KUOLDITS

hark back to my first blog entry about the sudanese food booth at the farmers market. got it? now get this. one of my favorite places to eat authentic international food is now at a permanent location! don't worry though, she is still at the farmers' market faithfully every saturday only now if you missed it, you can ----- I started this post a while back and unfortunately the restaurant didn't make it. so never mind going. but head to the slc farmers market next season and get some delicious sudanese food. you won't regret it.

Small town burgers are usually good (part II)

So small town burgers are usually good...except this one in Green River, Utah. This one is great! It doesn't take long to realize that Ray's Tavern is an icon of this small town, a staple both for locals and the nature lovers who flock to Green River to recreate. The half-pound behemoth with a flock of fries is big enough to share, but tasty enough not to. Loosen your belt, you're burning tons of calories river rafting anyway. Seriously, this burger means business, and it may be the best, authentic, home-made, diner-fresh burger I've ever sunk my pearly whites into. The town of Green River is small enough that you can't miss it—It's across the street from the only grocery store. The fries weren't bad either: big steak cut, not too greasy. Of course it's still in Utah so there is fry sauce to be had, but it's rural Utah so there is also beer on tap. (OK there is beer on tap anywhere in the state, let's not propagate the stereotype too much). I don't know Ray, and I don't drink beer, but I dig his Tavern down there in Green River and I'm totally devoted to his beefy burger. I'll be back Ray...I'll be back.

Small town burgers are usually good

The 50s throwback icon of Snowville, Northern Utah.

This burger was mediocre but the ambience is what I came for.

If you've ever made the trek along U.S. 84 North to Idaho, you've driven past Snowville, Utah: population, like, 15 or something. You may or may not have noticed the last pit stop before crossing the Potato state line depending on whether or not you blinked while passing. Now I've always thought that Snowville was just a Flying J station for bladder relief, such was my exclusive use of it the last several years I've been travelling to Idaho. But it's more than that...not much more. But on a venture further down the village's one main road I happened upon this gem of nostalgia circa 1950. Alas, the food isn't superb, but I can't say I ever expected culinary perfection from a middle-of-nowhere burger pit. I mean, sure they have way more than burgers. Their menu must have 100 different omelets to choose from, as well as classic diner fare, you know, chicken fried steak, patty melts and the like. The real charm, however, is not just in the literally hundreds of dusty Coke bottles from every era of history, but the fact that they actually collect these bottles, which is oddly endearing. The whole place exudes affection for a certain stereotype of what it means to be from middle America and the values it comes with. And let me tell you, that stereotype isn't a caricature at all. It's real. it's believed, even striven for. It was delightfully actualized in every archetype of country folk that either entered or worked at Mollie's the night I was there. Of all the images of America that Hollywood exaggerates, it's the cowboy movies that zoom in on small towns of the proud US of A that get it exactly right. In these towns (as in Snowville) everyone knows everyone and waitresses really do call you "hon." But not to trivialize, it goes much deeper than that. There is something about the people, the place and the fondness for another time that gives the sense it's as deep and intricate as their own DNA.
But, I had a party to get to in Idaho so my pleasant trip down Americana Lane had to end. It may have been a diet buster, but this mediocre burger with a side of greasy fries—surrounded by good people and aged Coke bottles in the small-town diner of Somewhere, USA—never tasted so good.

The Comeback

I have found that it's easier for me to blog lately. You get in a groove and, well, it just happens. You all were right! (well, those of you who said, "hey, keep at it, it gets easier). The only thing is that I have't been "keeping at it" on this blog. Suddenly I have several blogs! Here is the really weird thing about it all: while this blog still is (or will become again) a review of culinary explorations around my city, state, or wherever I am, I am forging ahead with a weight loss blog as well. An oxymoron you say? well, maybe. But I think the juxtaposition is just oozing with potential. I'm on a mission to find extremely delicious food in places where you'd never expect, and do it all in a way that's health-conscious and "line" friendly. But of course I'll cheat along the way. The thing with lifestyle changes opposed to diets is sometimes you cheat and it doesn't change your lifestyle. So that's all I'm going to say about that. For you gentle readers who will see this...thanks for sticking around. Hopefully much MUCH more will come.

