Mazza: Middle Eastern Cuisine

I have officially fallen in love with slowly cooked meats in deliciously spicy sauces. Put it all over rice with some sort of carbohydrate for dipping, and I'm in heaven. I know, I know, real healthy, right? Well, if it was healthy and boring I wouldn't be blogging about it...

A few weeks ago we decided to check out Mazza in Salt Lake. I have a friend (Jeff Bradford) who used to live close by and has great taste in food; he recommended that we go check it out, so we did. I'd never really had Middle Eastern food before so I didn't quite know what to expect. I thought, "This is going to taste like Indian food."

I was close: rice, slow-cooked meats, breads, awesome, it was all there. I loved it. We ordered Baba Ganoush for our appetizer, which is basically mashed eggplant mixed with seasonings. We ate it with fresh pita bread. Great start.

For my main course I ordered Mazza's Chicken and Potatoes Mutabbak: "A wonderfully rich oven baked dish made of seasoned layers of chicken breasts, potatoes and sweet golden onion slices baked in a tangy and sweet tamarind sauce and served over basmati rice."  THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE MENU SAYS, how could I not order that? It was one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had. Loved it.

One thing that really appealed to me was the decor. I'm usually not too worried about how a restaurant looks, but Mazza is pretty fancy. Well, I'm converted. Go check it out. Not for the decor, but for the delicious food.

http://www.mazzacafe.com/

912 East 900 South, Salt Lake City

Survey: Mayo or Miracle Whip?

It is an age-old battle of good versus evil. One is amazing and the other is disgusting.

Which do you prefer?

Zupas, less is more.

I'm tired of all of this up-selling at Zupas. All the way down the line they are trying to convince you to order more items. If you order soup, they want you to put something in it. If you order a salad, they want you to get a sandwich with it. Sometimes they even ask you if you're sure after you've already said no.

Today a lady asked me, "Would you like to try one of our delicious brownies for dessert?" And I politely said, "No thanks, I'm okay." And then she actually asked me, "Now, are you sure?" 

Listen Zupas, I'm guessing most people know exactly what they want to order when they come. We don't need your help. And no, we don't want any of your stupid brownies. Well, some people probably do. But most of us don't. That's why we're eating soup.

Mountain West Burrito

There's a new burrito place in town and it's named after an athletic conference. 

And it's in a gas station... 

Mountain West Burrito is showing that it doesn't matter where you set up shop, so long as you bring the flavor and the freshness.

Every time I've driven by this place it is packed with people and none of them are getting gas.
It seems like fresh ingredients and simple preparation has won again. You've got to try this place!

1796 North 950 West Provo, UT 84604 - (801) 805-1870
Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm