We Olive

By Tim Tinker

We Olive Store and Wine Bar is a fun, friendly, family affair. It is run by a Stephanie and her sons, Josh and Nate.  We Olive at Trolley Square as been in business since 2016. The store features California Extra Virgin Olive Oils. We Olive offers an extensive line of retail products as well as in house dining options. 

We Olive prides themselves on educating the inexperienced guest. The Staff will walk you through an olive oil tasting to find the perfect olive oil, and likely also vinegar to accommodate any need. They specialize in Arbequina, Koroneiki, Mission, and Tuscan Olive Oils. You can sample any of the items in the store so you know that you love it. 

 

 

With the holiday season just around the corner, We Olive is a great place to purchase gifts. There are a variety of pre-made gift baskets or the Staff would be more than happy to help personalize a gift. They can even create custom labels for you.  

 

 

 

 

In the back of the store is the Wine Bar. The food is simple but created to highlight the olive oil and balsamic. We loved the  Prosciutto-wrapped Dates  with goat cheese, walnuts, Blood Orange Balsamic, and  Meyer Lemon Olive Oil. The Fromage Flatbread, a blend of artisan cheeses, fresh basil, and Garlic Olive Oil was also a treat. Wine is served by taste, glass, and bottle. Local breweries featured included Mountain West Cider, Proper, and Talisman. They also have a Happy Hour with food specials Monday - Friday from 3:30-6:30. 

We Olive

602 East 500 South

Salt Lake City, Utah . 84102

801-448-7489

Store Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: Noon – 5pm

Eva's Bakery

By Tim Tinker

Eva’s Bakery has opened for lunch, dinner and brunch service. Eva’s has been a mainstay in downtown Salt Lake, centrally located on 155 South Main. 

Eva’s creates what they describe as the European bakery experience based on pastries and light for breakfast and lunch, with more elaborate dishes available during their Thursday through Saturday dinner service. A vegan menu is always available, if you’re into that kind of thing.  

The Wife and I were treated to a special three course event. Starters were Roasted Duck Chowder, and Organic Green Salad. Entrees were Mary’s Organic Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breast and Braised Local Pork Roast. Desserts were Molten Chocolate Cake, and Lemon Chiffon Cake. This menu set up very nice for us to try six favorites, and get a good feel for the hip urban surroundings. Simply put, the dishes scored a perfect six for six with the Wife and I, who essentially split all six. 

My favorite was the Braised Local Pork Roast—and local is a common theme this fall at Eva’s, who strive to use fresh locally produced ingredients. The pork itself was extremely tender, and the flavor was an interesting fresh take on a timeless dish. The Wife’s entrees description is symbolic of what Eva’s is all about: Mary’s Organic Pecan-Crusted Chicken Breast served over local vegetables, currant-tomato chutney & Dijon cream sauce. I must also mention an overlooked perk of Eva Bakery: the Fresh Sourdough and Garlic Butter. 

Eva's Bakery

155 South Main Street

Salt Lake City, Utah 

(801) 355-3942 

Open for  breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday-Saturday, 

Breakfast and lunch Monday-Saturday.

European Style Bakery in the heart of Downtown, Wine and beer available.

Celebrate Spring and Sunshine at Red Butte Gardens

By Tim Tinker

Red Butte Gardens just wrapped their annual Bulbs and Blooms Festival. The grounds are bursting with bright yellow and orange daffodils. If you missed the Festival, not to worry, the flowers aren’t going anywhere. And maybe that is the best part of Red Butte Garden is always open (well nearly, Turkey Day and the week after Christmas is reserved to give the tireless staff a well-deserved rest). The convenience of 100 acres waiting for you any time you can fit in some sunshine and exercise. Bring your walking shoes, camera, and something cold to drink while taking in the Water Pavilion Garden, complete with waterfall. 

Red Butte Gardens 2014 Concert Series is right around the corner. Tickets for Garden Members go on sale April 28^th and May 5^th for General Public. Go to redbuttegarden.org or ticketfly.com for more details (you will want to set up an account with ticketfly.com). You may buy Tickets in person or by calling Red Butte Gardens or ticketfly see below. Be sure to inquire about a membership, it just might make your Summer.  And Fall. And Winter. 

Some of the nearly 30 acts include Sarah McLachlan, Michael McDonald & Toto,  Santana, Sherly Crow, Janalle Monae, and many more.   

 

Where: 300 Wakara Way, SLC, UT 84108

What: Gardens, Concerts, Hiking, Photography, Weddings, Birthday Parties, Private Tours, etc.

When: Summer Hours begin May 1^st  with daily availability from 9am-9pm.

How: Walkling Shoes, Sunscreen, Camera, Layers, Water, etc.

