Cafe Trio – A change to the man behind the menu, as Logen Crew moves to the executive chef position at the Trio Restaurant Group. Crew is already at work creating the new menu for the group’s next venture – Café Trio Park City, scheduled to open May 1, 2017 at Kimball Junction directly across from the new Whole Foods location on Landmark Dr.
Crew has had plenty of plaudits over the years, earning Salt Lake Magazine’s best Italian award twice and the best restaurant of 2012 award while at the (now departed) Fresco; Crew also helped launch the popular Current Fish & Oyster most recently.
Cottonbottom Inn – Short and and sweet this one, tomorrow (April 19th) is National Garlic Cheeseburger day – of course it is. Head on over to the base of Big Cottonwood and this burger hang out tomorrow – and celebrate with a $10 burger and beer special.
6200 Holladay Blvd E, Holladay, UT 84121
(801) 273-9830
www.cottonbottominn.com
Blind Dog Restaurant & Sushi Bar – Over in Park City, every Tuesday night is now an all night happy hour, with 1/2 price sushi and apps. From 5 p.m in the bar area every Tuesday enjoy items like the new crab cake sliders for 50% off.
Following on the next evening, every Wednesday is now also Blind Dog’s ‘buck-a-shuck’ promo, where freshly shucked oysters are just a dollar each. On both evenings guests can also enjoy wine specials too: $5 per 5 oz. glass pour or $8 per per 8 oz. carafe on select wines.
1251 Kearns Blvd, Park City, UT 84060
(435) 655-0800
www.blinddogpc.com
Este Deli – Sad news to report, albeit hopefully only temporary; reported yesterday on their Facebook page, Este Deli is set to shutter shop. Here’s the blurb from the post:
“Este Deli will be closing its doors at the end of the month. Our last day of operation will be Saturday, April, 29th. There are a number of reasons for making this decision that all worked together to make this choice make sense. We both believe that the Deli serves the community and fills a desire that has not been serviced in our community.
To that end, we’re working to figure out how to revive the deli in another location. We’re grateful to everyone who came out and supported our efforts and to our wonderful neighbors and staff. Thank you for a spectacular time and we look forward to seeing you again soon! Sincerely, Rob and Dave.”
Just ten days left till the closure, fans should go grab a sandwich while they can.
1702 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 487-3354
https://www.facebook.com/estedeli1/
Food Truck League – Love Food Trucks? Want to know what’s on the menu any day of the week? If so, check out the new Food Truck League finder app, now making its formal debut.
The localized Utah app is available on Android and iOS and for fact fans, claims to have the largest number of scheduled truck locations of any similar app in the country. During peak food truck season (presumably Summer) users can find as many as 100 truck locations each week throughout the Salt Lake valley.
I’ve not used the app too heavily myself yet but the press release mentions, “a litany of features that allows users to see upcoming roundups, follow a specific truck’s future schedule, or even request catering with their favorite truck. Use the map feature to find trucks near your location, or scroll through a list view showing all of the trucks scheduled for a selected time frame. Additionally, food trucks can use the app to provide periodic prizes and special offers.”
The app is available now at thefoodtruckleague.com/events.
Gospel Choir Brunch – As the revamp at the Gateway continues apace, the latest move to establishing the facility as downtown hub and hotspot is a Gospel Brunch.,
The event kicked off Sunday, April 9. with the next events planned for April 23rd, May 7th and May 21st. Held at the Gateway’s Grand Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., brunch features a bloody Mary bar by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and music by the Debra Bonner Unity Gospel Choir, a performance group that tours the country. Local favorite Cubby’s Chicago Beef will offer their new unique spicy-beef-and-garden-fresh breakfast items, with beverages provided by 3 Cups Coffee.
Tickets are $19 each for brunch and an additional $6 for two drinks at the Bloody Mary bar, with additional drink tickets at $3 each. Proceeds will benefit Downtown SLC Presents, a local non-profit dedicated to promoting cultural and artistic experiences in downtown Salt Lake City.
“We’re seeing so much momentum around The Gateway right now,” says Jason Mathis, executive director at Downtown Alliance. “As they continue their re-brand, they’re adding a lot more to their programming, and we’re excited to see what the summer holds for them. The gospel brunch is something we’ve been excited about for a while, and a big step for downtown Salt Lake City.”
Union Pacific Depot, 18 N Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
www.shopthegateway.com/about-the-gateway/grand-hall
Hoof & Vine – The above picture says it all; featuring wines from the Beringer Founders’ Estate Collection, any Monday through Thursday for a limited time head to this South valley steakhouse for a screaming deal. The three course menu costs just thirty bucks, just $10 more if you want to take the optional wine pairing for a spin.
