By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

From the masterminds that brought us Pizzeria 712 comes Provo’s newest fine-dining experience: Communal. Featuring simple food served in a rustic-modern style, Communal reminds you of eating a comforting meal at your grandma’s house … if your grandma is a classically-trained chef with an uncanny eye for elegant, modern decor.

Our meal began with a sampler of cured meat from Caputos accompanied with house-made olive and walnut bread, eggplant “caviar” (our favorite), onion caramelized in reduced balsamic vinegar and pickled onions. Everything tasted lovely on its own, but we had fun combining the different flavors on the plate.

We know we need to eat more vegetables, and the Jacob’s Cove heirloom tomato salad brought us one joyous step closer to our five-a-day. Almost brazen in its simplicity, the salad is made of tomatoes, cucumbers and very thinly sliced onion dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper, and just a  splash of red wine vinegar that makes these tomatoes shine.

For the main event, try the pot roast: delivered to your table in an adorable little cast iron pot, still sizzling from the oven and covered in a rich sauce that’s full of intense beef flavor. Another stellar option is the sous-vide chicken, which, once you’ve had it, may ruin you for every other chicken preparation. It’s slow poached in a vacuum bag to trap the flavor and maximize tenderness, (sounds wrong but tastes so right) and finished in a skillet for added crisp.

Sides come a la carte and we recommend the potato leek gratin. Cracking through the shell of parmesan cheese to a creamy dish of perfect potatoes is an experience that alone would have made the trip for us.  These are the potatoes you wish your grandma made. And trust us, for dessert you want the butterscotch pot de creme—easily one of the best custards we’ve ever had. The texture is velvety and the flavor buttery and beyond indulgent.

Next time you’re feeling the need for a fine dining excursion—and maybe a little homesick for your imaginary grandma’s Sunday dinner—head to Communal for a chic dose of comfort.

{Live Communal}

Communal
100 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
(801) 373-8000
Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 5 – 10 p.m. and lunch Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
www.communalrestaurant.blogspot.com

We like to get more for less. Especially if designer furnishings are part of the pretty picture. Right now at Alice Lane, you can expect to pick up a chic rug or poppy pillow and save some sweet moolah. Thanks to a nice sale that’s on as we speak, you can score accessories, lamps, rugs—and most importantly, really good-looking furniture—at a whopping 30 – 50% off.

Have you seen the kind of stuff these guys carry? If not, you need to click here or here and prepare to have your socks knocked off. And Alice Lane is YHO’s newest sponsor, so please treat them just like you would like to be treated, and start shopping.

{Sale!}

Alice Lane Home Collection
1350 S. State Street
Orem, Utah
(801) 802-6266
www.alicelanehome.com

By Lindy Johnson

The lovely folks who brought you Dew have just opened Rooster Dumpling + Noodle Bar, the latest unique eatery in Provo’s increasingly hip downtown. Its menu is creative, well-edited and reflects seasonal, locally-grown produce. Given its affordability (dishes run $7 – $12), it might not surprise you to learn that the menu is inspired by Asian street food. What will surprise you is the sophistication of offerings, which are matched by the modern, upscale decor: Owners/chefs Andy and Simy Gartz have taken humble dumplings and noodles and refined them into innovative dishes with fresh, vivid flavors that even the most discerning foodie will rave about.

Ready for the best dumplings you’ve ever had? Good. You’ve got options. Between the four dumpling varieties (pork, shrimp, beef or vegetarian; $9 per dozen), four dipping sauces and four accompanying sides (e.g. spicy kimchee, shredded beet and apple, marinated cucumbers and Asian slaw), there are a lot of flavor combinations.

The noodle and rice dishes ($11 – $12) also provide a wide range of flavors and textures. Rooster’s Lime-Sesame Vermicelli—served with mint, Thai basil, sauteed red peppers and fennel—is light and refreshing. The Chicken Curry Noodle Soup, on the other hand, is rich and complex; the chicken is grilled with lemongrass and balanced by pickled greens and a fantastic coconut curry broth with a hint of chili oil for just the right amount of heat. You can cool your palette with any number of refreshing Boba drinks. (Smooth peach and slushy kumquat are my favorites.)

