Bruno's Italian Deli and Pizza (Cedar City)

You might say I'm biased.
And you might be right.
But then again, I might not be.
I think it's kind of a circle.

I think this will be my best blog yet.
and by best I mean most comprehensive.

I have to say that I like Bruno's
The food is good,
and the staff is pretty cool too.

It's a small operation - kind of a mom and pop pizza shop.
But it's not just pizza.
They serve pizza, and Pastas and Sandwiches.
Most of what they have is pretty simple,
and yet in some way it is richly unique.

I haven't quite figured out their secrets,
but I think I am close.

First the Sandwiches.
*There are about a dozen sandwiches that you can order.
and like I said they're pretty basic,
but they're basically pretty good too.
I've had the Chicken Parmasean,
and the Eggplant Parmasean,
and the Philly cheese steak,
(all warm of course)
(but they also have cold sandwiches)

I've also had the lasagna, the penne with pesto

And the pizza,

The Pizza is Amazing,
or at least some of it is.

I'll start with the Crust.
I think it's superb.
Sal, the owner, says this is because Cedar City has good water,
and good elevation.
Thus it is pracitcally impossible to get great pizza in vegas,
but not so hard when you are at Bruno's

There are many types of pizza that you can get.
And Sal doesn't mind making something special.
In fact, I get the impression that he kind of likes it.

Sometimes his wife will just start selling pizza's that aren't even on the menu.
And sometimes, you find some real treasures.

In my recent experience I've had um two of his specials.
The first one was one of the finest pizzas I have ever had.
I'm not even kidding here.
But it was very special.
Meaning...
you'd probably have to be very well liked,
and show up at just the right time to get it.
but if you did, it would be well worth it.

NEW! This has just been added to the menu (more or less)
They Call it the White Pizza timing will still determine what you can get on it (today they were out of artichoke hearts and the roasted reds)


Lets see,
--crust
--olive oil
--onions
--ricotta cheese
--fresh garlic cloves
--little itty bitty slices of sausage (I think)
--roasted red peppers
--and parmasean

I think that was it.

no "sauce,"
but it was heavenly.

The second pizza I had was
--crust
--olive oil (Sal says the Olive oil really brings out the flavors,
but you probably have to ask for it.) (but I think he'd be impressed if you did)
--sauce
--cooked onions (pre cooked onions -wow that's good)
--mozzarella
--parmasean
--and a little um canadian bacon (??) I think.

This pizza was also good,
but perhaps a little salty.

Actually that's one thing I've noticed.
Some of the food has a little more salt than I would like.
I think it's in the red sauce,
but it's most noticable in dishes like the Meatball Sub.

But anyway back to the pizza.

Did I mention he cooks his onions.
Like in the oven.
and the flavor is really really good.
Not strong, or bitter,
but they aren't a special onion.
Just onions the way that onions should be.
Appearantly that means pre-cooked.

Pizza comes in 14" and 16" sizes.
(And yes I hear that they do toss the dough, but I can't say that I've seen it)
Also the Pizza is served on a riser- an elevated platform in the middle of the table.

If that sounds to you like a lot of food,
you would be correct.
If that sounds like too much,
and you don't want pizza for breakfast,
perhaps a Calzone would be better for you.
or a sandwhich,
or a pasta.

Speaking of pasta.
I like the Pesto.
I'm kind of a pesto person.
So I guess it's not much of a stretch that I liked it.
But it was good.
Once again, I recommend the bread.
I just like bread, and the bread they give with their pasta is good.
Usually I get my pesto on penne.
I don't know why, but I like the noodles that way.
(by the way Bruno's does noodles Al Dente)

Like I said the flavor of the pesto was pretty good to me,
but I wonder what it would taste like with just a spoonful of their white sauce.
I think the flavor would be fantastic,
and the dish would be a little more moist,
which would probably suit me just fine.

The lasagna is also quite good,
but once again, we find our salty red sauce.
it's just too strong for me.
(Perhaps that is why they serve coleslaw too. The coleslaw and bread definately enhance the experience,
and I'm not a big coleslaw person.)

