…On an Unrelated Matter…
Okay, this has nothing to do with my earlier posts about the Evil to Come. But next week, I am planning on taking a few days to visit family in Provo. Anything I should do while I’m out there? Any special bookstores, art collections, anything? Those of you who live in Zion, I’d love to see y’all while I’m out there. The fry sauce is on me.
Make sure you hit Cafe Rio!
Mmmmmm…. Pork Salad……
Comment by Jay S — January 25, 2005 @ 2:29 pm
I’ve heard it’s good — in fact, I got my sister a gift certificate there for Christmas.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 2:34 pm
I’m going on February 15.
Comment by D. Fletcher — January 25, 2005 @ 2:38 pm
They also have an “Art of the Ancient Mediterranean World” at BYU’s MOA. It is supposed to be good, but it was installed shortly after I left.
Comment by Jay S. — January 25, 2005 @ 2:39 pm
D., I’d love to see your sister while I’m in town — remind me to email her.
Feb. 15th, eh? Well, too bad — SLC is _made_ for Valentine’s day!!
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 2:42 pm
Cafe Rio in general is so-so (I prefer La Costena in Mountainview, CA) but the tres leches there is good stuff.
There is better Mexican across the street from the trolley car in Springville. The trolley car isn’t bad either.
Comment by a random John — January 25, 2005 @ 3:30 pm
I’m not crazy about Cafe Rio. But that’s just me.
In SLC I like the following places:
Red Iguana for Mexican food.
Little World for Chinese food (it’s a total dive but they make the best food and they have a huge variety of authentic Chinese dishes)
Sugarhouse BBQ Company for ribs — they even have a website:
http://www.sugarhousebbq.com/
I can’t think of anywhere else right now but just thought I’d throw down some suggestions.
Steve, I know why you were feeling the evil dread of impending doom. Diane and I are coming to New York tomorrow and will be there until Feb 1st. She’s interviewing for residency programs.
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 3:39 pm
A visit by Steve! This is exactly the pretext I’ve been looking for to host another SLC bloggernacle gathering. If there is any interest, let me know. Maybe we can get an even better showing this time.
To be more direct: Steve, come by my place and let’s have another SLC gathering while you’re here. Let me know some more details of your visit if you think you will have a spare evening to do this. If that is possible, we’ll want to get the word out soon so that others can make it if they have time. Some that mentioned interest last time but weren’t able to come because of scheduling matters were Jim F., Ryan Bell, and Silus Grok. If we got the same people out as before, plus these and any others, we could have a fun evening.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 3:53 pm
Good lord Dan, you should drop by the Manhattan 1st ward while you’re out here. Church is at 9.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 3:53 pm
I’ll be out Monday through Thursday noon, so M-W evenings would be fine.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 3:54 pm
dan,
Diane going to interview anywhere in Boston? What is she specializing in?
Comment by a random John — January 25, 2005 @ 3:57 pm
I’ll talk to Allison and see which night would be better. Anyone else want to come and have scheduling suggestions?
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 4:02 pm
She’s not interviewing anywhere in Boston. She’s interviewed in CA, DC and here at the UoU. She’s got two interviews in NY and then I think another in DC again. I think that’s about it.
Steve,
We’ll be attending at Westchester Ward on Sunday (the ward I grew up in with Bryce). But I appreciate the suggestion.
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 4:07 pm
Danithew, does that mean you won’t be around here when Steve is here?
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 4:11 pm
Would you pick me up a Nachos Grandes and a chicken fajitas from Los Hermanos?
Comment by David King Landrith — January 25, 2005 @ 4:24 pm
Sounds fun… I can vouch for john fowles being an excellent host (as well as his charming wife). If he’s willing to have me again, I’m there. I can do it most any evening as long as I find out within the next day or so.
Comment by Bob Caswell — January 25, 2005 @ 4:25 pm
I wouldn’t call Cafe Rio mexican anymore than I would call PF Changs Chinese. I don’t care much for their enchiladas, but the Burritos with the Green sauce and the Salads are bueno (especiallly the pork).
Red Iguana is good, but challenging locations for a Provoan (Provoite?).
Also Gandolfos is a good sandwich shop, but deteriorating in quality at the chain locations. For the bets luck try the original location at Center and University Ave (Basement of the Knight building). Breakfast is great too.
Comment by Jay S. — January 25, 2005 @ 4:30 pm
Cool, it sounds like Bob will come around too. I don’t know the exact date yet–I’ll keep you posted.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 4:51 pm
John, I’m guessing right now that either Tuesday or Wednesday night would work for me. I’ll check with my wife (who sometimes has book club on Tuesday nights), and weigh in a bit later.
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 25, 2005 @ 4:52 pm
Ryan, that would be great if you could come as well. I will check with Allison about one of those two nights specifically.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 4:55 pm
Steve, it may be over by the time you get here, but Sundance is in full swing right now. You should check the dates and see if you can catch a screening or two.