Contacts:

Red Butte Gardens (801) 585-0556

redbuttegarden.org

Ticketfly: (877) 987-6487

ticketfly.com

Resolve to Eat Better Donuts in 2014: Station 13 Texas Donuts

Last week The Wife and I discovered a hidden gem in Utah County. Station 13 Texas Donut's is a bright and cheerful family run donut shop. It is operated by a staff of about 10 employees that includes the obligatory mom & pop (& daughter) of any good small business. The shop is spacious and has an open feel that is completely decked out in firefighter gear. You can even don "retired" firefighter suits, boots, and helmets should you so desire yourself. Station 13 also offers a drive through, in case you need your donuts on the run. 

 
To the hole of the matter: the donuts. Stations 13's donuts (yeast and cake) are handmade and it shows. Station 13's donuts will not be xeroxed clones of one another--they will have slight esthetical imperfections. These flavorful flaws are the badge of honor for custom crafted delicacies. The Wife and I were also shown a neat little trick you can use to tell if your donuts are truly quality. If you pull the doughnut apart, a quality donut will tear apart fairly easily; while your frozen and reheated grocery store types will want to resist the break, and will rip apart. This nugget of knowledge may come in useful when delving into one Station 13's best sellers, the Texas Donut, which is about the equivalent of 5 regular-sized treats. Station 13 has an impressive line-up of donuts, and are always tinkering with new concepts. Of the handful we tried, our favorites were the Toasted Coconut (hers), and the Apple Fritter (mine). If you happen to miss a favorite during the week, be sure to visit on Saturday when all varieties are rolled out. Unlike many competitors Station 13 is open until 7PM. For your late day visits, try the Crio Bru brewed cocoa, which is produced right here in Utah and fittingly enough is caffeine-free. Well mostly. It's made with the most magic beans of all. Cocoa beans.
 

Station 13's is fast becoming a local favorite, not only in Lehi, but as far as Beaver, UT where one die-hard fan makes a weekly 170 mile pilgrimage to 13's to pick up his standing order. After trying Station 13's donuts, you will understand the 170 miles isn't that far.  The admiration is mutual, and Station 13 reciprocates the appreciation every day by offering uniformed firefighters, police, and the Armed Forces a 50% discount, making it a popular hangout for breakfast group clubs.
 

Station 13 Texas Donuts
Where: 1325 E. Main St. Lehi, UT (across the street from Culvers). 
When: Monday-Saturday 6AM-7PM, closed Sundays.
Who: Homer Simpson
Why: 801-327-9385
What: Donuts, Coffee, Smoothies, Kolaches, Hot Chocolate, Italian Soda, etc.

Marie Callender's Backyard BBQ

By Tim Tinker

As the weather changes, schools start, and football rages, don’t forget the barbeque. And while barbequed food and tailgating go hand-in-hand, what about all those pesky meals in between game day? That’s exactly where Backyard BBQ and Pie Combos at Marie Callender’s come in. 

The Wife and I ventured out to Marie Callender’s on a recent weeknight to try their new take on the classic Fall fare. She had the Tri-Tip Salad (Crisp lettuce with tomatoes, jack and cheddar cheese, chopped hard-boiled egg, red onion, and croutons tossed in tangy ranch. Topped with gorgonzola cheese, slow-roasted tri-tip and BBQ sauce). The salad was generously sized and had a smart balance of ingredients. The Tri-Tip was savory and tender. The Wife was most pleased and did not share very much. I had the Build-Your-Own BBQ Platter—you choose two BBQ favorites (Tri-Tip, Shrimp Skewer, St. Louis Bibs, BBQ Chicken Breast or Crispy Tenders), or build on top of one of the three stand-alone entrees (BBQ Turkey Sliders, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, or the Tri-Tip Salad that The Wife ordered). I had the Tri-Tip and St. Louis Ribs and was extremely pleased with both selections. The Ribs were fall off the bone flawless, and the Tri-Tip was cooked just right. The Platter also comes with your choice of two sides (Mac & Cheese, BBQ Baked Beans, Sweet Potato Fries, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, French Fries, or Loaded Mashed Potatoes) and I went with the Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Mac & Cheese. The Mac & Cheese was awesome, with added bacon—if you’re into that, and the Loaded Mashed Potatoes were smooth and flavorful. 

And then there was pie. The BBQ combos all include a slice of Pie to top it off. Marie Callender’s is famous for their pies, and for good reason. The Wife had the Apple and I had the Chocolate Cream. Our ample slices did not disappoint. The Apple was fresh and had flakey, buttery crust. The Chocolate Cream was delightfully decadent and the perfect ending to our midweek BBQ adventure.