Utah Local: No. 2 Willow Lane

It's been a long time since I've done a Utah Local post. It's always a good time to support local businesses, but right now so many small businesses are in need of extra support. 

I personally know Jen, the owner of No. 2 Willow Lane, and she's got skills! Whether you have a baby, want to buy a gift for someone else, or just want to spend an hour looking at THE most adorable baby clothes and photo props, stop by her website or Etsy shop. She's also on Facebook and Instagram.

Jen works with wonderful photographers and, obviously, the most adorable babies to show off her designs. 

There's a Black Friday sale from November 21 to 26 on her website, so don't wait to check it out! 

(Some of the photos I'm sharing may be of discontinued items.)

Utah Local: Fran's Roots & Wings

My daughters and I were driving around with no destination and ended up in Heber City. We were on Center Street and we passed this house with a cool trailer that caught my eye. My girls saw a sign and said it seemed like a floral shop, so I had to turn around and go check it out. Sabrina stayed in the car, but Elisa and I went over to it and were quickly greeted by Fran, the business owner.

We got to go inside the trailer. It is beautiful and amazing! See??

Then we went behind the trailer to see succulents and other plants for sale.  

We just happened to stop by during Customer Appreciation Week, so we were treated to delicate lemon lavender cake and a caramel apple cider in this beautiful sitting area. 

When I mentioned that she could have weddings here, she told us that she had a baby shower there before and has more room in the back for weddings. The night before we were there, she had stayed up until 2:00 am putting homemaking corsages together and then woke up at 5:00. 

After we bought a succulent and left, I wished that I had taken a photo of Fran, the business owner and sweet hostess. She was warm and friendly and gave us some tips for plants that we already had. Now I'm buying a turkey baster to water my succulents. 

She gave us her business card, so I looked up the business when I got home. She in an events planner and has photos of some amazing weddings she planned. You can see her beautiful work on her site.

If you'd like to stop by her super cute shop, it's at 684 E. Center Street in Heber. 

Utah Local: Rico Cocina y Tequila Bar

I wanted to find somewhere different to have dinner with my children, but it had to have food that all of them would eat. It's not easy to find a restaurant like that by just driving around and stopping somewhere due to one picky child (who is a teenager). I also wanted a fun atmosphere. I showed them the online menu at Rico Cocina y Tequila Bar and they all said they'd eat something there, so away we went.

We drove around the warehouses and old buildings in the area near Kilby Court and Ruby Snap Cookies and arrived at Rico Cocina at 545 W. 700 S in Salt Lake City.  It was easy to spot the colorful outdoor patio area, the sign and the cool, old painted truck in the front.

This used to be Frida Bistro, but this new restaurant has lower prices than they used to. Prices and descriptions of menu items are on their website. We love chips and salsa, but at $10, we didn't order them. 

Alex ordered Pollo Rebosado en Salsa de Cacahaute, chicken stuffed with cream cheese in a peanut butter and guajillo pasilla sauce for $16. I got to try some. It was a bit bland for my taste, but sure made a pretty presentation.

My picky daughter ordered a Carne Asada Burrito, $12, without the sauce that it usually comes smothered in. She decided that was probably a mistake since it needed "rice or sauce or something", which is why it comes with sauce normally, I'm sure.

My other daughter and I shared the Carne Asada Alambre plate, $16. It said it came with rice, but I forgot that when it was served without it. I even mentioned to my kids that I would have liked it with rice. Even without it, it was really good, and I don't say that about just anything. The grilled beef was tender and flavorful. I usually try something different every time I go back to a restaurant, but I liked this one so much that I might have to order it again. My daughter liked it too, and so did my son, who ended up eating what we didn't. 

A couple of the other plates that looked good to me are the Enchilada de Pollo con Salsa de Achiote y Mangos $13 and the Quesadilla de Huitlacoche $12. They also have vegetarian and vegan entrees on the menu.

The walls are painted different colors and there are lots of fun pieces of art on the walls and everywhere.

There was a glass door from inside the restaurant to another connected building. It was made to look like different houses in different colors. I asked what it was and the waitress said that it's the warehouse where they make the Rico chips and other products that they sell. Awesome looking warehouse! I wanted to go in and explore, but it's not for customers.

I thought this sign outside the warehouse was funny.

Utah Local: Hair by Angela Hess

My cousin Angela used to live in Southern California and worked as a hair stylist. She was in such high demand that people had to make appointments months in advance. She has done hair for photo shoots and runways and all kinds of cool stuff that I can't imagine being a part of. She has 16 years of experience and has kept up with education. She has brought all that awesome knowledge and skill to Utah where she is cutting, coloring, styling and beautifying.

Like her Facebook page for updates and upcoming giveaways.

Elisa wanted to totally change her hair so we drove to her salon and now Elisa's hair is a pastel pink and she really likes it. It's quite a process to go from brown to pink and it was fun to have the time to talk to my cousin. She's quite a bit younger than I am and we grew up across the country from each other so I liked getting to know her better.

Call today and schedule an appointment. 801 455-8755 Sorry no walk-ins. She just barely started here in Utah and is already filling up her schedule. 

Some more of Angela's work

 

Her salon is in North Salt Lake City -- 445 N. 700 W.
From the south, take I-15 to exit 312. Merge onto US-89 N/Beck St.
Take a left on Main Street (It's not a complete left turn. It's more like a slight left onto Main Street, but it's easy to miss. I think it's the first street on the left side.)
Turn left onto Center St. at the stop sign.
Continue down Center St. It's an industrial area. You're in the right place. Don't worry.
Turn right onto 700 W (before the street light at Redwood Road) where there is this sign for a restaurant.

Keep doing down 700 W until you see a long building on the left with a sign for Groove Academy.
The door to her salon is right below that sign.

Utah Local: Antonella's Aritsan Bread Cafe in Orem

I have passed Antonella's Artisan Bread Cafe quite a few times, but didn't ever notice it for some reason. I'm glad I stopped by today! It's been here for almost a year and I hope it stays for a long time. Friendly service and a variety of good food. 

I don't know how crowded it gets usually, but in the time we were there at around 1:00, only one other customer came in. Stop in for sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies, beautiful fresh bread, coffee, or delicious desserts. Or get several tasty menu items, just like we did.

My daughter Elisa and I went and we each got a smoothie -- mango and berry, They were very thick!

 We shared the huge Turkey, Bacon, Avocado sandwich on Focaccia bread, which comes with chips. 

Here's another view of the sandwich after I took my half. Fresh ingredients and very soft bread.

We took a couple of things to go home with us. We split this pretty cannelloni and maybe I'll get my own next time.

We also took this pugliese loaf home and ate it with dinner.

Nice crust outside and soft inside.

Maybe next time I'll try a Dolci Chocolate Corneto above, but I'm also thinking of the tall Black Forest Cake and the fresh fruit tarts. And the Chicken Chipotle Sandwich or the Cheese Broccoli Soup in a bread bowl sound good. Aaahhhh! So many things I want to try on this menu!

The address is 154 South State Street, so on the west side of State Street in a shopping strip (so don't miss it) just a bit north of Classic Skating. There is some parking right there on State Street and more in the rear of the strip.