Sister Dates

Last weekend, me and Mary doubled with Lauren and her sister, Emily. 

A little background: Lauren and I were joined together by the forces of fate when we landed together at an apartment at Raintree. And let me tell you.....that year, I think it's safe to say that we needed each other...for a variety of reasons...of which I won't go into here. Anyway, I was starting my sophmore year, and decided to go solo in finding an apartment because I wasn't a huge fan of where my freshmen friends were looking. I was sad to leave them, but felt good about my decision. Lauren was first to move in, then I was next. There are 3 rooms and 6 girls. I knew I wanted the last room because its biggest and furthest from the living room and kitchen, aka noise. So when we found out that the other 4 moving in were coming in pairs (we learned later only 2 came as a pair, and the other two didn't actually know anyone either), we knew would have to share a room, so I convinced her to join me in the back room instead of staying in the smaller first room. Ah, fate. You are too good to me, sometimes.

We went our separate ways the next year, but have kept in contact over the years, if only just every once in a while. Her sister, Emily, was still in high school when Lauren and I roomed together, but I believe she is a sophomore at BYU now. Oh and Lauren will be a Registered Nurse this time next year! (...I think...)

Back to the story. Mazza was for quite some time the only good Middle East food restaurant in Salt Lake City, and pretty much all of Utah for that matter. UNTIL......Layla Mediterranean Grill and Mezze. I was blown away by the modern and chic interior decor, the Middle Eastern ambient music that vaguely reminded me of Rainbow Street in Amman, Jordan. In that the music did have a Middle East vibe to it, but was clearly designated for Westerners, which is kind of what Rainbow Street is like. The food presentation was also stunning. And please remember, dear friends and family, that I have never actually been to an upscale restaurant before, soooo while this restaurant definitely impressed me, it doesn't take much, ha. And the price range is between $12-17ish dollars (at dinner), so it's not like it's even some big-time over the top expensive restaurant. But it still was very classy, in my opinion.

Also, it's a family-owned joint, and Layla herself was at the podium to greet us, and her daughter was our server. I thought that was a nice touch :-) 

However....apparently you're supposed to make reservations for this kind of place. We got there at 5, so since it was early she was able to squeeze us in as long as we made it out by 6. I felt bad, but she insisted and said it was fine, just to make sure to reserve a place next time.

The evidence:

Left, Emily. Right, Lauren.

To die for humus.

I was trying to be artsy, even though I don't own a single artsy bone in my body. And apparently I didn't focus the camera...

The flatbread

Emily's: Artichoke hearts stuffed with meat and good stuff, topped with a tomato sauce served over rice.

Lauren's Lebanese chicken curry.

Mary's Falafel sandwich....which was my only complaint there. I didn't like the sandwich. That's not the falafel sandwich I remember eating over there.

My Lebanese Massouka. Eggplant topped with beef and spices and a tomatoe sauce served over rice.

We also ordered falafel to go with the humus and flatbread as our appetizer, but I forgot to take a picture. Oh well!

Next, we went to see Real Salt Lake play against Houston Dynamo. Real should have won easily, but it was unfortunately a tie 0-0. Actually, Real scored 2 beautiful goals, but for reasons that I'm still unaware of, the ref didn't count them!!!! Lame.

I have a double-chin here...yes I am aware.

The two teams with some children

And who else was at the game, caught with his hand in his nose??? Charles Abouo, no less! 

This British guy came and sat next to Mary and flirted with her for a few minutes. He was really charming and I was really jealous. But then he had to leave because he and his friend each had a beer, but apparently they were sitting in a "no drinking" section. Which I actually thought was really weird to have at a sporting event. Then again, it is Utah...

This was during halftime. I'm not really sure why I felt the need to post these pictures. Just thought they were funny at the time...

Abouo, yet again. Clearly bored by this game.

CROCK CELL PHONE HOLDER!

After the game, we met up with our dear friend, Jon, for desert at this delectable bakery called Gourmandise - The Bakery. Lauren and Emily had introduced us to this place a few weeks prior to this sister date on a different sister date on which we journeyed to find good Italian food. Anyway, this is by far the best bakery on the planet. THEY EVEN HAD KUNAFA!!!!! Well, it looked like it anyway. I can't verify it's accuracy. And they spelled it different. I didn't get any though, because I didn't notice till I was paying as we were leaving. And the funny thing is, when we were eating dinner all I could think was man I wish this place had kunafa for dessert! So the Middle East food restaurant didn't, but this random bakery in SLC did! I can't wait to go back though and see how it tastes....

......Oh my nostalgia for the Middle East overwhelms me at times! There is a little Arab girl inside of me that needs to be back in the blazing hot sun with the dead sea just a short drive away and the charming call to prayer 5 times a day (one at the crack of dawn, literally) reminding me that there are more important things in life than my worldly, petty concerns.

Anyway...it was an awesome night. I always have so much fun with these girls.

P.S. It is almost June....and it's still in the 50s and 60s with rarely a sunny day here and there simply as a teaser!!! Nonstop wind, rain, and cold day in and day out! I have HAD IT! You can see in the pictures of us at the Rio Tinto Stadium how we're all in long sleeves/bundled up (I conveniently forgot my jacket...) and Mary even wisely brought a blanket. Need I remind anyone yet again that it is almost JUNE! That is all :-)


P.P.S. Anna Gleave, did I make you proud with the food pictures??? I did forget to take pictures of the awesome deserts at Gourmandise, though...both times we went. I know the pictures aren't of good quality what with my silly point and shoot camera.....but I tried, ha.