Pastry Wednesday: Almond Horns from Gourmandise

A haiku for you for Pastry Wednesday

Hello, almond horns.

Almond paste and chocolate.

I love Gourmandise.

The end.


So Adnohr was in charge of Pastry Wednesday and she went to Gourmandise.

Gourmandise.  Gourmandise...?

We've all been there.  Lots and lots and lots of times.  And I love Gourmandise!  But I was sure, just SURE, that I'd tried everything there.

But, that's when she whipped out these babies!

Surprisingly, both Sugaraholic and I have never had an Almond Horn.  Shocking, isn't it?

These cookies are sweet with a strong amaretto flavor. The texture was probably the most interesting. It looks like it should be crispy, but it's not.  It's soft and moist and chewy in the middle where the almond paste was folded into the cookie.

You'd think the chocolate dipping would be overkill, but because the cookie is so sweet, the bitterness of the dark chocolate balances it out.

Anyway, it was delightful!

I love getting to know new cookies, don't you?


Gourmandise
250 South 300 East
Salt Lake City, UT

"Let's Go Out Tonight" Roundup - Week of August 22

Holy first week of school, Batman!  How did you all do?

Lee went back to school this week and so far, he's enjoying all his classes--seriously, who wouldn't like taking Marathon Training and Beginning Drawing?!?

Well, here are a few things (which are mostly free) you can do to unwind after a long, hard week of school!

• Thursday, August 25, music begins at 7 PM: At Pioneer Park, Lupe Fiasco will be headlining at the free Twilight Concert Series. I like one of his songs in particular because I dance to it at Zumba--fun fun!
• Friday, August 26 from 7 to 10 PM: In Tooele city, my good friend's band, The Soulistics, will be playing a free concert in the park at Fridays on Vine.  I'm not biased or anything, but my friend, the Hot Scot, is pretty much awesome.

• Friday, August 26 from 9 PM to 2 AM: At the University of Utah Union Building is the Crimson Nights Rocks America.  There are games and food and lots of things to do!  It's free with your U ID card or $5 with another college ID card. 
• Saturday, August 27 from 10 AM to 1 PM: At the University of Utah Rice-Eccles Stadium is the Ute Fan Fest. I was a Marching Ute for several years as an undergrad, so whenever I hear them practicing, you know football (Pac-12 football!) is just around the corner!  Go Utes!

• Saturday, August 27 from 9 AM to 1 PM: At Pioneer Park in conjunction with the regular Farmer's Market, will be the Esperienza Italiana (translation: Italian experience!). I had to list this since Lee is a quarter Italian!

So much to do, so little time!

Wrongfully Accused

A couple nights ago, Lee and I went to the Death Cab for Cutie concert.

Death Cab for Cutie (a lovely press photo from their site)

Loved it!

This was the second time we've seen DCFC, and in my humble opinion, they are talented musicians and sure can put on a great show--we had loads of fun!

Anyway, we had bought general admission tickets, so we weaved our way through the sea of pimply teenagers and got pretty close to the front.

Then we just enjoyed ourselves.  We danced, sang with the band and just had fun.

(By the way, all these pics are from a party...not the concert, and were taken by our friend, Ricardo Hernandez.)


Lee bustin' a move at a party

Another couple, about my age (i.e. not pimply teenagers), was standing next to us, calmly watching the show (i.e. not dancing or bobbing their heads or anything).

His "Single Ladies" move


Lee was closest to them, dancing like he usually does.  If you haven't seen Lee dance before, he likes to describe it as a "controlled seizure".

Anyway, at one point in time, the guy pointed at Lee and "whispered" to his date that Lee was "totally stoned."


Another "Single Ladies" move


Excuse me??

Has anyone else out there been accused of being under the influence of something when you're actually stone cold sober and know how to have fun without the use of questionable substances?

Or is it just us...the spazzes?


Lee finishes off his dance with a little of this action


Yeah, it's happens to us all the time.

I say it's a shame that people don't know how to have good, clean fun.

A real crying shame.

The 8th Annual Cheese and Italian Soda Party: A Look Back

We recently had our big annual party--The 8th Annual Cheese and Italian Soda Party.  I can't believe it's been 8 years since I started this crazy party in my tiny apartment on 200 South in Salt Lake City.  Eight years!

Watching Cheese Got Talent on the lawn

Lee asked me how I got the idea to do the party originally.

