Decked out in modern themes and furniture and cool music in the background, the first thing that strikes you is that by stepping through the doors you’ve just stepped “out of Provo”.  Even the silverware is cool (check out the knives). That is exactly what owner Blake Ballard is going for.  SP^RK wants you to have an “Out-of-Provo” experience, as he calls it.

What was interesting to me was what I would call “Approachable Sophistication”.  It has the feel of an upscale restaurant and lounge but with a little more relaxed atmosphere; a place you want to come and hang out with friends and spend a little more time than you would at your typical restaurant.  They even have a really cool drinks list, including lots of “tini” drinks; all non-alcoholic.  I had a Peartini, and Becky had a Lycheetini.  They were both delicious and unlike anything else I’ve tried in Utah Valley.

Instead of traditional appetizers they offer what they call “Small Plates”.  We tried the House-made Pasta with Lamb Ragu and the Citrus Duck.  If these items sound too exotic, trust me they are not.  They were both quite delicious.  My wife, who has never ordered duck for herself, really enjoyed their duck offering a lot.

For our main course I ordered the Roasted Pork Tenderloin while Becky had the Scallops Three Ways.  My tenderloin was perfectly cooked along with the tastiest polenta I think I have ever had, definitely a winner.  The Scallops Three Ways included 3 large scallops, all perfectly cooked, one poached with a Parmesan crisp, one seared with corn and polenta, and one roasted on top of a pork belly.  The poached scallop, while at first bite seemed to be under seasoned, upon the second bit you realize the subtle sweetness of the scallop itself coming through which too much seasoning might have masked.  The seared scallop with the polenta was quite nice, but the roasted scallop with the pork belly, in my opinion, stole the show and was absolutely to die for: Fantastic!

What I found to be particularly enjoyable is that between our various courses they sent a couple of different “Chef’s Selections,” on the house.  A pan-seared pork belly (my first pork belly, but definitely not my last), and shrimp bisque the night we went, though I understand these to change depending on the night.

For dessert we shared the Brioche Bruleé French Toast which also included a vanilla-poached pear, and lemon thyme sorbet.  Separately each of these was excellent, but when you put all three together into one bite it was the perfect combination of tastes, one we will definitely have again and again.  At the very end, instead of the typical after-dinner mint we were brought a couple of homemade marshmallows that were a slightly minty to the taste; a sweet break from tradition.

I had the opportunity to sit and chat with owner Blake Ballard after our visit to his restaurant.  According to Ballard, “Spark is a non-typical restaurant and lounge that provides an engaging dining and social ambiance for those living in Utah Valley.” Continuing, he said of their menu: “Spark’s unique menu offerings are based on classical French techniques with Japanese, Spanish and California influences. The drink menu offers a unique approach to non-alcoholic refreshment.”

Simply put; SP^RK brings the social, culinary, and cultural advantages and moods of a metropolitan modern bar and lounge to Downtown Provo, all without actually serving alcoholic drinks of any kind.

SP^RK chef Viet Pham of San Jose, California, received formal culinary training from the California Culinary Academy and has previously worked at The Fifth Floor Restaurant, part of Hotel Palomar, located in San Francisco, California.

In Ballard’s words, “At SP^RK we want you to enjoy a culinary and social experience each and every time you come.”

Overall, my wife and I really enjoyed our experience at SP^RK and we are definitely looking forward to our next visit and sampling even more of their delicious and creative menu.

Give them a try for lunch or dinner.

Find them on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Provo-UT/Spark-Restaurant-Lounge/14098944078

Original photos taken by Becky Olsen. You can see more of her work, and of Sparks, on her Flickr page.

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Orem, Utah—October 20, 2008—ProPay, a comprehensive provider of simple, safe and affordable merchant payment solutions, today announced that eBay silver, gold, platinum, and titanium PowerSellers can now sign up for ProPay’s eAuction Account. The eAuction Account is integrated with the eBay checkout process and gives sellers the ability to accept credit and debit cards quickly and easily for their eBay auctions.

