Avenues Bistro on 3rd

Avenues Bistro on 3rd

564 3rd Ave N, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

TL;DR 

- Price: Between $9 and $16

- Flavor: Refreshing, Simple

- Filling?: Yes

- Parking: Street parking in avenues, could be sketchy in busy times

What a cozy place in the avenues! The staff immediately greeted me warmly upon entry. I came here at almost 3 pm, which is more of a chill-out time than a meal time, so parking and getting seated was easy.

First surprise was the cuteness of their glasses. As you can see on the left, they're tiny! I was provided a carafe immediately as well, so refills would not be an issue.

Unfortunately, the waffle maker was broken today. Ah, well, life happens.

I decided to go with the Bistro Lunch Special (grilled cheese) and opted for their gazpacho instead of the salad.

Before it arrived, I could already smell the grilled cheese. The aroma was divine. Scent-wise, I was satisfied already. 

The gazpacho was supremely refreshing. Slight umami amidst mild sweetness. I could see myself ordering a pitcher and enjoying it all day, especially during the summer.

The grilled cheese... wow. I didn't think the flavor could match the smell. It was very cheesy but not too heavy. The cheese pulls and stretches: excellently melty.

I tried dipping and it was interesting. I wouldn't do it again because the flavors dilute rather than complement each other.

Dessert time... mmm... I ordered the Opera Cake. It was very simple. 4 layers of chocolate with cake in between. Though simple, the chocolate were great. The cake does a wonderful job of supporting the chocolate layer. It was very moist, not dry at all. This would go incredibly with coffee. The raspberries and cream were a nice touch.

I did notice that they use organic maple syrup. Also I overheard that they just got their patio back, which is fantastic for this beautiful summer.

Their service is very friendly, their food is great, and the environment is very relaxing. I will have to return to try their breakfast next time.

Caffe D'bolla

Caffe D'Bolla

249 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

TL;DR 

- Price: Below $10

- Flavor: Rich, 

- Filling?: Snack

- Parking: Downtown, but seems good

I apologize, I usually am clearer about parking information but I walked here and was distracted, so my Perception was at a disadvantage.

Caffe D'Bolla is a really cool place. Nicely decorated. I was advised to come here because of how authentic their boba (my jam) is.

The person working there seemed rushed, as though he were watching "the big game" in the back or something. No small talk (at least not with me), just took my order and went back as though I was an obstacle. That didn't feel great. Who knows, he might've been distracted with something bad happening in his life. I don't want to rush to judgment.

I ordered the Chocolate Milk Tea boba. It was pretty good. I think this is Taiwanese style, which is less thick. I'm usually accustomed to the smoothie-like consistency in boba. This was a nice change of pace. There was a bit more ice than I would've liked, though, which just takes up space that could've been occupied by more chocolaty deliciousness.

The cashier was very knowledgeable from what I heard him say to another customer who walked in. Yeah, I eavesdropped. I like to think of it as experiencing the establishment vicariously through another.

I have heard really good things about their Syphon brew, which is a bit pricier and takes a little longer, but is a fresh, unique coffee experience. Also, it seems that they do foam art on the Cappuccinos, which is something I've longed for.

The product is good, and I will likely return to try both the Syphon Brew as well as the Cappuccino. I will just have lower expectations with respect to service.

Myung ga

Myung Ga

3353 Decker Lake Dr, West Valley City, UT 84119

TL;DR 

- Price: $10 - 17

- Flavor: Korean

- Filling?: Yes

- Parking: Excellent

After getting addicted to Korean food in L.A., I thought I'd give the local scene a shot. A few friends of mine recommended Myung Ga so I thought it would be a good starting point.

It is in quite the location near the Maverik Center, Hollywood Connection, and Hale Center Theatre. Prime date night spot, I'd say.

My server was wonderful. She was very friendly and completely willing to help with anything we needed. Excellent service.

I ordered the Bibimbap in the stone pot (costs an extra dollar, but I've found the crisp rice at the bottom to be worth it). It was really good. The vegetables were nice and crisp, the meat was tender, and the rice was fluffy. The rice on the bottom was crispy, which is my jam all the way. My only complaint is just a personal one: I like my egg runny as opposed to well done. Note to self: order it runny next time. 

The side dishes were great. One notable omission was the slightly sweet tofu side dish that I've seen at other Korean restaurants. What they had was great, though.

The tofu soup that came with the entree was excellent. Very hot, tofu done right. 

Occasionally I have another reviewer with me on the scene. Said reviewer wishes to maintain anonymity, at least for the time being. So without further ado!

Special 2nd Source Report:

My impression was slightly less favorable than Milton's. I ordered the Kimchi Fried Rice. It was too dry and the placement of the Kimchi in the middle of the rice was weird. There was a slight sweetness, which didn't go well with the rest of the dish.

The tofu Soup that came with the dish was great, much better than the entree itself.

End of Special 2nd Source Report.

In closing, the Bibimbap was good, the Tofu Soup was excellent, and the Kimchi fried rice left a little to be desired (so sayeth my special guest). I absolutely adore their location's proximity to so many hot spots. Their service is wonderful as well. 