tempted by the tofu of another.

a couple of weeks ago now my friends and I followed a whim and found ourselves driving to a location we had never before been. the famous salt flats of western utah. breathtaking. bizarre. worth the two hour drive if you are in salt lake city. and as if the salt had a power to make us hungry, we returned back to the valley grumpy and famished. so hungry that you just don't know what sounds good. you know the kind. enter evergreen. the vegetarian cafe that, like the salt flats, was always an intended venture never before realized. really it fit the theme of the day and forth we did sally for the second time that day. with courtesy the first victim of our hunger we demanded pot stickers of the cheery waitress. she happily obliged and we were happily surprised. tasty with the right mix of gooey and crispy. indeed some of the better pot stickers you can get in this town. sated enough to look at the menu without blurred vision we took to the serious matter at hand and asked the waitress about every dish. luckily there are only a dozen or so. behold our verdict:

curry meatballs. veggies and triangle tofu with (a damn good) peanut sauce. bbq chicken and potatoes.

keep in mind that everything at the evergreen cafe not only is vegetarian, but completely vegan. and fresh! this is truly a feat which took more convincing after we dove into the bbq chicken, double and triple questioning the waitress and then the owner to make sure it wasn't really chicken. had me fooled. not that that is the purpose of the restaurant. to fool. but it really is amazing the diversity of things they can make with tofu. i was a fan of the bean curd before, but i must admit that now, at least with the evergreen,  i am a total disciple.

taste for yourself. 755 south state street. prices are extremely fair as well and the food is made fresh when you order.

the doldrums of blogging and my solution.

Rather than think of all the reasons (re: excuses) for not updating my blog besides that fact that no one probably reads it, I feel the need to dive back into it; not only because I have been to so many great restaurants that are off the beaten path, but because I need to write and practice my writing. I have recently got a promotion at the newspaper where I work and want to improve not only my skill but my confidence in my writing. In truth, the main reason I never post is because it's high pressure to meet my own expectations pairing my culinary adventures with quality writing. It's overwhelming for me; like trying to pair a wine with a cheese for royalty. Actually, last time I tried to impress royalty (re: local prominent citizen) as a waiter at an upscale restaurant, it ended with Petite Syrrah (dark red wine) all over her white cashmere sweater and a tartar sauce shower for her husband. That may be a blog post story for another time but the lesson and hopefully the solution to my scant blog postings is this: to remember that a blog need not be so formal or perfect and the frequency of posting would improve what I am so nervous to accomplish (and over-do): literary cuisine. So here goes. cheers to you readers and happy blogging. happier eating.

ACME BURGER COMPANY

red. black. chrome. sea foam green? welcome to 1950 with a modern twist. and don't forget to enjoy the art, there is a life-sized jerry garcia-esque shark. its weirdly cool. oh yeah, the food: like the atmosphere, the fare offers a twist on the classic american burger (but don't worry, they have those too). its funny really. a food as original and approachable like a burger is catering to a more experienced and adventurous palette, offering the flavors of the world in burger form. korean, mediterranean, mexican, i mean i won't list every burger they have but suffice it to say, its all there. for every mouth. there is a catch however, as their menu changes at random. apparently at the whim of the jerry garcia hammerhead on the ceiling. i know. i asked.

lately i have been more than enamored with flavors of the southwest; a food genre that is becoming increasingly popular, in part because of chefs like bobby flay of the food network who promotes his southwestern flair every chance he gets, but mostly because it's just damn good cuisine. to illustrate, I give you exhibit a: the ACME BURGER COMPANY's bison chipotle burger. let that sink in for a second. you may ask your waiter "where is the beef" but it won't be because you don't see the pound of protein on your plate. it's because its not beef. it's BISON! like what you see on those old nickels you find between the cushions of your granny's couch. buffalo, dude! yeah, i know. its cool. tasty too.

okay, so they cook the meat with the chipotle sauce. brilliant! its smokey and distinct flavor is infused in every bite, and it doesn't drip all over you either. as if that makes this monster of a burger any less messy to eat.

