Time for Tea!: Tea Grotto- Sugarhouse

I LOVE TEA. Tea is like insta-meditation. Soothing calm liquid goodness. The Tea Grotto is a fun place to drink your favorite pot. They have SOOO many different flavors and their staff is impressively knowledgeable.

My favorite tea is pu’er, and they had a new flavor to try “fruity pu’er”. It has pu’er, violets, and some mystery dried fruit. It was delicious. They brought it out in a tea pot, and I got a free second steeping that was just as good as the first! They have some yummy food options, grilled sandwiches and homemade baked goods. Ordering the Hummus Plate turned out to be a good decision this time! It came with garlic hummus, tomato hummus, warm pita, garlic stuffed olives, cucumber, and carrots. Loot at that plating! Beautiful. Everything tasted as fresh as it looks. I was really full eating most of it for lunch. It would be perfect for 2 to share.

They have lots of different seating areas from high tables to couches to a real Japanese you-better-take-off-your-shoes-booth. They have free wifi too! You can buy tea here to take home if you find a favorite! Beware when ordering your tea, they have some very rare and VERY expensive options. They also have an Indian Boutique that shares some of the space. When I was there it wasn’t ‘open’ but there were many beautiful Indian style blouses displayed on mannequins. They are in a fun part of town. I always find myself in the neighborhood more often than I’m planning. This is going to be my new favorite reading spot for sure.

What do Ironport, fried zuchinni and Apple Beer have in common?: Woody’s Drive In- Murray

I’m semi-fascinated with “utah” food, and after reading a long list of famed garlic burger masterpieces I am determined to try every one. Woody’s Drive in is just down the street from cottonwood high on 1300 S. It climbed to the top of my challenge since they also serve old school ironport soda!

The drive in is great. You can still pull your car up in an ordering space, read the car window level menu and have your food brought out to you. Bonus: when people order this way and turn off their cars (not idling) it is much better for than environment than the drive thru. There are just 6 spaces and it’s so old timey it looks like someone rolled it back to 1955.

The menu is filled with drive in favorites. French Fries, Onion rings or Fried zucchini are available in a combo meal, and pick your sandwich from a Pastrami Burger to Patty Melt, Chicken Sandwich to the Superwoody (crazy huge double patty burger). They have delicious shakes and “utah” beverages like Apple Beer, Lime Rickeys, and Ironport.

I ordered a Garlic Burger since that’s what I’m here for. Went all in on the combo with zucchini fries and Ironport. The “garlic” aspect of the burger is no joke. The burger patty was actually split in half and filled with minced garlic like a pungent beef garlic Oreo. This was very yummy. The American cheese and tomatoes finished off the drive in style nicely. My only complaint is the bun seemed really cheap. Think wonderbread like holding power.. in a few minutes it was more or less useless so I ditched the soggy bottom and ate mine patty up. The zucchini fries were so delicious! They were nice and chunky with a crispy breading and zesty ranch dressing. Last but NOT least Ironport old school soda. I really probably shouldn’t be looking for new kinds of soda to like let alone drink, but this stuff is tasty. It has a cola like color and flavor, but it isn’t so sweet and has some savory spicy undertones. It made me think of Mexican coco-cola or unsweetened Dr Pepper if there was such a thing. Next time I will have the Apple Beer, something I already know I love! It’s like martinellis soda carbonated and also on the less sweet side.

All in all this place is a keeper. I can’t wait to come back and try the Patty Melt that I hear is fabulous. Lastly they have free WIFI! Who’da thunk.

Your after midnight Caffeine Fix: Salt Lake Coffee Break- Downtown SLC

Whether its 7am or 1am you I can send out a 2 word text “coffee break?” and people are down to meet up (if they’re not already there.) Open late (2am) this place won a spot in my heart if for no other reason than that often it is the only place to go. The crowd is very diverse here, and there is plenty of room between the patio, the front room tables and the backroom couches to gather a few friends to catch up, study, or play games. It’s pretty much all about the hours and chill factor, cuz other than that they aren’t really delivering.

1. Don’t expect much out of your coffee. NEVER order an espresso unless you know the barista knows what she’s doing (yes always she)
2. Be careful where you park! See the nifty parking map at the counter.
3. Be prepared for the owner’s stare down. I don’t know what the deal is with that guy but he sure packs a lot of attitude for no reason. When Kyle and I walked in the back door he stared us down the whole walk to the counter and that was a mild interaction. Brace yourself.
4. If you don’t like cigg smoke avoid the patio. It’s just a fact.
5. Brush off the attitude you might get at the counter. For whatever reason it comes complimentary. (our last trip someone actually said UGH and made a face when we ordered the hummus plate) and taking it up with the owner is probably not going to end well.

I included some pictures of our hummus plate. The serving was very generous with a splash of olive oil. Half the pitas were sooo tough we couldn’t eat them. See the picture where Kyle in all his burly strength can’t rip one in half. I’ve never ordered food here before so perhaps it’s a fluke. I got an almond latte and Kyle got a mocha. They weren’t bad. I could taste the sub par burnt flavor of espresso in my latte and the chocolate in Kyle’s mocha was a very well hidden Hershey’s syrup. The house hibiscus tea is excellent though; it’s a good choice if you find yourself here! So basically due to its awesome space, location and hours Coffee Break has an effective monopoly on those of us who like to get a caffeine after midnight. Take it or leave it cuz it’s your only option!