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 25, 2005 @ 4:56 pm
Yeah, Ry, at first I toyed with the idea, but the thought of schlepping up there is unbearable.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 4:58 pm
Steve, some of the films are shown at Trolley Square, not too far from my house.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 5:02 pm
John, I don’t know the exact dates Steve will be around. I’ll be gone from tomorrow (January 26) until February 1st.
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 5:16 pm
I’ll be in SLC from Monday Jan. 31 through Thurs. Feb. 3.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 5:16 pm
Sensuous Sandwich
Los Hermanos
Cyberquest
Seven Peaks (if it is open)
Comment by Kim Siever — January 25, 2005 @ 5:44 pm
If Allison really does host another gathering, she will have to receive some sort of award for patience and graciousness to people whose views she finds abhorrent and who make her husband crazy (not to mention encouraging him in a pursuit she views as a bit of a waste of time)! What a trooper!
(Of course, I’m proceeding from the sexist assumption that Allison will do much of the work of readying the house and hosting the party–quick, John, this is your chance to lambast me for falling into stereotypical misperceptions and tell me that, in fact, you will take the day off from work to get ready for the party :))
Comment by Kristine — January 25, 2005 @ 5:45 pm
Kristine, you just had to get your jabs in, didn’t you?? Tee hee!
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 5:48 pm
I didn’t mean to be jabbing–I really do think Allison’s a hero. And I actually assume that John pulls his weight around the house, too. (Also, mostly, I am thinking about how many months’ worth of housework that I’ve neglected to blog would have to be done before I’d be unembarrassed to host a bloggernacle party.)
Comment by Kristine — January 25, 2005 @ 6:05 pm
Having enjoyed the last blogger party hosted by the Fowles I can certainly attest to their graciousness and hospitality. Sounds like I might miss this one. My loss. I would have liked to meet Steve too.
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 6:08 pm
Dan, if we do it Feb. 2nd couldn’t you make it?
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 6:10 pm
Steve, I’ll try and see what’s possible. Don’t hold up stuff for me but if I can possibly make it I’ll drop in.
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 6:13 pm
I just want to confer with Allison to make sure that we don’t double-book ourselves some night. She has family coming in for her birthday Jan. 31 and we will be having lots of activities while family from California and Virginia are here.
But, Kristine, you are right that Allison will likely play more of a role than I will in actually hosting this event. We both work on keeping the house clean, but since she is there most of the day, a larger part of that burden falls to her. Also, she loves to cook and again, since she is home during the day, she would likely be the one to do any cooking if we did something more than cheese this time. She is a trooper indeed. The funny thing is, as opposed to Danithew’s wife (who refrained from coming last time out of a taboo on meeting people in real life that you spend time with on the internet), Allison would rather hang out in person with all these people I interact with on the blogs than argue on the blogs herself.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 6:55 pm
Also, Allison would never stoop to the ad hominem levels to which I am willing to go in such discussions, so even if she might abstractly find someone’s views abhorrent, she will still have a blast with that person at a party.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 6:57 pm
Steve, is Sumer coming with you?
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 7:03 pm
Can I just say that the BEST food in Utah was that yummy Park Ivy vegetarian restaurant in SLC, near the Tower Theatre? (Yes, I can just say it. I just did). Alas, it has closed down, along with its sister location at that grocery store in Orem.
Aaron B
Comment by Aaron Brown — January 25, 2005 @ 7:04 pm
I am trying to convince Sumer to come. But she is a defiant, strong Mormon woman and will do as she pleases.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 7:22 pm
Defiant, strong POWERFUL Mormon women. Aren’t they great?
Comment by danithew — January 25, 2005 @ 9:35 pm
I say we do it Wednesday night!
Comment by Steve Evans — January 25, 2005 @ 10:28 pm
Wednesday would work for me (as would Monday since I have no children at home, unlike–I assume–some of you), but neither Tuesday nor Thursday would.
Comment by Jim F — January 25, 2005 @ 10:33 pm
I’m sorry, everyone, but this will not be possible for me this coming week. Allison’s family will be in town and we are scheduled every evening beginning with Jan. 30. We will certainly have another blog get-together sometime, just not next week.
Comment by john fowles — January 25, 2005 @ 11:55 pm
Steve, Dallin says he’ll get in touch. He lives in Provo (but is here in NC until Thursday). He’s got some more music for you.
Comment by Bryce I — January 26, 2005 @ 7:53 am
Of course, I’m coming to Utah on February 15 — 23.
Comment by D. Fletcher — January 26, 2005 @ 8:27 am
Comments should be back up now….
anyone else want to host?
Comment by Steve Evans — January 26, 2005 @ 10:09 am
Aaron B.,
Did you know that the Park Ivy was run by members of a cult? It’s true. My sister-in-law’s grandmother is their leader/prophet. Vegetarianism is one of the requirements of membership. I ate there once and I thought it was pretty terrible food. A bicycle shop has taken its place, which I am quite happy about since it is a pretty good shop.
Anyhow, the BEST food in Utah is at the Center Cafe in Moab.