Was it because I ate cheese all the time?  Nope, I'm actually a lactard, so I don't usually eat a ton of cheese.

Was it because I longed to be Italian?  Well, not exactly. I would love to be Italian, but I'm pretty fond of being Chinese.

Was it because I was looking for a reason to throw a party?  Yes!  Always am and always will be!

In 2002, my roommate had just moved out and as with almost every roommate, she left a few things behind, which I naturally inherited.  She had left several bottles, about 4 or 5 of Torani Flavored syrups. She liked to make herself some hot cocoa and have a shot of the flavored syrup to spice things up.

Our spread of Torani syrups

Because we Chinese are good at getting the most out of everything, I didn't throw them away and started planning a party centered around these syrups.

So what goes with Italian sodas?

Cheese, of course!

And the rest is history:

• Year 1 (2002): Start of the party in tiny apartment
• Year 2-4 (2003-05): Continue to throw party in 2 other tiny apartments
• Year 5 (2008): Winter's and Lee's Cheesegagement Party at Lee's parents' beautiful backyard and lots of people wearing argyle
• Year 6 (2009): Brady's Cheesegagement Party and Cheese Idol introduced
• Year 7 (2010): Another great year!
• Year 8 (2011): Gourmet Grilled Cheese Bar in honor of 8th year and Cheese Idol changed to Cheese Got Talent

Because this year was the 8th annual and the number 8 is a lucky number in the Chinese culture (heck, we got engaged on 08/08/08), we ramped up the celebration a little. 

As usual, we asked everyone to bring a cheese.  In order to get a good variety of cheese, each person brought a cheese that started with the first letter of his or her mother's maiden name.  And believe you me, it works!  This was just one table of cheese!

How many varieties did we have this year?  A lot!

We had a few more Italian Soda flavors this year!

Just a few more were added this year!

And Cheese Got Talent was a hit this year!

Our Russian emcee was a hit!

And to celebrate the 8th year, we had a Gourmet Grilled Cheese Bar!  Delicious!  Look at those grills in action--thanks to all who let us borrow their George Foremans and panini presses!

The beginning of the Gourmet Grilled Cheese Bar

Here's a few pics of this year's celebration!  What a bunch of cheeseballs!

Thanks for making it a great 8th year!  See you for #9!

"Let's Go Out Tonight" Roundup - August 15

Hello, ya'll!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's the weekend before school starts for a lot of people (insert collective groan here).  Well, I hope you can make the most of your last free days!  We sure are--we're heading up to see Sound of Music (one of my most fave musicals!) in Sundance and doing the Timp Caves tour.  Should be grand fun!

If we hadn't been invited to Sundance and the Timp caves, here are a few things that we'd plan on doing...because they're free...and fun sounding:

• August 17-20, noon to 10 pm:  At the Davis County Fairgrounds in Farmington is the Davis County Fair.  I really like their commercials this year--Viva Las Davis County Fair. There are loads of free stuff to do--pony rides, a diving dog show, musical performances, a snake show--plus free admission to the fair!

• August 18 at 7 pm: At Pioneer Park is the free Twlight Concert Series.  Phantogram is opening for The Ghostland Observatory.  Both have different sounds, but it should be a fun concert.
• August 19 at 6 pm: At Ken Sanders Rare Book Store, photographer Nilauro Markus will be opening his show of incredible Utah photography with a free reception with refreshments.  You can stop by as part of the regular Gallery Stroll.

• August 20 from 2 to 10 pm: At the Gallivan Center, they'll be holding a food competition and music festival called Rock 'n' Ribs!  Local BBQ places will be serving up sample plates for $3 and admission is free!  Food and music...just can't beat it!

Enjoy, friends!

Pastry Wednesday: Carlucci's Bakery and Cafe

This week, Sugaraholic was in charge of bringing the goods.  She told me that she was thinking about going out to a place in Draper famous for its eclairs and cream puffs.  I haven't met a cream puff that I didn't like and I was curious to see if these eclairs would be any good. I'm not sold on the eclair.  They can be good, but doesn't it seem like a pudding filling is a little too plain for something that seems so...glamorous and international as an eclair?  Maybe it's just me...

But, Sugaraholic had a weird work schedule the night before and wasn't able to go all the way out to Draper.

So she "settled" for Carlucci's Bakery and Cafe in downtown Salt Lake.

Settled?!?

This place in Draper must have gold-dusted cream puffs!

