Tucked into an unassuming building located on the west edge of Salt Lake City near Old Greektown Station, Hong Kong Tea House is accessible by both bus and train.
It’s long menu features an array of authentic Chinese dishes, but the restaurants true draw is the made to order dim sum, served daily until 3 p.m.
Menu prices are reasonable with dim sum starting at about $2 and running up to just over $4. The entree menu is priced starting at about $7.
On this trip we tried a variety of dim sum, including the sesame balls, steamed BBQ pork buns, sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves, pot stickers, fried tofu…Really you cannot go wrong.
We weren’t quite daring enough to try the shark fin soup. Have you?
When dining on dim sum with a group, be sure to request one of the large round tables with a lazy susan. It makes sharing so easy.
Each year UTA works with local officials and biking community members to host a number of fun activities and this year is no exception…We will be participating in the following bike related events this week.
Salt Lake County Activities
May 15 – Salt Lake City/County Bike to Work Day.
Activities kick off at 7:30 a.m. at the northeast corner of Liberty Park. Participants are invited to join Mayor Peter Corroon and Mayor Ralph Becker for a ride to the Salt Lake County Government Center (2100 S State Street) then on to the City & County Building (451 S State Street).
Ride your bike to Liberty Park or travel on Route 9.
May 18 – UTA Bike Bonanza.
UTA’s annual bike celebration, the Bike Bonanza, runs from 4 – 8 p.m. at Gallivan Plaza (239 South Main Street). The event is free to the public and attendees will be treated to free pizza and lots of fun activities. In addition, there will be a free raffle for some incredible bikes and biking gear. The event also serves as packet pick up for Cycle Salt Lake.
Ride your bike or take TRAX to this event.
May 19 – Cycle Salt Lake Century bike race.
The race begins at Utah State Fair Park (155 north 1000 West) promptly at 7:30 a.m.
Utah County Activities
May 15 – Provo City Bike to Work Day.
Participants will meet at the Historic County Courthouse West Lawn (University Avenue and Center Street) at 7:30 a.m.
May 17 – Orem City Bike to Work Day.
Participants will meet at Orem City Center Park North Pavillion (100 North 300 East) at 7:30 a.m.
Stop by any of these fun events to say hi and learn how you can integrate biking into your travel.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is one of the most recognizable charity events in the nation. This Saturday, May 12, thousands will participate in the annual one mile walk or 5K run.
The event, which occurs in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, will have an impact on service.
Extra Trains
Early Frontrunner trains will depart Odgen at 6:16 a.m. and 7:16 a.m. and arrive at Salt Lake Central at 7:07 a.m. and 8:07 a.m.
A special event TRAX train will depart Sandy Civic Center at 6:48 a.m. and arrive at Library at 7:21 a.m.
An early Red Line TRAX train will depart Daybreak Parkway at 6:46 a.m. and arrive at Library at 7:31 a.m.
Bus Service Adjustments
Route 200 and 205 will be affected by the race. Please be aware of service adjustments and plan accordingly.
Route 200 to Murray Central TRAX: South on 400 South, west to West Temple, south to 800 South, east to Main Street, south to Herbert Ave., east to State Street, south via regular route.
Route 200 to Salt Lake Central Station: North on State Street to Herbert Ave. (1060 South), west to Main Street, north to 800 South, west to West Temple, north to 400 South, east to State Street, north via regular route.
Route 205 to Murray North TRAX Station: South on 500 East to 400 South, east to 700 East, south to 1300 South, west to 600 East, south to Sherman Ave. (1330 South), west to 500 East, south via regular route.
Route 205 to Salt Lake Central Station: North on 500 East to Sherman Ave. (1330 South), east to 600 East, north to 1300 South, east to 700 East, north to 400 South, west to 500 East, north via regular route.
Fare
Those participating in the race and spectators should plan to pay regular posted fare.
If you’re traveling in a group, consider the group pass – $14 for up to four riders to ride round-trip during regular service hours. The group pass is good on bus, FrontRunner and TRAX.
It’s a big weekend at the movies…The summer’s big blockbuster, The Avengers, opened in theaters.
Since this movie bring together six of the Marvel Comics superheros – Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, Hulk, Iron Man and Thor – it’s bound to be a hit. There are a number of large theater complexes accessible by transit.
Movie Theaters Accessible by Transit
Cinemark at Station Park (900 West Clark Lane, Farmington) – Accessible via FrontRunner Farmington Station.
Visit your local Disney Store (City Creek or University Mall) for Junior Avengers Training. Training sessions run at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Free Comic Book Day – Saturday, May 5
It also happens to be Free Comic Book Day. Celebrated the first Saturday in May, participating book shops around the world give away select comic books absolutely free. There are a number of participating shops along the Wasatch Front accessible by transit.
