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Show Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 A&EDiversions Page 5 Korean BBQ hits the mark Anybody who knows anything about eating in a big city understands that most of the greatest places to find excellent authentic or ethnic cuisine aren't necessarily in the posh parts of town or tagged by some bigtime, 2- or 3-star Michelin chef like Daniel Boulud or Thomas Keller. Granted, I've been to places like these and they're great — when you have a few hundred bucks to drop on a check — but here in Logan, you can find tiny hidden treasures guaranteed to dazzle your tastebuds without breaking your wallet. That's right, even in humble Cache Valley, the quaintest of food joints hide in plain sight. I found one such place at 111 S. Main St., aptly named Korean BBQ, which is located next door to the Oriental Food Market and Gia's Italian Restaurant. After eating there, I read mixed reviews on the food, atmosphere and service — some good, some bad. Considering the last review I wrote, one in which I questioned the diligence of the waitstaff and consequently hurt some feelings, I am hesitant to be overly judgemental of service. Apparently the owner of Korean BBQ has been referred to in past reviews as "cold" and "grumpy," however, he's Korean, and I understand his cultural background differs greatly from mine. He was a man of few words, but I never had a problem with beverage shortage, my food came out at a reasonable time — about 10 minutes after I ordered it — and the thing I was most pleased with was the fact that he asked if I would like to use chopsticks. In a lot of Asian-style restaurants, I find myself having to ask for chopsticks. I understand a large percentage of Americans fumble with feeble fingers and so hastily wish to ingest their food that they spare no time for chopsticks; but I appreciate a man who offers them rather than assuming I cannot use them. This was also the first time I had ever been given metal chopsticks to eat with — neat. As for the food, I asked for the owner's personal suggestion. This place, like most in the valley, offers the typical low-dollar specials in order to maintain a competitive edge in a highly price-competitive market. I splurged a little and went for the Korean barbecued pork at $13.05. The spare ribs caught my eye, but I didn't feel like shelling out more than $20 for this meal. The food arrived hot — not too hot — and along with a ... even in humble Cache Valley, the quaintest of food joints hide in plain sight." — D. Whitney Smith large plate of barbecued pork, I was given a steaming bowl of sticky rice; a bowl of pickled bean sprouts; a side of "ggakdugi kimchi," which is pickled daikon radish; and fermented cabbage kimchi, which is traditionally aged underground until fermented in clay pots, with beef stock and red chili pepper. I was in heaven and filled to the gills with food. However, I was given one final morsel — a Korean comfort food that bridges the gap between East Asian fare and the United States — called "gye ran mal yee," or Korean omelet. I have to admit when the waiter/owner initially arrived with all of that food on the tray, I had doubts in my mind that it was all going to make its way onto my table. I watched him, though, place each and every neat, little dish in front of me. Any buyer's remorse I thought I could've experienced by overpaying for this entree was no longer a concern. My method of eating a melange of food with this much character, flavor and variety involves dumping everything onto the main plate and mixing it all together, which worked well for me. I was sure to keep the kimchi, which is fermented cabbage, off to the side. I told myself I would finally try kimchi — I'll try anything at least once — and I did, but I wasn't crazy about it. It's definitely fermented and definitely spicy, which makes for quite the flavor profile. Everything else on the plate was delicious. As I alluded to before, the best element was the slices of rolled Korean omelet. The food was enjoyable and plentiful. I actually ended up asking for a box to take a portion of it home with me. Korean BBQ is a quaint, hole-in-the-wall kind of restaurant with various knickknacks hanging from the walls, along with tapestries that pictured scenes of rural Korean farmers and mythical Korean dragons. I couldn't help but imagine that these items may have hung on the walls of a home in South Korea before the owner of the paraphernalia immigrated to America to open this tiny Logan eatery in pursuit of the American dream. I give this restaurant an A minus. You may have noticed I never mentioned having to pay for a Dr Pepper this time — that's because they didn't have it. Instead, I did the Dew; and that's