Rio Grande Cafe YUM!

I have been to this little restaurant twice now and it is really great! A popular classic in Salt Lake City, this former railroad stop building is sure to please!
If you are in the mood for really great Mexican food in a fun atmosphere that is affordable and has good service look no further!

Average dinner is $8-10 per person
Excellent Margarita's!

Located at
270 S Rio Grande St Salt Lake City

(801) 364-3302
They don't take reservations but the wait is normally short

They also offer take out options!

Ruth Chris is the price indeed worth it?

I visited our neighborhood Ruth Chris last week and well....read on.

Here is the breakdown:

Great ambiance
Great Service
Great Pinot Noir
Good food. Perfectly prepared, lacks substance and adventure.

I had the Salmon and the rest of my party had a variety of their extensive menu of steaks. Everyone seemed to agree-it was good, great even, but not mind blowing.

If you are in the mood to blow a lot of money and have steak in a great atmosphere this is the place for you.

Cafe Trang...hm....

When this little chain moved into the neighborhood I can't say I was thrilled, however I gave it a chance. Located in the beautiful Crane building on the corner of 200 S 300 W I have been there a few times and the food is pretty good. The mix of all kinds of food from the orient is pretty impressive(sushi,Vietnamese food,Japanese,Chinese)The food is well prepared, perhaps a little americanized, but overall a crowd pleaser.
The one thing that is for sure is that this place has horrible service. I had to give it a few chances before I came to this conclusion, but the last time I went(last weekend) was the absolute worst service I have ever received from any restaurant any time.
First of all the owner seemed to be having a really interesting phone call when we walked in and proceeded to ignore us for about 5 minutes until we began to get a little annoyed. Then once seated I asked for some tea(green) and was brought Jasmine(not a huge problem since I like both, but a mistake) Once we ordered our food I asked the waiter if I could have a smaller size of the soup I wanted(since I was ordering another entree and just wanted a side of the soup) he informed me that they could do a kid's size if I were indeed a kid, but since I was not they could not do that. I figured that he was simply trying to follow the rules and asked if he could please make sure that could not be accomplished. The owner then proceeded to tell me that it was simply impossible to order a side of that particular soup(even if I was in fact ordering it IN ADDITION TO another entree) she was rude, unprofessional and all around unhelpful.
So moving forward I ordered something else. My husband's orders came and mine lagged behind. It wasn't until the waiter asked if he wanted a box that I realized that he forgot my order. So I had tea(Jasmine) for dinner.
So if you want to receive bad service, for ok food check out Cafe Trang. Otherwise get takeout or go to one of the other amazing restaurants in our neighborhood.

Pollution in SLC....why do we put up with it?

As I listen to the warnings about our poor air quality my mind turns immedietly to the oil refinery that is just north of slc....this black cloud of smoke, while not the only culprit and cannot be blamed for all of our problems, why is it there and why do we just allow it to remain....it certainly cannot be HELPING!

My lungs wonder too.

Dog Park Success!

Council to consider park funding
By Derek P. Jensen
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 09/18/2007 02:42:23 AM MDT

All summer, Mickelle Weber and her neighbors would walk to Pioneer Park to barbecue and play bocce ball on Sundays.
The downtown loft dwellers had two goals: enjoy some time in the green grass and reclaim the park from the derelicts and drug pushers.
Now the Salt Lake City Council is poised to give them another outside outlet at Pioneer. And this one is sure to draw traffic - especially the four-legged kind.
A new dog park, enclosed by an iron fence, is the latest amenity greenlighted to help rehabilitate the drug-infested park space. Tonight the council is expected to approve $77,000 for the canine haven, meaning dog lovers can join the Farmers Market crowd after the snow melts next year.
"I'm really excited," said Weber, who praised city officials for heeding the request. "There are so many dogs in this area. People will use it on a daily basis."
That's the idea, notes City Councilman Carlton Christensen.
"I don't think it's the cure-all for Pioneer Park," he said Monday, "but it certainly has the potential to be a positive addition."
For much of the summer, confusion reigned over whether the city would fund the pooch park, planned for the southeast quadrant of Pioneer. Christensen says the interest always remained solid, but that officials were waiting for a lower construction bid.

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Meantime, a collection of downtown residents known by the moniker "Parktivities" put pressure on City Hall.
"We did a lot of work, and I think it paid off," Weber added. "It's very dangerous for those of us who live around here to have that critical mass of illegal activity. The dog park will help."
So will the spate of other improvements, according to Dell Cook, the city's project manager.
The city plans to spruce up the park's four corner entrances, including adding some lighting and new benches. There also will be a new pathway that circles Pioneer Park - modeled after Liberty Park - which Cook hopes will draw joggers, skaters and other people looking for recreation at lunch or after work.
"Hopefully it will be more of a neighborhood place," he said. "Our goal is to have the project done before the Farmers Market begins next June."
Overall, the city has designated $420,530 for Pioneer Park upgrades as part of its capital-improvement budget.
To pay for the makeover, the city sacrificed more elaborate lighting that once was considered.
Christensen notes fewer trees will be removed than originally feared to complete the work - a plan that now has the endorsement of the Historic Landmark Commission.
djensen@sltrib.com

Doling out the capital cash

After debating the merits of various projects, the Salt Lake City Council is ready to approve $7.9 million toward the city's 10-year capital-improvement plan. Some highlights include:
* $750,000 to purchase property in the southwest quadrant of the city for a future fire station.
* $420,530 for upgrades at Pioneer Park.
* $375,000 for Jordan River Parkway improvements.
* $62,000 for lighting at the Fairmont skate park.
* $50,000 for dog-park improvements at Herman Franks and Cottonwood parks.
* $3.1 million for streets.
* $375,000 for cost overruns.

