September Dining: Discovering Hidden Gems and Celebrating Milestones

September was a month filled with a mix of spontaneous family meals, trying new spots, and celebrating a special milestone. From taco cravings to celebrating our wedding anniversary, here’s a look at our September restaurant experiences.

Del Barrio Café: A Hidden Gem for Authentic Tacos

After a fun afternoon at Kids Empire Midvale, we realized we didn’t have time to cook dinner. Madi asked for tacos, so I searched for a nearby spot and came across Del Barrio Café. To our surprise, we snagged the last open table at this small, bustling restaurant. The girls couldn’t get enough of the chips and salsa, while Madi opted for a pork burrito instead of her usual tacos. Erik’s Birria tacos were delicious, especially with the dipping sauce, and my cheese pastor tacos with pineapple were bursting with flavor. We were thrilled to find such an authentic Mexican restaurant and will definitely be returning.

Ivy and Varley: A Perfect Work Dinner with a View

When a colleague came to town, we decided to try Ivy and Varley, a trendy spot recommended by a friend. Sitting on the patio at dusk made for a lovely atmosphere, and the drinks did not disappoint. I started with the refreshing Secret Garden, and we shared a fresh tuna tartare with mango salsa and avocado. For dinner, I had the summer salmon, which was elevated by the guajillo salsa and corn. My second drink, the espresso mar-tiki, was too sweet for my liking, but the meal itself was fantastic. Afterward, we continued our conversation with a glass of Sean Minor Cabernet Sauvignon next door at Varley, capping off a wonderful evening.

Asian Star: Decent Chinese, But Room for Improvement

After a trip to Uptown Jungle, Madi requested a meal out, and we chose Asian Star for takeout. We ordered house lo mein and General Tso chicken dinners. While the lo mein was a hit with the girls, the General Tso chicken could have used more sauce. The process of ordering was frustrating as calling in the order resulted in a higher price than ordering online. While the food wasn’t bad, I think we might explore other options next time after finding a small piece of aluminum in our food.

Supremo Pizza: Solid Pizza After a Day of Play

After another afternoon at Uptown Jungle, pizza was the go-to choice. We stopped at Supremo Pizza and ordered the Supremo pizza (a supreme pizza) and a classic pepperoni pizza. The pizzas were decent, with a chewy dough that we all liked. Unfortunately, they were out of garlic knots, which was a bit of a letdown. Hopefully, we can try them next time we visit.

Basta Pasteria: A Delightful Anniversary Dinner

For our 5th wedding anniversary, we decided to try Basta Pasteria. Since we don’t have much childcare outside of daycare, we celebrated with the kids. Basta Pasteria was an interesting experience where you order at the counter, but can’t sit down until you’re given a table by staff. I ordered the Pappardelle crab, which had a slight but pleasant spiciness, while Erik chose the calzone, which everyone devoured. The girls enjoyed their spaghetti al pomodoro, and we all shared focaccia bread with oil and vinegar. It was a lovely, relaxed way to celebrate our milestone with the whole family.

SoHo Food Trucks: A Tasty End to the Season

We finally made it to the SoHo Food Trucks before they closed for the season. Unfortunately, Jules had a meltdown before we left, so Erik and Madi went to grab food. They came back with selections from three trucks: a 24-hour slow-braised pork bowl from 9 Up Night Market Asian Cuisine, empanadas from Noemi’s Catering Chilean Cuisine, and an Oklahoma-style burger and fries from Wanna Smash Burgers. The pork bowl and fries were hits with the girls, while I loved the flavor-packed empanadas and pork bowl, although I wasn’t a fan of the ham and cheese mix-up. The burger was juicy and flavorful, making it a great last-minute family dinner.

September’s dining experiences brought a combination of new finds, fun family meals, and a special anniversary celebration. From delicious tacos at Del Barrio Café to exploring food trucks at SoHo, each meal offered a unique and memorable experience to mark the month.