7680 Union Park Ave, Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 569-4645
www.hoofandvine.com
Manoli’s – A new spring menu has arrived at the trendy modern Greek restaurant on 9th South. The new menu has refreshed small plates, wine options and cocktails.
402 E Harvey Milk Blvd, #2, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 532-3760
www.manolison9th.com
Pago – Another chef change, this one something of a homecoming. Phelix Gardner has returned to Pago, reprising his former role of executive chef and also becoming a partner in the business too.
Scott Evans, president of Pago Restaurant Group explains, “we have been very fortunate that our tiny but dynamic Pago kitchen has benefited from and been a career springboard for many talented chefs over the years. As we look to the future of Pago, we wanted to add a talented chef/partner role to continue to innovate and elevate farm-to-table fine dining at Pago, as well as provide long-term consistency. We are thrilled to bring Phelix Gardner back to the Pago Restaurant Group in this new role of Executive Chef/ Partner at Pago.”
During his career in SLC you might have tasted Gardner’s food at a variety of locations including the Grand America Hotel, Wild Grape, Stanza and Current Fish & Oyster Bar. Pago under Gardner’s previous tenure was host to some of my favorite meals in years past, and now back in arguably his spiritual home kitchen, I’m excited to see how the menu progresses.
878 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 532-0777
www.pagoslc.com
Park City Shoulder Season – It’s that weird time in the resorts right now. With Summer not quite here and the skiing all but over – tourist dollars are slim pickins’. As such, many restaurants, bars and cafes temporarily close or adjust their hours for the Spring shoulder season. In case you’re headed to Park City anytime soon, here’s the rundown of changes from the Park City Restaurant Association:
Baja Cantina
Closing between lunch and dinner in May from 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Billy Blanco’s
No closure
Bistro 412
Closed April 17-May 25
Boneyard Saloon & Wine Dive
Closed May 22-24
The Brass Tag at Deer Valley Resort
No closure
Butcher’s Chop House
Closed May 22-24
Canyons Village Restaurants
Closed April 17. The Farm, Red Tail and Umbrella expected to reopen in June
Cena
Serving breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. from May 5-Oct. 29; Après Bike from 3 to 5 p.m. from June 2-Sept. 10; and dinner Wednesday-Sunday from May 5-Oct. 29. No lunch service until December
Chimayo
Closed Sundays and Mondays from April 16-June 24. Open for dinner service; open all seven days starting June 25
Deer Valley Grocery Café
No closure
Empire Canyon Grill at Deer Valley Resort
Closing April 16. Fireside Dining closes April 8
Firewood
Closed April 15-May 25. Open Thursday-Monday from May 26-June 16
Fletcher’s
Closed April 9 – May 18
Glitretind at Stein Eriksen Lodge
Watch for 2-for-1 coupons being offered for April through May
Goldener Hirsch Inn
Closed April 8-second week of June
Ghidotti’s
No closure. $5 Thursday begins May 4
Grappa
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays from April 18-June 26. Locals’ Night begins May 8
Grub Steak
Closed April 17-18
High West
The saloon will be closed April 16-May 7. It will host a ticketed event to celebrate Derby Day on May 6, and reopen to the public for dinner May 8 and lunch May 9. Nelson Cottage will be closed through summer and open only for private events. The Refectory will close April 17-May 2, and reopen for lunch and tours May 3
Montage
Now closed and will reopen May 8
No Name Saloon
No closure
Riverhorse On Main
Closed for brunch and dinner April 23 and April 30. Bar sales available during “Chef Wars” on May 7. Reopening for brunch on Mother’s Day, May 14.
Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley Resort
The Mariposa and Royal Street Café stop serving dinner April 8, and Bald Mountain Pho also closes April 8. Royal Street Café and Silver Lake Restaurant will continue serving lunch until April 16. Royal Street Café’s summer lunch service resumes June 16
Snow Park Lodge at Deer Valley Resort
Seafood Buffet closes April 8, and Snow Park Restaurant closes April 16.
Squatters Pub Brewery
No closure
Sushi Blue
No closure
Tupelo
Closed April 24-May 11. Reopening for dinner May 12
Wahso
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays starting April 2, closed all week April 26-June 8. Reopening for dinner June 9, and for Sunday starting June 11
Wasatch Brew Pub
No closure
Windy Ridge Bakery and Café
No closure. Taco Tuesday at the café begins May 2.
Porch – Mention this Facebook post through the end of the week and snag a buy one get one free lunch deal, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
11274 Kestrel Rise Rd g, South Jordan, UT 84009
(801) 679-1066
www.porchutah.com
Veneto – Finally, if you’re in the mood for regional Italian, check out the latest seasonal update to the menu at Veneto above.
70 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 359-0708
https://www.venetoslc.com/
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.
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