The Chocolate

The Provo foodie has spoken. The small town chef has answered.

With all of these fresh new eateries in town, I don't know what to do with myself. I never have to eat at a chain restaurant again.  It's bliss.

The Chocolate, a new dessert cafe that has spruced up the section of State St in Orem between Center and 4th South, has got my senses cheering for delight! Someone actually gets it. Someone realizes that we don't have to have the fugliest street in Utah. This thing, this person, this woman... she understands. Finally! I have been saying this for years.

Now, the building has been there since the turn of the century. The 20th century. So a long time. But now people are beginning to notice. Thanks to the little baker name Sue (I don't know her real name, but Sue sounds like an adequate baker's name). Her quaint little cafe with gourmet cupcakes, mountains high red velvet cake with gnosh frosting (yes, gnosh frosting) and this masterpiece, this thing, this dessert called the magic potato.  


The magic potato? Yes, the magic potato. It is the single most delicious vegetable/dessert that I have ever tasted.  The details are sickening, but it is a sinful treat for the eyes and mouth. A sweet potato with caramelized sugar and pecans, topped with creamy vanilla ice cream.  I salivate just thinking about it.


The seating is very feng shui, without any sign an asian has been there.  The music selection is nothing special, just some love tunes in the background. I still love it.


The Chocolate 

212 S. State St
Orem, UT 84058

(801) 224-7334

I don't know the hours, but they are open real late on weekends, and that's all that matters.

3+ Service (It's just counter service, so not that exciting)
5   Food (The potato!)
4   Ambiance
4   Location (The house is lovely, but it's still on state street)


$


Post Script:
THE POTATO!!

Pizzeria Seven Twelve

Hello P712


You are a shining beacon of light in an otherwise drab and dumpy, not to mention unfinished, eyesore that is the Midtown Village (another blog post for another time).

I love the simplistic dining that you, and your parent's other love child Communal (see post below), have created in the Valley.  You both use such flavorful, natural and unique ingredients that it makes your dishes look more like a picture, than the actual picture. 


P712 is a rustic, yet classy, establishment with an open kitchen, delicious decor (the artwork and light bulbs are stab in my heart, I want them that much) and delightful food.  Forget anything you know about pizza in Utah Valley (Pier 49 what?). Once you taste this melt in your mouth triangular piece of handmade, brick oven baked pizza, you might actually die out of shear pleasure.  No wonder they were just honored as Utah's best pizza in Sunset Magazine! Click for the article.

The water is brought in glass bottles, clear and free of embellishments. Their wine selection looked sufficient, of what I saw of it. The pizza was topped with speck. Don't know what that is? Neither did we. It was delicious. Apparently it is a much more flavorful and fresh version of a type of pepperoni.


The bill comes on a wooden plank. The menu, a piece of parchment.


Pizzeria Seven Twelve is unlike any pizza place I have ever laid eyes on, I wish every day was pizza day.

 

Pizzeria Seven Twelve 

320 South State Street #185

Orem, Utah 84058

801.623.6712 
Lunch  Monday - Friday 11:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.
Dinner  Monday - Thursday 5 P.M.- 10 P.M.  Friday - Saturday 5 P.M.-11 P.M.

$-$$$


4  Service
5  Food
4  Ambiance
3  Location


Post Script:
If you dine here, go to the restroom.  The walls are bronze and beautiful, the sink and fixtures are like none other, and the cloth napkins instead of paper add a surprising touch.

Communal

Provo is blossoming with restaurants that foodies will fawn over.  Communal, a new dining destination in heart of Utah Valley, has recently opened to the public, and been opened to my stomach.

Two times we had tried dine at Communal with no success. Not that it is a well known and advertised restaurant, it's just the space is scarce on tables and chairs. It adds to the ambiance. Five linen lined tables of two or four, and a long communal table, bare wood with persons on both sides of you. It seems food court-esque on the surface, but there was nothing food court about it. We had a reservation on a linen table, although we had the option of dining on the communal table as our table was still in use when we came. We took the shared table and never looked back! The service was still exquisite, like clockwork. 

The bread was soft and artesian and what not, and I don't think I have had better butter in my existence, all soft and creamy, like a bread butter should taste like. 

I started us off with an arugula and blood orange salad. It was simple and yet so fresh and delicious. Especially the light vinaigrette, just enough to taste without overpowering the flavors of the other ingredients.  Of course it was a shared salad, a communal salad.  The main course was plated beautifully, everything a la carte. Makayla and I had the airline chicken with sauce robert, and Carlos enjoyed the Atlantic salmon with a bacon vinaigrette. Bacon vinaigrette. Bacon. Vinaigrette.

Bacon vinaigrette.

The chicken, oh the chicken, it may have been the most moist and flavorful piece of poultry my palette has ever been graced to taste.  I actually heard a squeal of joy from my taste buds. The sauce robert was wonderful, and they kept on the skin. The skin was just too good. I mean, who knew a chicken skin could taste like that?! And the Salmon. Although incredibly delectable, with the bacon vinaigrette, it seemed too over powering and I would get tired of it after the third or fourth bite. I am content with my chicken decision. 

Makayla ordered a side to share, a butternut squash with baked caramelized apples in the center. It was too good. I don't think I can ever eat food again. 

Communal is a restaurant right out of New York, set in suburban Provo. I give it my highest praise.  

Communal Restaurant


4   Service    
5   Food        
5   Ambiance 
4   Location


$$-$$$


102 North University Avenue
Provo, UT
(801) 373-8000
Dinner  Tuesday - Saturday  5:30 pm to 10 pm
Lunch   Tuesday - Friday     11:30 am to 2:30 pm


Post Script:

Take a look at their blog (link above) to get a feel of the food presentation, preparation, and atmosphere.