BOCCIA’S Pizzeria-New York Cafe
2550 Washington Boulevard
399-2300
www.boccias.comJohn and Cindy Boccia Already known for Boccia’s restaurant in South Ogden in Albertson’s Plaza, this is John and Cindy’s second restaurant; they call it “NYC”, go figure. NYC is their version of a New York City, Greenwich Village restaurant, the kind that people of all income levels visit for a quick and large, 13” slice of pizza with a Coke, or for a group business luncheon. John expresses his concept as a place for everybody, where the working-class and teenagers can rub elbows with businessmen and professionals, where for lunch or dinner, everyone is equal. Having dined on an excellent luncheon myself, I found the food plentiful, efficiently served and, most importantly, delicious. Visit their South Ogden restaurant in the style of New York’s “Little Italy,” and “NYC” for a delicious downtown Ogden lunch or dinner in the style of Greenwich Village.
SHIN-SEI Sushi
154 Historic 25th Street
627-1620
George BouphaTwenty Fifth Street eagerly welcomes Shin-Sei to its burgeoning landscape of authentic “non-chain” restaurants. “Shin-Sei,” or “New Born Star” in Japanese, is meant to be a bright spot along 25th, with sushi, grilled meats and “Japanese hors d’oeuvre.” Stepping through a covered wooden bridge, you are welcomed into a contemporary and comfortable sushi bar and seating area for threes and fours that accommodates singles, small groups and families. Owner George Boupha, an Ogden native, brings many years of experience in Japanese and oriental cuisines. Sampling their dinner menu, I found Shin - Sei’s sashimi to be delightful, almost melting in the mouth, with an excellently presented tender grilled meat. The attentive, eager-to-please wait staff made my visit comfortable and delicious.
JASOH Restaurant
4599 Harrison Boulevard
399-0088Jason and Shana Hess Jason and Shana Hess are Ogden natives who have energized the lovely two-story stone building across from the Ogden Clinic into a lovely, “New American” Bistro. “New American” cuisine is the concept, featuring items such as: fresh crab cakes, gorgonzola cheese stuffed risotto, mixed greens with Gala apples, hazelnuts and gorgonzola cheese, etc. And those are just some of the appetizers. Some of the delights of their offerings are a low-carb menu, a hot buffet for lunch, ala carte menu, wood-fire baked gourmet pizzas, and more. In addition, they have a lovely and well balanced wine list with accomplished vineyards such as Bonny Doon, Veuve-Cliquot and even Dom Perrignone. Jasoh’s offers a very affordable lunch and dinner menu that will satisfy you, give you that little bit of elegance you deserve, and send you home with change in your wallet!
TWO-BIT STREET CAFÉ
126 Historic Twenty-Fifth Street
393-1225
www.twobitstreet.comJames Dayley & Penny Allred Two-Bit Street Antiques and Cafe is the namesake of 25th Street, both literally and historically. Entering the foyer, one notices the restaurant stretches back about the distance of five to six comfortably spaced tables for four. The tables and chairs themselves are aged wood, as if they, too, were of the 100-year-old vintage that surrounds them. Opposite the tables is a bar of turning stools that faces a mirrored, ornately carved wood, art-deco backdrop. The furnishings are old, elegant and interesting. Unique, delicious and homestyle describes the food, featuring items like baked salmon cakes, penne pasta with julienned vegetables, pita chips and artichoke dip. All food is prepared individually to order with fresh ingredients, the way you like. If you have a particular dietary requirement or are in a time squeeze, just call ahead! Opposite the restaurant is the antique store, with many beautiful antique clocks, furniture, jewelry, one-of-a-kinds, and more that add another distinct flavor to the pallet of antique stores along 25th, which together feature a historic sample of Historic 25th Street.
143 23rd Street
627-0045
Bob Ruthford
Junction City Restaurant is a beautiful, old-styled, 19th century building of brick, transformed into a warehouse-style interior that is both fun and interesting when you come for a quick lunch or to just sit with a cold drink for a while as you break from work or shopping in downtown Ogden. Steel girders, corrugated galvanized panels, and huge duct work in purple and silver are the ornate reminders of Ogden’s industrial past, as well as more contemporary architectural marketplaces such as downtown Denver’s Tabor Center. Twentyfive feet ceilings accommodate a second level, where you can carry your lunch to a comfortable and engaging space that brings together shade and seating areas, bright light and spacious design that is invigorating to dine in. The food? Fast, but fresh and well made, in the style of other well known local lunch icons, with the usual array of young Ogden-ites staff who aim to please.
TONA Sushi Bar & Grill
210 Historic 25th Street
622-8662Tony Chen and Tina Uyu Tona is bright and cheery, an import of excellent Japanese and Californian culture and cuisine to 25th street. Tony and Tina feature two different sides to their concept of Japanese dining, with contemporary and traditional settings on respective halves of their restaurant. With their delicious blends of rice, seaweed, fresh fish, soft shell crab and other delectables, their contemporary half features a comfortably noisy elevated dining area, Japanese music, and their raw bar for sushi (seaweed and rice with other delicacies) and sashimi (the actual raw fish cuisine). The raw bar serves individuals and couples comfortably with seating at stools. The larger, elevated dining area serves threes and fours, or larger parties. Here, you can enjoy the same quality food as the traditional, while being able to come and go without a schedule. On the traditional side, Japanese tables with wells for your legs and feet sit around a foot and a half off the carpeted floor, each table screened from the others. Where the contemporary side is conversational, musical and busier, the traditional side is quiet, contemplative and relaxing. On either side, you can enjoy great food and comfort. On the traditional side, look forward to spending three to four hours on a Saturday night eating and sharing quiet conversation with someone you love.
