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/

Ni Hao

UPDATE: GOLDEN DRAGON HAS MOVED TO 1716 S State Street to a BEAUTIFUL location.

It is a very hard task to find tasty authentic Chinese food in a little place like the Wasatch front. Working for a company that is run by people from China and surrounding countries, I have asked them for their suggestions and they always say there isn't such a thing as "good Chinese food" in America. I use to go to two amazing places on the East coast- The China King, a little hole in the wall in East Orange, New Jersey and the nicer Shanghai Tea Garden off Lexington and 55th in New York City.

Well, I think I have found one of the most "authentic" places that has great food and great prices. Its called the Golden Dragon and is located on 1716 South State street in downtown Salt Lake. The people who run it, I was told, are from Hong Kong. My favorite was knowing they made their own bakery items like sesame balls with red bean paste and custard tarts (which i use to buy in Chinatown) YUM!!

If you want a quick lunch and don't have a lot to spend. Two people can eat for under 15 dollars! That is appetizer, rice and your meat! If you are looking for some dinner, the walnut shrimp is awesome, the duck (if you like) is very moist, AND if you are in the mood... they also serve Dim Sum! ** The picture below is the Duck.

Nothing beats authentic Chinese food!!

Oh- AND they deliver to certain areas, if you are lucky!

http://www.slcnewgoldendragon.com/