Eating in Salt Lake City--Round One

I absolutely love going down to Salt Lake City.  It's about a 3 hour drive and it has amazing shopping, great sites, cool history, but most important, really delicious food.  Every time I go I always have so many food stops that I leave stuffed.  I always say I'm going to try something new, but I keep going back to the same places so I'll highlight my repeats in this post.  My goal is to find new yummy places in SLC soon.  I have a few trips down there planned soon and I'm going to try and get out of my comfort zone...try...ok here's my top eats in SLC:

#5  Star of India

Most people I've talked to like to go to Bombay House when they want Indian Food in SLC.  I won't bash it because it's still good Indian food.  I've also tried Copper Bowl and it was also good food.  My reason for going time and time again to Star of India is because the food is fantastic, but so are my experiences there.  Example 1:  I went there one night with a group of my friends and they had all the lights low and an Indian movie playing with subtitles in english.  While we ate my entire group got into this movie to the point that we were singing the song from the credits the entire rest of our trip...and probably weeks longer once we got home.  Example 2: I went there with a friend one night for dinner and there happened to be a totally behaved loud unruly kid at the table next to us.  Honestly it didn't bother us, but the waitress brought us an appetizer on the house which introduced me to something I never would have ordered, but turned out to be a favorite.  I recommend getting the peshwari naan and the chicken shahi korma with a Mango Lassi to drink.  Seriously I wish I could eat this right now.

Some of the Star of India Decor

#4  Whole Foods

Now this isn't just in SLC obviously, but I keep going back to it.  I usually find myself between breakfast and dinner and don't have time for a lunch/don't want to eat a huge lunch because I ate a big breakfast, too many snacks, and plan big dinners there.  Most people when they go to SLC go to City Creek Mall.  They go because it's fabulous.  It's a huge mall that is open air in the summer and closed in during the winter.  I seriously love the atmosphere there; however, sometimes people forget about the quirky other places to window shop.  One of those places is Trolly Square.  It's not quite downtown and it's really close to Whole Foods.  I love going to Whole Foods and grabbing one of their little pre-made salads or sandwiches, a sparkling blood orange Pellegrino, and of course all the samples they give you (it's tastier than Costco) and wandering around the shops at Trolley Square.  Some of my favorite shops there:  Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, The Spectacle, and Tabula Rasa Social Stationers.  These places are quite a treat and I would highly recommend going a little off the beaten path (yes I know Whole Foods and Potter Barn technically isn't off the beaten path).

#3  Oasis Cafe

This is my little hippie eatery.  It's not too far from downtown and completely a must-go-to place to eat at some point.  When you first get there you will see they are also connected to a little shop.  Go see it.  It's filled with essential oils, interesting books, and little nick nacks.  Now on to the food...I've only been there for dinner.  Specifically I have gone to Whole Foods to hold myself over to make sure I make it to dinner because they have different menus than lunch.  I'm going to start with dessert because why not...I'm an adult and I can if I want to.  It's a vegan chocolate cake drizzled with raspberry sauce and  little side of vegan ice cream.  Now if the vegan part is sending you packing know that you are not alone.  I was also a little concerned that I would be eating a lump of yuck, but trust me it is pretty dang good.  I would not get something gross more than once and I have gotten the chocolate cake more than once.  As for dinner they have vegan, vegetarian, and carnivore options.  In the summer or warm weather I like to eat out on their patio area and stick more vegetarian.  They have an impressive cheese, crackers, honey, and fruit platter that I like to pair with a hummus, tapenade, and grilled bread platter.  It's delightful.  In warm weather I also have gotten the rosemary lemonade.  Also quite a treat.

Summer Eating at the Oasis Cafe

 In the winter I like something a little warmer and a little more hearty.  I can say the king crab with asparagus risotto is really really good.  The filet medallions are also quite delicious. Overall it's a great find and for sure a repeat on my list.   

#2  Bruges

Bruges Waffles...half eaten

Oh Bruges how I miss you.  I will admit I don't go here every time I go to SLC.  I always want to go, but you really have to be in the mood for a great dessert.  They serve waffles, frites (fries), and sandwiches.  I've only had their waffles.  I'll only be able to comment on their waffles, but their "Machine Gun Sandwich" was featured on Man vs Food so I would guess it has quite a good reputation.  Anyway back to waffles.  The waffle I get is hot, stuffed with chocolate bars, covered in raspberries and creme fresh, and really amazing.  The only reason this is not number one on my list is because it is sweet sweet sweet.  I love sweet, but you really have to be in the mood for it, and it's quite a bit to eat...for me anyway...but try it out, you won't regret it.

#1 Les Madeleine's

Kouing Aman

Last, but not least is the little French pastry cafe.  I love going here.  It's so cute and of course the pastries are amazing.  My favorite is the Kouing Aman which was 2012's pastry of the year.  It's a little sweet, a little buttery, a little crunchy, and a whole lot of yum.  I've also tried some of their other treats and I wasn't let down.  The Kouing Aman is just a favorite.  I can't help but feel I'm in a parisian cafe when I'm eating their pastry and drinking my fruity sparkling french soda.  It's a lovely experience.  One that I experience on almost every trip to SLC.  Don't miss it.