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/

No need for a store for the best BBQ!

This is a one of a kind blog. Summer is a great time for food that you don't normally get to eat because it's only offered at fairs and festivals. Walking up and down the aisles you have many choices from navajo tacos, scones, ethnic food, and of couse BBQ.

What makes good BBQ?? The flavor, the sauce, the way it is cooked?

Here is a special shout out to Oak Pit BBQ Co. My favorite pollack Sean and his brother in law Pablo owns this company and in a year or so have totally made a name for themselves and hopefully I can help spread the word a little! Right now he does festivals, fairs, bars, and catering. What does he have to offer? Heaven!! *yes i know I use that word a lot* Pablo runs the California part, and Sean is in charge of good ol Utah.

Tri -tip Sandwiches, Beef Ribs, chicken... He uses the best wood, hand made his own bbq pit, and created his own spice mixture! Heart and soul makes this BBQ taste the best. The ribs are juicy and flavorful and you don't even need the sauce with them, but when you use the sauce it makes it that much better! These ribs aren't dripping sauce like others you may get, and once you try them, you will know why! The tri-tip I noticed is very popular, but I think it's cause its easy to eat and walk. The meat is so juicy and tender and served on a grilled bun. It's everything you could hope for in a sandwich like that.

Next time you are in the area... follow your nose to the great smoke smell and try some. I promise you won't regret it. Tell em Jess sent you!

Also, Check them out on Facebook!!

http://www.oakpitbbqco.com/

Millies in Sugarhouse

I am aware that I have done several posts on small burger joints (parkers, paces', and purple turtle). Today I need to add another to the list! I have probably passed by this quaint little place dozens of times, if you blink you will miss it. Millies is located on 21st south and 1000 East. It is a family owned and run business and has been around for quite some time. I asked the manager (i am pretty sure that is who she was) what her favorite was and she said " EVERYTHING! I have worked here for 25 years and I still eat here 5 days a week." To me, that says a lot about a restaurant.

I went into this place waiting to compare it to the others. I have to say this place really set the standard high. For freshness it stands out hands down. You may be saying "but Jess, a burger is a burger!" and I will say back " oh but you are soooo wrong!" But nicely of course. There is a lot to chose from on the menu from a regular hamburger for .99 or a halibut sandwich for 7 bucks! I ordered a Double Millies Cheeseburger, a small order of onion rings, and a banana walnut shake. Wow, I was in for a surprise when I took my first bite!

The burger patties were a great size, not flat or pressed (like a place I ate in cedar city this past weekend). It had a great sauce on it that wasn't too overwhelming, lettuce, tomato, cheese and pickles. It tasted so fresh and right off the grill in your back yard. I don't eat a lot of fried food, but today I made an exception. These onion rings didn't crumble when you bit them, the onions were so juicy and not dry like some places you get. There wasn't tons of breading on the outside. Pretty close to the perfect onion ring. And finally, but certainly not least is the shake. Ok, so I LOVE shakes. I have tried all different kinds up and down the valley when I am in the mood. Today I was so pleased with the one from Millies. Normally when you get a shake you aren't concerned with the ice cream because well... you can't taste it! I could taste the banana, the walnuts, and still taste that it was made from vanilla soft serve.

I know I have given this place a little bit of a more descriptive review than most. I just wanted you all to see if your mouths would water this time. If you are in the Sugarhouse area I do suggest stopping by and even just getting one of their Glaciers which is a flavored slush that has ice cream in it (and this reminds me of a place in New Jersey called Rita's YUM!!)

Update!!

FYI.. The Downtown Philly now has a location in American Fork just in front of the Costco! CHECK IT OUT!!

Pizza.. its hard to come by

Alright, sure you have your Domino's and Pizza Hut and Papa John's down the street. . . let's leave it at that.

After living on the east coast where pizza is touted as one of the staple items (also popular in Chicago too) it is hard to find a great pizza here in Utah. I don't normally write negative things but if this is a review I guess I better be honest!

Recently I took my first visit to The Pie. For those of you that go or have been to the U of U, you know its a staple to the community. I was excited to see what all the buzz was about. I really, really was disappointed. I like to give everyone a fair chance. The tap rootbeer was flat, and I had once slice of my chicken pizza. too much grease. I left feeling like I had wasted my money.

I got to thinking where in the world can a foodie go to get a good slice in this town! I came across a quaint little place in Centerville, which has been there since I was in high school. (yes i am aware that was 10 years ago) It is on the corner of Pages lane and Main Street. Zeponies is by far, from the local places I have been to, the tastiest! I can't believe it took me so long to visit.

When you walk in the place isn't so big, but for me it has THE best decor. Years of the owners collecting record albums. FAN-TAST-IC. I would like to inherit them. If you want to see it, its probably there. Everything from soundtracks to your favorite Styx album.

I ordered the personal Chicken Alfredo with mushrooms. I am not a big fan of red sauce so I try to stay away from it. This pizza was Heaven. I know I use that word to describe food often, but it takes a lot for me to say that. The crust was cooked just perfect, no burned spots, nothing soggy. The flavor was just right, that it left me wanting it again. My brothers ordered the pepperoni pizza, which if you love pepperoni, this is a perfect one for you. If you are feeling extra hungry may I suggest the breadsticks also! They come with either ranch or marinara dipping sauce. This is one of those places when you walk in it just smells great. Nothing too overwhelming and it makes your mouth water.

The staff is awesome and suggested a calzone the next time I come in because "they are the best"

http://www.zeponiepizza.com/Zeponie/Welcome%20to%20Zeponie%20Pizza.html

Feeling like Something on the Healthier side??

First of all, back to the whole concept of my blog.. You must be original to Utah... There are only 5 of these and fortunately for all of us they are here in Utah.



I had never heard of it until I transfered to my current location in Draper. I was enthralled when I went inside. Tons of options and mostly healthy (unless you eat the Wisconsin Cauliflower too often). I prefer the combo because you get tons of food and its worth every penny. You can choose soup and sandwich or soup and salad. You can make your own salad and add toppings to your soups. My personal faves are the Chicken Enchilada Chili and the Thai Chicken Salad... Then theres the Wild Mushroom Bisque, and the turkey cranberry sandwich, and ooooooh lest I forget the awesome Hawaiian BBQ chicken Sandwich!!! Yum!! I am hungry just thinkin about it. For some the best part may be the tasty slice of bread you get with your meal and the chocolate dipped strawberry. For me I LOVE they have diet coke lime on tap! (yea its the simple things really) If you are in the mood for dessert they also offer cheesecake, brownies, and fondue!




I have only been to the new American Fork location which is stunning. It makes you feel like you are in your own kitchen, and then of course the Draper location. You can also find them in South Jordan off 106th south, Provo, and Cottonwood.



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