Asian-inspired restaurants can rarely boast about their desserts, but Rooster DNB is an exception. The Molten Lava Cake with hazelnut whipped cream is a dream come true, and the Chinese donuts, filled with red bean paste and coated with sessame seeds, are served with homemade vanilla ice cream and are alone worth the trip.

Rooster definitely has something to be cocky about.

{Shake a Tail Feather}

Rooster DNB
163 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
(801) 333-8888
www.roosterdnb.com

Writing and photography by Courtney Buell

Sampled: Basil-crusted halibut, banana strudel and a little something called a “Pomegron.”

Where: Spark Restaurant Lounge (86 N. University Avenue, Provo)

High & High: Pretty much everyone in Utah County that isn’t living under a rock has heard of Spark Restaurant Lounge. What they might have missed are the drool-worthy menu additions made just in time for summer. Our favorite new mocktail is the “Pomegron:” a mix of pomegranate juice, lime, tarragon and soda—a sweet and refreshing drink with a tart kick. Basil-crusted halibut comes with fresh tomatoes, peas and the most amazing parmesan gnocchi you’ve ever had. Promise. Finish off with the banana strudel: a hunk of ripe banana with chocolate, all rolled in phyllo dough and served with mango ice cream. If you weren’t already tempted to hit this place up, we could also tell you about the filet mignon, kiwi martinis and creamy vanilla panna cotta. But we don’t need to, do we?

{The dealio} For an even sweeter experience, check out this deal: Order two entrees between June 8 and June 11, and give your server this voucher and you’ll be rewarded with a $25 gift certificate to use on a return visit. Hurry up, up, up! The offer is only good through Thursday. Reservations recommended at (801) 701-6780.

{Mini Doorprize} Have a hankering to eat out? If the above gift card offer wasn’t enough, you can leave just one comment on this post before midnight tonight (June 8) and you could win a $25 gift card from Spark, on the house!

Photography by Allison Cox

You married your home for its architectural elements. The lofty exposed beams, copper trim, extensive exterior stonework and old-timey masonry impossibly turned your ordinary Utah address into an exotic European villa—it was love at first sight, no doubt.

And with all those Old World elements comes a equally traditional interior, right? That’s where you’d be mistaken, dear decorators-in-the-making. At a new home in Stone Crossing in Provo, Principal Designer Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane shows how to punch up a classically rustic atmosphere with the help of poppy textiles, shiny finishes, colorful ceramics and an animal print or two.

At home number 14 at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes (located at 4283 N. Stone Crossing), you can see how to embellish with a Thomas Paul rug or Oly bedframe and still be true to your home’s traditional bones. Jessica juxtaposes old (think reclaimed ladders, magnifying glasses and camera reels) and new-but-timeless trends to create an interior that’s eclectic and interesting. The kind of place you want to call home, European villa or no.

{Alice’s House}

Alice Lane at the Utah Valley Parade of Homes
House No. 14, 4283 N. Stone Crossing, Provo
Now through June 13, noon – 9 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
www.utahparade.com
www.alicelanehome.com

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

Blue Lemon Cafe isn’t the first restaurant built around the idea that fresh, wholesome food can come at affordable prices, but it’s definitely one of the coolest. Add up the sleek minimalist decor, freshness of ingredients (literally no freezer in the kitchen), and an innovative variety of both vegetarian and meat-centric dishes, and you’ve got a one-stop shop for all your health-conscious culinary curiosities.

The veggie lasagna is packed with grilled onions, mushrooms and artichokes and topped with alfredo. The “fiery fish tacos fajita-style” are grilled up with salmon, shrimp, peppers and onions with a side of cabbage slaw, plus a sweet ‘n spicy honey chipotle sauce for dipping—though the quality of the tasty meat rendered it hardly necessary.