The Surprising Sandwich Stop: Wild Bean Roasting Company-Sandy

Maybe it’s because I’m so picky, or maybe it’s because I hate knowing I could make it better myself :P but I love build your own food, ESPECIALLY sandwiches. A bad sandwich isn’t even worth eating but there’s no risk of misordering at Wild Bean Roasting Company. Choose your bread, meat, cheese, veggies and condiments- it’s the perfect recipe.

My inspired sandwich was marble rye, cheddar, all the veggies, turkey, and mustard. The produce was fresh and ripe. The bread was soft and flavorful. They loaded it with just enough turkey to make a nice fat sandwich. There isn’t anything extra special about the choices they offer, the key is the freshness of all the ingredients.

Wild Bean is a coffee roasting company. I was really excited when they opened in Aug, but I haven’t been very satisfied with the espresso drinks they offer. On the upside even though the drinks are weak, you do get all the complex flavors and aromas only lingering in freshly roasted beans. I think with my next sandwich I’ll order a regular coffee.

If you remember back in the day this place was called Solid Grounds. They closed a few years ago but it looks like Wild Bean inherited all of their furnishings. The shop is nice and big with decent sized tables and a big stage for live music. The designs are funky and fun and with all the tables you can really spread out and bring a few friends. Come for live music, movies, open mike, comedy night or whatever they think up next! They have free wifi but I only found 2 outlets L. This location has really rotated the business through the years, it’s not in the most visible spot. If you like the sandwiches and the vibe support your local business. Lets keep it around as a rare alternative to subway and starbucks.

Good Coffee FINALLY!: Coffee Shop- Millcreek

This place is just darling. It’s cozy inside with a couch and a few tables plus a small patio. Free Wifi <3

I asked for the barista’s suggestions and after asking me a few impressive style nailing questions he suggested the Iced Espresso- Coffee, espresso shots and lots of ice. Perfecto. What a mind reader---someone needs to give that guy a raise.

I’m chilling here between interviews so I *tried* to grab a muffin to munch on. As usual grabbing = the muffin flies across the room and knocks over their chalk board of daily brews. Hahaha. Klutzes should have to announce themselves like lepers. “Hello, before I approach you please be warned proximity to me could induce bodily harm or destruction of property. It’s so nice to meet you!” When I put the muffin next to my coffee the dude said “you don’t have to buy that just cuz you…” hahahha I filled in “threw it on the floor?” The muffin was kinda oily, but the blueberries in it seemed fresh and juicy. The server told me they grow some veggies on the patio, and when the zucchini is ripe they make zucchini muffins. He said they bake all their muffins fresh every morning. Yum! They also serve Richie’s bagels so there are lots of delicious local food choices.

The music here is awesome. Eclectic coffee shop music, nothing close to top 20 here. They have some pretty neat handmade/glazed mugs for sale by the counter and some really interesting art guitar wall hangings too . There is a bookshelf with books, magazines, games and even toys for kids. There are also doggie treats and it looked like the patio was doggie friendly. I overheard the barista say they are under new owners and that they’ve spruced the place up, so maybe if you’ve been here before give it another shot. This is the best coffee I’ve had in Utah since moving back! They don’t roast their own but source from a local roaster downtown.

I couldn't find much information online for them so this is to the best of my knowledge. Hours posted when I was there:

7am-8pm

2005 E 3300 S

Where no one is a loser: Sunset Coffee- Sandy

I was introduced to this place in high school when a friend of mine vigorously supported (stalked) a kid who occasionally played live music here. It brings back fond memories and still fulfills a coffee house void in my hometown. My inner food snob is so embarrassed that I love this place. Honestly, their coffee is just not that good. Stick with a hot latte and you’ll get something drinkable.Sadly I once took the advice of the barista there and ordered a “stevie wonder’. This drink is supposed to be cream, espresso and chocolate (sounds delicious right?). The “chocolate” was Hershey syrup (blasphemy!) and it tasted like this supposedly extra special drink was what would happen if I accidentally dropped my espresso into my lil' brothers home mixed chocolate milk. I googled "stevie wonder drink" and only came up with some shooters made w/ chocolate liqueur so i'm not sure if that's the inspiration. In any case this take on it seems to be a Sunset Coffee original. If you like Hershey's syrup I know Robbie orders it religiously and suggested asking them to add caramel if that's your thing. I also go back and forth on their iced drinks. Typically they are too sweet for me but there is something about them that makes me reconsider and order an iced caramel latte once in awhile. The food leaves something to be desired, costco giant muffins and sometimes stale bagels wrapped in plastic. They are pretty chill about people bringing in their own food so lucky me I keep coming back.

