Pirate O's, Draper's Secret Treasure

www.pirate-O.com

There aren't very many off-the-beaten path stores in the Salt Lake Valley.  Even fewer that offer specialty, gourmet, and foreign foods.  Pirate-O's, a great little shop with a front porch, says they are "where food memories begin."  This is where you are going to find celebratory foods you can't find anywhere else--marzipan pigs, German christmas cookies, caviar, cheeses, foie gras, etc.
They make beautiful gift baskets for the holidays, full of fresh sauces, salsas, dips, chocolates, crackers, cheeses, etc.  They have a deli where you can get delicious hot and cold sandwiches during the day.  And their holiday spread of international chocolates, nuts, and other goodies is always to-die-for.
I always take time to hit the refrigerated room set aside just for gourmet sodas and cheeses.
Check their website, but don't stop there--it just doesn't do justice to the store.  Visit before Thanksgiving.

Pirate O's Gourmet Market
11901 S. 700 E.
Draper, UT 84020
801-572-0956
pirate@xmission.com

Escape Options for the holidays

Even the best of families grow weary of spending an entire day preparing, cooking, and cleaning up after appetizers, dinners, and desserts on Thanksgiving.  But you still have time to escape, at least for one year--
Little America Hotel is known for it's sumptuous Thanksgiving Day Buffet in the Grand Ballroom.  It's served from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Salt Lake City location.  The menu includes everything on the traditional Thanksgiving menu, plus exquisite extras:  steamed crab legs, poached salmon, stuffed port legs, and prime rib.  The entire Brunch menu for 2011 can be found here:  http://saltlake.littleamerica.com/public/files/LATHanks2012.pdf
The charge is 39.00 for adults, 18.00 for children, and ages four and under dine free.
Traditional thanksgiving foods will also be served in the Little America Dining room and Coffee Shop.
If you want to make it a weekend, Little America also offers reasonable per-room rates, so you can spend the holiday enjoying downtown Salt Lake City.
For more information about holiday fun at the Little America, including Christmas celebration events, check http://saltlake.littleamerica.com/dining/holiday-offerings-2011.

Lolabella Boutique

Watch it, fellas.  We're treading into dark territory for some of you, here.  Lolabella (located in Fashion Place Mall in Murray and the Gateway in Salt Lake City) is the kind of small, high-end boho-chic boutique that you can spend a lot of money at on a casual Saturday date.  Because everything is just so unique, so hip, and so flattering.
What I'm trying to say, ever so awkwardly, is that this is the kind of place you probably want to save up for on special occasions.  While Lolabella does have great sales, and fairly often, the inventory is definitely upscale.  I'll be the first to admit loving a pair of really great jeans, though.  You pay significantly more up front, but they last longer, look better, and fit more comfortably.
In the past, I've bought denim brands here including Deisel, True Religion, and Seven For All Mankind.  And my three absolutely favorite fitted collar shirts by designer James Perse also came from Lolabella.  Keep your eye on the jewelry selection.  Some of it is hippie-style, some more glamorous.  But even when I don't buy, I love poring over the cuff-style bracelets, exposed clock necklaces, fat rings, and eclectic hats.  I don't mind pointing out that I am currently the "mayor" of Lolabella boutique at Fashion Place mall on Foursquare.  Because even when I'm not in a position to buy, I still stop in religiously.  And with the holidays around the corner, and beautiful, whimsical women in your life, you should, too :)
 

Eating Out, and Making it Worthwhile

Saltlakerestaurant.com is our latest and greatest find for restaurant discounts in the valley.  Click on the link  for free gelato at Dolcetti, two for one offers at Marble Slab Creamery, discounts on steak at Madeline's (one of my own favorites--try the best creme brulee in town while you're there); discounts to Braza Brazilian Steakhouse; and coupons from Mountain Mike's Pizza.
Saltlakerestaurant.com has already proven to be a great find.  We will be visiting them regularly for discounts at some of the valley's nicest and varied places to dine.

http://www.saltlakerestaurant.com/hot-deals-coupons/

Beginning of the Week--Time for Groceries

It's the beginning of a chilly winter week, and time for you to stock up on groceries for the family.  Harmons has some great deals on groceries, and you can find the up-to-date list of them at grocerysmarts.com.  See below for up to 40% off items at Harmons for the week of November 14th, including organic apples, convenient bagged salads, sausage, chocolate milk, and Da Vinci pastas.  Looking forward to the holiday, they have Thanksgiving items like cranberries, spiral sliced ham,  yams, turkey, and 7-Up products on steep discounts as well.

