Foodie-Fridays!

It's all about mixing great foods, exceptional wine, and great times with family and friends!

I have always enjoyed creating and re-creating recipes whenever I have friends and family over. If memory serves me right, I have been doing this since my days as a starving college student. I had a passion for cooking, playing with recipes and the occasional request from college friends to conjure a quick meal for a party. Years later, I left my business management career with a software company to pursue my passion.

After moving to Napa Valley, I started and operated an American Bistro restaurant. I did that for 20 years. I cherished my relationships with four and five star restaurant owners/chefs who shared their ideas, recipes and inspiration. I will always remember the simple grape farmers who built well-known wineries and taught the world how to savor excellent wines and pair them with gourmet foods! I can feel their passion about the grapes and the vineyards. In 2006, I retired and decided to move to Utah to be closer to my siblings, nieces and nephews and the great outdoor scenery.

The inspiration to publish this lens came from the challenges and frustrations in finding good-to-great eating establishments in the state of Utah. In my opinion, Utah should be labeled as the franchise-food capital of the union! Everywhere you go you will find the name-brand hamburger, mexican, chinese and cafe franchises. They are at every street corner, every exit on Interstate 15, and at every gas station.

I know there are good-to-gourmet restaurants in this state...it is a matter of finding them. So my purpose is to find, experience and share these diamond-in-the-rough establishments. I rely on Zagat Survey as a starting point when I want to experience restaurants during my travels. I love reading what other Foodie-Friday lovers experienced and their overall rating. So please do peruse further down the page to gain some insight on a restaurant that you might be wondering about. I hope you find this helpful!

Bon Appetit!

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