thanks

Thanks to the lovely stephmodo and Your Heart Out, I had a little feature today. My favorite part was coming up with what my favorites are. I'm clearly a sucker for all things red & robin egg blue. I've decided that red is definitely my power color and the blue softens me up just a bit.

a few favorites

Cookbooks: no one does them better than miss Ina herself (Barefoot Contessa)
Chop: my cuisinart mini-prep is perfect for everything from pico de gallo to chopped cranberries
Flavor: fresh herbs, butter, and kosher salt are staples around here
Cook: le creuset makes long lasting sturdy cookware that is also pretty to look at
Measure: I love my magnetic stackable measuring cups that stay together nicely
Tools: due to lack of space, my cooking tools sit nicely in a ceramic pitcher turned tool holder
Hands: tongs are hands down my favorite tool in my kitchen...literally acting as an extra set of hands

ice ice baby

There is nothing like going back to your home town and discovering a new local favorite when it comes to food. My family has been telling me about this Italian Water Ice shack called Zeppes. Expectations were met, and plans to return were made.

thank you

I knew Pizzeria 712 would be good when I sat down and read an Alice Waters quote on the wall.
Best restaurant in Provo/Orem area...hands down.

local favorites

To wrap up my take on the cupcake, I thought I'd share a few of my local favorites. The cupcake trend seems to be finding its way even to the Salt Lake Valley.

Curious Cupcake

Sugar Rush

So Cupcake

Mrs. Backer's Bakery

SLC Dining Awards

I recently picked up this gem of a magazine to find the 2008 Dining Awards. I was thrilled to see that Cucina Toscana won this years best restaurant award...this restaurant just happens to be one of my favorites. I've also ventured to Tin Angel and Setebello because of the magazine. Tin Angel offers a dining experience unlike any other in the Salt Lake Valley...organic menu, vintage dishes and flatware, and a bread pudding of the day that had me speechless (mmmmm).

Settebello shines in its authentic pizzas, complete with ingredients imported straight from Italy. I could particularly taste a difference in their crust. So delicious!

The next restaurant on my places to dine is Emms. It's a quaint little place near the capital. Happy Dining!

Curious Cupcake

I couldn't help but share a recent foodie find in Utah. I have yet to partake of these fabulous creations, but it is at the top of my TO DO list once I return to Utah. Gourmet cupcakes seem to be very trendy these days. The hottest cupcake finds here in LA include Sprinkles and Yummy Yummy Cupcakes. I have ventured to these hotspots on more than one occasion to brighten a gloomy day and I look forward to making Curious Cupcake a place for serenity in the beehive state.