Tea for Two.. Two for tea..

If I could pull up a chair and sit and talk with my mom for hours here, I would do it in a heart beat. This is "our" place to spend time and enjoy a cup of tea. Next time we may have to do it with proper elbow length gloves.

Located just west of Main Street on Broadway (3rd South) in Salt Lake City, is the quaint Beehive Tea Room. Imagine stepping back into Victorian times, perhaps even the 1940's, where art; music; and tea were the talk of the town. I have been to this location more than once, and every time I am there the music always catches my attention. It's like old Hollywood. You order your tea/drink and if you want to eat, your food, at the counter. They are nice enough after preparing it to bring it out to the table you pick.


One of my most favorite parts about the Beehive Tea Room is that it has a little counter with all their teas and you can sniff each one!!! Heaven! I am usually a green tea fan, but I can always go for a good Lapsang or Oolong. Then you get to pick which room and table you are going to sit at. I am obsessed with the wall in the middle room. I would love to have that in my house! Each room is filled with paintings and lamps and books throughout each room complete the ambiance.

When my mom and I visit we usually get scones and their wonderful tea sandwiches. Who doesn't love tea sandwiches? I prefer the ones with what I think is spinach spread, but they are both tasty. My mom loves the scones. Sometimes she gets them with clotted cream, and sometimes just butter.

Not only can you stop in for tea anytime, but they offer a traditional Afternoon Tea. They also are available for bridal showers and parties. Too fun! Whether you are in town just for the afternoon, or you make a special trip, it is always worth it. It is nice finding a place you can settle into and not feel rushed, I promise.

http://beehivetearoom.com/

Doughnut-cha want some of these???

One can only drive by a tasty looking place with curiosity for so long. This one, I would say about 2 years. What took me so long you ask? Children cover your eyes... I don't really like doughnuts. It's not personal. A few years ago I cut out fried food, and that was one of the things that went. Every once in a while I have a craving, so I go for it. This was definitely worth that craving!



Located on 12300 South just west of I-15 is a wonderfully cute little shop called Beyond Glaze. They recently opened in Salt Lake as well, but since I was on my way to work I decided to stop at the one in Draper. I believe it was the first shop in that plaza, but is now surrounded by a sub shop, a Chinese restaurant, and a salon of sorts. Perfect right? Lunch, spa, dinner, and dessert!! or better yet, breakfast, lunch, spa, and dinner all in one spot!

Walking inside all I could think was "oh this is so cute!" There is a lovely little awning that covers the kitchen door behind the display case. Then your eyes are completely overwhelmed with the beautiful doughnuts and pastries. I really wanted to buy one of each just to have a taste. At 1.85$ a piece I decided it was best if I just picked the ones I really wanted to try first, then I could come back another craving. How does a food writer even begin to explain the vibrant frosting colors used to design the tops of these doughnuts? Or the delicate touches used to create the flavors that are listed on the name tags? These are not your mothers doughnuts!! No surprise I had to try a s'mores! These are all basic glazed doughnuts by the way. This one was topped with chocolate drizzles, carefully placed graham crackers, and of course marshmallow fluff! This tasted more simple than it looked, which was perfect because my teeth should have already been hurting just looking at them right? Then I gravitated towards the red velvet. Honestly, I was a little underwhelmed by this one, it really just tasted like a basic cake doughnut. However, the frosting on top was very cute. And for the grand doughnut of all grand doughnuts... wait for it... topped with chocolate drizzle and sugared bacon!!! Yes folks, I said it, bacon. I could definitely eat another one of these. Maybe even two. I have no idea how they made the bacon the way they did, but it was cooked perfect and the sweet with the salty is one of my all time favorites. There was at best 20 flavors to chose from. From savory to fruity.

Cake decorators were the ones that came up with this idea. Who wouldn't want to have beautiful doughnuts for their business meeting, wedding luncheon, or even at their wedding?? How fun!! Now remember, stop for breakfast(the first doughnut), then the salon, then lunch, and maybe even back for another doughnut!

 http://www.beyondglaze.com/

I didn't believe in a good pastry... til now!!

Friday on the way to work I was surprised by a tiny shop in a strip mall in American Fork called Shirley's Bakery. I quickly looked them up online, wondering why in the world I didn't know about this place yet, and saw they have been around in Utah County since 1966! Wow- that is staying power! Their original location is located in Provo.

I have a confession to make. . . As a baker, I do not usually care for any kind of pastries. I don't enjoy the dry flakiness of them. (yes, I am aware that is the traditional build of pastries all over the world.) That being said, my whole perception and faith in pastries has been restored after visiting Shirley's Bakery today. When I walked in the door, there were two ladies busy behind the counter. The shop is small with a case for the pastries and a couple of shelves for bread, rolls, and the sweet rolls to be picked up and carried out in large quantities. I had to purchase one of the sweet rolls because my aunt raved about them. I chose a raspberry filled one. It was soft, the frosting was just the right amount, and the raspberry wasn't dripping everywhere. I also tried a pastry that was swirled with some raspberry, dipped in a light glaze with crushed peanuts it tasted JUST like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but so much softer.

