La Jolla Groves opened last week in the Riverwoods shopping area. Their menu features dishes made from fresh, local and organic ingredients. Besides the delicious food I'm really excited about the year-round farmers market concept that runs in conjunction with La Jolla. The farmers market will sell local cheeses, honey, fresh flower, whole roasted poultry and fresh-made artisan bread.
The owners of La Jolla Groves have teamed up with, or rather invested in a local farmer to supply the local produce. That organic farm happens to be Jacob's Cove. If you are not familiar with the beauty and deliciousness that is Jacob's Cove get over to their Web site now. I am actually a member of the Jacob's Cove CSA. (You'll hear more about that on my Friday post.)
Now onto the food and my experience at La Jolla Restaurant.
I loved the ambiance of La Jolla. Everything from the lemon grove theme that shone through the decor to the tunes that made you imagine a 1940's California. Read more about the inspiration for the lemon grove and restaurant name in this Daily Herald news article. Oh and that darn butter ball for your bread: yum. I think it's rosemary that accompanies it.
Entrees range from $7-$20. We went for lunch and it was delicious. We started out with a La Jolla's Artisan Cheese, Fresh Fruit and La Jolla Groves Hearth Breads.
Their menu describes it as this:
"A sample of the handcrafted La Jolla Groves Bakery Breads available for purchase paired with fresh fruit and berries of summer with the award winning Beehive White Cheddar Cheese, Gorganzola and creamy swiss cheese served with La Jolla Groves healthier fruit dipping sauce made from real fruit in our own kitchen."
The cheese plate was delightful. I have to say I loved the Beehive White Cheddar but it also included some brie that I have an affinity for. The artisan breads stood well on their own, but also served as a great canvas for the cheeses presented.
I chose the La Jolla Groves' Salad for my entree. It was delicious even if overdressed. It was such a great blend of flavors and a real treat to find fresh heirloom tomatoes waiting for me at the bottom of the plate.
Here's how the menu describes the dish:
"A salad of summer tomatoes, mango, apples and cucumbers with toasted pistachios in a light lemon vinaigrette. This salad will make you wish you could eat at La Jolla Groves every day. An insider favorite."
My husband ordered the Roasted Chicken entree. I had a bite and was pleased.
"Thyme and citrus roasted chicken breast with garlic mashed potatoes and butternut squash and carrots. If you had time to roast chicken this is how you would want to make it."
The dessert menu was enticing, especially the La Jolla Grove Lemon cake. Boy did it sound refreshing. But...dessert will have to wait for my next visit to La Jolla Groves.
I am eager to see how their year-round farmers market turns out and to see the menu change with each season. I thought La Jolla Groves' food was delicious. It wasn't quite as flawless as say, Communal or P712's execution. Nor did the waiters present the amazing restaurant concept and posses the food knowledge I would expect from this type of restaurant but hey...this was only their first week. I can't be too harsh. I can't wait till my next visit. I'll let you know how that dessert tastes.
I hope you give La Jolla a try.
La Jolla Groves
4801 North University Avenue, Suite 610
Provo, Utah 84604
phone: 801-224-5111
fax: 801-224-5888
web site: www.lajollagroves.com (site not up yet)
web site: Riverwoods Shopping Area in Provo
Other posts about Utah restaurants and food you may like:
Provo Farmers Market & Basil Ice Cream
Spark Restaurant Lounge in Provo
Utah County Favorite: Coneys Frozen Custard
Lehi Roller Mills
Kouing Aman at Les Madeleines
Pearimisu: My New Year's Eve Dessert
Beer Battered Fish Tacos at Red Butte Cafe
Mashup and Newer Flavors at The Sweet Tooth Fairy
10 comments:
Looks like I'll e making a trek to Provo soon! Great review!!
Sold-- I'm headed there for sure
Comments should be working now, sorry everyone.
I think it's so great that restaurants are embracing the idea of local and organic so wholeheartedly. This looks like a great place to visit and a cool CSA to belong to!
Delightful post!
What a wonderful review! I can't wait to try this place out. Thanks so much for the details :)
OOHH! I love places like this, it is right up my alley! Definitely will be added to my must try list!
Just had a wonderful lunch there! I highly recommend the potato leek soup ... I will absolutely be returning!
Just had a wonderful lunch there. I highly recommend the potato leek soup and all of the delicious bread! I will definitely be returning!
My experience was very different than yours. I had the salmon and thought the fish was very blah. To make matters worse myself and others in my party experienced severe food poisoning. Management was notified, but slow to react. We have been waiting a month for our refund.
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