Tommy's Burger

I love Tommy's Burger. It's a sentimental favorite, My grandpa used to bring me here every time it was his turn to cook lunch or dinner. I haven't been back to Tommy's since high school, and I had such high expectations of how it would taste, wanting it to taste just like it used to. I am pleased to say that nothing has changed. It is so good. The burgers, the chili, the fries even the coke. Sometimes it is the little things, like perfectly blended coke, that make my day.

While I am a huge fan of their classic single or double burger, Tommy's Texas burger is my current favorite. That BBQ smokey sweetness, kind of puts it over the top. Oh yeah and there is bacon, so enough said.

Run don't walk, you will be so glad you did.

How was your weekend?

We really did. Started it off Friday night with dinner at Communal which I will post about later in the week. Couldn't get enough of Communal so we went back Saturday morning for their incredible brunch. It is absolutely the best way to spend a Saturday morning.

At the risk of sounding bossy, start your meal with their their house made coco. Just walk in and order it. Then while sipping this marvelous chocolate which is neither too sweet or too chocolatey it is just the perfect balance, you can ponder whether to just try a few things or just order the whole damn menu. As ridiculous as this sounds once you read it you will take it into serious consideration.

Naturally we started with bacon. Turns out great bacon perfectly cooked is the perfect amuse bouche (or several bouches or amuses not sure which as I don't speak french) to brunch, and turns out my son is totally in love with it (as I am a recovering vegetarian I still don't keep the stuff around the house.) And what better place to introduce him to America's favorite meat.

We rounded out the meal with their Huevos Rancheros, which was light and lovely and the egg was perfect. And the baked Clifford Farms eggs with tomato & chorizo, my personal favorite. It is everything you need, just the right amount of spice from the chorizo (you know the kind that leaves your lips lightly burning in a good way.) The tomato adds tang and sweetness, and the egg oh those eggs, golden molten goodness.

Now the thing not to miss here, is their The Best Biscuit You’ve Ever Had with Butter & Jam. I was going on and on about this biscuit to my friend, and he looked at me and said "how good can a biscuit be?" My answer? Crazy, ridiculously life changing good. Okay, maybe not life changing but, seriously a bit of baking perfection that will leave you feeling better about life. My only complaint about my brunch experience, the 8 a.m. call confirming my reservation. Guys, I know reservations are in high demand, but 8 a.m. on a Saturday? Really? No need for those, your food is good enough I will never miss a reservation.

Later that evening . . .

We went to see the BYU Men's Volleyball take on Stanford. The game was so much fun. Volleyball is the greatest sport. Seriously it is a great date, a great family outing and wonderfully cheap. $5 bucks folks (and you can if you wish upgrade.) We are going to get ourselves season tickets.

Winner, winner chicken dinner, or steak, or pork

Congratulations Michelle! You are our very first winner here on The Happy Valleys! Thanks to everyone who entered. We hope to bring you many more great giveaways. Michelle please contact us at thehappyvalleys@gmail.com before Tuesday February 7th. Tell us which restaurant you would like your gift card to and where to send it. Thanks

Weekend Roundup

Don't worry. We know whats going on so you don't have to. Here's what our valleys have to offer you this weekend.

Gallery Stroll: Downtown Provo. Friday night. 6-9 pm. Local artists and refreshments. Free.

Eurydice: Originally a UVU production, the remount will take place at Mountain View High School. Catch it Saturday at 7:30 before it heads to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Velour: Friday Night: Mad Diving Barons. Door opens at 8 pm. $7. Saturday Night: City Weekly CWMA's. The Folka Dots, The Mighty Sequoyah, Issac Russell, The Moth & The Flame. 8:30 pm. $6.

Muse: APT EP release show. This promises to be awesome. 8 pm. $6 at the door.

Beignets at Tulie Bakery $ (that's right we can't get enough of them, and neither will you.)
They offer them only Friday, Saturday & Sunday Mornings at 9:30 and they only make a couple of batches so get there on time it is more than worth it! And what's a beignet you say? It is donuts hotter sister, a square of pillowy lightness topped with snowy powdered sugar so delicious you won't know what to do with yourself (except of course to reach down and eat another.)

