Aristo's Greek Restaurant

My husband and I dropped off our kid at Little Gym last Friday night so we could have a date night. We decided on Aristo's for dinner. My husband had been there several times for lunch and wanted to try their dinner.

The Food

Hummus - I am not always a fan of hummus, but Aristo's was really good. Right texture and the presentation was great. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share as 1) we were 1/4 way through the hummus when I thought of it and 2) the owner and his family was sitting right next to us.

Chicken a la Aristo - I ordered this when I saw that it included spinach and feta. I'm a big fan of both. The chicken was roasted to perfection. The skin was light and crispy, while the meat was moist and flavorful. The meat was so tender that at one point I had my knife flipped the wrong way and it still sliced right through like it was butter. The chicken was stuffed with a spinach and feta concoction that was smooth, yet slightly gritty; nice combination of textures. The chicken lay on a bed of rice smothered with the same spinach/feta concoction in sauce form.

Lamb Shank (Day's Special) - My husband ordered this one. He's a big fan of lamb. The lamb lay on a bed of Orzo. The meat was so tender it barely hung to the bone, falling off with minimal prodding. The lamb and orzo were coated in a red sauce that my husband liked, but I thought was little plain. It had good texture, but that little kick was missing, it left me wanting.

Baklava - My husband ordered this and liked it so much, he would not share. So I can't tell you how it was.

Egg Custard - It was between this and the rice pudding. The egg custard was really creamy and subtly sweet, but nothing special. The flaky crust was good, but, again, nothing special. Should have gotten the rice pudding. The kid at the next table seemed to really enjoy it.

Latte - I don't know why I order espresso drinks at restaurants, especially lattes. It was okay. The foam was stiff and I forgotten to request no foam.

The Atmosphere

As soon as I walked in, I suspected whether the food or the service was going to be good. Clean lines and dark, rich colors. The kind of place that does not welcome children. But as we walked to the table, I noticed a couple of tables with kids as young as 18 months. The tables were covered with a sheet of paper, perfect for coloring on. Ok. May be this place was not going to be snooty like Trio Cafe.

The wait staff was very friendly. Although our waitress was a little nervous, probably because the owner, Aristo, was sitting at the table right next to us.

Bottom Line

Would totally go back to this place and bring our kid. The food is based on greek classics with a 5-star twist. If you are ever in town and have a chance, definitely check this place out.

Posted at 11:51AM Mar 24, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

America's Best Dance Crew Makes Me Want to Bust a Move

My new favorite show is America's Best Dance Crew on MTV. I discovered it while channel surfing during one of my trips. The dancing is so amazing and the moves so intricate, I can't help but be awed.

I am rooting for Kaba Modern, although I think the Jabbawockeez are better; mainly because Kaba Modern reminds me of the folks I went to college with and there are girls in Kaba Modern.

Posted at 09:08AM Mar 12, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Porcupine Grille - Dinner Version

We were at the Porcupine Grille again. This time for Dinner.

The Food

Chicken Nachos - Best thing on the menu (next to beer). A half order is enough for a full meal. The cheese and jalapenos are in two layers. Keeps the chips from getting too soggy, but ensures that every bite includes cheesy goodness.

Cottonwood Burger - Can't get them (or any restaurant in Salt Lake City aside from Citrus Grill) to make the burger medium rare, so a little over cooked. Cheese was not even melted, like it was an after thought. Bonus @ThinGuy points for including bacon, but probably won't have this again.

The Atmosphere

We really like this place. Especially as we eat at old-folk o'clock and there are always kids my daughter's age for her to socialize with. She and a little girl turned the adjacent open space as a disco and allowed my husband and I and the little girl's parents to have a peaceful meal.

Bottom Line

Love this place. Especially as they have all the local brews on tap.

Posted at 12:15PM Feb 28, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[2]

Myung Ka - Korean BBQ and Tofu House

This little Korean place at 3500S and Redwood Rd has got to be our favorite restaurant in all of Salt Lake Valley.

