May 20, 2012

WRR: Café Seoul | Korean with a personal touch.

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Apparently, everyone loves this place, and it’s easy to see why. The food was delicious and the hostess/owner/cook was fantastic.  Not only did I leave feeling well fed, but also satisfied, happy, and eager to return.

I heard about Café Seoul from a friend (shout out to John: Hey!). He met me there for lunch, and I felt like a guest of honor when Sooni (who also happens to be John’s mom) met us behind the counter and came out to greet us.  I thought I was getting special treatment, until I read reviews on Urban Spoon and realized that Sooni treats every customer like they are a special guest. Check out these comments from Urban Spoon:

We were greeted by Sooni, the owner and chef of the place. We told her that it was our fist time eating Korean food and she said, “don’t worry, I will tell you what most people order the first time.” She walked us through the menu[...]

 

The owner and chef is so kind and generous you can’t help but enjoy your visit.

 

Sooni is the best a wonderful host that cooks fantastic Korean food….

 

The food was great, but you’re gonna love Sooni even more!

Add me to the list of true believers. The food was great, so let’s talk about it.

To be sure, I’ve not had a lot of Korean in my day. I was surprisingly pleased, though, with what Café Seoul offered.  At John’s suggestion I ordered dahk galbi, Sooni’s specialty. Apparently, most people–strike that–most westerners order the bulkogi, a sliced and marinated beef dish. This was a variation on that, but with chicken. It was impressive. Sweet and tender, I realized that the heaping portion was gone before I stopped to notice how much I was eating. Sprinkled with sesame seeds and accompanied by a bowl of steamed rice, it made for an excellent and lean lunch meal.

Sooni provided side dishes of kimchi and turnip kimchi and explained that she made them a little lighter than typical, primarily because western tastes tend to prefer it. There were also small bowls of bean spouts, cucumbers, and cooked potatoes to garnish the dahk galbi. Rounding out the meal were several slices of orange to cleanse the palate.

Found in an office park close to IHC’s main campus in Murray, the restaurant had plenty of parking and is well situated for lunch if you’re at IHC’s medical center in Murray. Again, the service is stellar and the food is fantastic. I recommend it fully.

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Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Atmosphere: 7/10

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

 

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Cafe Seoul on Urbanspoon

 

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WRR: Inferno Cantina | It’s Mexican, duh.

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I admit it. I picked out the Inferno Cantina for lunch solely because of its name. I really did expect to walk in the doors and find the poet Virgil waiting to guide me through nine circles of, well, lunch.

Apparently, Virgil had the afternoon off, however, and we were left to guide ourselves.

Arriving mid-day, it was clear that the Inferno Cantina must make most of its money in the later hours. Empty when we arrived, the spacious Mexican themed restaurant/bar/nightclub (that we visited in the middle of the day) clearly had plenty of space, not to mention more than  few large televisions strategically situated across the walls of the restaurant. Tile was just as prevalent, if not more so. Tables, floors, walls…tiled.

Since we were the first to arrive for the afternoon (other groups came in shortly after us, so don’t let me give you the impression that the restaurant isn’t popular), our waitress was quick to seat us, quick to take our orders, and quick to fill our glasses, which she did promptly throughout the meal.

Strangely, instead of chips for an appetizer, the Inferno Cantina serves what appears to be toasted or fried tostada along side the obligatory bowl of salsa. We broke up the tostadas and dug in. The salsa was a bit runny and not too spicy, which I could always enjoy more, but it was good enough to finish up the chips.

I ordered a tamale and a chile relleno, and the result was both satisfying and filling. The relleno was soft and mild, and I enjoyed the cheesy filling of beef, picadillo and queso fresco. I’m not typically a tamale fan, but the “homemade” pork caught my eye and I found it to be warm and tender. I’d order it again.

Sided with a full load of rice and beans, Inferno Cantina serves up an excellent Mexican plate.

Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

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Inferno Cantina on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Thai Orchid | Quaint, but Authentic

March 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

When our first pick for lunch turned out to be closed, we took a look around and saw two restaurants. One had a full parking lot of cars in front of it, while the other looked like it, too, might be closed. We picked the restaurant less  visited…and it made all the difference.

With a proprietor who clear spoke English only as a second language and enough Thai art (elephant sculptures, multi-armed goddesses and the like) to fill a crate, I knew we were going to get authentic Thai cooks,  if not also authentic food, and we did get authentic food.

For my first meal at Thai Orchid, I chose a classic: pad thai. In response to our waitress’ broken English question about spiciness, I said that I liked spicy. She smiled a grin that seemed to be half laughing at me. I could tell why as soon as I started into the sticky, sweet pasta–it was spicy. Add to that a pepper I had sprinkled over it, at the host’s suggestion, and it was a meal that cleaned out my sinuses.

I don’t, however, regret it. The dish was excellent, and I left little on my plate. Among the many Thai restaurants I’ve sampled over the years, this is one of the better pad thai recipes I’ve enjoyed. I’ll be back again soon.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10 (not much to shout about)

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

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Thai Orchid on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Midvale Mining Company| Breakfast Comfort Food

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re going to get breakfast in Midvale, you might as well go to the Midvale Mining Company. There is an abominable dearth of breakfast eaters in this world, with the masses switching to nutritious yogurt “drinks” and fortified granola like bars in lieu of the traditional breakfast.