The reasonably priced menu offers a variety of tasty Italian dishes, from sweet potato gnocchi to chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto and sage butter. Siragusa’s also serves pizzas, soups and salads, and sandwiches, which come with delicious waffle fries. Traditional dishes, including veal parmesan and fettuccine alfredo, are available as well.
Siragusa’s is open for both lunch and dinner and also provides catering services.
The public opening of City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City exceeded most expectations. Transit ridership was up 31% last Thursday, Friday and Saturday as patrons made nearly 200,000 trips around the valley.
We’re loving all the new offerings in the downtown area.
It was nice to welcome local favorite Harmon’s to City Creek .
You can stop for a bite in their bakery/deli or head over to the food court at City Creek where you can find eateries like McCafe (McDonald’s), Chick-fil-a, Chang Chung, Sbarro’s or local favorite Red Iguana.
The shopping is filled with familiar favorites like Gap, Forever 21 and Nordstrom, but you will also find a few stores new to the downtown area like Tiffany and Co.
We love the new City Creek Center and hope you will join us for a ride there soon.
*When disembarking the train at City Center, please remember to cross Main Street at the crosswalks rather than the mall entries!
The Chocolate – A Dessert Café has two locations easily accessed via UTA bus. Only a few feet away from the West Jordan location, at 9118 South Redwood Road, is a bus stop for Route 218. The Chocolate’s Orem location is at 212 South State, located along Route 850. Both eateries offer sweet desserts in a charming setting.
The Chocolate features signature cakes such as the Kitty Katrina, which is a Madagascan vanilla cake with fruit filling, as well as a variety of offers a variety of gourmet cupcakes in flavors such as mocha chocolate, red velvet, lemon curd and vanilla with butter cream. Not interested in cake? Try their decadent brownies and cookies.
Drinks range from flavored hot chocolate, Italian roast coffee and a complement of soda beverages.
The Chocolate also caters events such as birthday parties and weddings and can create unique wedding cakes with a focus on cake quality and flavor combinations.
Bus route 832 is a long winding route. If you rode from end to end, you would stop by no less than three shopping malls and dozens restaurants. One of the best? Malawi’s Pizza, located at The Shops at Riverwoods.
This unique casual dining establishment is more than just a restaurant though. It’s a cause. For every meal purchased at Malawi’s, a meal is provided to a child in the African nation of Malawi.
The menu features a wide variety of pizzas, as well as pasta, salad and dessert. The generous plates average between $8-10 per person.
The Capri Pizza was a hit.
As well as the Chicken Pesto Pasta.
Head on over to Malawi Pizza and let us know what you think!
*If you know of a locally owned shop or restaurant on a UTA bus or rail line that you think we should review, let us know!
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, Vosen’s Bread Paradise is a little slice of Germany. It’s delicious fare, which includes white bread, bread bowls, a variety of rye and delightful pastries, grace the tables of individual homes and the area’s finest restaurants alike.
The location is right on bus route 2 and a short walk from TRAX.
Markus and Silvia Vosen opened the bakery in 1997 and it has flourished in the little yellow Victorian house located at 249 West 200 South (across from the U.S. Post Office).
In addition to German baked goods, Vosen’s also offers a wide range of German, Italian and French baked goods and imported groceries all for a reasonable price. Freshly baked bread starts at $2.
The bakery offers catering, retail and wholesale services. Special orders should be placed by 1 p.m. the day prior to pick up.
Like many European shops, this one is closed Sunday and Monday, but you can visit Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In the ever-evolving scene found in downtown Salt Lake City, a relatively new restaurant has emerged near the historic Rio Grande Depot.
Dojo Asian Inspired Cuisine and Lounge (423 W. 300 South) offers unique Japanese-American specialties alongside traditional offerings. The restaurant is located near the TRAX station and bus routes 228, 509 and 516 is nestled between Iggy’s and Howntown Suites.
Dojo’s rock walls and modern interior greet guests along with the delicious smell of its cuisine, most notably the Dojo Ramen Noodles. These noodles aren’t a thing like the ones picked up for a few cents at the grocery store – Dojo’s version combines bean sprouts, Japanese fish cake, pork, green onion and seaweed in a traditional ramen broth.
The restaurant also offers main dishes such as Dojo Ribs, which are cooked a jalapeno and chocolate glaze, and Katsu Curry, consisting of pork or chicken breaded in pistachios and topped with a vegetable curry sauce. One of the restaurant’s most popular menu items is its pork belly sliders featuring pickled carrot, daikon radish, mixed greens and sour red chili sauce.
As for sushi, Dojo’s small menu offers tasty, original maki rolls such as the White Dragon with yam, seaweed salad and avocado wrapped in rice and topped with albacore, onion ponzu sauce and white truffle oil. Those seeking more traditional sushi offerings will find a sufficient variety of maki rolls with tuna, hamachi and shrimp as well as typical nigiri and sashimi items.
Have you tried the Dojo out? Where’s your favorite Japanese restaurant.