ProPay confirmed the eAuction Account is available for an annual fee of $24.00. This fee will be reimbursed in the form of a $24.00 processing credit to those eBay sellers who process over $3,000 with ProPay during the first 6 months following their account activation.

In addition, ProPay announced transaction fees as low as 2.4 percent. The transaction fees are determined by the seller’s eBay PowerSeller tier: For Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, the fees are:

• Silver – 2.7% and $0.30 USD per transaction
• Gold – 2.4% and $0.30 USD per transaction
• Platinum – 2.4% and $0.30 USD per transaction
• Titanium level sellers are encouraged to contact ProPay directly to set up custom transaction fees by calling (888) 227-9856

Sellers will also be able to accept American Express. The transaction fees for processing American Express will be slightly higher than those listed above.

The account does not have fees that most merchant accounts charge, including bank transfer fees, monthly gateway fees, online statement fees, cancellation fees, monthly processing minimum fees, or transaction downgrade fees. *

The transaction fees are flat so they do not change, regardless of the type of credit or debit card (rewards, corporate, etc.) used. With ProPay, eBay sellers can know exactly what the transaction fees will be each time.

ProPay’s eAuction Account is the first of two accounts ProPay will provide to the eBay seller community, ProPay executives said. In January 2009, the company will be launching the eAuction Pro Account that is integrated with eBay Checkout and provides several other credit and debit card processing options, such as an online virtual terminal and touch-tone phone processing. The eAuction Pro Account will also support shopping carts for personal websites, the new ProPay secure card reader, and a direct API.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in our efforts to provide attractive, comprehensive, and technologically advanced payment options for eBay’s PowerSellers,” said Greg Pesci, ProPay Executive Vice President of Business Strategy. “We look forward to growing our working relationship with these advanced eBay PowerSellers, and we welcome the chance to premier several additional cutting-edge services in the seasons to come.”

To set up a ProPay eAuction Account today, sellers can visit www.propay.com/ebay.

About ProPay
Since 1997, ProPay has led the market in providing simple, safe and affordable credit card processing and electronic payment services for businesses ranging from the small, home-based entrepreneur to multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

ProPay understands the unique needs of these businesses and has created merchant services specifically for them. With ProPay, merchants can set up an account online and begin accepting credit cards without buying special equipment and making long-term commitments or investments. ProPay leads out in educating merchants of every size about how to reduce or eliminate the risk of touching or holding sensitive cardholder data. The company also leads the payments market in the development of end-to-end data security solutions and alternative payment options that can significantly reduce risk and operating costs.

ProPay is a privately held company, headquartered in Orem, Utah. For information, visit www.propay.com.

* Please see the Payment Services Agreement at www.propay.com/ebay for complete information on pricing and fees.

#

PR Contacts:
Cheryl Snapp Conner or Don Osmond
Snapp Conner PR
801 994-9625
Cheryl (at) snappconner.com or don (at) snappconner.com

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I went in yesterday to try it out for myself because I have heard good things about it. I figured I would chat with the owner while I was there to get a better feel for the restaurant. I expected the owner to be an entrepreneur around my dad’s age, wearing khakis and a polo. I could not have been more wrong.

The owner, Clint Betts, is a 23 year-old Utah Valley University student studying Philosophy. Betts told me his plan has always been to go to law school, but last fall he altered his life plan. After managing Hickory Kist for about a year, Betts fell in love with the deli and bought it in November 2007. Betts has maintained the great quality sandwiches that Hickory Kist has a reputation for, while giving the store a more fresh and casual feel. He ripped off the cute quotes on the wall and put up The Beatles and The Godfather, nicknamed his store “Clint’s Place” to give it some character, and added more options to the menu by making specialty sandwiches with creative names. As Betts says, “we do all the same things, we just do more now.”

At “Clint’s Place” you can build your own sandwich or choose one of Betts creations. I opted for “The Brookster” and I was not disappointed. In fact, my lunch partner tried to steal as many bites of mine as she could. I almost opted for “The Clinster” which Betts says, “one bite and you’re hooked!” I think my favorite part of the sandwich was the bread. That might sound weird but trust me, it is deliciously moist and thick. Honestly, nearly every specialty sandwich sounded enticing.

