Let me just say that I am biased because the pizza here is so very delicious. And I like pizza. Has anybody heard the song “Pizza Day” by The Aquabats? If you have, you know that the day you go to Terra Mia will be the best day of the week. The menu starts off with about 17 pizzas and I think I have had every single one of them (that doesn’t have mushrooms, but I am sure they would be good if you were in to that type of thing) and there hasn’t been a single one that I didn’t adore. The pizzas are cooked in a wood fired brick oven, but have never been blackened and always perfect, unlike some places… you know who you are.

If you like Panda Express (shame on you, you should be ashamed) you would be insane not to like Cooking Taste Right. For the sole indisputable fact that it is, without hyperbole, one million times better. Maybe make that one hundred million times better. Or in other words, if panda Express receives a ‘six’ CTR would receive 600,000,000.

I might be exaggerating but I have never claimed to be a math jerk. I only claim to eat food at many many restaurants. The food at Cooking Taste Right is authentic and delicious. If you knew the restaurant named Munchies in Provo, here it is! Unfortunately for many loyal Munchies customers, the name was changed and the location is not sufficiently visible. If you are wondering where it has gone, look to the east as you are driving down University Ave. You will see CTR right next to Curves and a hair salon. That is where it has gone.

One of the best sushi establishments in Utah, Tsunami now has three locations. The third and newest location, in the river bottoms at 106th south, in South Jordan, just opened, and I figured that would give me a good excuse to put up a review. The other two locations are Sugarhouse (their original location), and Fort Union.

I have to admit that I haven’t tried any of the regular menu entrees at Tsunami. I go to Tsunami for their sushi, which is excellent. Their selection isn’t vast, but what they do have is very high quality. They have the usual (in North America) plethora of rolls and other ‘tame’ stuff you’d expect to find, as well as nigiri and sashimi. They do not have temaki, or hand rolls, on the menu, but if you politely ask your sushi chef, they might be willing to make one for you.

There are several places in Utah where one can eat good Mexican food. One of the best, however, is El Gallo Giro. Their menu is expansive. On it, you’ll find the customary foods you would expect at any Mexican restaurant, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and the like. But you will also find things like a delicious grilled chicken, Menudo and other soups, grilled nopales (the leaves of the prickly pear cactus), and a wonderful shrimp cocktail. Their shrimp cocktail, or coctel de camarones, is not the American style kind that you might be used to. Theirs is done in the Mexican style: it comes in a large mug or bowl with the peeled and chilled shrimp mixed into a sweet tomato sauce. To the shrimp and sauce are added avocados, onions, cilantro, lemon juice and wedges, celery, and some other wonderful things. It’s beautiful and delicious. Definitely something you should try. The undeniable king of their menu, however, is “El Molcajete”, or “The Rock”.

Their food is fantastic. It always tastes much more fresh than almost all of the Chinese food that you can get in Utah. They have the usual assortment of traditional Chinese fair, but Gary has added a few things to the menu that you don’t usually see. He has some delicious salads, Honey-Roasted Walnut Shrimp, and a Salt and Pepper shrimp or chicken that are just fantastic.

To start your meal at Shoots, I’d recommend the Po Po Platter: a appetizer combination of egg rolls, two kinds of fried wontons, fried shrimp, barbecued pork and beef skewers that are served on a platter with a flaming brazier in the middle. You can roast the meat over the brazier before you eat it, so that it will be very hot, with a nice charred crust. If you like hot and sour soup, Shoots’ is some of the best I’ve had.

Settebello, named for the most sought after card in the popular Italian card game Scopa, is a wonderful new restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City. Now, although Settebello is a pizzeria, it is most definitely not “just another pizzeria”. Settebello is different. They are a certified member of Vera Pizza Napoletana, or true Neapolitan pizza. While they are the only VPN member in Utah, this is not too surprising, as there are only 16 VPN members in the United States as a whole. For more information about Vera Pizza Napoletana, see the quote from their website at the end of this post.

A true Italian Pizza, these are each handmade, are never greasy, and have that wonderful wood-fired taste. The flavors of the ingredients all come through in each bite. Bright and clean, these pizzas are fantastic! Don’t expect to find a pepperoni or meat lovers pizza here. No deep dish either. You will find only real crushed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, fresh mozzarella, and other classic ingredients like salami, prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, olives, pine nuts, anchovies, or mushrooms. A more Italian pizza, you will not find anywhere. At least not in the US.

I have been to Sam Hawk several times now, and I have never been disappointed with the food. The have great appetizers, like the traditional Korean seafood or green onion and kimchi pancakes, and maki-sushi like rolls containing korean ingredients. Their Bulgogi and Daeji (pork) Bulgogi are excellent. Their Kimchi Jigae (a very spicy, very hot (it’s served while still boiling) soup or stew made from kimchi, red pepper, pork and some vegetables) is also fantastic. They also serve japchae (Korean chop suey), Duk Mandu Guk (another Korean soup), and many other soups, noodle dishes, and various meats and seafood.

Good sushi is one of the few foods that can be as healthy as it is delicious. Those who know Joe and I know that we love sushi. I am enamored of the food not just because it’s tasty, but also because of how it looks and how it makes my body feel. Sushi really is an art form. Well prepared sushi is a beautiful thing to behold, and it pleases the eye whilst pleasing the palate.

Because I am such a fan of sushi, I have eaten in many, many sushi restaurants. One of the restaurants I frequent is The Happy Sumo at the Riverwoods in Provo (there is also a Salt Lake location in the Gateway). The reason I go back to this place is because it is much closer to my office than either Yapona or Tsunami, and because it is occasionally very good. Usually, however, it is mediocre.

A recent find (introduced to me by Joe), Phở Green Papaya has become my absolute favorite Vietnamese restaurant. The ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is classy, and the service is impeccable. There is an incredible variety of selections on their six page menu. Although I have by no means tried them all, everything I have tried has been top notch. Their prices are reasonable too — my most recent meal, consisting of tea, an appetizer, and a large bowl of phở, came to less than $19, including a generous tip.

When you go, start with an appetizer. Though not typical Vietnamese fare, their chicken satays are fantastic — coconutty, lightly sweet, moist and tender. I like the fresh spring rolls (Gỏi cuốn), but their crispy, deep fried rolls (Chả giò) are also excellent.

Before I exult the requisite and wholly deserved praise on China Buffet, I’ll start by sharing my brief challenge to classify it.

• Is it a Sh–hole? No… There was no visible feces.
• More of a Hole in the Wall? Close, but it’s actually quite large and maintains a stable brisk base of lunch customers
• Lunch Room? Hrmm… Lunch room… A room where “lunch” can be purchased? Yes! That’s it!