Ogden Restaurant Week Meets Ladies Who Lunch

I’m one of the organizers of a group called Ladies Who Lunch, and we taste-tested some of Ogden Restaurant Week’s offerings last week.

About Ladies Who Lunch: Once a month, we meet at a different restaurant for lunch. Although the name may sound a little “la-de-dah,” these are NOT “women of leisure” with nothing better to do with their time than restaurant-hop.  Many of the women have jobs or own businesses, and see it as a way to network. Others want to check out different restaurants, or vary their usual lunch routine.

Heather King,  a restaurant critic for the Salt Lake Tribune, founded the group in Salt Lake City. Her two requirements for the chosen restaurant is that it should be a locally owned, independent restaurant; and that it will allow everyone to pay by separate check.

Heather started with two people at her first “meeting,” and it grew to well over 40-50.  She asked if someone wanted to get a group started in the Weber/Davis area, and I stepped up. There are times when I’d really like to try a restaurant I’ve heard about, but I know it won’t appeal to my spouse, and I’m apprehensive about talking a friend into going; what if they don’t enjoy it?

With Ladies Who Lunch, I just make reservations for the group, and people can RSVP if it’s something that appeals to them. (You can join on the Ladies Who Lunch Facebook page to find out where we’ll be meeting next.)

Last Thursday we went to Sonora Grill during Restaurant Week, so we were able to catch the Restaurant Week specials of $8 for a two-course meal. We noticed that the place was bustling; we weren’t sure if this was the normal lunch rush or if Restaurant Week brought in a lot more traffic.  We sat in Sonora Grill’s private room with one large table that seats eight or nine.

We were greeted with baskets of giant chips and small bowls of green and red salsa.

For my appetizer I chose the fresh-made guacamole to go with the chips.

My friend Kandy had the good-looking taquitos as an appetizer.

I chose the shrimp tacos for my entree. They came with cabbage slaw and pineapple. My friend Ruth chose the carnitas tacos. Since each plate came with two tacos, we traded one taco with each other. The carnitas tacos are Sonora Grill’s most popular item, with chunks of grilled steak and red onion. But I liked the shrimp tacos better. They came with beans and rice.

The Restaurant Week portions were smaller than the regular menu, but still very satisfying. The regular menu price was $9.95 for the guacamole appetizer; it uses two whole avocados. I’m guessing the Restaurant Week portion was maybe one-third or one-quarter of the size — plenty for a guacamole-lover like me. I couldn’t find shrimp tacos on the regular menu. But I did see that three carne asada tacos are $12.95. The Restaurant Week portion was two tacos, and the $8 price included either an appetizer or dessert.  Of course, tax and a tip would bring the price up around $10-$11. That’s pretty reasonable for a sit-down service restaurant.

I enjoy the chatter as much as the meal. No matter who comes, there’s always fun conversation. Ruth Kendrick of Chocolot always brings a box of her world-famous chocolates to pass around — I think that alone makes it all worthwhile!

I’m hoping to grow this group! If you want to join, go to the Utah Ladies Who Lunch Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/510006252386751/ to find out where we’ll be dining next.