Nicole Mouskondis recalls her first Greek Easter when she became part of the Mouskondis family (owners of Nicholas & Co.) “I can remember the first Greek Easter I spent with my soon-to-be mother and father-in-law (Elyce and Bill Mouskondis). As we were gathered around the dinner table, Bill announced it was time to play the game, and he reminded everyone that he was the champion for many years running and couldn’t be beaten. One by one, as his egg tapped someone else’s egg, he remained victorious. I watched in amazement—how could one egg be so strong and withstand tapping that many other eggs without being cracked? Later that evening, Bill had left his egg out and we all realized the reason he was the champion for so many years: He had found a marble egg, dyed perfectly to match all of the other eggs…so of course he was victorious! When he was called out, all he could do was smile with his sheepish grin, still reveling in how he got away with that trick for so many years!
Forget those pretty pastels. At Easter, their most important religious holiday, Greeks dye eggs as red as Mrs. Trump’s Christmas trees. Red eggs are called kokkina avga; and the sizable Greek community in Utah will be dying them by the dozen on Easter. (This year on April 28.) Traditionally, they were dyed with onion skins, according to Harmons chef Leslie Nielsen, which results in a reddish-brownish egg, but as journalist Anne Wilson recalls, “my mother in law always used red food coloring to make them really dark.” Wine broker Peri Ermidis uses Ritt scarlet dye to achieve a brighter color and the color is important because, as Mary Caputo says, “the red symbolizes the blood of Christ shed for our salvation.” Despite the solemn symbolism, the eggs are used to play a game called tsougrisma—here’s how to play:
Each player holds an egg, and one taps the end of her or his egg lightly against the end of the other player’s egg. When one egg’s end is cracked, the person with the clean egg uses the same end of the egg to try to crack the other end of the opponent’s egg. The player who successfully cracks both ends of their opponent’s egg is declared the winner and, it is said, will have good luck during the year. Good. We need it.
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If you've never been to @dokidessert, I can assure you- you're missing out. ⠀
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Doki Doki is one of Salt Lake City’s most authentic Japanese bakeries. And the authenticity shows through their delicately handcrafted pastries and cakes. Plus- fluffy pancakes, can it get any better? ⠀
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Check the link in bio for a fun little write up! ⠀
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Meet 9th & 9th's newest, cutest, tastiest "hole-in-the-wall" (quite literally)! @piefightslc is serving up delicious hand pies packed with flavor 🥊⠀
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You can eat a pie and go for a walk at the same time- who knew?! 🥧⠀
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Check the link in bio for our little review!...
People used to say a group of hobbits smoked their pipe weed and padded around on their furry feet in this little cul de sac off 1300 East near Westminster. Others claimed a family of Little People lived there and would chase away outsiders and curiosity-seekers who happened in.⠀
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But, actually, the eccentric street of tiny houses are on a wooded lot once owned by George Allen, a doctor and animal lover (he was instrumental in founding @hoglezoo and @tracyaviary) He and his family lived in the log cabin and rented out the little houses to students or anyone who wanted to live in such a small space.⠀
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Check the link in bio for full story....
Our Jan/Feb issue is out on stands now! This issue means so much to us. Made with lots of love and tears. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it. ❤️...
This is what our NYE looks like. Staying in with a @meat_my_cheese_utah charcuterie board ⭐🤤🥂⠀
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We’re incredibly lucky to have local culinary-craftswomen here in the Salt Lake area, like @mavenoakcreative and @meat_my_cheese_utah. Handcrafting each charcuterie board and box to perfection. Making every stay-at-home birthday, anniversary, date-night and holiday feel that much more elegant. 🧀🍇🥖⠀
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Check the link in bio to meet Salt Lake's artisan charcuterie masters!...
Holding back tears, the owner of our beloved Himalayan Kitchen, Surya Bastakoti, told @fox13now that they "might go out of business" ⠀
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Himalayan Kitchen has long been one of our favorite local restaurants. A trusty go-to for lunch or after work drinks and a heart-warming dinner. A place to bring out-of-towners (veg and vegan friendly) for a special experience only found here in SLC. Always filling, with a true sense of nourishment in every bite. Food to feel good about.
