Utah Dining - Take 2

Allison and I started this challenge back in January of trying new places to eat around where we live. We don't always get the chance to do it together... but here is the next bunch of places I have tried since the last post.


Cafe 300 - Provo

Allison and I went here after a hike one evening. It's on University Ave so I have passed it several times and wondered about it. The service was friendly and the food was great. We both decided we would want to go back and try other stuff. Especially if you went with a group and wanted to hang out for a while.

Emanuel's - Provo

I went solo here. It was kind of random decision after I had been running errands. My neighbor swears by this place... but I had my doubts just because I have seen so many food places go in and out of this location on 900 E. I got the California Burrito and I like it. Was it anymore special than any of the other Mexican fast places? Not really. I'm not in a rush to go back, but if people wanted to go, I wouldn't mind one bit. The food was good.

El Azteca - Provo

We went for work. I'm not sure why I have never eaten here before because I think it has been around for a little while. It's at "The Corner" in Provo (University Ave & Bulldog) and it's just your regular American Mexican food. I loved what I got. I feel the same way about it as Emanuel's. I would go back. The food was good.... am I in a rush... no. However, they had a mini salsa bar. That is a major bonus!

Pop'n Sweets - Provo

This is also at "The Corner" right next door to El Azteca. We went here after eating there for work. My boss, before taking us to lunch said he had a surprise and was taking us to Willy Wonka's factory. He took us here. I guess it's kind of close. You have order drinks and shakes there and such... but their specialty is having candy and soda's from all over the world.

The Wild Zucchini Grill - American Fork

I had never heard of this place... probably because I typically don't eat out in AF, but I had a girls night with some girls around that area and they chose this place. I totally loved it. It's like Cafe Rio style where you special make your order telling them what you want and they put it together for you on the spot, except that it's Italian food instead of Mexican. I got a salad and I seriously LOVED it. I'm wanting to go back here soon!

Tadka - Payson

Ellis and I went here after going to the Festival of Colors. At the Hare Krishna Temple they were advertising it, so we thought we would go check it out. The food was awesome, but I didn't think it was anymore awesome than the Indian places we have closer to us... so I can't say I would go out of my way to drive down to Payson just to get their Indian food.

Tarahumara - Midway

I have actually eaten here several times (surprisingly since it is in Midway) a couple of those times was with work. First time I ate here was with my friend Desiree after we got scuba certified. We had Shark Taco's to celebrate and they were awesome. Everything I have had from here has been good, but the best part about this place is for sure their salsa bar. You could go and just have chips and lots of different types of salsa and be happy.

Foundry Grill - Sundance

This is another place we went for work. It was pricey was SOOOO good and I didn't have to pay for it, so I didn't care. Everything I ate (3 course meal) was so great. My main dish was their Steelhead Trout. Oh. My.Gosh. I fell in love. The flavors they put with it were amazing. I loved every bite of it. Their chocolate croissant bread pudding was pretty amazing as well. I wouldn't mind going back here sometime. Maybe for a romantic date? It is at a pretty location.

Joe's - Provo

Last but certainly not least, we have Joe's. It's on freedom and Allison and I had passed it one time and knew we had to eat there, so we did... yesterday! We will FOR SURE be going back. Not only was all of our food so good, but it is probably the best customer service I have ever received. He (Joe's brother) wasn't just friendly.... he told us to make ourselves at home. He told us we could draw on the wall if we wanted. When we said we wanted to get S'more shakes at Dairy Queen later he said no need... he would make them for us there. It wasn't on the menu, but he left to go to the store to get the stuff he needed to make them for us while we were waiting for our food to be made. No joke... we saw him leave and then shortly after come back with a bag of stuff and then soon after brought our shakes out. It was awesome. They also have music and entertainment there on some nights... but we didn't stay for that. We had a great time and loved our food. We want to go back to Joe's and try more stuff. It was a good decision to go eat there.

I love trying new places to eat. It's an adventure. I love food!

Flashback Friday 170

2002.. when a few friends and I went to Hollywood to see The Nightmare Before Christmas in the Disney Theater .... and just to talk around Hollywood.

