"satisfaction guaranteed" Oktoberfest

I have been looking forward to Oktoberfest for a whole year. The food is delicious - I had no idea I liked sauerkraut until I attended last year - the entertainment is... different, the scenery is beautiful, and did I mention that I LOVE the food?!

Definitely worth checking out, even if you're not one for the beer.

Preview the menu:

Drool over our food choices...
(paprika chicken, German chocolate cake, weisswurst and kraut)
An elk horn performance (I like to call them floogenhagens)

I recommend bringing up your own water bottle if you're not going to be drinking beer since beverages are quite costly. I also recommend the brats and kraut and the paprika chicken. Mmmm... The warm German potato salad is really good too. Next year, I'm really looking forward to trying the potato pancakes.

There is also a cute little marketplace with all kinds of different vendors (German items, other cultural items, foods, snacks, jewelry) and a yoyo man to entertain children and adults. Be sure to leave pets at home; they aren't allowed on the mountain.

So check it out. Directions are at their website (download the PDF) as well as the performance schedule.

Oktoberfest
Where: Snowbird Resort
When: Saturdays and Sundays until October 11
Noon - 6 pm
Free admission

{it always leads me here}Chunga's

Dear friends,
I present to you a culinary masterpiece at a price that won't put a choke hold on tight budgets. Chunga's offers delicious Mexican food for those of us who want something a little more. They even offer a vertical spit on which their al pastor is roasted. Upon discovery of said spit, I took my whole family for a visit, and we ordered everything on the menu, all with al pastor meat (we're pastor lovers).

The champions of this taste test??

My mom is a classic tacos al pastor fan, so it was an easy winner for her. I can't blame her; they are amazing.

I, on the other hand, enjoyed the enchiladas al pastor - lots of sauce and deliciousness to the taste buds.

Not to mention the fresh fruit juices and smoothies that come in festive cups, and the mouthwatering chips and salsa that come prior to your meal. With $7.50 being the price of the most expensive menu option (and $1.99 being the cheapest for a single taco), it's definitely worth the splurge.

Location:
Chunga's
664 N. Freedom Blvd.
Provo, UT
801.607.1570

The Beehive Bazarr 2009

Twice a year over 50 local artists gather together to sell their products at The Beehive Bazarr. The bazaar features handmade items such as art, food, clothing, jewlery, greeting cards, and other unique items showcasing the talent of Utah's artists. The Beehive Bazaar started in 2004 and it has been strongly attended since then.

I've been attending the Beehive Bazaar since 2007 and I've taken note of several things that make this particular bazaar better than other local craft fairs I've attended:

1. The artists aren't hovering over you as you browse through their items; instead you can pick up what you want and then pay for everything at the end right before you leave. Also, there isn't an obligation to buy anything if you don't want to. You can just come and explore if that's all you want to do.

2. The prices for the items range from a few dollars to, sometimes, a hundred plus dollars (for more one-of-a-kind pieces). There is something for every budget.

3. There isn't the typical "cutesy" vibe about the bazaar. As their website says, "this is in no way your mother’s craft boutique."

4. There is something for everyone. It's the perfect place to pick up gifts for friends, family, and, of course, yourself.

(For a list of artists that will be featured in the 2009 Spring Beehive Bazaar click HERE for more information.)

Location:

Women's Center

310 W. 500 N. Provo

When:

April 30 (9 pm-12 am)

May 1 (10 am-10 pm)

May 2 (10 am-8 pm)

Click here for more information: BEEHIVE BAZAAR

"but sugar, it's getting late": Sweet Tooth Fairies

Yes, I am one of the millions of adoring women who reads Rockstar Diaries. Yes, I do whatever she tells me to. Yes, when she mentioned the Sweet Tooth Fairies Bake Shop, I went. Yes, it was delicious. My roommate said the display reminded her of bakeries in France (She lived in Paris. So, obviously, this observation is legit). They have a great vintage couch and chair, and the feeling of the shop is whimsical and light.
Usually when I eat a cupcake I eat the bottom first, so that I can get the maximum frosting/cupcake ratio. Mind you, I still did that, but I didn't necessarily have to because these ladies are so generous with the delicious cream cheese frosting. The cakes and other treats looked great too, but we had to limit ourselves to the cupcakes. Strawberry shortcake, key lime, and peanut butter are all excellent. I thought vanilla was a little weird...

Location:
The Sweet Tooth Fairy Bake Shop
1227 S University Ave
Provo, UT 84601
(801) 375-3484

"J’ai Guru Deva": The Festival of Colors

There are actual legitimate, religious reasons for attending the Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork. But I’m willing to believe that a vast majority of people in attendance are neither Hare Krishna, nor there to investigate. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that I am. People come, en masse, for “the experience.” Take pictures, post them on Facebook, and make sure you are another one of those people who can say they really lived in Provo.
If you want to be there for the initial moment of chalk throwing, get there early. And I’m talking hours early. In the past, we have left Provo at 3:00 when the chalk throwing starts at 5:30. Not only because you will be able to buy chalk for yourself (it sells out quickly), but also because you won’t have to park your car on I-15 and walk 95 minutes to get to the temple. The good news is, there are llamas, food, exotic dancers, musicians, and hundreds of people to entertain you while you wait.What to expect: burning the witch of winter in effigy, losing the ability to breathe for a couple minutes, spitting pink, being covered in colored flour, and then taking thousands of pictures. And blondes, expect to have rockstar pink hair for about a week afterwards. Also, don’t wash your chalk-covered clothes with the rest of your laundry; everything will come out pink.

When: March 28, Saturday 4 pm

Where: Krishna Temple, 8628 S Main St., Spanish Fork, Utah
Contact person: Charu or Vai
Contact Numbers: 798-3559/787-1510
www.utahkrishnas.com