Provo, Growing Up

The fair city which I call home has been like an adolescent in the extended family of big cities, albeit an overly religious and slightly hypocritical one. Recently it has been growing up a little bit, gaining a third 'skyscraper' downtown (and plans for a forth!), even with the number of bars. We'll be getting the UTA Frontrunner train in a few years, and there are plans for light-rail as well. On the 'scene' in Provo (or lack thereof), a few hip restaurants have been popping up here and there, and after having nothing classy but the Chef's Table within the valley, Spark opened last year and then Communal. It's nice to have restaurants where you can get reservations for busy nights, and not at the dozens of chain restaurants that proliferate the area.
I always get a little depressed when I look at the Urban Spoon page and notice that a hot dog joint is still the number one restaurant in town, above even the excellent Indian food of the Bombay House and Nick's amazing food at Nicoitalia Pizzeria. Seriously? It's a hot dog. Another reason to harbor animosity toward a certain segment of our populace. If you live(d) here, you know who I'm talking about.
Although Salt Lake and Park City are always going to outpace Provo, this is still good news. It means our town will cater to a wider variety of people than just college students, young families and the elderly. As a professed foodie, I'm very excited about this, hoping that in the near future I wont have to drive to Salt Lake to get some decent food. Still, The Melting Pot, Donovan's, Z'tejas, Stoneground, and other favorites, at least 35 minutes away. I hope this only encourages more enterprising, unique restaurants to open in Happy Valley, something sorely needed here.