Entrees can be upgraded with yummy sides like crispy sweet potato fries with southwest fry sauce, hummus with pita wedges or couscous salad. Your standard soda steps aside for natural options from Blue Sky Sodas (try the cherry vanilla). Even if you’re eating healthy, there’s always room for dessert. Don’t miss out on the beautiful pastries placed strategically near the register.

Next door at Blue Lemon Bistro, there’s an entire menu of hot and cold coffee and tea options, as well as sandwiches and delicious-sounding creme freezes—making it a perfect spot for lunch. And if you still want more from Blue Lemon, look into its demonstration kitchen where local chefs make appearances several times per month. We think there’s even a class on chocolate coming up soon….

{Get the Blues}

Blue Lemon Cafe
11073 N. Alpine Highway
Highland, Utah
(801) 756-7993
www.bluelemonutah.com

By Ali Anderson Smith
Photography by Cody Buell

Next time you find yourself in a design quandary or simply lacking inspiration in this town, head to newish home furnishings boutique Alice Lane in Orem. Adding to the whimsy of the store name, this shop takes home decoration from kinda cute to completely chic—with hardly a rustic knickknack in sight, at long last.

Sitting somewhere between Horchow and Crate & Barrel with an Adler-esque kick (if we must liken it to big-name outfits), Alice offers fancy mirrored furniture, fun motif pillows, streamlined four-poster beds, decorative mirrors and handsome tufted sofas with poppy paint colors as a backdrop. A fresh-and-clean but well-accessorized look is complemented by metallic finishes and furniture with nailhead designs. We were thrilled to see pieces from Utah-bred design team Oly as well as art by YHO favorites (and sisters) Chelsea James and Amanda James. Christopher Marley’s elegantly framed bugs? Yep, they’re in stock, too.

Owners Adam and Jessica set up shop because they couldn’t find anything like it around here—not only a store that reflects their personal style, but also marries modern-meets-traditional motifs, in general. Building on that, Alice Lane also gives you a way to dress up your spread with handcarved details or get rebellious with a zebra print and red leather. And who doesn’t want to get rebellious with red leather?

If you still can’t find what you’re looking for and up for making an investment in your home’s future, the design duo behind Alice Lane also offers custom furniture as well as professional design services. Two cheers for local talent!

{Alice’s Wonderland}

Alice Lane Home Collection
1350 S. State Street
Orem, Utah
(801) 802-6266
www.alicelanehome.com

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

Who doesn’t love a good teppanyaki meal? There’s something wonderful about the simplicity of grilled meat and veggies served with loads of rice and a cornucopia of dipping sauces. Typically, it’s not the most affordable option, and maybe it’s not the best choice for first dates … there’s the whole table-full-of-strangers thing, not to mention the added pressure of catching shrimp in your mouth. (But what’s a little grease stain in the face of delicious food?)

So, what if we told you there was another option? A teppankaki outfit that allows you to sit where you want, afford just about anything on the menu, and eat without fear of unwanted grease stains and soaring shellfish? Friends, Lehi’s Hibachi House is answering the call. You’ll easily overlook the simple ambiance and styrofoam plates at this order-at-the-register restaurant. With no knife-throwing showmen nor waiters, you get the same food you would at the likes of Benihana, but at half the price.

Small plates and appetizers include satisfying miso or green onion soups, and at a dollar a pint(!), they’re pretty much irresistable. Tempura veggies and salad also weigh in at under five dollars each. And depending on the filling, sushi rolls come in between three and six dollars per roll. We recommend the green sushi roll with avocado and cucumber, and the Philly roll (salmon, avocado and cream cheese).

If teppanyaki is on your wishlist, you can indulge in a grilled steak and shrimp with veggies and lo mein for less than ten dollars, or a simple grilled chicken plate with veggies and fried rice for seven dollars. Hibachi’s grilled entrees are seasoned subtly to showcase one of the meal’s highlights: dipping sauces. Alongside standards like soy and sriracha hot sauce, you’ll see teriyaki, ginger and mustard concoctions.

