Crepes, and Waffles oh my!

SORRY TO REPORT THIS LOCATION IS CLOSED!

I'm always on a mission to find comparable restaurants. Burgers for burgers, steak for steak, and waffle for waffle! One of Utah's local radio station programs, The Night Side Project, does a broadcast each Thursday from a local restaurant. They recently visited a store called Cafe Terrace (not terrorist). Located in American Fork just off 5th East next to the Cold Stone Creamery is a cute little place that if you blinked your eye would miss. I know because I've driven by dozens of times and didn't realize this great place was there!

I asked for a background of the idea. The girl told me the owner has a catering company (Utah Celebrations) and decided to add this to their business adventures. I asked why American Fork and she said it was a central point between Salt Lake and Provo. Fair enough.

 The night I was there they had a special that was 3.99 for unlimited crepe bar. Had I known, I would have ordered that. However, looking through their menu of sweet and savory, I decided on a Belgian waffle. it was topped with what looked like a scoop of ice cream (really homemade whip cream), strawberries, and belgian chocolate. I did notice on their website they don't have their waffles on their menu. They are there, and they are delish. I could definitely notice it was quality chocolate, and I loved the consistency of the whip cream.

If sweet isn't your thing, there is a wonderful selection of savory crepes such as the SoCal. This has grilled chicken, avocado, swiss cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, and lemon iaoli. They wrap it in paper and make it easy for eating. Almost like a burrito, but better.

This place has sufficient seating and is cosy for a simple sit down lunch or a date.

Alex and Ethan from KSL Nightside Project

This is the owner and the chef flippin crepes!

 http://thecafeterrace.com/home.html

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/