as for the bun...pppfff. bun? as if. try red onion gourmet roll. supple, but sturdy enough to handle your grip without falling apart. no worries. for this burger you can forget condiments like ketchup and mustard, and yes, even that holy utah fry sauce, because this southwestern burger comes with a perfect roasted poblano pepper-infused mayonnaise. pickled peppers are there too as a necessary and appreciated side kick...get it? kick? cause they're spicy? HA!

don't be fooled, these gourmet burgers are every bit as approachable as the classic models they use as as guideline. think of it as an improvement on the model-T. and for $15 its not a bad upgrade. at all. you will not leave even remotely hungry. take a friend. or go alone (they have a bar where you can sit sans judgement and banter with the wait staff). the fresh, thick-cut fries are tasty too and yes, they do have fry sauce.

if you go: downtown on 200 west between 200 and 300 south. you really can't miss it. its attached to the back of p.f. changs--don't go there. so quit reading and go already, but don't forget to come back here and post your own opinion.

www.acmeburgercompany.com

PROJECT STATE STREET: Hiatus

okay, so there may be a delay with the uber-ambitious PROJECT: STATE STREET series of blog posts. i have eaten at and taken notes on a few locations along salt lake city's state street but the project is so much more than a food review. in the mean time, i have so many great places to review. this blog will undergo a few structural changes as content is added to assist you, dear reader, in navigating some of the best places in UTAH to experience great food for whatever occasion you have to DINE OUT!

still with a vein of literary flair, the self-proclaimed food critic will navigate the best places for the fiscally conservative first dates (hey, you don't want to commit entirely if its just a blow out), the casual couple's night out, the healthy, the adventurous, the odd, daring, new, and exciting, and the unknown gems just waiting to be discovered. Kiss those national chains goodbye and find real food and real people right here in this culturally rich regional city.

did you know we have a pakistani restaurant right in the avenues? or an ethiopian restaurant 10 minutes from downtown? how about all those new burger places that seem to be stealing all the limelight? yes, i have tried them and will give you the meaty, greasy details right down to the last shoestring onion. so gather all your foodie frantic friends and start the gastronomical adventure that awaits your curious tongue.

The Great Crêper

So there I was listening to local radio in my car, Theo, when the all-too-familiar burst of spontaneous epicureanism hit me. I concluded it was probably my desire to somehow delay trapping myself in the school library for the next several hours. In any event, I am always excited to try a new restaurant. Its called Berry Luna and its just off 

upcoming projects:

january 2009 marks the beginning of PROJECT STATE STREET: part food review, part documentary and 100 percent exciting epicurean adventure. more details later. subscribe and stay up to date with the latest culinary discoveries from your resident self-proclaimed gastronome. ME!

Cedar Cedar Pumpkin Eater

okay, i didn't eat pumpkin, but i had plums and they sure were tasty. 

hey, the celebrated event known as the salt lake dine-o-round is coming up next week! this is reason to celebrate. when else could you go to restaurants you can't really afford any other time? go ahead, be tenacious and try their tasty treats for a tempting price, trite in comparison to their normal menu. its a great way to be adventurous in your eating while keeping your wallet on the diet. 

so last year i did the dine-o-round and ended up in a little lebanese paradise called cedars of lebanon. located at 2oo south and about 300 or 400 east--i think (you know, finding the establishment is part of the adventure!), this eatery is unfortunately one of the few true middle eastern restaurants in salt lake proper. and while it fades in comparison with some out-of-state peers, it offers a delightful window into the arab culture as well as its food. my chicken dish was adorned with mediterranean plums intoxicating to the senses. i love those culinary borders where sweet and savory come together in perfect harmony. (unfortunately i forget the name of the dish, but it was on last years dine-o-round menu.) the rice however was nothing to write home about. 

neither were the belly dancers. oh, not because they were bad, o contraire. they were good. too good. and when they involved me into the belly dance for all the restaurant patrons to see...well, lets just say you need to know me personally to get the full story. this year you can also take in the culture of lebanon (go on a friday for the belly dancing) and its wonderful food during the salt lake dine-o-round. just visit the link for more information and prices. happy eating! 

