We all know that BBQ ribs will never equal kale in the health department, but Ania and Joe Catalano from Joey C's Roadhouse in Milford are on a mission to use the cleanest, healthiest ingredients in their cooking to create quality dishes they are proud to serve to their customers.

With a varied menu that specializes in house smoked dry-rubbed BBQ, and fresh Tex-Mex, there is something for every palate...including vegans and those on gluten-free diets. No refined sugars, or corn syrups are ever used in recipes. Their signature dry rub has no sugar in it at all, unlike most traditional BBQ, and the sauces are sweetened with only a little organic agave nectar, and a touch of molasses.

The latest breaking news is the Catalanos are switching to Himalayan sea salt in all their cooking and throwing the refined salt in the trash! Ania Catalano, cookbook author, and former owner of Sprouts Natural Foods Markets in Trumbull and Fairfield, has been a wholefoods chef for over 20 years and a huge advocate for using mineral-rich sea salts in cooking for their abundant health benefits.

It's her collaberation with classically trained husband, Joey C, that results in menu items not typically found in BBQ joints such as... lowfat turkey chili (made with in house ground turkey breast), fish tacos, huge salads, mexican black beans, brown rice and garlicky collard greens. But for the die hard BBQ lovers...they don't disappoint. The ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket all have a lightly smokey, but clean flavor that lets the quality of the product shine through. Joe Catalano is a master working with all cuts of meat, including the popular BBQ braised lamb shank, and slow cooked Osso Bucco he runs as specials.

Joey C's is also known for their great burgers using certified Humane, hormone-free ground beef. The latest addition is a locally sourced grass-fed beef burger, an alternative for the health conscious.

The bar follows suit, using only fresh squeezed juices in their signature margaritas and cocktails. Fifteen beers on tap feature local and European craft brews, with free tastings on Thursday nights

Joe and Ania joined forces to create a place in their own hometown that has all the qualities they look for in a restaurant themselves...a cozy, fun atmosphere, and clean comfort food done right! For more information visit www.joeycbbq.com.

Back in the day I had an opportunity to ski Alta with a buddy and missed out on the trip. I’ve always regretted not going.  At lunch we’d check out the latest edition of Ski Magazine and dreamed of making perfect ‘S’ turns in the virgin powder that was waist deep at Alta. It all looked so perfect on those glossy pages and it was! Alta is the Holy Grail for anyone who loves to ski. We were lucky to get fresh snow each morning on our recent trip. The conditions were great. It’s shaping up to be another great season at Alta.

Dreaming of Deep Snow

It’s All About Skiing
The locals all tell the same story, “I came here for one season and it’s my 15^th year now.” Another mountain girl told us it’s her 35^th at Alta. Somehow these lucky ones have figured it out. It seems that their souls have gravitated to this high place and they’ve found a balance. It all started with the same dream to come and ski Alta. Maybe you too can make it happen. You never know. Do you?

Happy Birthday Alta
Alta is the oldest family run Lift Company in the U.S. and is celebrating its 75^th anniversary. Tradition is important to the culture here and change evidently comes slowly. Snow boarders are still not able to swoosh down the slopes in order to protect the powder. We like that Alta is a good steward of past traditions. They seem to have a pretty good thing going on here. It just feels right. Happy birthday Alta. 

The Greatest Snow on Earth
So what makes this place so great?  The snow has been scientifically proven to be the driest in North America and they get more than 750 inches of it annually. It’s been coined ‘The greatest snow on earth’.  Its snows so much at times that you may experience a condition known as 'Interlodge'.  When the snow barriers are lowered you’ll know it’s your lucky day! Everyone is required to retreat to one of the five lodges for protection while the snow can be managed.  The best part of this situation is you're safe and nobody else can come up the mountain. You’ll be able to ski all the powder you want when the coast is clear and the snow barriers are still down. It’s now your very own private mountain. It’s called a ‘Country Club' day at Alta. How cool is that?