Anyway, a little history about Carlucci's:  I have never been to Carlucci's before, but it's located within the Caputo's Pioneer Park Marketplace in downtown Salt Lake City.  Theresa Roper opened this family-owned and operated bakery opened in November 2001 and named it after her grandmother who visits the bakery regularly.

Sugaraholic brought a nice sampling of desserts, including a Chocolate Mocha brownie...

...Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons, Decadence (flourless chocolate cake), and Almond Tarts.

The Chocolate Mocha Brownie:  I don't drink coffee, but I do appreciate coffee-flavored sweet things.  This brownie was nice and fudge-y and that brown swirl on top was a nice buttercream made with real butter, but I wasn't getting enough of the mocha flavor. I'm not sure if the mocha flavor was there only to enhance the chocolate or if it was supposed to play an equal role to the chocolate.  If it was the former, good job; if it was the latter, I say more mocha flavor! 

Snack time!

I moved on to the macaroon. This macaroon was made from fresh coconut and no added coconut flavoring, so it was lighter in flavor than I was used to--suprising.  I'm so used to a pina-cola-in-your-face taste with most macaroons, so this was a nice change.  I do prefer a few crustier coconut edges, but that was the only thing that was lacking for me.

We then started on the Decadence.  You know how you eat a spoonful of peanut butter and it kind of sticks to the roof of your mouth?  Yeah, the Decadence is kinda like that--a thick chocolate coat that needs to be eaten/licked a little at a time so you can fully enjoy.  All I can say it, "Flour?  We don't need no stinkin' flour!"

I stopped midway with the Decadence because I wanted to try the Almond Tart. I couldn't tell how it was made and what was underneath the layer of carmelized almonds. I took a bite and the crisp, buttery crust gave way to a amaretto-flavored cake inside.

Oh, it was delicate and so well balanced!  It was just the right amount of almond flavoring to enhance the natural flavor of the top layer.  This was easily the winner in the Non-Chocolate Division for me!

The Adnohr and Sugaraholic agreed that their favorites were the Decadence and Almond Tart.

We cleaned our plates and licked our fingers and ruled it another good meeting of Pastry Wednesday!

Carlucci's Bakery and Cafe

314 West 300 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Jaques Chirac doesn't know how to spell his own name

Jaques Chirac sent me flowers on Monday (August 8), which coincidentally coincided (say that 3 times fast!) with the 3-year anniversary of when Lee and I got engaged.

And apparently Jaques Chirac doesn't know how to spell his own name.

Isn't that so weird?


Roses from Jaque...Jaques

 But they are beautiful...

Well, thank you, Jaque Sharak, wherever you are!

"Let's Go Out Tonight" Roundup - Week of August 8

Dear friends,

I'm a little bummed that we won't be able to do a few of the fun things going on this week in the "Let's Go Out Tonight" Roundup.  We've got a couple of weddings, a get-together with some old friends, and an annual party of our own that we're throwing on Saturday--we're booked!

From the 7th Annual Cheese and Italian Soda Party

But, if YOU should find yourself with little to do and a need to take your sweetheart out, here are a few things you can go do!

• Wednesday, August 10 through Saturday, August 13: The Salt Lake County Fair has all sorts of fair-like activities, concerts, livestock, and contests. THIS fair broke me into my first demolition derby!  Oh baby!  I was so redneck that night! 

 

• Friday, August 12 at dusk: Movie under the Stars on the southwest lawn on Capitol Hill will be showing Better Off Dead, which happens to be Lee's favorite movie of all time. You just can't beat this eighties classic!  

• Saturday, August 13 from 2 to 9 PM:  At the Gallivan Center is Craft Lake City!  If you're crafty at all (or like to buy crafty stuff), you should go!  And it's free!

 

• Saturday, August 13 from 9 AM to 6 PM: They will be holding a Zumbathon: Dance the Day Away at Washington Square. It's a charity event to raise money for women and children in Senegal, so it does cost $10/person or $5/ person if you've got a team of 3 or more.  I LOVE Zumba--I know I look like an idiot when I'm dancing, but it's worth the endorphins!

 

• Saturday, August 13 basically all day into the night: The Kearns Olympic Oval is having their annual Fire Water Ice Festival.  There's swimming, ice skating, games, auctions, bands, fireworks--you name it, they got it. It does cost a little (max is $5), but it's a full day of activities.

I implore you, please go out and have some fun in my place this weekend!  Or come to the Cheese Party!

