Hug Hes

Shin Sei Sushi Bar

I have to admit, we left with a bad taste in our mouths. The food was alright, but the price tag spoiled it. (And that was with a buy one entree-get one free coupon!) If we hadn't used the coupon, the bill would have been around $60 - for two entrees, one sushi roll, and just water to drink. That's probably more than we would have spent at Takashi - which is a far superior restaurant.

As far as the food goes, it was actually pretty tasty. We got the Chicken Teriyaki plate, the Yakisoba(?), and the Mars roll. The entrees came with Miso soup - good, fried rice - good, and really good vegetables. The Mars roll was the best part. Quite good. So, yeah, the food was good. We probably would have left quite happy, had the bill not been $40.00 (remember, that's with one free entree.)

The service was fairly prompt, but not really very friendly or helpful. We had to keep asking for our water to be refilled. Help would have been appreciated, as the menu was a little difficult to navigate - especially as far as the sushi was concerned. Our waitress did finally bring us a paper insert (it was wet!) that detailed what was in which roll. Are we supposed to know what's in their "Spider" or "Las Vegas" rolls? But it didn't list prices on the insert, you had to try to figure that out from the main menu. I feel it is a little intimidating not to have explained to you in plain English what the menu items are. Are we really expected to know the Japanese word for chicken? (Is the exclusion of an English translation careless or pretentious?) So we stared at the Japanese words, phonetically spelled out in roman letters - and made a couple of guesses, with little recommendation or explanation from our waitress. I think customers should be made to feel comfortable and welcome. We didn't feel that.

We had to keep asking for our water to be refilled. Our server brought us a pitcher after our meals were finished.

The atmosphere is part charming (wooden roof over the sushi preparation area)/ part sports bar. That's all I have to say about that.

So - wow - this is my first review that's pretty negative. In summary, the food is pretty good. The price, service and menu could definitely use some improvement.

(801) 627-1620 154 25th St Ogden, UT 84401

Star of India

It was date night again last night, and after consulting our book o' buy-one-get-ones, and craving flavor, we agreed on Star of India. We've eaten there a few times before and really liked it. This time we decided to go with one tried-and-true dish and one gamble. Our tried and true: Shrimp Coconut Korma. Our gamble: Boti Kabob Masala (with lamb). My oh my! They were both so delicious! It was one of those great meals that hit the spot dead on. The right amount, the best flavors, MMMwah! For starters, they give you a cool Indian version of chips and salsa - these thin wafers with two dipping sauces, purple sweet and green spicy. (I apologize for my white-bread descriptions!) The service is friendly and prompt. The atmosphere is pretty good, better on one side (gold bricks) than the other (green paint.) Maybe they could curtain off the lunch buffet serving area at dinner time? The nan is sooo good. We always order rice and nan - one or the other comes with your meal. So we do pay a little extra to have both. (Course, with a 2 for 1 coupon, it's a great deal!) Other good bets: Chicken Shahi Korma and Lamb Saagwala. We left very happy.

55 East 400 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Telephone: (801) 363-7555

Validated parking behind the restaurant or across the street.

http://www.starofindiaonline.com/index.html

Settebello - Authentic Napoletana Pizza

A few friends and family members had recommended this place, and it was named Best New Restaurant in the Salt Lake City Magazine's 2008 Dining Awards, so we decided it was time we went. The restaurant was busy at lunch time, and not very large, which was actually comforting when I thought of the food preparation - more care, less assembly line. We each ordered our own pizzas - which was plenty of food, as you'd suspect, but not as big as you might think, because the crust is very thin. Settebello boasts certification from Vera Pizza Napoletana, one of 16 members in the United States. I hear they import their flour. So we ordered the Quattro Stagioni and the Diavola, which is spicy. The first bite was moan-worthy. The crust, we both commented reminded us of Indian naan bread - which in our books is a very, very good thing. The pizzas are topped with basil and fresh mozzarella. The sausage or pepperoni or whatever - was delicious. The spicy pizza was really great, too - in fact, I think we liked it better. We were pretty full by the time we were done. But we still made room for some hazelnut gelato - yum - that we ate as we walked a few blocks back to work. So it was very good. We did come to the conclusion, however, that for the money, we'd probably go somewhere else next time - or split a pizza as a snack. But it's great to try it just to get a taste of a real Napoletana pizza. If the best pizza is made in Italy, and the best pizza in Italy is made in Napoli, then well, if authentic pizza is important to you and you can't make the trip overseas, go to Settebello.

Dinner/Lunch for two is about $30.

Located at 260 South 200 West Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone 801.322.3556
http://www.settebello.net/

Monsoon Thai Bistro

We should've written about this place a long time ago. It is one of our very favorite restaurants - and the one we've been to the most while living in SLC. If there is one word for Thai food it is "flavor." If your palate is bored, eat Thai. If you want a quick lunch, see our review of Sawade. But for dinner, we suggest Monsoon Thai Bistro.

The decor is lovely, including dining al fresco on a back patio, surrounded by beautiful, shaped trees. The service is friendly and low-key. And the food - of course - the food, is so very good. Here is a list of some of our favorites: Panang Curry- flavorful and spicy; Lemongrass Chicken - really nice mild flavor; Green Curry (Gang Keow Wan) - rich, creamy curry with coconut milk; Pad Thai - classic Thai noodle dish, very yummy (and our kids like it, too!); Spicy Mint Noodles - a nice twist, refreshing, good flavors; Butternut Squash Soup w/ Thai Basil - comfort food defined, with hint of coconut; Masaman Curry - peanutty and coconutty, yum; and Pad Ga Prow - delicious stir fry dish. We've been lucky on occasion, especially on weekday nights, to be given a complimentary appetizer from the kitchen. We don't drink, but understand that the wine list is one of the best (if not the best) in the state. See SLC Magazine's awards.

Monsoon Thai offers 2 for 1 coupons in newspapers quite often. Or click on "Hot Deal" on their website for a printable coupon. Treat yourself and enjoy some really good Thai food.

1615 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108 (801) 583-5339

http://www.monsoonthai.com/

You Glorious Greasy Spoon, You

Our beloved Happenings book has provided many a quick, last-minute, not-in-the-mood-to-cook meal. When our kids are with us, that means a stop at the closest greasy spoon (where the ensuing noise and spillage and chasing won't be as bothersome to other diners as, say, in a place with white tablecloths.) So here are a couple of our favorites:

B&D Burgers

Nestled close to the UofU campus on 13th East, and by our Greek fave Aristos, is B&D Burgers. "Big & Delicious" -- yes, they are. They've newly remodeled the interior, complete with a new TV (for viewing the NBA Playoffs - Go Jazz!) The food is freshly made for you. We routinely order the Mushroom Burger, Pastrami Burger, or the one with avocado on it - Avocado Burger? Great, flame-broiled burgers. The buns are good, too - no Wonder brand buns - they're a little more homestyle, soft and flour-y, locally baked. And we usually add a large order of fries - for the kids, of course. (Nutrition is king in our family.) The fries are just right: large, crisp and soft inside, and plentiful, too. Greasy goodness. And there are gyros, chicken, and a ton of shakes to order as well. Call ahead and they'll have your food ready in 10 minutes. (That helps when you have kids, even if you dine in.) I hear they have a $1 burger on Tuesdays, we'll have to check that out. And skip feeding the parking meter monster on the street, there is parking on the side and rear of B&D.

222 S 1300 ESalt Lake City, UT 84102-2609 Phone: (801) 582-7200

Millie's Burgers

And for a true, old-style, drive-up, greasy delight visit Millie's in Sugarhouse. We've been there a few times now, and it's always busy, and has some devoted customers (who are greeted by their first names upon entering through the swinging glass door.) Here, you get pretty much what you expect. We were looking for cheap food, fast, and were pleasantly surprised, however, to find that their sandwiches (Mushroom Swiss Burger; Chicken Caesar Sandwich) were pretty tasty. Throw in some fries and a chocolate brownie shake (and a lot of water) and you've had yourself a true greasy spoon experience (that only your waistline will regret.) One more recommendation, if you bring your kids, turn right at the magic claw machine (you can only turn right) and head to the table in the back corner -- to barracade yourselves and your darling running screamers. And have fun!

2092 S 1000 ESalt Lake City, UT 84105-3321 Phone: (801) 466-6043

SLC Magazine's Best Restaurants 2008

Each year SLC Magazine hands out awards to the best of the best Restaurants in the area. We haven't been disappointed with their suggestions. You can see the list of winners here.

Top honors this year go to (drumroll) . . . Cucina Toscana. We haven't eaten there yet, but hear it's amazing! Can't wait to try it out!