The Food

I don't know what you call these. My kid loves the seaweed. She didn't leave even one piece for us. The potatoes and bean sprouts are my favorite.

Kalbi - It's really good here, but not the star.

Dokboki - My best friend in High School is Korean and she would always have her mom make extra for me because I loved it so much. This version is different from any I have tried. Typically, you only get the thick rice noodles. Myung Ka's version has cabbage, carrots, onions and ramen. My two favorite Korean foods in one pot: Kimchee Ramen and Dokboki. This is the dish that will draw us back time and time again.

Tofu and Dumplings - You can get this dish with clear, mild, medium or hot broth. We got clear as my kid doesn't always eat spicy. The bowl of tofu and dumplings arrives boiling. You stir in the raw egg provided to create an egg drop soup effect. The tofu is really soft and the dumplings are excellent. My kid loves this dish.

Rice - Never seen this before, but the rice comes in these individual pots. It reminds me of the clay pot rice that Chinese folks make. Really good. Don't get the peas, but not a detractor.

The Atmosphere

Myung-Ka is a tiny place and, I think, family-owned and run. There is not a lot of staff and it is popular, so be patient. Bring toys for your 3 year old.

The clientele is mainly Korean (that's how you know it's good) and there were a lot of families with happa kids. My kid loved seeing all the little kids who looked like her.

Bottom Line

Great food, not as pricey as other Korean places in Salt Lake. Long wait for food and no alcohol, not even beer.

Posted at 10:15AM Feb 27, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[3]

Pinkalicious

My current, new, absolute favorite kids' book is Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann.

It's about this little girl who loves pink. She eats too many pink cupcakes one day and turns pink. She then eats one too many and turns red. You'll have to read it to find out how it ends.

My kid actually sat through me reading it 3 times. And she can't hold still for anything. She's in bed right now. When I put her to bed, she wanted me to leave the light on so she could "read" Pinkalicious again. So, I guess it's her favorite, too.

Posted at 09:40PM Feb 13, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[2]

Porcupine Pub and Grille

On Sunday, we tried brunch at the Porcupine Pub and Grille at the foot of the Cottonwood Canyons.

The Food

Huevos Rancheros - My husband always tries this dish at any new breakfast place we go. It's his barometer on whether the food is good. Like when we always try the Pad Thai at new Thai restaurants. He liked this version. The black beans were a little blah, but everything was topped with this really good medium spicy Chile Verde.

Pancake Combo - The pancakes needed to be a little crispier, cooked on a hotter grill. I asked for really soft, scrambled eggs. There's not a lot of places that get this right. This place was no exception. The combo doesn't come with hash browns, unusual. So I had to order a side. Likely will not try this dish next time.

Hashbrowns - Need to be crispier. My kid was not enthralled and she usually inhales hash browns.

The Atmosphere

It is noisy. The wood floors and panels walls do nothing to absorb any noise. Between that and the Black Sabbath they had playing, don't go there if you have a headache. But the combination does make you feel a few more years removed from middle age.

The servers all seem to be ski bums. The kind of folks who work the lifts during ski season. The clientele is young and trendy, either on their way up to or back down from the slopes.

Bottom Line

Breakfast was a little disappointing. We have been there for dinner and have always been impressed. The beer is always good, especially whatever is on special. I thought 10:30am was too early for beer, but regretted my decision when the next table ordered a pitcher half way through our meal.

Posted at 11:08AM Jan 14, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[1]

Cedars of Lebanon

My husband, kid and I tried out a new restaurant on Saturday night. Cedars or Lebanon in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Food

Appetizer - Falafel - The flavor was pretty good, but a little dry.

Soup - Lentil - A nice hearty soup with a little spice. But too salty.

Main Course 1 - Moussaka - Best of amongst all the food we ate. The eggplant and peppers were cooked just right, mlting in your mouth. My kid even had some.

Main Course 2 - Lamb Shank - Meat was cooked just right, falling off the bone. But way too salty.

Drink 1 - Mint tea - Not that impressive or unique. Tasted like any other mint tea.