Chinese classics like orange chicken and beef and broccoli also make the menu, but we were more interested in the Japanese options. Still, it’s good to know that the picky eater in your party can play it safe with a sweet-and-sour number, if necessary.

Hibachi House
1438 Main Street Suite 102
Lehi, Utah
(801) 341-5008

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

Sampled: Slow-cooked meats and Southern-inspired sides

Where: Lon’s Cookin’ Shack (410 N. University Avenue, Provo)

High and Low: Set up like a fast food joint complete with a drive-thru window, customers at Lon’s can order a variety of slow-cooked meats including pork, beef, ribs (our favorite), chicken and turkey. “Regular plates” served in a pie tin come with two sides like fried cauliflower, pickles, coleslaw, potato salad, fries or hush puppies. Particularly remarkable is Lon’s version of baked beans with eight different legumes, bacon and a zingy spice blend unlike any we’ve tried. There’s also a massive sampler plate for the indecisive eater. We shared a sampler for two and didn’t come close to finishing. Though not the most memorable, BBQ fans should check it out … and come hungry.

How much: $8 – $16 for a regular plate; $7 for a sandwich meal

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

If there was ever any validity to the expression “too much of a good thing,” Guru’s cafe is offering it up. Violating all standards of moderation with an impressive variety of dishes that are fresh, wholesome, innovative and totally affordable, Provo residents have an excess of good on their hands with this one.

A few of the options for the indecisive at this eatery-with-cool-decor (an eccentric but modern mix featuring exposed ventilation, punched tin and whimsical sculpture) include salads, soups, wraps, burritos, quesadillas, pasta and rice bowls, as well as a handful of vegetarian options. If you’re up for a tasty-sounding starter, you can try loaded nachos, chips with hummus or sweet potato fries with southwest fry sauce.

I’m one for fries as an appetizer and I was impressed by the exceptional crunchiness of the battered potatoes which were complemented with Guru’s smoky-meets-tangy version of fry sauce. As far as sweet potato fries go, these are among the best. The tasty southwest chipotle wrap comes with chips and house-made salsa and is filled with chicken, corn, lettuce, black beans, cheese and chipotle dressing. An overflowing salmon rice bowl includes crisp, julienne veggies with seared chunks of salmon, which, despite their bite-size status, aren’t overcooked and are served drenched in creamy red pepper sauce.

Dessert is a good experience, too. We went with a “half-sized” but still huge portion of Guru’s chocolate cake a la mode that tasted as dreamy and decadent as it looked. If this is how real gurus fuel up before a spiritual fast, sign us up.

{Guru ‘n You}

Guru’s
45 E. Center Street, Provo
(801) 375-4878
www.guruscafe.com

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

There’s a street in Downtown Provo that’s quickly becoming the epicenter of Utah Valley’s artistic and cultural scene. Home to such hip haunts as Muse Music, Velour, Coal Umbrella, Mode Boutique and the Sego Art Center, University Avenue recently welcomed a new member to its painfully cool ranks: the Pennyroyal Cafe.

Aside from a dose of shabby-glam style complete with exposed brick, chandeliers and tons of local art, Pennyroyal serves delicious sandwiches and salads that also happen to weigh on the healthy side. We started out with a roasted pepper and tomato soup that was velvety and rich without any added heaviness—perfect for warming up from the inside out on frosty nights without going the typical chicken-noodle route.

We followed up the soup with Pennyroyal’s “Flower Power” salad, topped with sliced pears, candied pecans, dried cranberries, feta, honey-yogurt dressing and—you guessed it—pretty flowers that are actually edible. We also enjoyed “Gwyneth’s Girl” which mixed grilled chicken, sliced apples and feta with creamy tarragon dressing.

