Do your homework!

I think I have said it before, but I kind of dislike chain restaurants.  They are OK to take your children to once in a while, but when I travel I really like to go to restaurants that are locally owned.  I generally find the food to be better!  I also like the idea of supporting local businesses.  If you do  your homework before you leave on a trip, you can have an amazing and original eating experience.  Here are a couple of ways of finding restaurants to eat at when on vacation 1) travel magazines 2) blogs 3) the food network 4) on-line review websites like "Yelp 5) friends who have traveled to the destination and 6) ask the front desk for recommendations.  On my recent trip to Utah, my friend and I ate at a restaurant called Communal that is located in downtown Provo.  I had seen this restaurant mentioned on a blog about three years ago and liked what I read.  The post about this restaurant lived up to it's word.  The food while a bit expensive was amazing!  It was a good splurge!!!  It is the type of place worth saving your money for because you will seriously not be disappointed.  I would much rather save for treat like this than it out multiple times. We had the pork shoulder that was cooked in it's own juices for days in a special cooker and glazed with a teriyaki glaze and pickled red onions.  The meat was so tender that it melted in ones mouth like butter.  We followed this by roasted artichokes covered in goat cheese and russet potatoes gratin with blue cheese.  Let's not forget dessert of carrot cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce and chocolate mousse with a cookie bottom,chocolate shavings, and whip cream.  The food was Heavenly!