Portion size is good,
maybe a bit more than "healthy."
But likely enough to fill you up.
And they will give you a doggie bag (i.e., styrofoam carton)

As long as we are talking about the salt,
I guess the Meatball sandwich should come next.
The sauce is a little salty, and the meatballs are too!
The flavor is good, but kind of gets lost.
And if your in a hurry, or don't have much money this is one of your better options.
But don't ignore the coleslaw. Ü
Sanwiches are served with coleslaw and chips,
yep you guessed it, usually you get a bag of lays potatoe chips on the side
(sometimes they have Sun Chips, but I don't think there's a solid pattern).

The Chicken Parmasean,
And the Eggplant Parmasean, (both as sandwiches, but you can get them on pasta)
And both are quite good.
(and they tend to buffer the salt a bit)
Oh and there's bread.
yeah yeah I know, sandwiches are served on bread.
And since I like to talk about it so much, I can't believe I almost forgot.
I really like the bread rolls that Bruno's uses.
They are big.
and not too fluffy.
I can't accurately describe it, but it's good.
the flavor is good and the texture is good.
A nice middle of the road (not literally) kind of bread.
Slightly sweet, a little dense, and a nice mild flavor.
Chicken Parm is a breast and a half of chicken,
breaded and boiled.
Red sauce,
Cheese,
and Cheese.

(eggplant parm is... well, use your imagination.)

The service is good,
and the people are nice.
I guess I'd give my experience about 5 wooden spoons.
(but if you happen to get the right pizza, that could easily go up.)

Bruno's is located just off 1-15,
Exit 57, in Cedar City's Providence Center.
(you know, the light house)
Bruno's is currently sharing space with the Cheveron station.
1744 Royal Hunte Dr.
Bruno's is open Monday through Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm.

FREE FOOD!

Yes it's true. I have resorted to such baseness as offering free food,
But it's not really free.

Ok so here's the deal.
I have a plethora of coupons
that are good at Cedar City, and St. George locations,
of Godfathers Pizza.

Any one who is interested in them is welcome to them.
I have half-off coupons on pizza,
And I have buy one get one free Buffett, pizza, sandwhiches, and anything esle they do.

I will not be able to use them all my self,
so if you would like some coupons,
just let me know.
I think they are good through the end of July

Now for the a very brief review.
Godfathers is under new management,
This is a good thing,
The service used to stink. (no not literally)
I went in a few weeks ago, and my service was excellent,
(Ok I admit, it was like three in the afternoon,
and it was probably the slowest time of the day, but my service was good)

I still really like the flavor of their pizza, and if you get it to go,
the cardboard soaks up a little grease, making it even healthier.
My experience was good,
but very limited,
So I am not yet giving a spoon rating.
But if you want to, feel free.
And if you want a coupon, feel free there too.
Ü

Lamplight (Monticello)

It might even be worth the drive.
Yes I'm assuming you don't live in Monticello, but if you do, please leave a comment.
It's been a while since I was there, but this was my experience. Monticello is a very small town in South-Eastern Utah. They don't have much, but they do have an LDS temple, and they do have The Lamplight.

When you see the Lamplight, the last thing you expect is good eatin'. The out side isn't all that special, but trust me, go in. We actually drove right past it the first time.

Once you get past the door, the experience changes. There's nice furniture, and great ambiance.
And of course the smell of fresh baked bread (I'm seeing a pattern here). The staff is nice, but the food is fantastic. First of course, is your fresh baked bread, they bring you plenty, but save room for the meal! The bread is good, I mean really good, and it comes in loaf form. The second thing I notice is how often my drink is empty. I am happy to report that my drink was filled often. I ordered the BBQ Beef. It was really good. The plate was huge (did I mention 'save room for the food') The BBQ Beef is served open-face, over two slices of their fabulous bread. The portion size was just my style. And the taste was good too.

So if you happen to be in monticello, or you feel like a road trip is in order, I strongly suggest the Lamplight, in Monticello.

