Last night N and I were planning to go see Sonic Youth at the free outdoor concert series that Salt Lake City puts on every summer. But after a long day at the office for him and a long day of wrangling a somewhat cranky E (he’s teething) for me we just couldn’t get excited about driving downtown and standing around in a hot sweaty crowd to listen to a band whom we probably wouldn’t even be able to actually see on the stage (because of the aforementioned hot sweaty crowd). Yep, we’re getting old.
We had already arranged for a babysitter and didn’t want to cancel on her. So we put E to bed and went to dinner at Pizzeria 712, a restaurant that both of us had heard of but never tried. It was really good.
I’ve never been to a restaurant like it in the Orem/Provo area: it’s upscale but casual in the same way Tilth was. Like Tilth, Pizzeria 712 is also devoted to sustainability and sourcing their ingredients from organic/local sources. (I don’t think they take it as far as Tilth does, but then again that would be pretty difficult.)
The atmosphere there was lovely and refined but not stuffy. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the evening breeze. We started with braised short ribs served on top of polenta with horseradish cream and then shared a pizza topped with speck and soppressata (both are cured meats), shaved garlic, and mozzarella. The crust was hand-tossed and thin and crispy. It was obvious that the flavors had been chosen carefully and they all worked well together. We finished with a vanilla panna cotta served with a cherry sauce. It was SO good: creamy and sweet and cool and perfectly balanced by the tartness of the cherries. Considering the high quality of the food the prices were very decent. Our three course meal (without any alcohol) came to $35 plus tip.
I really had a great time: the food was delicious and N was a perfect date. After knowing each other for ten years he still makes me laugh like no one else does. And to top the evening off I ran into a friend I used to work with and haven’t seen in a year (Hi, T!) and we had the chance to chat and catch up. It was a serendipitous and charming evening.
Pizzeria 712 is located on the bottom floor of now-defunct Midtown Village development and while the pizzeria itself is warm and inviting, it is a little strange to look out at the huge unfinished building across the parking lot. I hope their location doesn’t hurt them: they’re now my favorite restaurant in Utah County and I want them to be around for a long time.
I have one thing to say about the concert: You aren't old, Sonic Youth is OLD! I saw a picture of them on the cover of a magazine recently. Wow are the ever old!!!!
Oh and also, I want to try your new restaurant when we come to town!
Kim Gordon is the Crypt Keeper.
I dunno, I thought Tilth had lost a step when we went with you guys. Looking forward to Pizzeria 712 next time through. The Yelp reviews are tiptop!
Burgers Supreme, I guess you are now the SECOND best restaurant in Utah County.
The next time you guys are in town we should definitely go!
So great that there is a good restaurant in Orem! I hope it has the stuff it takes to stick around. At least long enough for me to try it.
Pannacotta is much yummier than arthritic punks (sorry, Thurston!) I heard Iron & Wine is coming to some free outdoor venue in SLC this summer – is that true?
Gwyn, Iron and Wine is coming, I think on the 20th. We're definitely going to that one. We'll probably try and get there early.