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 223

This week has been super slow at work. A lot of people have been gone... I have been watching a lot of Netflix. In fact... I finished Chuck, and now I'm watching other shows I have already watched that have new seasons posted on Netflix. Exciting... I know.

I have been trying to get back into exercise. I always enjoy Pilates.... I hate running on the treadmill, but I do it anyway. And I gave Insanity another go. I will keep at it.... maybe not everyday, but I will keep going with it. It's pretty crazy, but hopefully it gets easier. ha ha.

I'm starting to try and plan more healthy meals I can bring to work and such. This one I found on Pinterest is a new favorite. Wheat tortilla, provolone cheese, peppered turkey, spinach and avocado. YUM!!! Any more healthy lunch ideas to pack to work are welcome.

Project Patio is coming along. Just waiting for cushions for my bench. I'm excited for how it is coming together. I love it. When it's done, I'm going to have a patio party. So excited.

Yesterday I was excited to hang out with my good friend Geedge that I grew up with. It had been almost a year since I saw her last. Crazy how time flies... didn't seem that long ago that we saw each other. Maybe because we talked about going on a double date... just never happened. We spent a little time at the pool, and caught up on life and then I went with her and her friends from her ward to see Maleficent. I wasn't jumping to go see that movie, but thought why not since I had an invitation. I think it was an interesting spin on the Sleeping Beauty story. Kind of reminds me of Wicked... maybe that is where the idea came from. I have no idea. It was fun to see.

This last weekend I went to Mr Karaoke's house warming party. Finally getting myself to go to things by myself again. I'm glad I did... I ended up meeting this guy who is also well traveled. We spent an hour talking about our travels... it was fun. When I left he ended up getting my info and we ended up hanging out later that night. I guess I should be going to things by myself more often... I think it is easier for guys to talk to you when you are by yourself. It is usually just hard to motivate myself to go to things when I don't have someone wanting to go with me. I'm working on it.

Besides that... not a whole lot going on. Except for that I had another Skype interview for the Mormon Bachelorette. I guess the co-producer liked me so much she had me talk to the Producer... which is my friend Erin. She didn't know that we knew each other though. So I had a fun chat with Erin. I will be going to Casting Call on Saturday and see what happens I guess. I'm supposed to have a 2 min video of myself... showing why I should be the next Mormon Bachelorette. I asked my friend RJ if he would help... since that is what he does... video. Tuesday we went to Utah Lake at sunset and did some filming for my video. I can't tell you how stupid I felt ... trying to sell myself. I just told RJ to make me look hot and fun. I couldn't think of anything to say about myself. So... there won't be much, but I'm sure the video will be awesome because RJ is doing it. If I were doing it, it would be lame. He coached me all the way. Bonus of it all... we were at Utah Lake at sunset and it was beautiful. I love summer.

Photo of the Week 221

This is from my favorite city in Peru... Cusco. The cathedrals there were amazing!

Alpaca or Llama?

In Peru you see many Llama's and Alpaca's. I bought things made of Alpaca fur. John and I ate Alpaca. People would call them both Alpaca's and both Llama's. I don't think many people know the difference. I know I didn't.  Well.... here is the difference.

I still have a hard time telling the difference when I see one. All I know is that I wanted to hug one while I was in Peru.... and I did.

 An entire field of them!

Peruvian Food

One of the MANY things that I love about traveling is eating the food! I love ethnic foods. Well Peru did not disappoint. I loved it. I love sea food. I didn't take a picture of any of our meals that came with fries... but a lot of the meals come with fries. These were some of our favorites though. The last two were my favorites on the entire trip. YUM!!

Now I am going to have to find the Peruvian place here and see how the food compares.

Hangin with Allyson

"They see us rollin... they hatin...."

My dear friend Allyson was in town from Texas this weekend. I know I just saw her on my way home from Peru... but I always miss her. She was such an awesome roommate and even a better friend and we have always enjoyed hang in out. I'm planning a trip in the fall to go visit her. I'm excited about it.

So this weekend I got to hang out with her a bit. We went and got some ice cream. We chilled at my house, we cruised around P-Town and we went and visited the lovely Rock Canyon.

Love this girl.