never quite as enjoyable. Otherwise, I'm pleased to say I'll be visiting the Korean BBQ again in the near future. You like shopping. We like shoppers. Let's be friends. - D. Whitney Smith, originally from Pennsylvania, moved to Utah five years ago. After 11 years' experience waiting tables at a total of 23 restaurants, he decided to hang up his server apron and enroll at USU. Have suggestions for a restaurant to review? Email him at dan.whitney.smith@aggiemaiLusu.edu. Get a new set of wheels Wind whistles through my weatherchilled ears as the two black tires of my bike rush over pebbled asphalt. Slight drops of rain sputter down from a darkening sky as thin shoes push pedals up a small incline. Bumps in the road induce standing up from the hard, black seat— my butt is cushioned, but not after riding a bike every day for a few weeks. Finding level ground to glance behind, I check for cars before turning right, coasting quickly down 500 East past Adam's Park. Wind pushes seats of a swingset, rocking them slightly. Houses turn into brick blurs as I glance back again and swerve to the middle lane, holding my left arm out straight to indicate the turn onto 100 North. Pedaling through the light, I swing another right and another left before finding Main St. Going south on Main St., cars whip past my small bikes metal and flesh frame, inching to the left as to avoid a human-car collision. Father Winter's closing hand put the sun down an hour ago. Not all of the streetlights reach over the green and yellow fading trees, so in order to stay within sight of passing cars I try to stay in the orange light, occasionally riding upon the sidewalk when the road becomes too narrow. The sidewalk ends and I pedal back onto the crowded street, until I reach the 1100 South traffic light where I regain my white safety net. Though I've become more brave making left turns in town, a highway is more crowded and being the novice biker I am, I don't want to risk a collision with a driver that doesn't see me. Because of this, I take the cowardly way out and wait for that white flashing guy to appear on the opposing light to bike across the "pedestrians crossing" area. I then regain the road, biking to my cozy apartment. I lock up my blue bike, unlock my door, stroll to the green-colored living room and turn on a movie, feeling the accomplishment sink with my body into the chair as the muscles in my legs groan. This year I have had the privilege of relearning how to ride a bike. The convenience of a motorized vehicle was taken away from me, but I actually enjoy not paying for the insurance, oil changes, dead batteries, cracked windshields and registration fees. Oh, and how could I forget the the impeding prices of gas? It's not like we're paying $4 a gallon ... yet. As your outdoor columnist, I often encourage you to go outside. Finding that 20 minutes of exercise your dietitian keeps bugging you about becomes a difficult task the more you relax on your couch with "Modern Family" flashing before your dazed eyes. Keeping in mind the money you save may perk your motivation to substitute a bike for your gas-guzzling car. Bicycles can give people some of the best exercise possible because it combines cardio for the heart, it builds endurance and strengthens fitness. I made it from my house on 1000 North down to the Highway 89 fork within fifteen minutes. The trip back added another 25 minutes, but there is your 40-minute work-out for the day. Some of you may be thinking, "What if I don't have a bike? They're expensive and I can't afford one right now." Fear not. Your student fees go to a plethora of things, and one of those conveniences is Aggie Blue Bikes, located between the Field House and Military Science building on campus. They do have a limited amount of bikes to rent out, but have both a three-month rental or a singleday rental, if that's all you want. Aggie Blue Bike employees are holding an event every Friday called "Car-Free Friday," which is exactly what it sounds like. Don't use your car. With the amazing transportation system that Logan City has created none of us should be driving anyway. If you don't want to ride the bus, take advantage of what our school has to offer. Hop on a bike, save your money and our air, and let the wind caress your face as you pedal away. -Allyn Bernkopf is a senior majoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. She writes, reads and hangs out with Mother Nature. She can be reached at ally.bernkopf@aggiemail.usu.edu . f Follow us on Facebook and receive a free $10 Shop Etc. Gift Card* CAUL VALLEY MALL LOGAN WWW.CAGIEVALLEYMALLCOM * Good while supplies last. Gift card redeemable in the Cache Valley Mall Office Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 28-Nov. 4. |