I give the lamplight 7 bronze spoons (out of eight)


Lamplight Restaurant---435-587-2170---655 East Central

La Carreta: French Fries In Peru

It's a good thing I married someone from Idaho. Someone who can appreciate Heaven's gift to culinary love, that being the onion.
NO.
Really, the potato.
I've been known to try a plate of French fries at just about any joint I walk into--that includes the Italian joints. Usually I don't like my French fries smothered in marinara and mozzarella, thus I've learned to leave the "French fry" up to other cultures. (The Greeks, next door, aren't so bad!)
And I know that this is a restaurant review blog but may I just interject here to say I've been to the birth place of the French fry--Belgium--and I've paid my tributes to their contribution to the world. It was a sacred experience.
Now, did you know that Peru does a mean fry plate? Well, they do at La Carreta the teeny, tiny restaurant at the top of Orem's glorious state street. Plates start with a layer of fries (are they French fries if they are in Peru? Such questions keep me up at night!) The fries are followed by a nice light white rice, topped by, this is the good part, whatever you choose. I love their sauteed vegetables, the spouse likes the chicken, I've seen some go for shell fish. Last of all, this concoction is drizzled on by some sort of sauce which I can only guess is part soy sauce, part garlic, part Amazon River Ancient Peruvian Secret.
Before you get to all that though, there is some chips and salsa to indulge. It's salsa that starts off like a nice boy scout and ends up kickin' like a high school drop-out. Or, in other words, a spicy surprise.
La Carreta will also tempt you with some sweet desserts like the fried cheesecake and the tres leches. Tres good. All of them.
Most importantly though, I've been to La Carreta with my one brother who lived in Peru for a time. It's good to know if things are authentic, you know? Because if it were me, I'd be assuming that they would be dishing up monkey toenails and long slimy slugs rolled in flour, broiled in fish sauce and sauteed to perfection. It's true, I've never been to South America before. But I have heard that they will eat just about anything there! Like chicken's hearts and pig tendons...
The brother was amazed. He just sat there shaking his head and remembering his days along the Amazon sweeping the dirt floor in his one-room hut.
I'm not sure if those were good times for him, but good times await La Carreta costumers--to be sure.

***Don't forget to try the Inca Cola, an import, from the hills of some ruins, somewhere.
***Plates start around $8

Posted by Cjane

The Garden House

I really didn't eat out that often when I started this, And I actually have less money than I used to, to spend on such things. Still in the last little while I have found myself at many very enjoyable restaurants. This Blog is about one such Restaurant known as the Garden House.

One of my friends took me their for lunch the other day.
I thought it was my first experience with the Garden house, but on further reflection, I realized that I have had at least some of their food on many occasions.

First, the Chef has catered for functions that I have been to or somehow received food from.
Second, The Garden House is very popular, thus locals like to use them quite a bit. In fact I have been to multiple Institute (church) functions where they had soup. What I didn't know at the time was that it came from Garden House, but the soup is famous, at least around here.
Finally, I had an Institute class, from a man who always buys Garden House Soup for everyone on the last day of the class.
(and that was when I realized that the same person was making the soups)

This review will be slightly limit in it's scope, because I haven't really had the whole experience, but I welcome your comments, and amendments. ( oh yes and this will be the first review to officially get a ranking. Ratings will be both cumulative, and individual and they will be in spoons (the first post of this blog will be updated with all rating information))

What I've heard: The Garden House is good, The Soups, and Desserts are why you go, but everything else is good.

What I've had: Mostly soup.

• Chicken Noodle (nothing like campbells)
  
• Cheese (with Potatoes or Broccoli, I don't remember)
  
• Vegetable Turkey
  
• Potato and or Cheese
• Something Corn (spicy)
• Bread
• Cream of Asparagus
  
• French Onion
• A Turkey Sandwich on Dark Wheat

Like I said, The first time I actually ate there, was with a friend. I imagine he goes there often. The waiters remembered him, and vice-versa. There were very nice, and found us a table in a front room. The Garden House is what it says, a house. Or at least it probably was at one time. Since then it has changed hands a couple times and usually has one of the more upscale restaurants in town on that location. The Garden House is no exception. Because I had heard about the soup, I decided to get the soup and salad combo, but I had plenty of other options.

