About the time I got on the scale for my February weigh-in, I had heard that only about 18 percent of New Year's resolutions are actually successful. I was heartened by the fact that I was in the company of 82 percent of those who had not yet achieved their 1993 goals.
Realizations like that are really a cause for celebration. After all, the prospect of more fasting and less feasting led me to one last indulgent foray on the eve of my renewed effort to knock off a few pounds.We turned to the moderately sumptuous Presidential Buffet at the Salt Lake Community College's Redwood Road campus, held on Saturday evenings during fall, winter and spring quarters. The all-you-can-eat spread costs $15 per person.
Set in the elegant College Center building, the second floor dining room is spacious and appropriate for either an informal dinner or a more elegant evening out, as some high school prom couples were experiencing.
A delightfully informative and friendly hostess greeted us and told us about the various choices on the different tables. Attentive servers cleared our plates between courses and served our beverages. In the background, a pianist played popular tunes.
In addition to fresh vegetables and two dips (we especially liked the spinach), we sampled Danish meatballs in a peppery cream sauce, teriyaki and barbecue chicken wings, and barbecue meat balls. Large bowls overflow with small iced unshelled shrimp. An expansive salad bar features a creamy pea salad with bits of Bermuda onion, marinated mushrooms, carrots in a sweet and sour marinade, broccoli and cauliflower salad with a creamy dressing, cole slaw and potato and pasta salads. A colorful cornucopia of fresh greens, vegetables and other toppings are available to assemble just about any desired salad combination. We saved the sweet fresh fruit with coconut and two of the puddings as precursors to our dessert course.
Main course choices include prime rib and honey basted ham. Prior experiences with medium rare did not appeal to most customers, so the prime rib is prepared medium well. But a little dash of horseradish sauce and natural juices brought back some of the luster. New red potatoes in parsley and butter, mashed potatoes and thick gravy, green beans with almond slices and a zucchini medley with baby corn complemented the meat course.
The seafood choices, scallops in a slightly thickened roux and shrimp and crab in a mild Newburg sauce, were not quite as satisfying, in part because of the densely textured sauces. Rice pilaf was our choice for the starch to accompany the seafood. Fresh spinach pasta and a flavorful marinara sauce rounded out the hot entrees.
Desserts are served on carts brought to the table. This saved me from some embarrassment since my frequent trips were causing the service tending the different tables to grin a bit too appreciatively as I sampled the other courses with considerable gusto. Our choices, and they seem to vary with different carts, were especially satisfying. Our favorite was the chocolate chiffon cake. The raspberry cheese cake and the fresh fruit tart were also very good.
Diners who enjoy a repast complete with many traditional favorites (and who can pace themselves) will find Salt Lake Community College's buffet more than satisfying.
Rating: * * *
The Presidential Buffet, Salt Lake Community College, 4600 S. Redwood Road, 967-4060. Served Saturday evening only, from 5 to 8 p.m. September through June. Accepts check and major credit cards. Reservations recommended.
