My sister Lucy agrees, she says, "I like the Y donut because it is eating a donut bigger than my thigh."
Way to Fight It Out Provonians!
Stay tuned for next time . . . dry cleaners.
***
Provo makes national news, goes viral and even hits Letterman when a New Mexico soccer player pulls some bad moves against BYU players during a Mountain West semi-final on the Cougar's field.
If you are the only monkey in the universe who hasn't seen it watch the video here.
*** VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!
Rumors are true.
Downtown Provo's beloved Maestro's Cafe is wavering upon extinction. We can't let this happen. Let me put it this way, WE CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN.
If you haven't been properly introduced to Maestro's Cafe allow me:
Flavorful gelato and an orchard of selection. The taste of this gelato will tempt you turn your back on ice cream forever. Free samples with the worlds smallest spoons (in florescent colors!)
European crepes at your leisure, cuddling with clouds of cream.
Real hot chocolate from real chocolate. If you've never experienced professionally-made hot chocolate, I'm sorry to say you've never lived. And isn't it about time? Petite mugs too.
. . . and the latest feature to the Maestro's menu is artisan pizza.
So now you know each other better, how about you join forces with me and Azucar in our SAVE MAESTRO'S campaign?
Here are somethings you can do as fellow campaigners:
Go to Maestro's regularly--and while you are there tell them you are doing your part to keep them around.
Blog, tweet, facebook about Maestro's.
Tell your neighbors, your bishop and your bishop's wife to go there. Also tell your local Democrat.
Don't succumb to any "diet" where you can't "indulge" and life's simple edible pleasures. Right?
Welcome to another new series on this here c jane's guide to Provo blog. Fight it Out (as I am calling it--because I am the birth mother of this blog) is a game where I ask readers to help me decide what is the best of the best of Provo. All readers are invited to answer with their most passionate responses. After 48 hours or so, I c jane (also, the creator of this series) will pick from the best argument and will crown the winner.
The only rule (so far) is that you must only only ONLY choose from Provo's selection. I love Orem (somewhat) but Orem needs to have their own blog. Maybe Mr. Mac can help?
This episode is about donuts (you spell it doughnuts, I spell it donuts, let's call the whole thing off! But not really!) On Saturday, Chup and I were making way to our usual Saturday morning donut run when I suggested we try a new place. Now, not to sway your vote, but Chup insists Day's Market (Canyon Road) has Provo's best donut. But I don't know. I like mine to melt in my mouth (what is so wrong with Krispy Kreme anyway?)
So we ended up driving to Pleasant Grove to try Daylight Donuts. While I was in line (20 minute wait, the place is POPULAR) the man next to me said, "We like Day's donuts in Provo, but sometimes it is fun to drive out here for a good donut too." And I thought, what is Chup (and this man) seeing that I am not? Anyway, Daylight Donuts were great. We both said two claws up to their Apple Bear Claw. But in the end, Chup is still saying Day's is where it is at. (Day's/Daylight--is this confusing?)
Our home teacher says Provo Bakery with a close second going to BYU's Creamery on Ninth.
I am putting it out there for your fight:
What is Provo's Best Donut?
p.s. Watch me on Studio 5 tomorrow morning! Please! Please?
Unless there is a mudslide propelling down Rock Canyon, through University Parkway, slipping across University Avenue and southward to Center on Monday morning, I will be in downtown on LIVE TV. Turns out they want to do a little segment-o on this humble blog of mine, you know--c jane's guide to Provo--and show me showing off downtown.
Oh Miss Molly! Live TV.
(To self: call Ashlee. Get an appointment for Monday morning STAT.)
Once I played a bit part on a little show called Oprah, I've even done KSL, KSL radio, ABC 4 Utah and a small thing called NBC's Today Show, but this being LIVE DOWNTOWN? New one for a veteran like me. I better look hot. Brush my teeth.
(Self again: call Ashlee. This is your second reminder.)
By way of total research, Chup and I hit up Communal and ordered almost everything on the menu. We sat at the bar so as to get the constant commentary from Joseph the co-chef and co-owner. It was a good thing too, he talked Chup out of his "medium/well steak" to a "medium steak" even though he promised he'd be "supportive" either way.