You know what I’m talking about–you ran out of the house this morning with one of them in your hand (if you ate anything at all), and you let the hash-browns, pancakes, oat mill, cereal, waffles, fruit, bacon, sausage, orange juice, and a myriad of other God-given gifts on the table, cupboards and fridge. Because seriously–what is a morning if it doesn’t include at least a pound of bacon grease?

But seriously, folks, let’s get back to basics. Let’s get back to breakfast (can you tell that I ran out the door without anything this morning? My belly’s giving me no end of grief, right now).

Midvale Mining Company might be just the place to start. No mines, but lots of great breakfast food, including a plate of crispy hash-browns and easy over eggs that I enjoyed for breakfast one day a week or so ago.  So worth it. And I so wish it had been this morning. [grumbling stomach]

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Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Atmosphere:7/10

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.
Midvale Mining on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Last Samurai Downtown | Sushi and Sashimi

January 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’ll be straight up with you–I struggle with raw fish. I’m all about fish, and in fact I’m a big fan. Got a good piece of salmon with teriyaki glaze? I’m all over it. Fried cod with chips? I’d down that.

But raw? Sorry.  I struggle.

With that in mind, I headed over to the Last Samurai downtown off of 600 S for a mid-day lunch meeting. The restaurant is clean, pristine even, and attractively decorated in a faux japanese style that should be enjoyed more than by the one other person we saw when we came in the door.

Seated quickly, our waitress was quick to serve our drinks, speedy to refill them, and prompt with our orders. I cannot make one complaint about the service.

Heck, even the food was good (if you like raw fish). Add enough soy sauce and wasabi, and raw fish is the last thing you notice…primarily because your nose is running.

Check it out. Make at least one trip over to the Last Samurai to see how much you like raw fish. And if your stomach won’t do it, they have steak, too, as my lunch partner ordered. Who doesn’t like steak?

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Last Samurai’s site and menu can be found here.

Food: 6/10 (I can’t complain, but I can’t really rave, either)
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10 because it’s supposed to be a hole in the wall, so…
Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

Last Samurai Downtown on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Spedelli’s | Pizza, Wings, and More

January 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s Friday. You’re wearing your Levi’s because office policy let’s you do that kind of thing on this pre-weekend weekend. There’s a few things hovering in your In-Box, but mostly, the week is over and you’re looking forward to some much-needed R&R away from the office.

That sounds like a good enough excuse for me to hit Spedelli’s, one of Foothill Blvd.’s hidden treasures.

In fact, it’s so hidden, I’m not sure how it stays in business. Maybe an evening crowd (because, as you can tell, I’m there over lunch, not the evening)?

Formerly known as Davanza’s, Spedelli’s features a Dan Burton favorite: pizza, and good pizza at that. Like a lot of non-chain restaurants serving pizza, Spedelli’s selections carry atypical names like “Harry’s Choice” (pulled pork, pineapple, yellow onion, jalapeno and BBQ sauce), “Fat kids gotta eat” (meatballs, cheddar and mozzarella cheese), and “Hot Carlson” (pepperoni, spinach, red and yellow onions, black olives, garlic, tomatoes, banana peppers, mushrooms, green peppers).

I ordered the Merill Man-za, which, while slightly simpler than the previously mentioned pizzas, is a delicious and dripping with grease sausage, pepperoni, meatball, and bacon (which, let’s be honest, is really just meat candy).

How many ways to can I tell you I loved it? Let me repeat PEPPERONI AND  BACON. I will be a patron to this place till the day I die (or they close, or my office moves…). Dripping with stretchy, yummy cheese, sizzling with grease from the slightly concave pepperoni, the glistening sausage, miniature meatballs, and crumbled bacon, the crust crispy and fresh…

It’s enough to make me salivate just thinking about it.

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Spedelli’s menu and website.

Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Atmosphere: 7/10 it’s hidden, there’s pool, and get your beer on, too…
Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

Spedelli's on Urbanspoon

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WRR: The Pizza Stop

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Frankly, if you’re out in Magna, it’d be a waste to skip a stop by The Pizza Stop.

I’ll make this simple: order the combo pizza. Heaped with mushrooms, peppers, pepperoni, and olives, I looked hesitantly on my first bite. I mean–who puts vegetables and fungi on a good pizza?

It took all of one bit to convince myself that the choice was a good one. The crust is more than sufficiently crisp to handle the extra weight, and I was pleasantly satiated only after another three pieces.

Ironically, the service is, as reported online, less than stellar. No dress code and no smiles.

I don’t have pictures, but trust me. Making the trek to Magna is worth it, even just for the pizza.

Food: 8.5/10
Service: 3/10
Atmosphere: 5/10

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.

 

the Pizza Stop on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Best Burger

January 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Is it the weekend, yet?

I wish it was. To pretend it is, I’m posting my first Weekend Restaurant Review now. On Wednesday. Yeah. In the middle of the freakin’ week.

