In the past couple of decades, kung pao chicken and kung pao shrimp have become among Americans' favorite Chinese dishes, second probably only to fried rice and cream cheese-filled wontons. In this country, kung pao is often loaded up with veggies: carrots, celery, onions, zucchini and such. In Szechuan, China, however, it's traditionally a much more basic dish. And, that's … [Read more...]
Bitters Lab Teaching a Bitters Class
When we used to think of bitters for cocktails, we inevitably thought of Angostura or Peychaud’s, right? Well, cocktail bitters have come a long way in recent years and there are a bevy of artisan bitters producers out there. On Saturday, March 31st you can explore a large number of both classic and contemporary bitters at Under Current Bar. According to the folks at Under … [Read more...]
19 Crimes Red Wine
According to the folks at 19 Crimes wines, “Nineteen crimes turned criminals into colonists.” The were 19 crimes of which, upon conviction of any, British rogues were sentenced to live in Australia. This “punishment by transportation” began in 1788 and many of the “outlaws” died at sea during their voyage to the New World. Named for the Aussie outlaws who … [Read more...]
À la Maison with Monsieur Crêpes Finds Home in Sugar House
Those of us who love French-style crêpes have been following the Monsieur Crêpes food trailer for a couple of years now, enjoying both their savory and sweet crêpes, as well as sandwiches, salads and breakfast items. Well, I’m happy to share the news that Monsieur Crêpes now has a permanent, brick-and-mortar Sugar House location at 1617 S. 900 East in Salt Lake City, called À … [Read more...]
Cincinnati Chili: Make it in Your Kitchen
One of my favorite regional dishes is a comfort food popular in southern Ohio called Cincinnati chili. It’s somewhat misnamed since it’s not really chili as we normally think of it. Cincinnati Chili is really pasta with chili. A specialty of the greater Cincinnati area, Cincinnati chili is beef chili made with a mix of atypical spices (compared to Texas chili) such as … [Read more...]
9 Places to Dine Out on Easter Sunday
I’ve often wondered how bunny rabbits and colored boiled eggs came to be part of the Christian Easter tradition. Beats me. Seems like a stretch. Maybe the United Egg Producers or the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association were behind it. At any rate, nowadays we celebrate Easter with bunnies, eggs, Easter baskets and bonnets and, increasingly, the opportunity to get out of the … [Read more...]
Wine o’ the Week: Stags’ Leap 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
Established more than a century ago, in 1893, Stags’ Leap Winery is a steward of classic California winemaking - one blessed with unique terroir and an ideal microclimate. The latest example of Stags’ Leap superb winemaking is the 2014 vintage of Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($58.99). Composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Malbec (6%), Merlot (4%), Petite Sirah … [Read more...]
Top Three Utah Wine Dinners This March
Four-Course Wine Dinner at Tupelo Restaurant in Park City How could this combination possibly miss? On Thursday, March 22nd beginning at 6:30 PM, Tupelo restaurant in Park City teams up with Duckhorn Vineyards of Napa Valley for a four-course wine dinner featuring a carefully curated menu created by chef/owner Matt Harris and paired with six distinctive Duckhorn wines. One of … [Read more...]
Event Updates: Chocolate, Music and Fighting Hunger in Utah
Solitude Chocolate Lovers Festival Chocolate lovers rejoice! On Saturday, March 24th, Solitude Mountain Resort will be the scene of the resort’s 28th annual Solitude Chocolate Lovers Festival. The fest celebrates all things chocolate, with nine chocolate stations located both on and off the mountain. Attendees kick off the day at 9 AM by picking up their Chocolate Lovers … [Read more...]
New Sushi Kid on the Block: Hamachi Pecatarian Grill
“I was a bit of a knucklehead,” says Billy. He’s co-owner and sushi chef at Hamachi Pescatarian Grill & Sushi Bar, and he’s explaining how he came to live in Utah. In short, he was incorrigible, acting out, and his mother shipped him off from Chicago to the Beehive with the thought that he’d clean up his act here. He did. Mongolia to ‘Merica Billy is originally from … [Read more...]