Double The Dining

The Shops at Riverwoods is reinventing itself as a shopping destination, but the most exciting part is the addition of new restaurants. Chef Kent Andersen, founder of Chef’s Table, has created two new taste experiences perfect for Utah County.
La Jolla Groves features a large casual dining room serving up a healthier approach to eating out. I was impressed by the restaurant’s use of local organic produce when possible. The concept must be working as I ran into the manager of the Gold’s Gym where I work out, and he told me La Jolla was one of his favorite places for healthy eating, lower fat and lighter fare.
I’ve always said Kent wrote the book on excellent service, and La Jolla is no exception. Our server cared for our every need. He even answered all my incessant questions about ingredients, their origins and style of preparations. It is worth the trip to La Jolla just for the bread — multi-grain, asiago, vegetable and potato rolls were served in abundance. Yummm!
I ordered the Mushroom Ravioli with Yellow Tomato Sauce and Garden Vegetables. The portions were large, and the price? Incredible. I sampled the fresh Atlantic salmon with Cilantro Lime Sauce and Aromatic Rice, which was very good.
The best item on the menu: Chicken Stuffed Crepes with the most delicate Veloute Sauce — it was a little taste of heaven. This is the perfect place for diners who like good food but are also on a budget. A word to the wise: The Lemon Bundt Cake is to die for!
Across the street, we found Malawi’s Pizza with African decor, African names, African logo.
At first, I didn’t understand the correlation between pizza and Africa, but it stems from the concept of donating a portion of the profits to the orphans of Malawi, Africa. Co-owner Blake Roney has long been a supporter of these kinds of great causes.
Malawi’s features a wood and gas-fired stone oven for a true authentic pizza crust. Once again, this restaurant is targeting the healthier market with whole wheat pizza crust and the freshest ingredients. The best pizza on the menu is the Pesto Roasted Chicken with Asparagus, Spinach and Gorgonzola. The best pasta is the Chicken Pepper Pasta with Red Peppers and Mushrooms. Consider saving room for the tasty Mixed Berry and Marscapone Pizza, which is fun and delicious.
I love a dessert that’s to be eaten with your fingers!
With two entrances to Malawi’s, it is a little confusing the first time as to where to order and find the menu choices. Now that I have it down, next time I want to try creating my own pizza concoction from the great list of gourmet ingredients. Like La Jolla Grove, Malawi’s is priced right for the Utah County diner to enjoy a night out often.
Kent, we’ll miss your refined touch of elegance at Chef’s Table, but this new approach may be just what Utah County needs to have their cake and eat it, too!
Remember to fill you life with scrumptious food and joy.

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