To round out our experience, we had to sample the sandwiches too. Our first taste was of the “Pennyroyal Classic:” a grilled panini on focaccia with turkey breast, roasted red peppers, tomato, pesto and toasted cheddar. This concoction is crispy, melty and utterly divine. “The Sweet Adeline” features turkey and cranberry cream cheese and also proves to be a tasty and semi-sweet option for sandwich-seekers.

At long last, Provo culture-seekers have a fitting place to rest their feet and fill their tanks after a night of gallery-strolling or concert-going. You can bring a date for an affordable dinner (nothing on the menu is over $8), tote along some homework during lunch, or swing by for a late breakfast (think all-you-can-eat cereal). Home to music shows, indie movie nights and fundraisers, you never know just what you’ll be treated to. For us, it was an impromptu acoustic jam session. And the not-to-be-missed homemade chocolates located near the register.

{Find a Penny}

The Pennyroyal Cafe
155 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
(801) 341-0120
Open 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.
www.pennyroyalcafe.com

Photography by Lacey Jane Pappas

Sampled: Cookies ‘n Cream Cake Bites (left at your doorstep rather than under your pillow—though you wouldn’t mind finding them there, too)

Where: The Sweet Tooth Fairy (opening soon at 1227 S. University Avenue, Provo)

High & Low: The white chocolate shell surrounding these bite-size cake pieces is tasty and substantial, keeping a good hold around the treat’s soft center. At the very least, a cake bite is like a deluxe donut hole going to the ball—all dressed-up and grown-up, made with great chocolate and yummy cake. They’re delicious and fun, and will leave a sweet impression when dropped on neighbor’s doorsteps this holiday, especially thanks to their party-perfect packaging.

How Much: $15 for box of six

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

You can get a burger pretty much anywhere these days, but why go just anywhere when Sammy’s in downtown Provo serves them with such charm, atmosphere, fresh ingredients and uhh-mazing hand-mixed pieshakes?

Thanks to its distinctive paint job, this eatery is nearly impossible to miss with its bright blue swirls on an otherwise clean facade. Take a look inside and you’ll notice the artist who painted the outside left his/her mark on the interior, too—right down to designing the menu. Set yourself up in a booth, and you’ll feel fit for a springtime-inspired lunch even if you came in your puffy coat.

But back to those pieshakes. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, a pieshake is essentially a shake that has an entire slice of pie blended into it, aka Heaven in a Cup. Sammy’s whips up several varieties like coconut cream and classic apple. We had our minds blown by a pumpkin cheesecake shake that I couldn’t help finishing despite my previously downing an entire burger and side of fries.

Speaking of burgers and fries, Sammy’s does those too and dang well. Choose from a variety of specialty quarter-pound burgers with all the fixins, or build your own from scratch. Aside from chicken burger options, you can also try a BLT or veggie grilled cheese sandwich with guacamole.

We went for Sammy’s Choice quarter-pound burger and the El Paso grilled chicken burger. Sammy’s Choice was topped with melted provolone, sauteed onions and mushrooms, bacon, guacamole, barbecue sauce and veggies—so messy and so good. The El Paso included pepper jack cheese, bacon, guacamole, pico de gallo and veggies: an Americanized south-of-the-border experience made better with the addition of pork. Order a side of crispy batter-dipped seasoned or sweet potato fries to round out your meal. And your stomach.

{Sammple It}

Sammy’s Cafe
27 N. 100 West
Provo, Utah
www.sammyscafe.blogspot.com

The time’s almost here and the weekend forecast is clear. Utah Valley’s favorite not-your-mother’s-craft-boutique kicks off on Thursday night at the Women’s Cultural Center in Provo with a whole lotta artisan shopping ops and live music. This three-day party is your chance to stock up on cool homemade gifts for young and old (and you) like paintings, paper products, textiles, treats, home decor and more. Check out the list of accepted vendors here.

{Bee There or Be Square}

Beehive Bazaar
December 4, 5 and 6
Thursday, 9 – 11 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Women’s Cultural Center
310 W. 500 North, Provo
www.thebeehivebazaar.com

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

Provo, Utah: A chic, urban destination with gourmet dining, sleek style and a buzzing social scene. What? Not the Provo you know? Well, I can think of one spot that fits the bill. Meet Spark Restaurant Lounge.