http://www.downtownslc.com/events/dine-o-round.htm

a long awaited return.

after a long hiatus from posting my culinary adventures, i decided to make a comeback! i have been traveling (africa--yes it was amazing), studying, and just being busy that i have not had the time (or motivation) to really give this blog the upkeep it deserves. 

thats okay because now i have a slew of eateries to review, for you see, a hiatus in writing is not a hiatus in eating. certainly not. among the twenty or so posts that will appear in the near future, i hope you will join me in traversing the tasty salt lake food scene. from sketchy dives to social hives and everything in between, i'll review restaurants like the sumptuous, award-winning cucina tuscana to the sweet, home-cooked comfort of esther's meat loaf burger and 'fresh' fries. indeed, utah offers some of the best fare in the region and utahcuisine.blogspot.com is the place to come to get honest reviews, tips, recommendations and the occasional warning for all things indelibly edible in our little valley of the great salt lake!

Does trendy always mean worth it??

a few weekends ago i decided to take in the morning and go for a drive, explore, and follow tangeants of tree-lined side streets or intriguing architecture throughout this beautiful city. in doing so, i stumbled upon the actual site of what i had only heard of in rumor and thought the opportunity to be as golden as the autumn tree tops that led me there.

the avenues bakery...the reputation certainly does precede. trendy, local, cultural, and best of all, its patroned by many who consider themselves possesing of similar qualities. needless to say, i was expecting, well...how should i put it...more than what i got?

hardly a fit in with typical avenues' gentrification, the building itself was new and, apart from a few scattered art photographs, quite sterile. after mulling over the menu looking for anything unique or characteristic, i settled for bluberry pancakes. here in lies the first tip: never settle! you will be dissatisfied with your meal before you even take a bite. in my case, that might not have been a bad idea, for after consuming one of 2 large, over-cooked, denny's style pancakes, i could not go any further. i thanked the less-then-interested waitress, payed my bill, and with a waning exuberance for the morning's adventure, returned home.

now perhaps i am being slightly melodramatic with it all...i tend to do that sometimes. perhaps i need to give their omlette a try. but to be honest, i think i really need to just find a breakfast joint that serves up a little creative TLC to accompany the orange juice.

elegance without stuffiness

nestled comfortably in the heart of downtown salt lake, the martine restaurant is my pick of the week for high end food for a less than exuberant price (slightly less). i can't say exactly when, but at some point earlier this week i decided i would, in the near future, totally splurge on a selfish, no holds barred culinary excursion. with a little help from the internet, i located martines, and honestly, i can't think of a better place to blame (apart from myself) for the current dent in my wallet.
because i was in an adventurous mood, i daringly, if not slightly hesitantly, ordered a unique fare which ,before the present time, had never before chartered the drooling waters of my curious mouth. so complex and harmonious were the flavors that i feel completely inadequate to describe them. let it suffice to say that among the fried escargot, artisan bread, and seared duck, a rainbow of taste completed the palette as well as that part of my soul that belongs to food. in a word: transcendant, and i haven't even touched on the atmosphere or presentation. truly this is a place you will just have to experience for yourself.

last chance this season

for the last month i have enjoyed a weekly hearty helping of authentic sudanese food at the salt lake city farmer's market. every saturday pioneer park plays host to a myriad of vendors, craftsmen, and artists in a true community event. among these booths lies the story of a sudanese woman; a refugee with a dream. every saturday she wakes up before the sun, sets up her portable kitchen, and cooks up a cultural fare good enough to become a weekly tradition...okay, maybe even addiction. her story is as interesting and compelling as are the flavors from her homeland, infused with the hope she has for life, and a love for sudan she shares with a new, and appreciative crowd.
her dream: a restaurant. and she is close to seeing that dream become a reality. last week i took the opportunity to document her food-booth process for a class project, and found that nearly every customer asked where her restaurant was located. unable to give an answer just yet, she hands out her catering business card and informs them she is searcing for the right location.
in the meantime, the farmer's market ends october 20th, leaving only 2 more chances for this month's culinary experience.