From the time I ordered my sandwich till I began eating was under five minutes. And not only was the service quick, but the staff was so friendly. And Betts was the one behind the counter taking my order and making my sandwich. Very impressive!

At http://www.clintsdeli.com, you will find the entire menu Hickory Kist has to offer. You can even order your sandwiches online and drop by to pick them up. There is even a place on the site to post comments, ideas, or quotes.

If you get the craving for a quality sandwich, stop at Hickory Kist on Center Street in Provo for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And when you do, take a second to chat with Clint…he’ll be the unassuming owner behind the counter making your sandwich and smiling the whole time.

You’ll find Clint’s Place at42 West Center Street in Provo. Give them a call at 801.373.9939. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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Nestled against the hill at the mouth of Provo Canyon, Mama Chus is easy to miss, but hard to forget. They feature traditional Mexican food at a very affordable price. My first time there I remember thinking ‘why didn’t anyone tell me about this place?’. I hesitate writing this, knowing this will just add to their growing popularity and then ‘everyone will want one’.

Mama Chus has become a popular lunchtime favorite around the North Orem area because the lunchtime menu is quick, cheap, and large portioned. I have never left hungry, and am always pleasantly surprised when I get the bill.

The food is good. Granted, this isn’t ‘fine dining’, but for a lunchtime hole-in-the-wall, I think it is fantastic. Judging by the ever-growing lunchtime crowd, I am guessing everyone else agrees, too. You will find the normal Mexican fare on their menu; nothing really that special, but the portions are large, and the price is right, making a winning combination in my book.

They do have some pretty tasty chips and salsa. In my quick research I found a comment on the web attesting to this also. If you are looking for a great meal, or a quick Mexican snack, Mama Chus is a great place to go.

You can reach them at 801.221.0429.

You will find Mama Chus at the mouth of Provo Canyon, just up the hill on 800 North in Orem. If you are familiar with Will’s gas station at the mouth of the canyon, Mama Chu’s is right across the street, to the West, with the green awning.

Get there a little early for lunch.

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Porter’s Place in Lehi has been around for nearly 30 years, and was purchased 20 years ago by Porter Rockwell fan Robert Trepanier. I met Robert’s wife Sandee and talked to her about the business. She was very pleasant, and genuinely passionate about the restaurant and their future move to Point of The Mountain, where they have exciting plans to expand the business.

As I entered the restaurant, located about eight blocks west of Lehi Roller Mills, I felt like I was stepping back in time. The crowded entry featured a large wooden bar with a giant antique mirror hanging above it. To the left was a old portrait of Porter Rockwell, a hero to locals who know him as Brigham Young’s dedicated body guard. Brigham’s portrait is hanging just to the right, and finishes off the old saloon setting. Tables are set in a labyrinth of small rooms, affording a certain degree of privacy and adding to the home grown atmosphere.

Porter’s Place is a nice break from the corporate chain restaurants that have overwhelmed Utah Valley. The rough and rustic atmosphere is as genuine as it gets. You won’t find any fakery among the old leather menu covers, or the rudimentary tables and chairs, and the atmosphere is less celebrated than just convenient and natural. It’s like Porter’s has been running this way for a hundred years and has made little concession to keep up to date. I found it to be comfortable, and felt at home.

The entertaining menu featured themed dishes such as the High Noon Sandwich, the Prophet’s Plate, Brigham’s Burger and The Mountain Man. The Destroying Angel, a play on Porter Rockwell’s nickname, is full one-pound burger that was so gigantic it takes up an entire plate.

The food was terrific, by the way. Not in a five-star French restaurant sort of way, mind you, but rather in an old west saloon sort of way. They are known for their steaks, and had plenty of other items to choose from, and quite a list of specialty drinks, too. By the way, and despite the old saloon atmosphere, Porter’s Place is family friendly, and does not serve alcohol.

You can find Porter’s Place eight blocks west of the Lehi Roller Mills, off I-15 at exit 279.

24 West Main Street
Lehi, Utah 84043

Call them at 801.768.8348

If you want to read about Porter Rockwell, the famous and controversial frontiersman, click here.

