NY style, Only if you bring the Boar's Head

Once upon a time I lived in a little state named New Jersey. This is where my food adventures began really. Who doesn't love food in their life?  Something just transitioned when I moved there. I gained a deeper appreciation for culture and where people were from. I also gained a love for small shops, hometown, non corporate, full of heart food.  It's hard to explain to someone the passion I gained for all things unique and all things cuisine from any part of the globe. This is why I started a blog. People needed to know there is so much more than corporate america food out there.

Some of my favorite places are small inside and out. One such place is Center Street Old World NY Style Deli: I was recommended this little place in Provo. I will be honest I was hesitant because my favorite deli has been and will always be the Millburn Deli in Millburn NJ. I went in just after lunch time when it was slow. The place is tiny, and it has a super homey quaint feeling to it. Just like your mom was cooking for you at home. There are a few tables that customers have turned into their own art (super fun) and then some pictures on the wall of NYC. (can't go wrong with that decor, and I did offer her some of the photos I had personally taken when I lived there) The owner was there and helped me decide what I was going to have.

I was REALLY excited to see she was serving Boar's head because its some of the best deli meat ever. I ordered a Rustic picnic: Turkey/Pastrami/Munster topped with homemade coleslaw. I hate being a skeptic with food but having expectations for sandwiches, but wow this sandwich seriously melted in my mouth. I couldn't stop taking bites, but I wanted it to last! I didn't do a combo or anything. The sandwich was perfect. Although she did have some great sides to chose from! Oh- and I like I got to chose the bread it went on.

I asked why she wanted to open a NY style deli and she told me about her upbrining back east. I am certainly glad that her passion for where she came from has translated into this little place! I will definitely be going back for another rustic picnic, I've also been told to try the Aaron special! They do sell the meat seperately as well if you want to take it home and make your own creations which is fantastic!

https://www.facebook.com/centerstreetdeli

Teppanyaki at half the price?

Yep my fellow readers you read that correctly.

I am a big fan of the food that is served at Teppanyaki style restaurants. But finding a place that I can get just as much food, no show, at half the price?? Count this gal in!!

In Lehi just behind the Texas Roadhouse is a little place called Hibachi House. I really wanted noodles and sushi so I decided to stop in for lunch. The first time I went in, I was super impressed at the prices to begin with. The lady and gentleman behind the counter were super nice. I made sure to wish them a happy Chinese New Year.  You can order to go, or stay in to eat if you like.

If you go in between 2 and 5 Monday through Friday you can get 50% off sushi!! That is a win win situation. I have been in several times since the first time I tried Hibachi house. My favorite part?? The mustard sauce! If you get just enough of it on your meat/noodles/vegetables it burns your nose! I love it. The noodles are always good, the steak is always cooked just how I love it, the sushi is always good.

When you visit a place such as Teppanyaki, you will be spending about 20$+ a person. Not bad for special occasions. Sometimes you get a craving though, and you might not want to spend that much. Hibachi House is perfect for that craving. For a combo (noodles, veggies, steak) you're looking at spending about 10.95$.

I will be visiting this place many times to come in the future, I suggest you do as well.

One Smart Cookie

There are times that I drive by places over and over. I add them to a list which keeps growing and growing. I stepped out to go see a movie (the Avengers, of course) and I wanted something other than the treats at the movie theatre.

In American Fork next to the Cinemark theatre is a small shop called Smart Cookie. I had heard of them on the radio, and only driven by hundreds of times. It was time to make a visit and do some research.

The shop was simple and the girl at the counter was really sweet and very helpful. The story goes: Christian McDaniel created, tested, and perfected a handful of cookie recipes, that when combined with premium ice creams would surpass his childhood’s ideal dessert (vanilla ice cream with oatmeal cookie in a sandwich). With 25 perfect cookie recipes in hand, Christian traded in his financial calculator for a commercial-grade mixer, and Smart Cookie Company was born.

I have been use to super fancy flavors and spoiled by (RubySnap) gourmet cookies. The cookies are as simple as the shop is. I liked that they incorporated an ice cream counter next to the cookie choices to create the perfect ice cream sandwich, although the ice cream sandwich would've melted in my pocket on the way to the movie. The choices are basic and you would think that would make your decision easy. Oh contraire!

I went with the sugar cookie with a lemon frosting, and an always personal favorite: the chocolate chip walnut cookie. I had to eat the lemon one first because I didn't want the frosting to squish in my pocket. My only wish for this cookie, because it was soft just like I love, was that the lemon frosting didn't taste so much like confectioner's sugar. I would've loved more tang! Second was the chocolate chip walnut. Nice and chewy as well. I am not a fan of crunchy cookies unless it's those delish Biscoff cookies that are served on Delta flights.

I didn't notice walnuts at all, it was good, but I will have to try it again. I like a lot of chunk in my cookie if there are flavors in it, but perhaps I was too into the movie to have noticed? I can't wait to go back and try one as an ice cream sandwich.

If you are in the American Fork or the Fort Union area stop in and try a cookie, the prices are SO awesome and the flavors will remind you of the cookies your mom makes at home.

 

http://www.smartcookiecompany.com/index.php

Update

I am sad to inform my readers that may or may not know, Parkers in American Fork closed at the end of December 2011 after 53 years of business. I am certainly thankful for the memories. My grandfather use to take us there for dipped cones and then to go hang out at the docks at Utah Lake. Thank you Parkers for the wonderful food and family memories!

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

One Sweet Slice

Normally I can come up with something cute and fun for the title, but this business' name surely describes itself!

As I usually do, I was just wandering around and drove past One Sweet Slice in South Jordan. I had to do a U-turn because I didn't want to miss this opportunity to visit a new business! Each cupcake location I have written about has a certain environment when you walk in the door. As soon as I stepped foot in the door, I didn't want to leave. You are greeted by tables and chairs and some dummy cakes. To the right is the adoreable cupcake display case.

It is hard to find a business that is as simple as cupcakes that is  warm and welcoming. Usually there are a couple tables and the counter and that is about it. Not One Sweet Slice.
 It is spacious! Lovely! Fun! The creator of this business has made something more of just cakes and cupcakes. She has made it a community event. Offering amazing parties, super fun cakes, and delicious cupcakes and cake bites.

I had to try a cupcake I have never seen in a store before, it was Mexican Hot chocolate. I think one of my most favorite parts of it was the packaging. An adoreable box that slides open. Genious! The cupcake was not dry, the flavors weren't overwhelming, and I definitely wished I had bought more than just one. However, I did try the cake bites. I am very particular about those little tasty morsels. These were not overly dense. I liked that they didn't stick to my teeth as previous ones have. You could actually taste the flavor in each one, and they didn't break the bank but were just enough to satiate. 

 

This is Ti. He is super awesome and if he is working in the store he will help you pick out an amazing cupcake and one of his handmade cake pops!!

If you're looking for just a tasty treat or need a moment to sit down and relax after lunch at Downtown Philly just around the corner, I highly recommend One Sweet Slice.

http://www.onesweetslice.com/

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