The thing about Sunset coffee is that it’s sooo chill. I believe that it is owned by a church (?) or some other community group. It seems like everyone knows each other and the customers and staff are super super friendly. The crowd is very eclectic, high school to middle aged, kids, parents, nerds, alternative, SLC counter-culture and everything in-between. If you don't fit in here you probably can't go anywhere.One of my favorite social groups that have a permanent appearance are the fantasy card players. It is seriously awesome that 30+ dudes love playing magic enough to meet at the coffee shop on a Tuesday afternoon to duel their decks. They also get an A+ for having awesome board games. There’s plenty to entertain you: checkers, chess, I think i saw Sorry once, books and usually a newspaper or two you can scrounge. They have Free WiFi of course and plenty of outlets :P -plus they’re open late (at least until midnight.) The patio has a beautiful view of the valley that really shines at sunset. There are tables all the way out onto the grass so anyone who wants to can enjoy the view without fighting for a table. Keep in mind people come here to just hang out so expect to get friendly with your table neighbors- you’ll be sitting next to them for hours.

Even as I write this I’m shaking my head. Why do I like this place???? I guess it’s something about the sum of all it’s parts. This is the most reliably packed coffee shop I’ve been to out here in suburbia so I am not the only one to think so. I guess it just goes to show you don’t have to make gourmet coffee if you're delivering on something else. Too bad the other places in town that serve crappy brew don’t seem to get that. I <3>

The deserted stale coffee shop: Rovico's Coffee House-Draper

I'm on the job hunt and I've discovered a jolt of espresso and the white noise of a coffee shop is exactly what I need to bang out 20 job applications in a few hours. I guess I've been spoiled in CA with good independent coffee shops in walking distance from everywhere I ever lived. I've been really disappointed that my options here seem to be Starbucks or Beans and Brew (a Utah franchise that does at least roast it's own coffee..but I'm trying to stay local local.)I was stoked to find Rovico's Coffee is considerably closer than the drive I've been making to Sunset Coffee (to be reviewed soon!). Saturday I took the chance and lugged my laptop and note books over to 123rd.

First impressions were good. They have free wifi (no time limit). The place looked clean enough. It seems odd that there is a huge rack of flip flop/ casual sandals for sale by the cash register but I'm going with it... Of course I have some standby drinks I like to order, but I wanted experience 'Rovico's Flavor' so I ordered from their signature menu. This is a good time to note despite their menu listing lots of pastries and coffee shop eats the only thing available when I got there at 1:45 on a Saturday was one biscotti in a glass jar. I'm glad I wasn't counting on any food! After looking over the menu I finally choose the "nuts about you" signature latte. It has hazelnut, praline and chocolate syrups. I take it hot because it was kinda cold and windy outside. I have to admit I was annoyed by their starbucks style sizes (tall, venti etc) but their biggest drink size Vasto made me laugh. I looked up the definition and apparently it means vast in Italian (go figure). Hahaha. For some reason "Can I have a vast size coffee please?" just seems so wrong to me.

I get my coffee and hunt around for a chair near an outlet. This is a big coffee house test. There were only 2 outlets reasonably near seats that I could find without looking like a weirdo pacing the perimeter of the room. The big upholstered chairs aren't situated for laptop/writing use with their uber low coffee table so I went with the extra tall table with tall chairs. So this is the beginning of the mehness. The chairs are made of metal and it's really difficult to push them far enough in that you can set you laptop down and comfortably type and comfortably sit at the same time. I get off my chair more than once to pick it up and scoot it in closer to the table because this is impossible to do while sitting in it. I swear it weighs a million pounds and the table has legs that just won't get out of the way!! All the trouble was a mistake because actually leaning back in the metal bar chair is just really not that comfortable. I gave the place another look over to see if something else might be better and was frustrated to see my only other option besides the upholstered chairs were tables that had backless stools. No good for typing for hours on end. This place seriously gets an F for seating. It's almost more mean to entice your patrons to stay on your torture chairs for free wifi than to just not have any chairs or wifi at all. Then I would have had the sense to stick with the drive through like the only other patrons I saw all afternoon. I was there for 4 hours on a Saturday and only one couple came in to pick up drinks!!! To be fair there were newspapers strewn about the tables, so theoretically someone was there earlier in the day...or at least at some point? Luckily the teenage employee didn't seem to mind I was there..even if we could hear every move each other made including her personal phone calls about, "OMG! OMG! New Facebook photos! OMG!" So much for white noise :(

Now onto the coffee. To their credit the 'nuts about you' wasn't too sweet which is my common complaint about coffee shop specialty drinks. It had a good nutty flavor with a creamy chocolaty base. It was rather wet for a latte (there was 0 foam left when I opened it) but hey I didn't order a cappuccino so why complain. The bad was the weird off flavor I got with every sip. I finally came to the word 'dust' to explain the weird aftertaste of this cup o'joe. I'm pretty sure they were either using stale coffee beans or their espresso machine is in serious need of a cleaning. Have you ever had a cup of coffee from a carafe that's been sitting on the hot plate all day and all night? That's the taste I'm talking about.

Check out their seriously not updated/error ridden website or if your favorite coffee flavor is OLD please take my seat-I don't plan on coming back. Just want to get some free wifi? Prearrange a back massage for recovery, order a tea, and bring your own sandwich.