The Soup Kitchen

Photos by Tavia McGrath

The Soup Kitchen Restaurants have been a long time favorite of ours. Because we love practically everything on their menu, we have a hard time deciding what to get. Good thing they have reasonable prices.

The Soup Kitchen has been serving up delicious sandwiches and hot soup for over 30 years. They have five locations and also offer catering services.

Besides the usual soups and sandwiches they make killer scones, burgers, salads and don't forget to get a cookie while you're there.

The Soup Kitchen Restaurants

422 W 600 N     1411 S Redwood     33rd Main Street     2012 S 11oo E     1185 S Richards

Have you been to The Soup Kitchen? 
What's you're favorite soup or sandwich there?

ICW Computers Done Right

By Ashlee Prisbrey from Topsy Turvy

In November my computer got hit with a NASTY virus (why do people do that, invent viruses? It's just unnecessary and MEAN!) I spent all day Friday and all morning Saturday on the phone with
India "ohio", first with my "virus protection software" and next with a paid support company. I logged over 17 hours on my cell phone. I still can't tell if the virus software "support" helped or made it worse. The virus stopped popping up all the time but none of my .exe files are working and while the internet is showing up as working none of my 4 browsers are connecting!



this is the culprit vista "antivirus" 2012

It became apparent that phone support was not going to help and I did what I SHOULD have done all along, take it to someone. Why DO we trust those over the phone "supports" anyway? Our computers have our LIVES in them, and we're going to trust ourselves to follow some directions from someone else not even in the same country? So you want to take it to someone, but you don't want to take it to someone that hasn't been HIGHLY recommended. After all your computer is FULL of your pictures, thoughts, videos, memories, etc... The thought of losing everything in your hard drive???? Panic attack!!!



My computer loving Father in law recommended his place (he only has about 8 laptops). And I am SO glad I went. They ran a diagnosis for a GREAT price (way lower than the over the phone non helpful guys) and while they tried to save the computer they ended up having to completely reboot the whole thing. BUT before they did that, they recovered my entire hard drive and backed it up. So I only lost a few things on my desktop! AMAZING! They found hundreds of viruses on my computer (so much for virus protection), they upgraded me to Windows 7 for a great price and installed their recommended virus protection (let's just say it doesn't start with a Mc or N)



They can help you with all your computer needs including building a computer from scratch to fit your specific needs, my husband is pretty excited to work with them on getting a house server for the 10+ computers we have in our house! I won't ever go to anyone else and when my husband's computer got the same nasty virus last month we took it right in and they fixed it fast and cheap before it got any worse!

ICW
Computers done right
6239 South Highland Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84121
801-277-4429
www.icw.com

Olympus Hills Bowling Lanes

Sometimes the newer, bigger fun centers are great when you want to spend the whole day keeping the kids busy.  But when we want to go bowling, we head to Olympus Hills Lanes.  It's a great bowling alley with a helpful staff.

Whether you enjoy bowling during the day, the night-time cosmic bowling or league bowling, Olympus Hills Lanes is the place for you.  People have been bowling here for years.  Hopefully for many more to come.

The snack bar serves up great burgers, fries, beer and soda and more . We love ordering a side fries to munch on while we bowl.  

 

Olympus Hills Bowling Lanes

4015 South Wasatch blvd.

Salt Lake City, Utah 

(801) 277-4444

Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9 am to 11 pm

Wednesday 9 am to Midnight

Friday 9 am to 2 am

Saturday 11  am to 1 am

Sunday 11 am to 11 pm

Chelsea Peterson Photography

By Ashlee Prisbrey from Topsy Turvy

I'm a TAD bit biased about this review, because Chelsea Peterson Photography happens to be my sister. But I think her work speaks for itself! This has been QUITE the year for us with many many MANY reasons to take pictures. And while we bartered for pictures (I do all her web work, and help with marketing, taught her photoshop, etc...) she has incredible prices AND is offering a discount for you I Heart Salt Lake readers! (see the details at the bottom of the post)



We started our year with a Baptism, And while I know it's just gaining popularity I've loved having pictures of my children to remind them of this special day in their lives. We have a wall where we are building our baptism picture collection and you can take pictures like these at your favorite temple or even just any gorgeous outdoor location, Utah certainly has plenty of those!



Then of course I spent most of the year pregnant and even though this was my 5th pregnancy I had ALWAYS wanted to do maternity pictures and was tickled when she was able to take mine! We did some inside and some outside and got a great collection for me (And proof when people don't believe how big I get when pregnant!)