Drink 2 - Turkish coffee - I had it out of order, at the beginning of the meal. Loved it. It was nutty and mild.

The Atmosphere

There were hookas and rugs everywhere. Instead of artwork for sale like in some cafes, the rugs on the walls were for sale. I think it is some arrangement with the rug store that is adjacent to the restaurant.

The service was great. Really friendly and helpful. Although when we asked the waitress for advice on what to eat, she basically read the menu to us.

My husband lured me and my daughter there with promises of belly dancing. There were no belly dancers at 6:30pm on a Friday. Don't know that there ever is. But our kid started busting a move toward the end of dinner. That was pretty entertaining.

Bottom Line

The food was good enough that we would try it again. Although, we will likely ask for a low-salt version for everything.

Posted at 10:53AM Jan 14, 2008 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

What Got You Here Won't Get You There

I just finished a new book. What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith. He lists 20 annoying habits that can and will annoy your superiors, peers and reports enough to prevent you from getting ahead.

I found 8 that apply to me. I guess I should be glad I don't exhibit all 20.

One thing he recommended to help us be accountable for changes we want to make is to have a reliable person you can call every night who will ask you a list of predetermined questions. You answer the questions, they do not comment or judge. It is supposed to be more effective to answer a live person than to write the answers in a journal.

It is really difficult for me to think of someone who will not judge my questions, much less my answers. I guess that is why therapists and coaches charge for their services.

Posted at 01:00AM Dec 16, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care

I just finished this book, The Cure: How Capitalism Can Save American Health Care. It's pretty interesting and thought provoking. It basically says that government health care like in Canada and much of Europe is not sustainable. Just like how the American Healthcare system is not sustainable. The main reason being that the patients, you and me, do not see the full cost of doctor visits, procedures and tests, except for a token copay if that. So we are prone to fill the prescription we don't really need or get tests that are not really warranted. In order for companies or governments to keep costs down, they limit access to doctors (long waitlists to see specialists in Canada) or prescriptions (formularies).

The author, Gratzer, believes that the HSA accounts are the way to go. Kind of like giving a kid an allowance and only paying for the big ticket items once the allowance is spent. It makes people ask questions rather than blindly following a doctor's advice. Because folks will be spending their own money, they will require better care and more information, weeding out the clinics, meds and tests that are ineffective.

It's worth reading. I found myself nodding in agreement throughout the book. The only concern I have is instances where folks can't get individual insurance because of some pre-existing condition, whether it is actual or there is just a small risk.

Posted at 12:06PM Jul 09, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Addiction in Review

I finally have time to do a review on my new espresso machine. 2 thumbs up!

I got my machine about 3 weeks ago and have been putting it through its paces. I average about 2 lattes a day now. I am trying to cut my afternoon one as I do not want to be dependent on caffiene to be functional.

I do not have an espresso cup, so I am using one of the many shot glasses we have but have not used since we were urban and childless.

The Solis Crema SL90 is so easy to use, my husband jokes that I can be the neighborhood barista. I pop in a pod, heat up the machine, heat up the steamer, froth my milk (which I am pretty good at now), make my espresso, dump both into a big cup and BAM I have a latte that blows 4 buck Bucks out of the water.

Now as for the coffee pods. My favorite is Lucaffe and Illy. Now, I don't know if I was predisposed to Illy because I already knew them, but regardless, I enjoy them. I had intended to take copius notes, but I don't know enough to discern why I like what I do, or don't. So I gave up. I just toss the wrappers of the ones I don't like. Besides, when you dump a bunch of milk in with the espresso, they all taste the same.

Posted at 01:45PM Jun 22, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Made to Stick

I just finished this new book, "Made to Stick: Why some ideas survive and others die". It's the goal of all communicators to get the audience to absorb and subscribe to what they are selling.

I am not a communicator by profession, but I find that I spend a lot of my time trying to convince people to do something: use my program, accept an action. This book gave evidence that it's not how great the idea is, it's how you comunicate. There are oodles of great ideas out there that never took off until the someone figured out the right message.