Harmons is one of my favorite local grocery chains.  They have an exceptional selection of steaming hot homestyle dinner foods for those days that you don't feel like cooking, but don't want to feed the kids cheeseburgers.  And their deli is second to none.  A smorgasbord of international cheeses and meats can make your holiday get-togethers really fun to plan and lay out.

http://www.grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/indexg84csg.php?h84ar2

...And this is JUST the blue cheese section.  Yum! 

Flashback to Blockbuster

In a market now dominated by instant gratification, it's hard not to think nostalgically back to the simple pleasure of browsing the video store on a weekend night.  Netflix and Redbox have their appeal, to be sure.  Still, I'm glad Blockbuster is still around, and I can still walk in and peruse the aisles lazily to see what might be interesting.
The Wasatch Front still has several locations available.  They can be found at www.blockbuster.com/stores.  They also have a great deal that allows you to  have the best of both worlds.  The Blockbuster Combo Pass allows unlimited in-store movie and game rentals.  You get one disc out at a time, 1 by-mail rental per month, and no due dates.  It's just 7.49 for the first month, and 14.99/month after that.  Whether or not you take advantage of the Combo Pass, make sure you stop in and browse the DVD and Blu-Ray selection at Blockbuster this weekend.

Sink Into a Couch At Bakery and Brews

Nothing is more comforting than a quiet coffee shop on a November evening.  I discovered Bakery and Brews just as dusk was falling after my harp lesson.  I had stopped at Smith's on about 5300 South and 600 West for some oil for my car (another, considerably more pathetic, story), and as I was heading to my car, I noticed the warm glow emanating from Bakery and Brews.
Mmmm, a sandwich and Chai tea, I think.  Perfect.  I am immediately taken with Bakery and Brews, based simply on the atmosphere.  Beautifully decorated, neat, and exceptionally cozy.
The place is pretty much empty, and it looks like Les, the owner, and his wife and cook, Jackie, are getting ready to pack up.  Still, I am invited in warmly and enthusiastically, and as I peruse the menu, I notice their beautiful, wide-eyed 4-year-old daughter contentedly playing a video game behind the counter.  Les explains that they are just getting ready to deliver an elaborate cake for an anniversary celebration.  Layer upon layer, it is--but what stands out to me is the part where there is a tier of Bavarian cream.  He has my full and complete attention at Bavarian Cream.  He explains the menu to me, and as he does so, the subtle but proud South American decor starts to sink in. Soccer teams, flags, international "welcome" signs.  All this is blended perfectly with a Parisian coffee shop/American hangout vibe.  Ridiculously inviting couches line the north wall, with a big screen tv, stacks of South American books, and a fireplace.  I am already a loyal customer, though I try to remain ambiguous as Les explains that most people go for the "gringo" sandwiches and bakery goods, but the South American food is excellent and varied.  So I settle on a Uruguay beef empanada, a hot cup of chicken and vegetable soup (big chunks of fresh vegetables and chicken), a half a Milanesa steak sandwich, and a piping hot Chai tea.  I settle into the couch and put my stoneware dishes on the coffee table while Les sends his little girl over, who very carefully and congenially places the empanada on the table as well.   Les turns on the fireplace and entertains me with tales of crowded "open mic" nights, unbelievable homestyle South American dishes his wife prepares daily, and the struggles of keeping a beautiful, quality business like his afloat. As I sample the food, and become pleasantly stuffed, I assure Les that I am already a loyal customer, and inwardly look forward to cold winter evenings at Bakery and Brews with a book and some perfect new menu choice.  
Les and Jackie are there from early morning, for breakfast and coffee, to evening, for dinners and dessert pastries.  Visit their sites below for more information, dates of musical performances, and menu selections.  Very few local business deserve customers more than Bakery and Brews--for their quality of service, their warmth, their homestyle food, their unique concept, and their perfect location, just off the freeway at 53rd south.  I'll be back soon.
Bakery and Brews 
625 w. 5300 so.  Murray, UT 84123
(801) 290-2958
http://www.bakeryandbrews.com
http://bakeryandbrews.blogspot.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bakery-and-brews-murray
http://www.facebook.com/bakeryandbrews