And my favorite new craze- birth story pictures. If I could do ANYTHING over again it would be this. Pictures of each and every one of my labors. I love love LOVE labor, and having these pictures of this amazing day are so special to me! I love the little details captured, a tag here, wrist band there, ice chips, room numbers, clocks, etc...



Then a week later NEWBORN picture! Seriously how did that little man fit inside me just a week before this? There was lots of poop and pee and nursing during this photoshoot and worth every picture. A lot more bad than good, but it only takes a few to get that perfect sweet picture to remember a time that goes by way to fast.



Even if you don't get pictures for baptisms, pregnancy, labor or newborns EVERYONE should get yearly family pictures. I'm ADAMENT about this. I grew up with a family that didn't take them every year for one reason or another and I so wish we had. So even when I'm 6 weeks postpartum we tally forth and take family pictures, EVERY SINGLE YEAR! I love that my kids will look back and be able to see how we each grow (sometimes me more than others), change, and expand each year! I also take yearly headshots of the kids (because I'm not a fan of school pictures). Treasures, each and every one!



We ended our photo spree of 2011 with Baby Boy's blessing pictures! My mom has made sweet outfits for all of my kids and I have yet another wall of 8x10's of each of my babies in their special outfits! I can't begin to express how important picture are to me, even more than videos (although I should definitely take more videos than I do!). Picture are my treasures and if we had a fire the one thing I'd grab (after the baby and kids) is my back up hard drive with my pictures.



So whatever you have going on in your lives there is ALWAYS a reason for pictures, whether it's family pictures, your children together or like me headshots (or yourself, I had mine done for my about me blog page- and everyone should have a nice picture for their facebook page;)), or even a couple photoshoot for an anniversary (last year for my anniversary post it took me hours to find pictures of my husband and I together for some of the years- we're great about family pictures, but not much with the two of us- what a shame!) You ALL need to get pictures taken this year, I mean it! She also does senior pictures, party pictures (she does all my parties!), Babies first year, engagements, and wedding pictures!

Chelsea Peterson Photography is giving I Heart Salt Lake readers a great opportunity to get your pictures done! 15% off any session between now and August 31st. To get the discount you need to book by March 1st. Each session comes with your pictures on a disk and a copyright release allowing you to print the photos as you desire (or like me blog about them, use them for birthday party invitations, Christmas cards, Thank you notes, wedding invitations, etc...)

Mini's Cupcakes

Do you love cupcakes?  Many people do.  Why? you ask.  We think the cupcake is the perfect size for a treat.  But a lot of cupcakes are dry.  Not so with the cupcakes at Mini's.  Their cupcakes are moist, flavorful and well thought out. 

Mini's offers over 15 different cupcakes.  With specialty flavors available most days.  Mini's also has two locations.   So whether you're downtown or in Sugarhouse, a fresh cupcake isn't far away.

Make sure to try Mini's signature Breakfast at Tiffanys cupcake, a Madagascar Vanilla Bean cupcake with Tiffany Blue creme cheese frosting topped with edible gems.  It's a local favorite.

Mini Cupcakes

Downtown Location

800 South 14 East

(801) 363-0608

Sugarhouse location

1751 South 1100 East 

(801) 746-2208

Cafe Rio Giveaway!

 

Who loves Cafe Rio? We sure do! 

If you love Cafe Rio like we do then today is your lucky day.

We are giving away,

to one lucky I Heart Salt Lake reader,

a $10 gift card.  

This giveaway is closed.
The winner is Stacie!

To Enter the giveaway, fill out the form below
Bonus entries

Follow I Heart Salt Lake on Google Friend Connect
Like I Heart Salt Lake on Facebook

Follow I Heart Salt Lake on Twitter

 
Giveaway ends at midnight on February 20th

Winner will be notified by email 
Winner will be chosen by Random.org
Utah residents only

3 Valentine's Day Treats from Les Madeleines in Salt Lake City

By Becky Olsen from Utah Loves Cupcakes and Project Domestication.

Today's post is from one of our newest contributors, Becky Olsen. Becky is a Utah native and proud of it. Whether it’s scoping out a local bakery to try their signature item, attending an art exhibit or joining the nearest CSA, she loves to support local. Becky authors two sweet-centric blogs: Utah Loves Cupcakes and Project Domestication, which chronicles her journey in baking, cooking and all things domestic. Becky recently completed every single recipe from what she deems ‘the best baking cookbook of all time’ by Dorie Greenspan. It took her 3 years and 3 months and it was completely delicious! She loves using high-quality, local ingredients, especially if it means learning something new and being able to enjoy a special treat with those she loves.

