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Show Zlcccatly Carrabba'sKaSanGrin You must have to be beautiful to work at Carrabba's, an East "J " k Coast chain that is pushing its aggressive brand of loveliness on Utah County. The restaurant features classic Italian pastas manicotti, cannelloni, spaghetti but also devotes a good deal d of attention to meats. The wait time on weekends can induce instant crabbi-nesbut the menu is full of complicated specialties sure to delight and, unfortunately, enlarge. Trust us, order the Chicken Bryan: We'd trade our first child for the killer combination of chicken breast, tart caprino cheese and basil lemon butter sauce. 683 E. University Pfewy., 2 Orem, ... s, , v.v fc X Air ri 765-122- Chinatown restaurant i FRANK BOnDally Herald Costa AzuTi Shredded Chkken Salad, topped with cheese end tomatoes. Coasting toward the familiar New fresh Mex restaurant has recognizable feel, cuisine restaurant. The salad here is both, and does such a dead-o- n made with a floury, oversized rendering of these dishes that ..". tortilla loaded it's tempting to wonder who i,.,' here is something copied whose reck earthy black beans(at our f choosing), crisp romaine leti eerily familiar about when. the sweet pork and tuce, dlaritro line rice,totija Really, it's about time a restaurant went head to head .. cheese, pico de gaUo and gua- -' . thecflantrovinai-i.,: camole. We tried the salad with Cafe Rio. Although a grette dressing at with both marinated steak and fresh . number of quick-serv- e the fecendy opened novo out-o- f Mex restaurants have opened restaurant Costa AzuL this. world sweet pork that is some of the best meat to in Utah County, none have ' Haveht we had those items be had in the county. been able to capture the befoce2-g Costa Azul's burritos are essence of Cafe Rio Just dowKthejcoadjnaybe? meats, tart, luscious In a place that makes you grande, to say the least We ordered a chicken burrito stuffed salad dressing - so closely. . waft in amusement park-lik-e with rice and pinto beans, and The premise is simple: Costa lines for a chicken burrito? asked that it be smothered with Costa Azul is not affiliated i Azul serves fresh food at a walk-u- p the green chile sauce. The station where meals with the behemoth chain Cafe ' are prepared to order. Patrons - sauce was bursting with green Rio, but t's stunning how simichiles and had just a whisper of can choose from a menu that lar same of the cuisine is at the ' includes burrtos,tacos,encbi-. two restaurants. , muoL ladas and salads. Costa Azul r ,Therestaurant opened a few cTcijruiuiB was laudable for bowling alley weeks ago in the Fat Cats bowl, r does a few items unique to the local quick-servMexican food , cuisine. We weren't Sold on the . ing alley complex, adding its coastal decor to die dark, sBght-- h industry. For example, they of- -' tortilla soup, which had a pal- fer "tortizzas" -- a handmadfi ; .try number of ingredients psychedelic atmosphere. - just some broth, tortilla strips, Those who have waited (and tortiHa that can be topped with cheese and, interestingly ' chicken, and a couple carrots. waited) for food at Provo's ,5till, it was the only misstep on Cafe Rio will renumber the enough, pepperonL-v- ' The food is priced inexpen- - i several consecutive visits. salads in tortilla shells and ' We were concerned that not sively, and is every bit as good smothered burritos served ena single chef or Bne cook wore as that other fresh Mex chilada style. Costa Azul has Elyssa Andrus .DAILY HERALD r - iwpj I I : I Costa Azul 300S.700East, Where: 1200 N. University Ave., v Provo M -- mouth-waterin- T e - ' 111.!. novii7. 'i illicit . .tt f Price range $1.95 to $5.95 Wheelchair access: Wheelchair- accessible parking and bathrooms Tamily calk Children are welcome Vegetarian options: Several Mat Don't be put off by the small, slightly ramshackle exterior: Chinatown has more space and imagination than one might think. Inside, the interior is dark and almost smoky, the sort of place you might expect for backroom dealings by the . Mafia. But the restaurant's menu is all Chinese. ' Choose from an extensive menu of Mandarin specialties that includes everything from Pork with Garlic Sauce to Sizzling Tofu. Some items are greasy and boilerplate, while others are surprisingly bold and inventive. Take time to peruse the Chinese zodiac placemats: After all, you never know whether or not to marry a rat. 373-18- gloves while preparing our . food. And while the restaurant has ample seating, the small area allotted for the walkup station doesnt seem big enough to accommodate large crowds. 'X. We expect the line for food will certainly get longer once word about the tasty cuisine gets out. But when it comes t&,, waiting in a long line for a tortilla salad we've defmttely . done that before, too. ' S Provo, 373-769- 9 ' L&L Hawaiian Barbecue . Three former BYU football players have teamed up to open an L & L Hawaiian Barbecue franchise, and judging from the long lines at the restaurant, they've scored a touchdown. The sunny, island-theme-d restaurant is fast becoming one of the nation's trendiest new chains. (The 100th location re' cently opened in die San Fran-Cisco bay area.) : ; L & L features plates of barbecued meats served with sticky white rice and creamy macaroni salad. The food can be a bit greasy, and Spam has a disturbingly large footprmj on the menu. But if you're a fan of savory, seared meats, this place scores. 158WA230 North, 8 Provo, irVv 818-288- |