Not to confuse anyone, but I used to be vegetarian. Now I am not. I celebrated my freedom from restricted foods by ordering the pot roast which came to me more tender than my pregnant feelings. We also had the frisee salad (with GOOD GRAVY the best pork belly sampler on a nest of lettuce and local apples), a starter with sweet onions and cured meat--speck, I think they call it-- and their house bread.
In fact, I was eating a slice of this bread when Colton (co-chef, co-owner) came by in a plaid shirt to say his howdy. I said, "Colton why does this bread taste so flavorful?" and he told me, "Kalamata olives." Then we discovered our paths will be crossing on the new committee for the spice-ification of downtown Provo. I think Communal should donate a pot of butterscotch creme for every board meeting. Don't you Sue? Sue?
I almost ate the entire bowl of mashed potatoes. Why didn't Chup order his own? Or were they his to start with?
I also like the mushrooms, which Chup will not eat, so no sharing required. They were salty, just like my old man Steve Clark makes them on warm Sunday afternoons. Chup and I took our time to be aware of the whole experience. We even debated about the art work on the walls (all local artists from Kershisnik to Mark England), and complimented our friend and neighbor Susannah Furr (of Pronk fame) who navigated the interior look of the place. I mean, Susannah wasn't there with us, but her sister's in-laws were there (is this getting random?) We think the hanging lamps would feel at home in our Retro House.
(Call Susannah. Help with Retro House.)
I drank Coke with lemon. The Black Juice never tasted so good. This is not some dramatic PR I am trying to sell you on, I am just saying it was a good-tasting Coke.
What I liked most of all about Communal was watching the communal table. The communal table--the restaurant's namesake--is a long family-style table were random guests can be seated next to each other. Although we were at the bar, Chup and I relished in watching strangers become friends by meals end.
"People bond over food." Said Joseph as he seared Chup's steak. "People love the communal table."
"Are they shy at first?" I asked.
"It might be a little awkward at first, but friends are made, couples are created, marriages occur."
Marriages?
Only in Provo.
Or . . . only at Communal?
You decide. Go there yourself.
102 N University AveProvo, UT 84601-2820(801) 373-8000
3 Things to Note:
1. Get reservations, I will only say this once! Get reservations, okay I said it twice.
2. Communal is now open for lunch. Chup and I intend to go back for the bleu burger--the rolls for which come from the Provo Bakery down the street.
3. Communal uses top quality, mostly local food and beverages. You will be paying for the total experience, Hello Provo, Welcome to Fine Dinning. Don't complain about pricing in my earshot, or else you'll get an earful. Okay?
okay, one more
4. Don't you think we need to come up with a name for these boys? First Pizzeria 712, now Communal. We should have a name by now. Like the 712 Boys or the . . . I can't think of anything clever right now. But I think you catch my drift? Help?
First off, thanks everyone for your support for my Dad. It was close. John Curtis is a good man and I am sure he'll bring a great energy to our city. I need to be honest here though, the new city council is a train wreck. Not even one I can manage to watch. Brace yourselves. Brace, brace, brace!
Secondly, on to the weekend plans. So much going on!
Bijou Market is coming to town this Saturday on November 7th and has brought with it a basket for me to giveaway! (See below for details.) Here is what I like about Bijou Market, it is a tri-annual handmade event produced by three Utah Valley women (is there a theme of three here?) All vendors are local, if not from Utah County then Utah or neighboring states. Mostly, I am so thrilled about the event being held on 9th east (by Stan's, across from Golds) which is down the street from me! I hope to cross off my Christmas lists early and have the warm fuzzy of shopping local. Go early and shop, then for lunch hop over to Stan's. Even if all you order is a plate of fries with sauce you will not be disappointed. Chup and I call label them Provo's Best Fries.
See more info on invite above, or go to bijoumarket.com for giveaways, and a sneak peak of what is to come!