I rarely visit Salt Lake City without a stop to Les Madeleines. In fact, I always make sure I have quarters in my car so I can stop by for breakfast or lunch when I'm up in the SLC for business. In fact, even if I just have a dime, I know I can run in, hurry and buy a Kouing Aman and be set! Les Madeleines is famous for that special pastry. They've been featured on Food Network, Food & Wine, USA Today and much more. But the Kouing Aman only skims the surface of the brilliance behind Romina Rasmussen's patisserie and cafe. I dream of waking up to her egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast, I crave her individual tarte tatins and I kick myself every time I leave and haven't tried the mac n' cheese. Each item on the menu is inspired by the chef's extensive world travels and illustrates the depth of her culinary expertise. I want to tell you about three special pastries I love and recommend--you'd be a fool not to treat yourself and your sweetheart to these pastries this Valentine's Day.

I've been making my stops around Salt Lake and Utah County bakeries for linzer sables, and let's just say the other didn't quite make the cut. Les Madeleines' linzer cookies is perfection. That buttery cookie with the nutty crunch is even dressed up for Valentine's Day with a special heart cutout. Les Madeleines' linzer cookies have the flavor and texture you'd expect from ground nuts, yet you smile when that same crunchy goodness melt right in your mouth.

The crunch and nuttiness of the linzer cookies are balanced by the sweet fruitiness of homemade berry preserves. This I think, is my favorite part of the cookie. The delightful raspberry preserves are bright and remind me of picking homegrown berries in the warm August sun. Buy these cookies. And buy them by the dozen.

Les Madeleines is also known for their buttons. What other patisseries and bakeries may call French Macaroons, Les Madeleines calls buttons. Les Madeleines has been making these meringue-based confections forever and they know how to make them perfectly. They come in a variety of flavors like passion fruit, strawberry, pineapple, green tea, hazelnut, coffee, pistachio (my favorite), black sesame and the raspberry I tried just the other day...and that's just to name a few.

The meringue cookies are filled with the most perfect cream. Biting through the button's delicate crust is effortless. From there you are brought to the soft and chewy center of the cookie and then the delightful cream center. These treats are sweet, but never too sweet and always flavorful. When Les Madeleines says they serve a raspberry button, you are getting real raspberry flavor. 

And last but certainly not least is Les Madeleines' Vegas, Baby! Cupcake. Les Madeleines only makes these in February, and I honestly start counting down the days when in December when I can make the drive to purchase them. Head on over to Project Domestication to see why I love them so much!

Our Favorite Restaurants For Valentines Dinner

Valentines Day can be a great excuse to go for a nice dinner out.  We love that excuse.  Here are just a few of our favorites.  Try one of them this Valentines Day.

Tiburon
www.tiburonfinedining.com
8256 South 700 East
Tiburon specializes in contemporary American cuisine. Their house salads are always a hit, along with their crab cakes. New Zealand Elk is a house specialty and is not to be missed. If elk isn't your thing go for the beef tenderloin or ahi tuna.
Make sure to make reservations as seating is limited.

Cucina Toscana
www.cucinatoscana.com
307 Pierpont Avenue
If you're looking for authentic Italian food, Cucina Toscana is the place for you. They serve amazing pasta and their gnocchi is to die for. If you want to try something new, just ask the staff they will help you find just the right thing to order.

Caffe Molise
www.caffemolise.com
55 West 100 South
Order what you want at Caffe Molise, you can't go wrong!
Between the flavorful dishes and intimate atmosphere you are sure to have a great valentines dinner here.

Epic
www.epiccasualdining.com
707 East Fort Union Blvd
For a nice dinner a little more on the casual side pick Epic. It's relaxed atmosphere and delicious entrees are sure to score you points. Make sure to try out some of their famous flat breads. They are amazing!
Make reservations here.

Lugano Restaurant
www.luganorestaurant.com
3364 South 2300 East
Perfect for a quiet dinner packed full of flavorful food.

The New Yorker
www.gastronomyinc.com
60 Market Street
Known for their steaks and seafood,  The New Yorker promises a great dining experience.



Where do you like to go for Valentine's Day?

Fotofly Photography

A few months ago I took my family to the FotoFly Photography studio in Draper for family pictures.
I was so pleased with the results that I want to tell you about them.

I love FotoFly's affordable prices. There is no sitting fee, you simply pay $79 for a CD with images from your session plus you get the copyright. You don't have to buy prints from them but if you want to, the cost is as little as $4 a sheet. 

The staff is great too. They make the experience fun for the kids so you don't have to worry about getting them to smile. You can sit back and enjoy the photo session.

The FotoFly studio has numerous background options, furniture and props to use. They are perfect for family or newborn pictures, senior portraits, and so much more.

FotoFly
121 East 12300 South , Draper

(801) 727-FOTO