They came up with this great acronym S.U.C.C.E.S. to help us remember the keys to great communication.
S - Simple - Get to the core of the idea. The one thing that is most important.
U - Unexpected - You capture people's attention through surprise. You keep it by making the surprise relevant to the idea.
C - Concrete - It's easier to remember concrete ideas than abstract ones.
C - Credible - Make your idea believable by referencing outside experts or providing enough details to support your idea.
E - Emotional - Focus on what matters to people. And it's more than just food and lodging.
S - Stories - Use stories. That's why Aesop's Fables works and your mom telling you so, doesn't.

I highly recommend this book. Although I outline the key elements here, the examples and stories in the book really give the concepts life. It's like they employed their own concepts or something.

Posted at 09:39AM Jun 01, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Buzzzzz

I have been searching for an espresso machine the last couple of weeks and have received a huge education. Apparently, the reason the espresso from my Mr. Coffee was crappy was because the machine was crappy. After much research and many days of craving (I cut myself off from the $4 lattes from Starbucks and Java Joe's), I ordered the Solis Crema SL90.

The machine was on back order. I doubted that I would get it before I left for a business trip next Monday. But I got an email from the OurCoffeeBarn.com. FedEx tracking number 070093710151567. It is currently on a truck for delivery. Maybe the truck I hear outside right now.

I ordered a super sampler pack of espresso pods from PodMerchant.com which came a week ago. They have been sitting on the kitchen counter, mocking me. HA! Today they get their come-uppance. I know, I know. The true espresso afficianados scoff at espresso pods. But I am lazy and not that bright. I can't figure out the whole tamping, measuring thing. Perhaps once I get a taste of what could be, I may study the art of espresso more closely.

Posted at 11:59AM May 30, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Beloved Children's Story through my 2 Year Old's Eyes

My daughter has been requesting "Tiki Tiki Tembo" for her bedtime story every night for the past couple of weeks. It's a story about these two Chinese brothers. The older had this great, long, distinguished name. The younger, Chang. When Chang falls into a well, Chang gets saved right away. When Tiki tiki tembo no sa rembo chari bari ruchi pip peri pembo falls into the well, he stays there much longer because of his name. My daughter follows along and repeats Tiki tiki tembo's name.

Last night, she asked my husband why the characters were all sleeping. Huh? Sleeping? Apparently, she thought they were sleeping because their eyes were represented with lines. My husband told her that it was because it was sunny. Good save, Daddy.

How do you explain to a two year old the stereotype that East Asians always look like they are squinting or that their eyes are slanted? I have loved this story since I was a kid. I wonder what other surprises await me in other stories.

Posted at 02:59PM May 20, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[1]

Sons of Fortune

I just finished this book that my husband's friend left, Sons of Fortune by Jeffrey Archer. It was slow in the beginning, began picking up in the middle and the end was just a holy mess of adrenaline and "what the hell?" I stayed up way too late trying to finish it and was disappointed.

The book drew me in about half way through and I couldn't put it down. One hand cooking, the other holding the book. It was difficult keeping the two protagonist straight as their stories were similar. I gave up after a while and just went for the ride. I was disappointed in the end chapters. There was too much stuff going on. I felt like the author was just trying to be clever and failed. Especially the last 3 pages where he wouldn't tell you what happened, you had to go and calculate it yourself. Encyclopedia Brown is better at the a ha moments.

All in all, if someone left the book on a seat and you have time to kill on a lay over, it's a good book. But it's not worth reading more than once.

Posted at 09:42AM Mar 05, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  | 

Scrubs, The Musical

My husband and I just finished watching this week's Tivo'd episode of Scrubs. I love it. The episode was about this woman who heard everything in song. Whenever any of the doctors were within ear shot of this patient, they were singing their lines. It became Scrubs, The Musical. Who knew these docs could sing? I was pleasantly surprise with Cox's performance.

I told my husband not to delete the episode, because I want to watch it again and again and again.

Posted at 10:16PM Jan 19, 2007 by nonstick in Book Report  |  Comments[2]