On Saturday night (Nov. 7th) at the Covey Center for the Arts, actors, musicians, singers and others who are talented in ways I am not, are joining together to raise money and awareness for Epidermolysis Bullosa a rare skin disorder. I was ignorant about EB until KaDee Troop emailed me about this event. KaDee's son Zack lives with this debilitating condition which in his case is terminal. My love goes out to Zack, he is a handsome guy.
I looked at the line-up of talent and it looks to be a very enjoyable evening. Headlining the event is Corbin Allred with Adam Johnson as MC. In full disclosure, my husband has sometimes calls Adam my boyfriend because I think he's great on film. Now I need to further explain this comment by adding that my husband and Adam are friends and this shouldn't be awkward. But now I am feeling awkward, so instead of pressing delete I shall just move on.
For a dinner recommendation before the show, may I suggest the gnocchi at Gloria's Little Italy. I like it smothering in pink sauce. Then I like to cap things off with a mini nutella tart. Read Provo's own Rookie Cookie for her review of the place. (Also, get reservations!)
Are you still with me?
Great because I have a prize basket to unload on one lucky c jane's guide to Provo reader courtesy of Bijou Market.
Behold Neighbors, I give you a giveaway!
One lucky winner will receive all of these pieces . . .
3Kharisma Imports (two friends travel often to Bali and buy specialty items from each village and bring them back to the states, they do a lot of service there, as well as help them earn money by bringing items here.) "Silver Serving Platter" handcarved wood platter
4Motley HandMade "Rebel Yell-ow" headband, as seen on cover of Elizabeth Kartchner's new book, "52 More Scrapbooking Challenges" $15
5Blooming Button "Breezy Brimmed Beanie" winner chooses color, size (Womens/Teen, 5T-Preteen, 2T-4T, 6-12 months) and it comes with a coordinating crochet flower. $26
How to enter:
Tell me one (or more) of your favorite locally owned businesses in Provo.
One entry per reader.
You have until Thursday night at midnight MST!
There is a good chance you could win this one . . .
Lo! Behold! Actual homes belonging to actual people!
I was in the BYU Bookstore the other day (because I will buy any dress DownEast produces) when I heard two v-neck t-shirt wearing, female students having a conversation about Provo.
" . . . 'cause who lives in Provo?" said Purple V-Neck T-Shirt, oozing attitude.
"I know! You might stop off the freeway to get gas, but nobody actually lives here." Replied Blueish-Greenish V-Neck T-Shirt.
It took all the self-control I had in me at that point to not set them straight. Oh the restraint! It was painful in my veins! Blood was warm, almost hot, clearly on its way to boiling!
But I used my high elevation breathing techniques, and decided to be inspired instead.
Thus in honor of that awesome exchange, I present a new series on this blog called:
Somebody Actually Lives Here!
Somebody Actually Lives Here . . .
. . . like Annie Kershinik Blake who was featured on Design *Sponge for her smart, homemade desk. Somebody who lives in Provo was featured on Design *Sponge. You know how big Design *Sponge is right V-Necks? Plus, plus, plus your bus, Annie has a great blog wherein she muses about her life making desks and living in . . . Provo.
Somebody Actually Lives Here . . .
. . . like artist Ryan Brown who was trained by master painters in Florence (you know V-Necks, the birthplace of the Renaissance?) and who has graciously started a private academy at Coleman Studios in Provo's Downtown. The academy is called CAS and there is a blog set up for this project. Though I haven't met him myself, his wife calls him a "smokin' hot artist." Provo: the Birthplace of Smokin' Hot Artists!
Somebody Actually Lives Here . . .
. . . like my dad, Steve Clark who is running for Provo Mayor. (Yes, V-Necks, we have a mayor . . .and a couple dentists even!) On behalf of his campaign, I'd like to remind my nieghbors to VOTE THIS WEEK, Tuesday November 3rd.
Because you see V-Necks, the people who live here make all the difference.
p.s. DownEast Outfitters clothing line was started in Provo. Check your label V-Necks, check your label.
Are you somebody skilled in the likes of graphic design? Would you like to produce a Somebody Actually Lives Here banner in exchange for your name on the sidebar of this blog? Email me at c jane mail@ gmail.com!(Open to Provonians only, we're trying to go local here.)
