Judd’s Hill, Toscana

Judd’s Hill Turns 25

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Napa’s Judd’s Hill Winery founding, check out this trio of upcoming events around SLC. You’ll get to raise a glass with folks from the winery and sample several old estate bottlings all paired with cuisine from some of SLC’s finest kitchens.

The celebration kicks off with a wine dinner at Wild Grape Bistro on the 18th, moving to Martine Cafe on the 19th before ending at BTG Wine Bar on the 20th for hors d’oeuvres and more samplings.

Cucina Toscana, Vivace and Caterina Officially No More

Reported just recently in Sal Lake Tribune – Cucina Toscana is formally no more. Sister restaurants Vivace (which I was rather fond of personally) and Caterina are also formally shutting up shop too. Keep your eyes peeled though, as Cucina Toscana will resurface under new owner Ken Murdock, as simply ‘Toscana’.

No word yet on the specifics of Toscana nor the next steps for regarded chefs Elio Scanu and Jean Louis Montecot; both chefs prominently teamed up with the former Cucina Toscana owner on the reworking of the restaurant group.

Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.