I'll return to Myung Ga and try their Korean barbecue. I was disappointed to see that they don't have All-You-Can-Eat, which is huge in L.A. but seems to be rare in Utah from what my sources tell me.

Tulie bakery

Tulie Bakery

863 E 700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

TL;DR DISCLAIMER: I only got baked goods, just because I stumbled upon this after a meal.

- Price: Less than $10 

- Flavor: Sweet

- Filling?: Snack

- Parking: Good

Another place away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Parking is not really an issue as it's located in those suburban avenue areas. I have yet to try their savory menu options but I have really enjoyed their baked goods.

Their macarons were a little stale. I imagine they're much better when they're fresh. I have had some timing problems so perhaps my judgment is unfair. I will have to give them another chance when they're fresh out of the oven.

Their croissant aux amands is killer. It is enormous and tastes phenomenal. The crispy, flaky exterior harbors a soft, buttery interior. I could imagine this being enough for a meal, if my appetite weren't my master.

Their chocolate chip cookies are excellent. I have yet to try the others, but if they fall in the same vein then they will be a delight to behold.

Tulie is a cozy bakery with a powerful pastry punch. I will give their macarons a second chance for redemption. Their pastries and cookies have proven themselves worthy of a return visit.

Publik

Publik

975 West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

TL;DR

- Price: Less than $10 

- Flavor: Simple/Minimalist

- Filling?: Snack

- Parking: Reasonable 

I walked over the Publik from the street and was thus fooled by two decoy doors before I was able to go through the actual entrance to the coffee shop.

The building seems to house a visible brewing area. Very cool to witness.

The cafe is very industrial. There is a lot of open space in both the downstairs and upstairs areas. Anyone suffering from claustrophobia should find this place pretty comfortable.

I ordered the Cinnamon Toast and a Cold Brew (iced coffee, black, as per usual). 

I felt like I made a bad choice with the Cinnamon Toast. My expectation was a large Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but there was far less cinnamon and sugar than I hoped. Economically speaking, not good. Overall, it was okay. The toast is really thick, so it's fairly filling.

The coffee is pretty good. It's just strong enough without being excessive.

I might have to try a different menu item. The coffee is reasonable, though. The atmosphere is pretty chill: the electronic and instrumental music makes it pretty easy to focus on work.

Naked Fish

Naked Fish

67 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

TL;DR

- Price: $20+ 

- Flavor: Fresh, light

- Filling?: Depends

- Parking: Reasonable (Downtown SLC)

Before we begin, I'd like to bring up a little tip for parking.

Pro-tip: If you decide to park at City Creek rather than the street parking, make sure to hold on to your parking ticket. Make a stop at the Customer Service desk in front of Macy's (you might want to do this before you eat, depending on your timing). The nice people at the desk will give you an hour of parking validation. If you prepay your parking at a kiosk as well, you get another hour off. That's two hours of free parking thus far.

Update Winter 2015: This tip is now obsolete. City Creek has started providing two hours of free parking.

I am a big fan of their calamari. If you take the breading off, you'll find the squid intact, tentacles and all. If you are squeamish, forget I said that last sentence. It is a little spicy, so be mindful of that if spice isn't your thing.

I am a huge fan of sashimi (raw slices of various fish, served with wasabi). Naked Fish's sashimi is fantastic. Each piece is extremely fresh and tastes incredible. I have ordered the Chef's Choice sashimi plate twice and have never been disappointed. 

A special note I'd like to make with regards to the three little, translucent yellowish-whitish drops on the edge of the plate above: they are not just a garnish, they're actually drops of yuzu, a member of the citrus family. Use one drop per slice of amber jack fish (the fish closest to the yuzu). Though it seems like a small portion, the yuzu packs a punch and will make its presence felt with the fish.

I hope to try the Omakase next time, which is their multiple course Chef's Choice tasting. I have heard many good things and am looking forward to trying this new experience.







Naked Fish is one of my favorite sushi places in Salt Lake City. It can get very busy, so a reservation is recommended if you'll be dining with company. If alone, sitting at the bar can provide for some scintillating conversation as well.

The Bayou

The Bayou

645 State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

TL;DR

- Price: $15 - 25 

- Flavor: Bold, Cajun

- Filling?: Absolutely

- Parking: Rough

The Bayou is a bar with a incredible beer selection, and excellent food to match. Heads up, however, in the event of a busy weekend, parking is difficult to come by. Their main parking is in a small alleyway next to the bar (will have to back out to get back to the street), but there is parking on the street as well.

The place is usually quite bumpin' and noisy. Many people are conversing, enjoying a beer or two, and even dancing to the live music (every weekend, their website provides the schedule http://www.utahbayou.com/music]).

The food keeps me coming back again and again. I recently tried their Sweet Potato Fries in the 50/50 split. You get a lot of fries for $6.99. To be perfectly frank, I would only get these if you have a large party. They are fried perfectly and both versions taste very, very good. But, if you only have 1-3 people, I don't see that party finishing these, the entrees, and getting dessert as well. I'm looking out for your complete dining experience, haha.