Something For Everyone
Alta has great terrain for beginners and hardcore skiers alike. It’s a blast to be a kid and learn on the gentle green runs with mom and dad. Daredevils can hike up to ridges on the mountain and descend the chutes that are sloped at 45 degrees too. We rode the Supreme chair to the summit at 10,595’ and traversed the short distance over to Catherine’s area and dropped off into a tree lined powdery chute. It was like floating in the clouds. Peaceful. Exhilarating. Fun. There’s nothing like this back east that’s for sure!

Good Service - Good Prices
The lift tickets are reasonably priced at $75.00 per day for adults and $40.00 for a children. The mountain is run as a Lift Company and not a publicly traded Real Estate Development entity. This enables Alta to focus on providing the best on-mountain experience for skiers. If you’re going to stay awhile and want more terrain to ski you can pay a little extra and get upgraded to a combined Alta -- Snowbird lift ticket. Please ask for the ‘One Ticket’ to get upgraded to this service. All together both resorts provide 26 lifts and over 4,000 acres of terrain. If you’d like to save some cash then ski the Sugarloaf chair lift and ride a loop between the two ski areas for free on the complimentary shuttle bus. We didn’t try that but it sure sounds like fun.
 

Gourmet Dining at Collins Grill
One of our pet peeves is eating cafeteria food on the mountain. It was a delight to discover the Collins Grill, which is located mid-mountain in the spectacularly designed Watson Shelter. The restaurant is located on the third floor and severs up the art of slow food. This is similar to the ‘farm-to-table’ movement, which supports local suppliers and growers. We sampled some great dishes at lunch that included:

Daily Savory Tart - This is a French style “big” pie cut in eighths, made with cream, Clifford Farm eggs, and a thin savory pastry. The flavor changes daily. Yum!

Grilled Salmon Slider - Grilled salmon on house made sourdough baguette with sliced tomato, bacon, capers and a mornay sauce.

Stuart’s Heart of Darkness Cupcake - Named after a customer from California this chocolate truffle is filled individual soufflé cakes. It was as decadent as it sounds. Delicious.

Watson Shelter • Collins Grill 

Stewart's Heart of Darkness Cupcake

Alta Lodging
When you’re staying at Alta it’s still a family affair regarding lodging. All of the five lodges are family owned and operated and provide comfortable accommodations and excellent service. We recently stayed at Alta’s Rustler Lodge. Please check out the feature review on the main section of our site. If you’re looking for an active nightlife scene then Alta may not be the best place to plan your next ski vacation. If you’re looking to ski your tail off on the greatest snow on earth then you’ve arrived at the perfect place!

Getting There 
Alta is located in the Wasatch Mountains at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. It’s approximately 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City international airport. What we like best about it's location is that you can be on the slopes by 1:00 p.m.. if you take an early morning non-stop flight from JFK International Airport in New York.

Alta Ski Area
Highway 210
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Alta, UT 84092

General Information: 801-359-1078
Website: www.alta.com

For transportation options to Alta, Utah please visit the Ski Utah website:

Alta's Rustler Lodge: Accommodations were provided by Alta's Rustler Lodge. When you stay at Alta’s Rustler Lodge, you'll experience the cozy atmosphere of a mountain lodge along with superb services and Alta's finest amenities. For reservations please call 888-532-2582.

Alta Ski Area: Lift tickets and mountain guide service provided by Alta Ski Area. General Information: 801-359-1078

Ski 'N See: Ski rentals were provided by  Ski 'N See. They have 12 convenient rental & retail locations within minutes of all the major Ski Resorts in Utah. If you are unfamiliar with the area please visit  their Rental Rates page to find a recommendation for which location you should reserve your ski & snowboard equipment. If you have any questions concerning our locations please call their Customer Service Hotline: 1-800-722-3685.

Rudy's Executive Transportation Services: Transportation Services for this trip from the New York Tri-Sate area were provided by Rudy's Executive Transportation. Their uniformed chauffeurs are courteous and committed to responding to customers' every transportation need. Since all Rudy's chauffeurs live throughout the Connecticut/Westchester area, they are conveniently located within minutes of your home or office. They are also completely familiar with all locations and routes within the tri-state area to get you there on time, every time. For reservations please call 800-241-RUDY.