EVERYTHING on their menu is full of flavor and authenticity. Himalayan Kitchen’s cuisine is required to be authentic because it’s a gathering place for the Salt Lake City Nepali and the local climbing community. They know Nepal.⠀
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COVID-19 has completely devastated our local restaurant community—these are our friends and family. Help them out. If you have the means, order something yummy for NYE dinner and support Himalayan Kitchen or any of your favorite local restaurants. ⠀
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Go to saltlakemagazine.com and look in the Eat & Drink section for a list of what restaurants are serving and then make a phone call, order online, etc. ⠀
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Go to the link in bio to order online now!...
Here's one from our upcoming Jan/Feb issue out on stands in just a few days. We hope you’ll grab a copy and enjoy every moment of reading it.
Mary photobombs Lisa Barlow at the premiere party for Real Housewives of Salt Lake. Below is a snippet from Mary's last editor's letter:
"It’s all a little crazy.
Sometime in 2020, the world stopped making sense for a lot of us. Between one of the ugliest election cycles the U.S. has ever been through and the most mysterious disease most of us have ever experienced, normal was canceled. We can’t get together with friends, hug our loved ones, be in the room with them when they die. But somehow we have to go on, right? Somehow we have to continue to work and love and laugh. This issue of Salt Lake magazine holds a lot of frivolity, the main one being an extremely silly TV show, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. There I am in a pink fur coat in a car with our cover housewife, Lisa Barlow and her boys."
Pick up our Jan/Feb issue at your local grocer and read the full letter. ❤️
Link in bio to subscribe....
Merry Christmas Eve-Eve. We absolutely loved seeing all of your gingerbread homes! Thank you for sharing!⠀
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The winner of a 1 year subscription to Salt Lake mag will be announced in our story!...
Skip the milk and cookies this holiday and leave out something that Santa really wants 🍺😉🎅
Check out our local holiday beer round up for last minute gift ideas! Link in bio!...
Mary's last-minute holiday gift ideas from last year are still as true and relevant today...
"The planet we live with and the creatures on it need all kinds of things. Polar bears need presents, tree frogs in the Amazon need gifts, our Utah canyons and our national parks need help."
Check the link in bio for full write up....
🎶On the LAST day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @slcharbor 😋🍪☕️
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @slcharbor on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 11th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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$100 to @streuselslc 😋🍪☕️
Streusel Bakery located at 67 w 1700 s! Support local and get pastries, cookies and a little bit of sass at this beautiful judgement free bakery!
Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @streuselslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the 10th day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 Free month at Maven Create @mavencreate
Maven Create is a unique, open office space designed to inspire and empower!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @mavencreate on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the ninth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1 box of @maddoughslc doughnuts for 4 weeks!! 🍩
We’re so excited to have teamed up with @maddoughslc for this awesome giveaway treat! Mad Dough launched back in April! Mad Dough serves up top quality Bismark style doughnuts with flavors inspired by favorite childhood treats 💖 The perfect gift to brighten someone’s day (or brighten your own day)! Support this awesome small business this holiday!
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @maddoughslc on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
🎶On the eighth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A beautiful essential gift set from the wonderful @acrelyfarms 🌿
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @acrelyfarms on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
There was never a time there wasn’t Mary Malouf. Until now. Today, Mary died when a rogue wave swept her out to sea off the coast of Northern California. Only she – perhaps the world’s foremost lover of Bronte, BBC mysteries and, of course, Moby Dick – would appreciate such poetic drama.
“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.” — Mary Brown Malouf. Ooops. Herman Mellville....
🎶On the seventh day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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⛳️ (2) 9 Hole Rounds at @saltlakecitygolf 🏌️♀️⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @saltlakecitygolf on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. Winner announced in the story. see you tomorrow.
🎶On the sixth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍽️ $100 Gift Card to @la_caille_utah 🥂⠀
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Located at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, La Caille bring us an upscale, French-Belgian restaurant experience.⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @la_caille_utah on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!...
GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED. Winner has been announced in the story. See you again tomorrow!
🎶On the fifth day of giveaways Salt Lake mag gave to me...🎶⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍽️ $100 Gift Card to @stonegroundkitchen 😋⠀
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Stoneground Kitchen is a fabulous and local SLC restaurant that offers some of the best from-scratch Italian fair in the city and an excellent wine selection. 🍷⠀
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Here's the idea: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Like this post and tag a friend who you believe should win the giveaway item! The person you tag is then entered to win! (Friends can tag one another) 💑⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Be sure to follow us (@slmag) and @stonegroundkitchen on insta! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⭐ Entry deadline will be at 10PM. The winner will be announced at 11:59PM and a new prize will be posted in the AM each day!⠀...