Comment by a random John — January 26, 2005 @ 10:22 am
If nothing is set up for Steve’s visit, we can probably have a gathering at my house for the event of D’s visit. Allison’s family won’t be in town then.
Steve, if you’re downtown visiting D’s sister, we could still grab lunch if you’re interested. I would like that. Let me know. Shoot me an email.
Comment by john fowles — January 26, 2005 @ 11:13 am
I’m currently in talks with Macy about hosting on Wednesday night, a week from tonight. We have a possible scheduling conflict that could mess us up. I’ll give more details as they develop.
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 26, 2005 @ 11:56 am
This will be the second week of February? Count me in!
As for where’s and what-fors, I don’t know everyone’s budget, but good food is easily had all over SLC… Bubbu’s Southern BBQ, which is down about 9th East and 53rd South is really good and convivial; there are several excellent brew-pubs; and there are also some other wonderful restaurants downtown (Xiao Li for Chinese is very good).
On the Café Rio battle, I’m squarely in their camp: might fine grub… and to-die-for tres leches.
Comment by Silus Grok — January 26, 2005 @ 1:50 pm
Ryan, any news? You’re our only hope.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 26, 2005 @ 3:38 pm
Ah, I see now… we have competing dates: next week and the following week. Steve will be in town next week and D will be here the following.
I’m 100% available for D’s get together, and about 50-50 on Steve’s. Nothing personal… just that a friend wants to do a road trip to IKEA next Wednesday.
Comment by Silus Grok — January 26, 2005 @ 5:11 pm
A road trip — to IKEA? Isn’t the closest Ikea in California? All that way for crappy furniture?
Comment by Steve Evans — January 26, 2005 @ 5:30 pm
It’s a go. Let’s plan on Wednesday night, a week from tonight, at 7:30. More details to come.
So far I have tentative acceptances from Steve, Bob, Jim F. Who else? By the way, I think an appearance from John Hatch would be fantastic. What are the chances, John? (I’m only about four blocks south of the U, if that helps).
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 26, 2005 @ 5:30 pm
I’ll try to convince him, but you have to pretend to be liberal for one night, Ryan.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 26, 2005 @ 5:33 pm
Steve, I can promise I’ll be liberal with the artichoke dip, will that do? Actually, all you have to do is invite all of my close friends from around here, and they’ll tell you I’m nothing but a flaming left-wing nut. I guess it depends on your perspective.
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 26, 2005 @ 5:46 pm
Brrrrr its cold in New York. But we’re thrilled to be here. I’m still paying attention to this thread and if I can escape next Wednesday I’ll make an appearance.
Comment by danithew — January 26, 2005 @ 7:17 pm
Depending on what exactly the activity is for Wed. night, I might be able to come. We just couldn’t host it b/c of Allison’s family being in town and the events that will be happening based on that. I would love to come by. Ryan, can you email me your address at john dot fowles at gmx dot net? I am really glad that a gathering will still happen even though I wasn’t able to host it in the end.
Comment by john fowles — January 26, 2005 @ 7:24 pm
You realize, Ryan, that this time there is no escaping an encounter with Bob… Our conversations may have fizzled out over the last few months but in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve been the slightly-more-conservative liberal over here at BCC. I’m excited to be in company where someone else can take the brunt of the “being conservative” opposition. In following john fowles’ lead, send me an email at bobcaswell at fiber dot net.
Comment by Bob Caswell — January 26, 2005 @ 11:23 pm
Assuming that my boss doesn’t find something for me to do between now and then, I, too, can come. Send me an e-mail with details too: james underscore faulconer at byu dot edu
Can I bring something?
Comment by Jim F. — January 27, 2005 @ 12:39 am
Jim can make it this time? This is really too bad that I can’t host it this time. Just know that I would have loved too but scheduling difficulties got in the way. With any luck, I can at least show up.
[Jim: I have seen your picture before on your T&S bio but that doesn't stop me from imagining you like Jack Bristow on Alias. You probably don't watch it, but that face and character have somehow occupied the Jim Faulconer category in my mind. I want to attend the gathering at Ryan's if for no other reason than to break this somewhat annoying phenomenon that happens whenever I read your posts, that is, hearing Jack Bristow reading them to me. . . .]
Comment by john fowles — January 27, 2005 @ 1:23 am
lol, John, that’s a really funny phenomenon. Jim for me is a little more Brian Cox, from the Bourne Supremacy and X2. Okay, Cox is a villain in both of those movies, but in the movie of Jim’s life, he plays a nice guy. I hope you can make it as well, John.
I will send an email with directions and other details early next week.
While the house is definitely on the smaller side, I look forward to seeing whether other Salt Lake area bloggers can make it. Let me know if anyone else is available and interested. Daniel, what’s your status?
Comment by Ryan Bell — January 27, 2005 @ 10:01 am
LOL, man you guys are in for a surprise.
Comment by Steve Evans — January 27, 2005 @ 10:11 am
Hey Dan, if you’re in town, you should look me up. I won’t be in Church this Sunday, as far as I know…
Comment by D. Fletcher — January 27, 2005 @ 1:09 pm