Speaking of entrees, if you are feeling up for it, I would definitely pay extra to have their Gumbo instead of the side salad. Nothing against the salad, it is fresh and delicious, but the Gumbo is on another level. The sausage, the spices, even the rice is all dynamite.

Now we move on to my favorite: The Jambalaya. I added capitalization to "The" because it deserves the title. The rice is fluffy. The spices and sauce are all cooked perfectly into the rice and meat. The sausage is bold and flavorful

Pro-tip: Add the Shrimp. It costs $2.99 but it is worth it. They give you a lot of hefty Shrimps for the price. Every bite of The Jambalaya ends up being meaty with the Double Dragon combination of sausage and shrimp.

If you're feeling particularly frisky, you can get The Gumbolaya, which is their The Jambalaya with Gumbo on top. I would personally try The Jambalaya on its own first, but that is my own preference. I'm a purist, what can I say?

Come to The Bayou for an exciting atmosphere, wonderful food, and a vast-as-the-eye-can-see beer selection.

La Bonne Vie

La Bonne Vie

The Grand America Hotel

555 Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

TL;DR

- Price: So.... I tend to spend too much. Probably around $10 for a normal person looking for dessert, though.

- Flavor: Delicate, extravagant

- Filling?: Dessert, so hopefully it fills in the spaces you saved after dinner

- Parking: Excellent, just make sure you tell the attendants that you're going to the bakery

La Bonne Vie is located in the Grand America Hotel. Easiest way to get there is simply to park in the garage below the hotel, head to the Lobby, and follow signs (or ask the staff) for directions to the bakery. It's a very classy establishment overall, but don't feel too pressured to dress up. I've gone through to the bakery in a t-shirt and jeans and I have yet to be reprimanded/accosted. 

La Bonne Vie is definitely on my list for favorite macarons. They are incredibly consistent in availability and flavors. There is a $2 box fee if you want their fancy little box with the ribbon (nice little gift). The macarons themselves are fantastic. They do cost $2 a piece, though, so they may be the priciest macarons I've seen in SLC. Definitely worth the price, however.

Their pastries are incredible as well. They have that light sweetness, not too much sugar and not too little. They find the perfect balance on the tightrope. 

I was rather boring and decided to buy the jumbo macaron instead of venturing into new, uncharted (for me at least) pastry territory. It was delectable. Even the little bits of edible decoration atop the macaron were divine. The boxes in which they place the pastries are gorgeous. If you have a friend who is as obsessed with pastries as I am, getting one here in the beautiful pastel-colored boxes is a wonderful gift idea. 

 Their gelato looks incredible but I cannot comment on its quality as I have always been swayed away by their pastries. Maybe next time!

 La Bonne Vie is a beautiful bakery. I highly recommend stopping by for a quick dessert run after a nice date night.

P.S. They are one of the few bakeries open on Sunday (until 6 pm, from what I recall).

  

Spitz

Spitz

35 Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

TL;DR

- Price: $10 - 15 

- Flavor: Fresh, heavy on the vegetables

- Filling?: Absolutely

- Parking: Reasonable (downtown)

Spitz is one of my favorite late night restaurants in downtown SLC. The service is great, the staff is incredible, the environment is electric (in a relaxed way). Heads up, you order at the register, they give you a number to take to your table, and then they bring your food out to you. Free water (usually flavored with lemons, cucumbers, or even oranges) and all your utensils are found slightly to the left of the register.

Everything I've tried thus far is filled with lots of vegetables, which is good for the health-conscious. The sandwiches and wraps all come with "romaine, onion, cucumber, green pepper, tomato, tzatziki and chili sauce". I have yet to try the sandwich variant of any of their Doners, but the wraps are fantastic.

Pro-Tip: Be careful when you first bite into the wrap. In order to keep everything intact, there is a small lip area in which the paper is folded into the wrap. To keep yourself from eating more fiber than you need to, pull that bit of paper away.

Their Street Cart Fries are incredible. The fries are delectable and all the vegetables make it much less guilt-inducing than the typical serving of fries. You'll find "garlic aioli, feta, onion, green pepper, tomato, olives, pepperoncinis and chili sauce" on your order of fries and can add "The Works", which includes a choice of meat and additional "zesty feta" (how it differs from the existing feta, I have no idea, but I'll take their word for it). This is great to share with friends. 

My latest (and new favorite) order was their Doquitos. 1 for $4.50 or 2 for $7.50. I asked the cashier about which meats to choose and she advised "one chicken, one lamb/beef". Wonderful recommendation. The meat was tender, flavorful, and absolutely not dry at all. The vegetables were really fresh. Crispy is hard to beat. I usually don't order the same thing twice at a restaurant, but this will be on my very short list of exceptions.

A very distinctive and fun addition they've made to each table is the stack of cards found in small glasses. Each of them hold a card game or trivia of some sort. So while you're waiting for your food (or resting off a little food coma), you have the tools for a mini game night.

Spitz is a wonderful place to hang out with friends; chat; play a game or two; and enjoy great, Mediterranean Street Food.