Shakespeare and the Ill-Fated Ring

We were in Cedar City, Utah this weekend.  I was attending a Continuing Education class on Saturday and had some tickets to watch a couple of plays at the Utah Shakespearean Festival. We watched Noises Off (hi-larious!) and A Midsummer Night's Dream (extremely well-played).  They've got some great deals on tickets going on right now if you've got a chance to go!

As we headed out, we prayed that we wouldn't have any crazy adventures like last year when we went to Cedar City or like the last time we ended up in Beaver for a few hours!

And everything--the plays, our hotel stay, the CE, a little shopping--was going well.  As you can see, we were having fun in the gift shop checking out all the Shakespearean-esque items to buy.

He's such a princess, isn't he?

It's like having a My Little Pony carry-all!

Guess who? And no, it's not me--I can't grow a beard like that.

It took everything in my power to keep my head up--the helmet was HEAVY!

Well, at least things were going well until Saturday afternoon during the intermission at A Midsummer Night's Dream.

That's when Lee looked down and discovered that his wedding ring was gone.

Oh great.

I wasn't there when Lee lost his ring the first time, but I have an inkling of what it was like--Lee describes it as a chasm opening up and swallowing up all happiness.  I started having flashbacks of when he lost his wedding ring the first time. Things weren't looking good for our super heroes.

If you need a reminder of what the ill-fated ring looks like!

We both frantically searched the area where we sat before the lights went down again, and I think that both of us were ticking down the time till the play finished so we could get on our hands and knees to look more closely.

I don't remember A Midsummer's Night Dream being that long before.

When it finally finished, we let everyone leave and then started crawling around on the floor.

Nothing. Nada. No ring.

We then decided to split up.  I headed to the gift shop where we were earlier and Lee tracked down the Lost and Found.

No luck at either place.  Bummer.

We then decided to retrace our steps and call all the places we'd been since arriving in Cedar on Friday night.  We had already ruled out the theaters and the gift shop, so we started by calling the restaurant we had lunch at and the store we were in that afternoon.

"No, we haven't seen it, but would you like us to take your name and number and we can call you if it does show up?"

Sure...I guess.

Lee then got on the phone with the hotel and this is how it went:

"We stayed at your hotel last night and I lost my wedding ring and I'm wondering if a ring was turned in."

Pause.

"It's a black ring with 3 lime green lines and an inscription on the inside."

Pause.

"Oh, good--we'll be by to come pick it up.  Thank you!"

I breathe a sigh of relief as Lee hangs up.  He then says to me that he has some good news and some bad news.  Uh-oh. 

The good news is that they found the ring in the laundry.

The bad news is that there is not very much green left on the ring, like it had "broken off or something."

Come again?

We headed to the hotel and met up with the super nice front desk girl, Shaleia, who presented Lee with his ring.

Shaleia from America's Best Value Inn and Lee's ring

And she was right--there is hardly any green left on the ring.

There are only 2 little spots of green left on Lee's ring

The lime green is an epoxy inlay and probably was eaten away by all the chemicals in the laundry or during cleaning.

Lee says it's his dark ring now and because of this change, he is going to become meaner...

And scarier...

He doesn't really look meaner or scarier.  He looks a little like a metalic walrus to me.

I'm not so sure about that.  I think he was just relieved to find his wedding ring.

Phew!  We found the ring!  And we're still married!

So, we've now got to have Lee's lime green inlays redone.  I'm glad that's the only thing we need to replace!

"Let's Go Out Tonight" Roundup - Week of August 1

Can you believe it's August already, people?!?

I can't! 

You better start livin' it up before summer is gone and past!

• August 4 at 7 PM: In Pioneer Park is the free Twilight Concert Series with Thurston Moore headlining and Kurt Vile and the Violators opening.
• August 4-6 (see schedule): At Bountiful City Park is the free Bountiful Summerfest. I've never been, but apparently, it's the place to be in B-Town!
• August 5 at dusk: In Pioneer Park is the Pioneer Park Picture Show where they will be showing 500 Days of Summer.  I LOVE both Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt!
•  

• August 5-7 in Park City's Historic Main Street: Kimball Arts Festival all weekend long!  Tickets for adults are only $10 for the entire weekend. Seriously, people--you need to escape the heat and head up to PC!
• August 6 at the City Park in Park City at dusk: A free screening of a documentary called Exit Through The Gift Shop about a street artist named Banksy.

I think you should call up your honey and ask her/him out on a date right now. Go you!