There is something magical about these goodies. They are made from scratch recipes and you can taste that. It's like when you bake a loaf of bread and it comes out of the oven nice and soft. Every pastry I had was like that. No crustiness anywhere!! Well, I have to admit, I went back today for more!! And good news was it was just before close and they offer what is left from the day at 30% off! I highly recommend the pull aparts!

http://shirleyshomemadebakery.com/our-products/pastries/

An Expanding Empire

Hello my fellow foodies!

As previously stated, until someone is paying for me to write these, I am on my own paycheck. Unfortunately- This does mean fewer posts for a little while. I promise, I haven't forgotten my mission. My list is long and my taste buds salivating!!

I am proud to announce another opening of the every so tasty Downtown Philly Cheesesteaks. For those of you who have not glanced at the beginning of my blog, they were who got me up and going after much procrastination. Yesterday they opened their 4th location!! I am so proud of them for being able to expand their empire and staying true to themselves. They just opened in Brighams Landing in Provo, just a couple blocks from the Cougar Stadium.

Now you can run-not walk- to them along the Wasatch Front- South Jordan, American Fork, Downtown Salt Lake City, and Provo!! Keep up the great work guys!!

http://thedowntownphilly.com/locations.php

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Downtown-Philly-Cheesesteaks/114782522038

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/

Cupcakes. Fad or staying power??

Recently consumers have seen a jump in cupcakes. Cupcake stores, cupcake shows, cupcake parties, cupcake wedding cakes. What is it about cupcakes that is so appealing?? As I start to explore local cupcake bakeries (sorry Coco Bean cannot be included as they are also out of state) I am intrigued at what makes a GREAT cupcake and why it is such a niche market.

Tucked away behind the University Mall in Orem is a store called Cupcake Chic. It's simple with a few chairs inside. The cupcake case is my favorite so far! What makes this one unique I think is that they don't offer all the flavors on the same day. Great marketing! That way you have to come back and keep trying them. On my visit I decided to go for the pumpkin, being seasonal, and key lime. They also had other very tasty looking flavors today such as red velvet, chocolate cherry, neopolitain, and a few others. If you look on their website you can see the many flavors offered and the days they are available. There are no fancy names, no chincing (is that even a word??) on the size or the flavor at this bakery!!

(sorry about the glare)

(they were so good they glow!!)

When I buy a cupcake I want it to be dense and moist. You can't ethically produce a cupcake that is dry and sell it. I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor of the frosting, it wasn't too cream cheesy, on the pumpkin cupcake and how flavorful the pumpkin was. I believe it is hard to pull off key lime when you bring it out of its element as a pie or a cheesecake. This one was spot on!! I couldn't believe it and I really wanted another. On the bottom is a thin layer of graham cracker that wasn't dry or soggy. The actual cupcake has the tender flavor of a cheesecake and the frosting, well lets just say I was certainly pleased to see the lime zest mixed in!! Wowza! But may I suggest you not lick the frosting off on these cupcakes first, try to at least get one bite in of the frosting and cake.

I am definitely looking forward to trying the gingerbread and egg nog cupcake when they come in season!!!

http://www.cupcakechicutah.com/home%20page.html

Simply Sweet

Hello my foodie friends. Thanks for your patience of me not being able to write as often.

 

Let's talk food!

If you blink, you'll miss a cute little house on the west side of State Street in Orem. It has a green door and the name of The Chocolate. Bakeries like this are popping up all over, but this one has stood out to me so far. There are no bells and whistles. It's just simple. That what I loved the most. When you walk in the bakery cases greet you and to the right there is a little room off to the side you can order your treats and eat with your friends.


I liked being in here and ordering because the girl that helped me was super friendly and let me know about her favorites and what was popular. Many bakeries now you can buy pasteries, a whole cake, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies. The Chocolate is nice because the selection is minimal so you don't feel overwhelmed in picking what looks good.


There are several cakes to chose from. If you get a slice its about 4 dollars and change, or you can go all out at spend 36-42$ on a whole one!! I bought a slice of the red velvet (aka The Velvet) which was enough for three people to enjoy. YUM!! The cupcakes are easy to chose from- I was suggested to try the german chocolate! I bought a turtle brownie, which tasted absolutely homemade!




When I eat I love to be able to pick out the flavors in things. This place is ideal for me, because even down to the frosting I could taste how it was made. If you don't want to spend an arm and leg for a tasty dessert I suggest swinging by!!
PS. this thursday *october 28th* is chocolate day!!!
http://thechocolatedc.com/menu.php