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Following are capsulized versions of recommended restaurants reviewed by Al Church, Deseret News Dining Out columnist:
La Caille at Quail Run, 9565 S. Wasatch Blvd., 942-1751. A renowned restaurant that serves up an all encompassing atmosphere of setting, service and good but not memorable cuisine. It is worth a visit every few years to at least appreciate how legends are made and maintained. * * * 1/2
Rice King Restaurant, 755 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale. 568-9988. A small eatery that specializes in Szechuan and Cantonese dishes. Several appetizers and soups as well as original creations like the firecracker chicken are especially good. * * * *
El Mariachi Restaurant, 2963 S. State, 485-0924. A cozy little eatery with delicious chileverde, shepherd's meat or carne al pastor (marinated and grilled), homemade tamales and rich authentic sauces. * * * *
Mountain City Restaurant, 4701 S. Holladay Blvd., 272-3332. A pleasant, elegantly appointed Chinese restaurant that serves equally pleasing Chinese specialties including
Szechuan and seafood dishes. * * * 1/2
Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, 1063 E. 2100 South. 484-1804. One of Sugar House's familiar gathering places (the Pine Cone) has been transformed into a comfortable eatery serving nicely crafted pasta and pizza specialties. * * * 1/2
Arirang, 2701 S. State, 467-7778. Korean cuisine with attentive service and traditional dishes that include pulgogi (grilled beef and onions with soy sauce and sesame oil) and other mild and spicy dishes. Noodle, rice and soup dishes as well as tempura preparations. * * * *
Chez Betty, 1637 Short Line Road, Park City. 649-8181. Inventive, colorful and creative cuisine that is both appetizing and affordable. Eclectic menu features regional and classical preparations and sauces, from veal to fresh seafood specials. * * * * *
Showboat Catfish Restaurant, 2917 E. 3300 South, 484-3810. While the one dimensional decor is early strip mall, the Cajun seasonings added to tender catfish and moist shrimp is right out of New Orleans. Hush puppies, cole slaw, catfish chowder and gumbo add to the flavor. * * * 1/2
China Pearl Restaurant, 888 S. State, 322-5000. Owners from New York City's Chinatown add new life to predictable fare with regularly featured dim sum and Cantonese specials such as string beans in black bean sauce, shrimp salad with walnuts and fresh steamed fish. * * * *
Wasatch Pizza Company, 800 E. 3300 South, 466-7777. Creative and appetizing touches including smoked salmon, capers, pesto, pinenuts, roasted garlic are just some of the palate-pleasing choices for a traditional favorite. Good salads, calzones and sandwiches round out the engaging bill of fare. * * * 1/2
Magleby's, 1675 N. 200 West, Provo. 374-6249. Colorful, eclectic decor and mainstream American favorites with just enough variations to satisfy just about all tastes. Signature breadsticks and several desserts are truly memorable. * * * 1/2
Tanqueria San Marcos, 909 S. State Street, 363-5347. Full service menu along with authentic taqueria offerings; plentiful Mexican baked goods also available in this informal eatery. * * *
Red Butte Cafe, 1414 S. Foothill Drive, 581-9498. Southwestern cuisine and more are the specialties of this eclectic and inventive restaurant. A cousin of the Peery Pub and Cafe, the cafe reflects a tradition of quality and creativity that should please plenty of palates. * * * *
The Chicago Dog, 5200 S. State, Murray. 262-9220. A small eatery that features hefty servings of one of Chicago's and maybe America's favorite guilty pleasures (except without the guilt) - hot dogs. All beef, kosher-style Vienna hot dogs topped with lots of onions, relish, kraut, chili. Mini-burgers a la White Castle are also served. * * * 1/2
Bubba's Barbecue, An informal eatery with a focus on hickory smoked meats and a spicy barbecue sauce that puts "some of the South in your Mouth," though you might recall other parts of the U.S. that feature good barbecue. * * * 1/2
Cafe Terigo, 424 Main, Park City. 645-9555. Inventive Mediterranean cuisine from pesto pizza to grilled seafood with pasta, lasagna and ginger coconut shrimp. Rich desserts, uncluttered atmosphere, and good service round out this pleasant restaurant. * * * 1/2
Wasatch Broiler, 4927 S. State, Murray. 266-3311. A modest menu and interior can't disguise a cuisine that inspires reflection and a healthful approach to dining. Lemon seasoning and flame broiling enhance chicken, seafood and beef ribs. Herb potatoes and rice pilaf are also very good. * * * *
Cisero's Italian Ristorante, 306 Main Street, Park City. 649-6800. Locals and visitors alike flock to this well-run restaurant for weekly specials (Monday night is spaghetti night), traditional Italian dishes, and seafood specialties. * * * 1/2