Why Vote? Well this time every vote counts!

It is that time of year and as I am sure you are aware there is a mayoral race upon us. In some cases you may have felt in the past that your vote doesn't count or that you are in the minority so it wouldn't matter anyway. In this race(the primary) this couldn't be further from the truth! The city expects no more than 2000 people to vote in the primary! 2000! That means that every vote is worth 1/2000 of the vote! If you want your voice to be heard now is the time!
If you have a salt lake city address on your drivers license you are automatically registered to vote. To check your registration status, obtain a vote-by-mail ballot application or review your sample ballot, visit www.clerk.slco.org or call 468-3427
You can vote early at 2 different locations:
(make sure to bring a valid photo ID and 2 forms of forms that prove residency(like bills with your name and address on it)

Salt Lake City Govt. Center
2001 South State Street
South Building, Room S1100

or

Salt Lake City & County Building
451 South State Street Room 138
(ADA access on East side of building)

When: Weekdays between Aug 20-Sept 10
Hours: 8am-5pm


Otherwise you can vote on voting day
Where:
Mulit-Ethnic Senior Hi-Rise
120 S 200 W
7am-8pm

Here are a few articles about the mayoral race as well as district 4 & 6 reps for city council(we are district 4)

Mayor Bunch Article

Nancy Saxton(district 4) here

District 6 here

My Farmer's Market Shopping list

Every Saturday I roll out of bed at 8 and walk across the street to the Downtown Farmers Market.

While I am always trying something new here is a list of my staples at the market:
-Crumb Bros Bread-Herb baguette(get there early, they usually run out by 9:30)
-Rock Hill Creamery-Feta cheese. I can't resist this exceptional, yet small creamery's cheese. It is local, organic and amazing on the palate.
-Peaches(from almost anywhere)
-Salsa from the Salsa Kings


If you haven't made it to the market this year you are missing out! It is every Saturday from 8-1 at Pioneer Park. The market runs until the end of October. There are ATM's, restrooms and food vendors present. Leashed dogs are always welcome and there are pick up bags at several locations around the market.

We usually have breakfast at the market see many good friends and neighbors and just plain enjoy the vibrant community downtown!

Carluccis-great place- even a couple times a week

Carlucci's Bakery is not only a gem in our neighborhood but a landmark in my heart. This little bakery is truly remarkable.
I(and many of my friends and neighbors) eat there at least once if not twice a week.
When you walk in you are greeted by a warm, down to earth setting. Take a moment to browse over their menu on the wall(you order cafeteria style and then they bring it to you at your table) If you are like me you will find it hard to decide and then decide between two(or three) choices. To make things even harder they usually have a special-all of which so far I enjoy. After you decide on your meal you are then tempted by a case full of the most delectable pastries, desserts and cakes. All of them made fresh, many of them that day! I also very often get birthday cakes and cupcakes from Carluccis-always good, and it always is a hit! They also do wedding cakes!

The staff is warm, helpful and knowledgeable. There is inside and outdoor seating(that is btw dog friendly) and great food.
I highly recommend if visiting the city for the day or if you live here.

Carlucci's Bakery
(801) 366-4484
314 W Broadway
Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1702

Nancy Saxton,,,,,seems like more of the same

Don't get me wrong I think Nancy is well spoken, experienced and gets what she wants....however what she wants and what I want are very different. The biggest and best example of this is her view on how to deal with the "drug and illegal activity problem" in our neighborhood. She believes that we should leave it in one area(read:here in our front yard) and it will be easier to "manage" She believes that the drug problem is finite(and truly believe that it is, on the micro level infinite) My biggest question is: if it is easier to manage then why is it still here?
When I try to convince her otherwise she makes excuses, and I get the impression that she just doesn't want it in her neighborhood. I feel that she does not have the entire district's best interest at heart....we fall into 2nd place and while I wish it wasn't this way, I feel that we will have to fight her for any improvements in our neighborhood.
Also when asked to attend our activities or comment on the blog she responded that she has way too many emails to even consider blogging and that she would see about the activities(still waiting to see her and hear back from her in an email) so my question is: who's emails is she answering and which activities is she attending-not ours.

PS thanks to my dear friend who, through hours of debate and discussion(not all of which was voluntary) helped me to refine my opinions on each of the candidates

Luke Garrott-An advocate for us even though he lives on the E side

I must say Luke Garrott has been with us from the beginning. Although never attending an activity he has attended a meeting and has also been very frequent on my blog. From our conversations, he is motivated to do the right thing for our ENTIRE district, not just the E side. I appreciate his willingness to listen to our problems AND offer meaningful suggestions.