesome alfredo sauce. You could just tell that everything was homemade from scratch. The red sauce wasn't too acidic, and the alfredo wasn't too heavy. Made for the perfect combination. My uncle had a calzone. I don't remember what was in it, but even he couldn't finish it. It was smothered in Red sauce also and he ordered a side of Italian sausage to go with it. My aunt had what looked like an enchilada, but it was just a cannellone. Yum! She had the same ziti I did. We didn't order dessert because ... the next blog will talk about that place.










If you are looking for fresh, cosy, yummy Italian food I suggest stopping in, and they have some great specials too! (must be for all those college kids and young married people)



http://www.ladolcevitaprovo.com/