Plum Alley $ brought to you by the fine folks that brought you the delicious Copper Onion. Mr. Ryan Lowder brings us Asian Cuisine worth talking about (and of course consuming large quantities of) his menu of Asian Cuisine. Ryan Lamon The Copper Onions former sous chef is Plum Alleys chef de cuisine, so you know it will be good. Don't miss the Steam Buns, Green Papaya Salad or Vermicelli Noodles & Crab.

Saturday Brunch at Communal $  Only one of the best brunches I have ever had, in fact as I write this I cannot even think of a better one. It is the perfect way to start your weekend, the food is just so incredibly good. Do not miss the Baked Clifford Farms Eggs with Tomato & Chorizo, The Best Biscuit You’ve Ever Had with Butter & Jam (it really is the best I have ever had, they speak the truth.) And their House Blend Coco, it is perfect hot chocolate, not to sweet and made with great chocolate. 


Need more restaurant recommendations? Tweet us here, we will point you in the right direction.

Top ten Valentine's restaurants

It's true what they say the quickest way to your significant others heart is through their stomach. So here is our list to help you capture their hearts.

1. FORAGE, Haute Cuisine in the best sense of the term $$$$
2. CUCINA TOSCANA, Authentic Tuscan food $$$
3. COMMUNAL, American fare at its finest $$
4. MAZZA, Middle Eastern Cuisine $$
5. THE COPPER ONION, Regional American Fare $$
6. SNAKE CREEK GRILL, Bold unpretentious cusine $$$
7. CAFFE NICHE, Modern Local Food $$$
8. FRIDA BISTRO, Fresh, flavorful, festive & sexy mexican $$$
9. PAGO, New american $$$
10. TAKASHI, Sushi and Japanese cuisine $$$

All these restaurants are incredible and all will fill up fast for the big day of love, so call today and get your reservations! And if you are just looking to get your sweetie some treats, we recommend Tulie Bakery, Amano Artisan Chocolate and The Chocolate. Happy Valentine's planning!

image via Vintage Holiday Crafts

Tulie Bakery

Tulie is rapidly becoming my favorite bakery. Their pastries, tarts, bread, sandwiches, granola and cake, (oh my their cake) are so simply exquisite. And you can taste the quality and care in every bite. They are serious about their ingredients, and they also try to source as locally as possible, and the result is perfection.

I have been to Tulie several times (not nearly as much as I would like) but on this trip I had their Pain au Chocolate (or chocolate stuffed croissant) and it was everything and more that a great croissant should be, flaky, buttery, moist and dripping with gorgeous, gorgeous chocolate. Ask them warm it for you, you will thank me. I then moved on to the Croque Monsieur (aka the best ham and cheese sandwich you will ever wrap your lips around) it was perfect, from the beautifully crusty bread to the Gran Biscotto ham and the gruyere, well it was the molten goodness that sealed it all together. I topped it all off with a caramel macaroon and just like everything else it was heaven.

The service & ambiance there are as they say, the icing on the cake. The service is friendly and quick and the ambiance, well you just won't want to leave. And speaking of leaving, just as I was about to I decided to purchase the German chocolate cake (the cake in the top right photo) in their case for a dinner I was having that night, and seriously it was one the best things I have ever eaten (and that is saying something.) The cake is dense yet light, the frosting beautifully flavored not to much butter not to much sugar just the perfect ratio of each ingredient, and then there was the coconut pecan goodness that goes on the top, it left me speechless.

Check out Tulie Bakery here, and get there as fast as you can. And don't forget to enter our giveaway!

Galley Stroll

One of the best ways to be a part of downtown Provo is Gallery Stroll. Its coming up this Friday (it's always the first Friday of every month). I'm so excited for this month, as a dear friend of mine is showing some of his new work.

Sketches of the Land, new works by Conrad Nebeker will be featured at The IN, located at 44 W. Center Street (On the third floor).

The shows start at 6, but usually pick up around 7. Most venues have their doors open until 9. This is a really awesome family activity. Kids love the art, and grown ups can talk about grown up things. Be sure to see all of the shows, and get a good dose of culture this Friday night. Other venues include:

Covey Center for the Arts • 425 West Center, Provo

Antiques Gallery at Cat’s Cradle Antiques • 168 West Center

Window Box Gallery • 62 West Center

Rowley Press • 39 West 200 North

Terra Nova Gallery • 41 West 300 South

Utah County Gallery • 151 South University

Muse Music • 151 North University

Provo Community Church • 175 North University

Painted Temple • 283 North University