Located in the Wells Fargo Building on University Avenue, Spark serves up hip, gourmet eats and sophisticated atmosphere unlike anyone in Utah Valley. You can enjoy a delicious meal at a table, or drinks and appetizers at the bar, or cozy up in the lounge and loft areas.

One of the first things you should know about Spark is that it’s a teetotaler’s paradise. A playful drink menu includes such fun refreshments as mango mojitos, peartinis rimmed with cinnamon sugar, and even Shirley Temples topped with clouds of cotton candy—and all non-alcoholic but still delicious. Particularly interesting was what they call the “hot and cold:” a layered beverage with a warm, lemon base and cold Coke on top.

Appetizers are equally novel with options like cumin fries with garlic aioli and house-made pasta with lamb ragu. One of our favorites was the “dueling edamame,” feauturing soybeans two never-had-before ways: vanilla-steamed and bacon-sauteed. The chef also whipped up some just-for-us fancy mushroom and swiss profiteroles (kind of like a cream puff, but without the cream). We hope to see them on the menu soon.

For dinner, we ordered roasted black cod with spaghetti squash and crispy mashed potatoes, and flat iron steak and short rib with fingerling potatoes. The cod came topped with garlic foam and was cooked to flaky perfection. The flat iron was tender with a great crust on the outside, and the short rib literally fell apart it was so well-cooked.

Dessert, anyone? Choices range from delicate to decadent with pink grapefruit frozen mousse and poppyseed cake with lavender foam, to almond-coated fried chocolate pudding with orange coriander ice cream. Despite their complex sounds, these sweet options taste oh-so-right at the end of a meal of this kind.

Here’s the deal: Don’t let Spark’s chic decor (did you see that chandelier?) and gourmet options scare you into ordering small. Even when it includes appetizers, drinks and dessert, the bill won’t hurt too much. Specialty drinks range from $3 – $4.50, appetizers from $5 – $10, salads from $8 – $11, entrees from $14 – 20 and desserts from $6 – $7, so you can impress your date and still make rent. In style.

{Spark’s Flyin’}

Spark Restaurant Lounge
86 N. University Avenue
Provo, Utah
801-701-6780

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

Sure, dining establishments located in strip malls don’t typically top the list of places you’re excited to visit. But when one earns the Best in State award for Mexican food three years in a row, you’re forced to reconsider; set your snobbery aside.

Located in the same shopping center as Albertson’s off University Parkway in Provo, Las Tarascas just might qualify as a dive. But what it lacks in ambiance is more than made up for with quirky charm and some of the most delicious, authentic and inexpensive Mexican cuisine this side of the border. That’s because the Las Tarascas team takes pride in the fact that they are serving up the real deal. Many of the cooks are Oaxacan natives using the same recipes they knew back home, with the exception of burritos—which are an American invention (as our server kindly informed us).

Every meal comes with chips, classic red tomato salsa and green tomatillo salsa. We sampled a variety of entrees from flavorful chile rellenos to tender, spicy steak tacos. We had to try out the award-winning enchiladas, which can be ordered with red or green sauce, or Oaxacan mole. We opted for the Enchiladas Rojas, rolled with fresh corn tortillas. Chicken, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, authentic queso fresco and classic red enchilada sauce complete the meal. And instead of your classic rice-and-beans combo, many entrees (including the Enchiladas Rojas) come with a side of hands-down delicious Mexican potatoes. We could have ordered two plates of these bad boys, alone.

Any Utahn interested in authentic Mexican cuisine needs to give Las Tarascas a try, por favor. With friendly service, fabulous food and fair prices (most meals are around $8), you’ve got nothing to lose but an empty stomach.