Inti Restaurant, 2124 S. State. 466-4350. The area's only Peruvian restaurant, with other dishes from South America. Wonderful soups, seafood and beef stir-fry dishes with mild to spicy seasonings, and other intriguing entrees, as well as traditional desserts. * * * 1/2
Jade Garden Restaurant, 37 W. 10600 South, Sandy. 571-0808 or 0897. Just when one assumes that many of the area's Chinese restaurants are serving similar to identical menus, along comes another that breaks the stereotype with inventive dishes like stewed chicken with pineapple and mainstay dishes like fried rice and barbecued pork with colorful touches. * * * *
La Pinata, 2 Main St. (7720 S. 700 West) Midvale. 568-1590. An unassuming Mexican eatery that specializes in mild green salsa and sauces, wonderful homemade tamales, black bean chili, and other moderately seasoned specialties. * * *
Joe Morley's Smoked Beef Barbecue, 669 E. Center, Midvale. 255-8928. Cherrywood-smoked meats including some of the best beef brisket around town are served along with barbecue sauces, cole slaw, steamed onions and all the fixin's. Wonderful clam chowder, a great homemade mud pie along with huge fountain drinks round out the menu. * * * 1/2
Helen's Restaurant and Garden Cafe, 6055 S. 900 East. 265-0205. This charming cottage restaurant features both the simple peasant and sophisticated cosmopolitan fare of Czechoslovakia. From noodles with mild mushrooms to chicken with paprika and cream along with roladen and sauerbraten, Helen's reflects a welcome addition of a time-honored cuisine. * * * *
Giovanni's, Big Cottonwood Canyon. 364-4484. Italian specialties with creative flair served in an intimate and leisurely paced setting. Executive chef Norm Runyan's experience assures quality and consistency. * * * * *
Lakeside Cottage, 3761 S. Charleston Road, Highway 113, Charleston. 654-3456. Homestyle cooking and hospitality in a pastoral setting. The Yankee pot roast, "honey stung" fried chicken and key lime pie with chocolate fudge are worth the trip. * * * *
China's Delight Restaurant, 60 W. 500 South, 322-3112. Generous portions of Vietnamese and Chinese specialties are served in this cleanly appointed downtown restaurant. * * *
Heide's, 925 E. 12400 South, Draper. 572-6927. A charming little German restaurant in a quaint small town, unspoiled by suburban sprawl. A full range of continental dishes, with specialties like roladen, schnitzel and homemade German chocolate cake are more in keeping with the atmosphere. * * * 1/2
McGuires, 531 N. Bluff, St. George. 628-4066. This cozy eatery serves Italian and seafood specialties, along with steak, amidst decor accentuated with golf clubs in a place once occupied by a French restaurant. It's as eclectic as southern Utah's growing dining choices. * * *
Basila's Greek Cafe, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George. 673-7671. From the flaming cheese appetizer to the wonderfully seasoned egg lemon rosemary soup, this small colorful restaurant serves delectable Greek specialties. Nice touches are apparent everywhere, including the decor and attentive service. * * * *
Cuisine Unlimited, 4041 S. 700 East, 268-2332. A little bit of New York with a hefty portion of creativity and careful attention to the essentials. From rich chopped liver to specialty salads and sandwiches, this modest eatery (and considerably larger catering operation) is a brilliant light on what is often an uninspired dining out scene. * * * * 1/2
Cafe Pacific, 999 S. Main (Clarion Hotel), 364-5253. One of Salt Lake's more creative and pleasing eateries returns after a few-year hiatus in California. Seafood and continental specialties with an Oriental touch. * * * *
Chop Suey Luey's, 1328 E. 200 South, 581-1155. While mostly take out with a small dining area, lovers of Chinese cuisine should not be put off by either the size or punster's name. The food is fresh, flavorful and skillfully prepared. Free delivery. * * * 1/2
Dionysus, 369 S. 400 East, 355-6688. Greek cuisines simple and fresh specialties are served in ample portions with moderate prices. Roasted marinated pork, dolmanthes, mousaka are just some of the specialties of this informal restaurant. * * * 1/2
Chowmeinia, 4835 Highland Drive (Cottonwood Mall), 278-1881. Flair and style are reflected in the decor of this cousin to Charley Chow's. A bounty of dim sum (Chinese brunch treats) are the heartbeat of this inventive restaurant's menu. * * * 1/2
Mekong Cafe, 7725 S. State, Midvale. 566-5747. Thai food with just enough of the zip and color to please aficionados and introduce novices to this unique cuisine. * * * 1/2
Hotrod Hundley's Restaurant, 6121 S. Highland Drive, 277-7776. A sport celebrity restaurant that delivers up plenty of sporty atmosphere and all-American cuisine, including hamburgers, sandwiches, hot entrees and appetizers named after some of America's popular basketball, baseball and golf heroes. * * * 1/2