Photography by Lacey Jane Pappas

It’s December 1 already—just the beginning of the really cold times that, for we Northern Utahns, mean months of yearning for warm drinks and warm weather. Next time you let your inner snowbird fly south for the weekend, treat yourself to breakfast at Bear Paw Cafe (and Coffee Company) in Utah’s Dixie.

If the line extending the door on Saturday morning didn’t already tell you, this off-the-Denny’s-path eatery in St. George is a favorite of locals and not-so-locals, alike. You don’t come here for the atmosphere and service as much as the menu: an extensive list of old-time favorites and indulgent spins on classics like waffles, pancakes and French toast. And drinks? Yes, there are plenty of those, too.

You might want to start with hot chocolate made with imported Belgium cocoa or any number Italian coffee blends—or maybe a yogurt- and banana-infused cranberry frappe is more your thing. Smoothies are in the house, too. Follow yours up with something as simple-sounding as “Grandma’s Oatmeal,” and you’re already on the path to tastiness.

Served with its own pitcher of steamed milk, these made-to-order oats come with granola, pecans and brown sugar. If you’re up for something on the sweeter side, try a vanilla, pecan, blueberry or apple-spice waffle. The Bear Paw French Toast is always a pleaser since it comes stuffed with vanilla or chocolate brule cream and battered in cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar.

And for you savory types, you can also choose from plenty of omelets and quiches—huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos, too. As for sides, don’t pass up Bear Paw’s home fries. Theirs are cooked-potato perfection.

Bear Paw has options for lunch, too, but breakfast is where it’s at. If you like to skip straight to dessert, a breakfast item like the Forgotten Baked Apple will do the job: large Granny Smiths seasoned and then packed with granola, cranberries and almonds, and baked in tin foil. To top it off, this pretty is served with ice cream.

{Think Pawsitively}

Bear Paw Cafe and Coffee Company
75 N. Main Street
St. George, Utah
(435) 634-0126
Open 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily
www.bearpawcafe.com

Anyplace where there is a significant number of golf courses, early-bird specials or AARP members will, most likely, also have a significant number of treasure troves in the form of vintage and consignment stores.

Take Palm Springs, California, for example, where estate sales run amok. Or—better since it’s just a wee five hours from Salt Lake City—St. George, Utah. A recent jaunt to the southern portion of the state turned up many pleasantries, but one that shined brightest was Urban Renewal, situated right on the Boulevard alongside mid-century hotels with kidney-shaped swimming pools.

Urban Renewal scouts out consigned and found vintage furnishings as well as used-but-cute apparel. Walk inside, and your inner antique scout will steer you directly toward a vintage blue tablecloth with white scalloped stitching or a tea set fit for your grandmother’s windowed hutch. Or maybe it’s a ’40s-era striped cigarette case or gingham apron that will speak to your heart.

Our crew left with a set of yesterday’s place mats, embroidered dishtowels and a baby blue train case. We left behind vintage kitchen chairs, enameled brooches, midcentury cribs and, as you can probably imagine, house-fulls more.

The best part is that unlike many of Salt Lake’s consignment stores, a glance at the price tags at Urban Renewal won’t leave you gasping. Plus, it’s easy to shop thanks to the store’s no-clutter (or at least low-clutter) merchandising. And, let’s get serious, it’ll leave you with a Boulevard experience worth bragging about. (Unlike Spring Break ’99.)

{Treasures Untold}

Urban Renewal
5 E. St. George Boulevard
St. George, Utah
(435) 634-8031

*Photography by Lacey Pappas