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Best Burger is a little joint in North Salt Lake that’s pinned between a Taco Time and a Wendy’s. On my way to a meeting, I was short on time and short on fuel, and fast food was all I could see…until I rounded the building and saw Best Burger. And who wouldn’t want to eat the “best” burger?

Two observations, then:

1. I’m on diet, and that means no more fries, less bacon and onion rings (among other things), and fewer burgers. In general, fewer things that are naturally delicious. So this meal was “just” a burger.

2.  I had to wait for a really long time to get a simple burger.

Never fear, though, the wait was mostly worth it. Sporting a sign that proclaims that all burgers are made after the order is taken (in contrast to the pre-made and frozen patty that has made Mickey D’s famous), truly, they can stand by this assertion. I sat in a drive-thru lane for at least seven minutes for my simple “no bacon, no onion rings, no nothing but burger” burger.

The verdict? I’d give it a 6 out of 10, which ain’t too shabby, but definitely isn’t the “best” burger. It’s a patty of one-third a pound of beef, cooked slightly medium, topped with fresh ingredients, and a spongy, tasty bun. I liked it. But it wasn’t that good.

Will I be back? Likely. But not until my diet is over and I can add some of the toppings that I’ve since heard make Best Burger the best burger.

Food: 6/10
Service: 4/10
Atmosphere: 7/10 because it’s supposed to be a hole in the wall, so…

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.
Best Burger on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Normandie Cafe

December 30, 2011 By 4 Comments

If you’re from Holladay, you know Normandie Cafe. If you’re not, get yourself to the east side, and get a sandwich, a brownie, or some quiche, and get to know the Normandie Cafe.

At the recommendation of the staff, I ordered the black bean burger with sweet potato fries.

“Is it beef, or black beans,” I asked, dubious about a menu item that seemed designed to trick me into something vegetarian, and therefore gross.

“No beef, but look–I don’t like vegetarian,” he said from under his fedora. “And I love it.”

Ok. Fair enough. If it’s good enough for him, perhaps it would be good enough for me…I decided to try it.

Let me tell you: it was awesome.

The bun was soft, but had been toasted on the inside where the burger sat, which added a crispy element to the bean burger that kept me looking for bacon. The bean burger itself was delicious, soft and firm all at once. A slightly spicy dressing topped it off, as well as fresh toppings.

The sweet potato fries weren’t to shabby, either. Quite the contrary, in fact. I’m not a sweet potato fan, not at all, and I found myself going back for one fry after another.

Lest I forget, I suggest you order a brownie to go with the meal. Although there are many delightful looking treats behind the glass at Normandie, we ordered a mint brownie. Gooey fudgey, topped with a soft mint spread, and the covered with a more firm chocolate shell, I found myself wishing I hadn’t opted to share with My Better-half. I could have eaten several more pieces.

If you’ve not enjoyed lunch at Normandie, take a trip over to Holladay, and try it. I think you’ll find yourself pleased with the result.

So how does it rate?

Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
Atmosphere: 6/10

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.
Normandie Cafe on Urbanspoon

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WRR: Greek City Grill

December 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

Sometimes I feel like if I’ve seen one gyro from a Greek themed fast food joint, I’ve seen them all.

Not that it’s a bad thing. They just all look alike…you know? Maybe there is a school that gyro makers all attend,  a school that teaches a standardized gyro. Burgers seem to have a little variation, at least, whether it’s the size of the patty, the type of bun, what kind of lettuce (shredded or not), onions (sautéed or fresh), cheese, mushrooms (hold them, please), or bacon (more, please).

But the gyros? They all look the same.

And I’m ok with that. As long as they taste like a gyro.

Latest contestant in that contest (to taste like a gyro) is the Greek City Grill. Two words to describe my experience there: Mission Accomplished.

The gyro was sliced lamb meat in a traditional white sauce on a warm and freshly baked pita. The meat was tasty and broke apart easily, but tasted like it had been cooked just a bit longer than necessary. Just barely, and it wouldn’t deter me from returning. The tomatoes and onions were fresh, but the white sauce was applied perhaps more liberally than I would have liked, and I ended up cleaning a lot of it off of my fingers.

Now, I ordered fries with my meal, just because I was hot off a work-out, and I didn’t want to lose all those calories. (I mean, I worked hard to put on those extra ten pounds, and I’m not letting them go without a fight). Much to my surprise, the fries were of the especially crispy variety, yet not so that they were burnt. I found myself eating them down to the last one.

While the Greek City Grill looks as much like a sports bar (sans bar) as a greasy finger, but there’s at least one unique aspect that sets it apart from other fast Greek eats in Salt Lake Valley, and that’s how clean it was. Not that I’ve ever had a problem with visiting a dive or two for a good burger…I’m just sayin’ that it was clean.

How does it rate?

Food: 7/10 (7 is my average)
Service: 7/10 (no waiting)
Atmosphere: 7/10 (with all the T.V.s set to football games, I’d grab lunch there any day of the week)

Check out my other restaurant reviews here. If you have a restaurant suggestion for me, please contact me by sending an email to SLCWeekendReviews@gmail.com.
Greek City on Urbanspoon

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