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Pudding On The Rice features a selection of eight or ten flavors of rice pudding, with the option of adding a topping or two. When we walked in I was greeted by a large video monitor that answered the age-old question: ‘Why rice pudding?’. Answer: it isn’t as fattening as ice cream. I’m not sure I believe it, but I’ll be going back for more; It was terrific.

Beyond the video monitor that was hanging just inside the door was a scene from Star Wars. Tables are suspended from the ceiling, and the stark white decoration is accentuated by softly glowing lights. I expected a robot to come out from somewhere and start wiping tables. Though I wouldn’t call it ‘warm and inviting’, the atmosphere was very unique and interesting.

Turning to the counter, we were presented with a selection of flavors and toppings. We decided to try as many as we could in two regular sized servings. We got three flavors in each and loved every one of them. Peanutbutter is a personal favorite, but did not necessarily outshine the coconut, chocolate, or toffee. My kids polished off the marshmallow, which tasted too much like marshmallow for me to have more than just a bite or two. No offense; you marshmallow lovers will really like it.

$12 bought us enough to share with two other adults, and four children. No kidding. They have smaller sizes if you are just in for a small treat, and they had much larger sizes that I can only image would be good for catering an event or feeding a very large group.

Bottom line: Rice pudding was a terrific and unusual treat, and Pudding On The Rice made the best I have ever had. If you are in the mood for something different (and who isn’t?), give them a try next time you are out.

You will find Pudding On The Rice at the bottom of the Orem/Provo Diagonal. If you remember where Frontier Pies used to be, you have found the spot. If not, look for them at the west end of the Albertson’s parking lot at 2293 North University Parkway.

You can call them at 375.5007 from Utah Valley.

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Here’s the story: I was given a Jason’s Deli gift certificate by my good friend from Utah Valley Magazine, Allison Birch (very cool). And as it turns out, I had never been to Jason’s Deli, and was excited about a free lunch, and a chance to stop by and see what they have.

So today, Saturday, I decided to grab lunch for the family while I was out on some errands, and just happened to be near Jason’s Deli in Orem. ‘Sounds good to me’ I thought to my self (which I often do).

I walked in and was greeted by a friendly person at the counter, and was immediately overtaken by the grandness of the place. I had no idea that they were a ’sit down’ restaurant. And a nice one, too.

As I approached the counter, a flyer caught my eye. It was one of those glossy full color cards featuring a sandwich they want you to try. This one was called a ‘Muffaletta’, and it looked pretty darn good. Turkey, cheese, and an amazing layer of chopped olives. Several kinds of olives, both green and black. I love olives. ‘I’ll take one of these’ I said, without a second look at any other options.

‘What size?’ the friendly young lady behind the counter asked. ‘Large’ was my reply. She paused for a second, and then said ‘It’s pretty big’. ‘I’m going to feed my whole family with it’ was my reply, thinking this would be a nice snack for the four of us. I would learn in a few minutes why she was concerned…

As they made my sandwich, I walked around the place and took it all in. A fully-stocked salad bar, a cabinet full of desserts, soups, and a respectable stock of deli meats and cheeses. Jason’s Deli is awesome.

After a few minutes my sandwich was ready, and she handed me a bag that felt a little heavier than it should have. I unfolded the top to reveal two double-fisted-sized sandwiches. ‘I think you made a mistake’ I said, disclosing that I had only ordered one sandwich. ‘That’s it’ she said. ‘We cut it in half to get it into the bag’. Holy Cow! This sandwich was huge!

So huge, in fact, that it easily fed my group of four, with a little left over. No kidding.

Not only big, but quite tasty, too. In fact, it was one of the best sandwiches I can ever remember eating. My wife raved about it, and then wrapped up the leftover slice to take with her on a trip. We may even have fought over it had I not socked away my own extra sliver. The bread was terrific.

Do yourself a favor: Go to Jason’s Deli in Orem and order a Muffaletta. Take heed, however, the ‘large’ is big enough to overwhelm a normal dinner plate, and you will have to fend for your fair share if you have friends or family around.

Thanks Allison.

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