{Que Rico!}

Las Tarascas
2255 N. University Parkway #39
Provo, Utah
(801) 373-0273

Rest assured, shopophiles. They might have been down and out for just a ittle bit but cute’n'savvy Kaleidoscope Boutique in Provo’s Riverwoods is back and in better shape than ever—just in time for you to carry out your fall shopping. (Phew; that was too close for comfort!)

Throughout the season, Kaleidoscope will be debuting pieces from a wide range of designers and in every price point. And now, for every purchase you make over $150, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a set of these heirloom-worthy Rosanna Christmas Plates. You know you want ‘em, and you know what you have to do. Shop!

{Welcome Back}

Kaleidoscope Boutique
4801 N. University Ave. #350
Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 225-1352

By Ali Anderson Smith

Spotted: Must-have Hunter boots for the not-so-sporty

Good For: Looking good from knees to toes, come rain or shine

Where: Soel Boutique (4801 N. University Ave. #410, Provo)

How Much: About $110

By Courtney Buell
Photography by Cody Buell

We’ve had barbecue before. Or, we thought we had until we visited Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ in Lehi—a brightly-painted shack surrounded with picnic tables on a grassy lot sandwiched on Historic Main Street. In true Southern fashion, customers order at a window, listen to live music, and rub shoulders with owners Steve Vermillion and Charlie “Boy” Hurdle as they mill around the dining area. That is, if they’re not tending to the “smoker” (which appears to be fashioned out of an oil drum).

Ordering at Charlie’s is simple: barbecued chicken, pork or beef sandwiches can be ordered a la carte, or as part of a meal. Sides include baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw and Baked Lays. The beans are sweet’n'smoky, the potato salad is creamy and the cole slaw is fresh, crunchy and perfectly-seasoned. Stop by soon, and you might have the added treat of fresh-roasted, locally-grown corn.

Sandwiches come doused with Charlie’s zesty special sauce, and combined with the meats, the meal qualified as some of the best “Carolina” barbecue we’ve had. The beef is shredded and flavorful, the chicken is tender and juicy, and the pulled-pork (obviously Charlie’s specialty), is melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Lucky for you, all meats can be ordered by the pint as well. On Fridays and Saturday evenings, Charlie whips up barbecued ribs which were enthusiastically described by one patron as “the best I’ve ever tasted!” … at the top of his lungs. We seconded that emotion.

Though there wasn’t much room left, we couldn’t deny ourselves a cup or two of Charlie’s homemade 10 percent butterfat ice cream in chocolate and vanilla, which was more than worth the stuff-yourself-silly stomach ache. Combined with the fair prices, charming venue and amazing food, Charlie’s offers what’s arguably the best Southern dining experience in Utah. Hurry in, y’all.

{Take Pit-y}

Charlie Boy’s Bit BBQ
88 W. Main Street
Lehi, Utah
Open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. for dine-in or take-out
(801) 768-1931
www.charlieboyspitbbq.com

Writing and photography by Emily Cox

Provo has just welcomed a new next-to-campus eatery that is well worth a visit, even if you’re not a Cougar. Dew specializes in Vietnamese sandwiches and boba drinks. It’s everything a student hangout should be—cheap, delicious, and surprisingly healthy.

We ordered the Lemongrass Pork Sandwich (a whopping $3.49) and kumquat boba drink. Verdict: delicious. The lightly pickled carrots and cucumbers were refreshing, and the thinly-sliced pork and special sauce on a baguette made for a light, filling and crave-able sandwich.

We’re fans of boba drinks, and the variety of flavors at Dew guarantee we’ll be back soon. The tart kumquat was a nice contrast with the sweet tapioca pearls. And if you have room, Dew has a variety of tempting desserts ranging from fruit tarts and cheesecake to special Utah Heritage Jello creations. Plus, you gotta love a restaurant with a blog: www.dewprovo.com.

{Just Dew It}

Dew
669 E. 800 North
Provo, Utah
www.dewprovo.com

Prices: Sandwiches, rice bowls and salads run $4.99 – $6.99. Drinks start at $1.49 and desserts at $1.99