While waiting for our food they brought us a warm fresh loaf of sourdough bread. I really like a good bread, and this was practically perfect (except that it was sourdough, don't get me wrong, I still really liked it, I'm just not a huge sourdough man). Like I said the bread came out warm, and there's nothing like a good warm loaf of bread. The crust was nice and firm, you can hear it crunch, but it won't break your jaw. The center of the bread is amazing: it's thick and dense and moist, but not doughy. Just thinking about it is a very pleasant experience. Top it off with real butter, and you can't go wrong (which by-the-way, is how it's served).

If you want to try the soup just ask, they will bring you a small but sufficient taste. I tried the Cream of Asparagus, and If you like Asparagus, you would probably love it. It's creamy, and rich, and has a big asparagus flavor. I also tried the French Onion. Since my feelings about Asparagus are similar to my feelings about sourdough, I decided to get that with the Turkey Sandwich on Dark Wheat.

The Sample of the French Onion Soup can't really give you the full experience. In case you don't know, French Onion Soup is often served with a slice of bread with cheese on it, floating in the soup. Still the Sample was enough to let me know that I liked the flavor. The soup was very good, but they make other soups that I like even more! I have heard that there are thirty different soups that they make. Usually two or three are being served, so you always have a choice.

The Sandwich was good, but nothing to write home about. The tomato was out of season, so that might have effected my impression. Still the sandwich was good, and I would probably order it again. The bread was really interesting. It was dark, and beautiful, but the flavor, wasn't overpowering. The ingredients were good, and flavors went well together. The waiter was good about filling our water, though toward the end, the service did go down just enough to notice it. The restaurant experience on the whole was very good.

Now for the Soups

Chicken Noodle
I had this one at an institute function. I wasn't blown away by it, but it's a good hearty soup. It's
cooked with thick homemade noodles, and the flavor is good. I think I ate a few bowls of it, but still this is not my favorite soup from the Garden House.

Cheese ( I don't remember what kind of soup this was)
I do remember that it was served the same night as the chicken noodle, and I like the Cheese better. Like I said, I don't remember if this particular soup had potatoes or broccoli, but I do remember liking it. Actually I liked it a lot. I really love a good creamy soup, and The Garden house makes excellent cream soups.

The Vegetable Turkey Soup reminded me of the Chicken noodle soup, but the flavor was a little richer. It was packed with chunks of vegetables, noodles, and of course, turkey. This soup also seemed to have a lot of herbs in it. It's not overly spicy, but there is definately a lot of good flavor. Many people debated about whether or not it was actually turkey. The meat was dark, like beef, but tender like turkey. The flavor was somewhere inbetween. The meat was good, and as a whole I would definately recommend this soup.

Roasted Corn (something, southwest)
I tried to find the real name on their website, but I couldn't find their website.
This is by far my favorite soup from The Garden House, so far. This one is a little spicy. It is served with shredded blue corn chips, and even though it was at a serve-yourself function, the presentation was quite impressive. As I mentioned this is a southwest soup, like you would imagine from the likes of Bobby Flay. It had a great flavor, with diced chilis, corn, and other complimentary ingredients. I would definately eat any of their soups again, but this one was a clear winner in my book.

As a general rule soups are served on consistent days. I don't know if The Garden House follows this cannon, or not. If so, Friday is usually the day when you would get Clam Chowder.
I had the Roasted Corn on a Tuesday, but with Thirty soups, they may be on a two week rotation (or they might follow a different method altogether).

The Garden House soups lived up to their reputation.
I give the Garden House 7 Bronze spoons, out of 8.

The garden house is open daily for lunch, and dinner.


Garden House

164 S 100 W

Cedar City

(435) 586-6110