Tales from the DABC – May and June

A recap of the winners and losers over at the monthly DABC meetings, here are the main notes from both the May and June meetings.

May 2017 DABC meeting

Public service applicant – This is a license type not often seen and was granted to Gonzo Boat Rental & Tours in order to sell beer, wine and liquor on dinner cruises and private events on the Great Salt Lake. Intriguingly, the stipulations of this license type are a mish mash of various others as follows:

* Storage and dispensing must be in line with restaurant rules
* Minors may only be present when food is served
* Hours of operation are as a club license: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
* Dispensing system is mandatory, still no free pours on the high seas; that means 5 oz of wine,
2.5 oz of distilled spirit or a litre of beer (32B-5-304).
* Only one drink before a patron at any time
* Standard ‘brown bagging’ laws apply (32B-5-307)

Dave Ghizzone and Jim Anderson from Gonzo Boat Rental briefly addressed the commission to confirm their acceptance of the requirements and the license was granted. Set sail!

Saltfire Brewing Company

Manufacturer licenses – Steve Wallenda noted SLC’s craft brew scene was rapidly expanding as per the nation as a whole, with a total of 31 manufacturing license holders crafting brews, and two more set to be issued. Both RPM Brewery and Saltfire Brewing Company we’re quickly approved for licenses unanimously. Chairman John T. Nielsen quipped that craft brewers might have even more opportunities locally should the possible loss of ‘3.2 beer’ from national brewers come to fruition.

Full service license applications – New licenses to be able to serve beer, wine and liquor were granted to seven new businesses. Terra Mia (Draper), Dave & Buster’s (Salt Lake City, coming to the Gateway) and FAV Bistro (Salt Lake City) were all approved conditionally, pending business licensing from their home cities.

Don Pedro’s (Springdale), Marriott Courtyard (Provo), Soy’s Sushi Bar & Grill (Salt Lake City) and El Pariente Mexican Grill (West Valley City) were all outright approved too.

Limited service restaurant licenses – You might recall the previous events surrounding Sushi House in American Fork. Found to have alcohol on the premises but with no license to sell, the business was subject to a SBI investigation. Investigations proved no wrongdoing, but representatives of the restaurants did not appear before the commission until this month to address concerns.

Despite some language issues, and speaking through an interpreter the owner of the business explained the issue related to confusion with the city of American Fork, whom he believed had approved him to serve alcohol. The commission roughly accepted the explanations, though seemed hesitant due to communication barriers, and issued a conditional approval for a license once a “requisite amount of training” is completed for the business and its staff.

Even Stevens Sandwiches: Breakfast sandwiches with brava tots

Even Stevens Sandwiches location in Logan was granted a license after review and discussion of previous violations at both their St George and Draper locations. A representative of the business spoke to the “extreme measures” the business had introduced across all locations including ID scanners, POS system improvements, improved signage and DABC training at all locations. The commission noted that while the digital approach was appreciated, a manual element of vigilance (e.g. in reviewing fake IDs) would always be required.

Also approved for limited service licenses without fuss: Nori Sushi Bar & Grill (American Fork), Mangia Neapolitan Pizza (Draper), New Sun Restaurant (Ogden), Forscher German Bakery & Café (Orderville), Asado (Orem) and Moose Café (Park City). Conditionally approved also, Seasons Plant Based Bistro (Salt Lake City) and Moki’s (Lake Powell).

Other notes – Vito’s Italian Ristorante in Heber had their limited restaurant license revoked due to a trio of issues; the business had changed ownership with no notice to the DABC, a lack of a valid Heber City business license and a failure to maintain necessary tax licenses. No one from the restaurant attended the meeting

Renegades Restaurant (Escalante), Pepito’s Philly Cheesesteak (Ogden) and El Mexicano Restaurant #2 (Richfield) all received beer only licenses.

Finally, now able to sell its product direct to the public, Strap Tank Brewing Company in Springville, who were granted a package agency license. The business already has a brewery and restaurant license.

Trolley Wing Company – owner Jess Wilkerson building his own bar space. Credit, Facebook.

June 2017 DABC meeting

Bar licenses – Jess Wilkerson, owner of Trolley Wing Company was back to talk about a second location in Midvale. Of the sophomore location, Wilkerson explained that through his nine years in the restaurant business, three different location moves and life as a general contractor to boot – every lesson he has learnt has gone into the design and building of the new Midvale location – which will be opening nearly two months ahead of schedule. A soft opening for the location on 7200 South near Top Golf is set for July 21st.

The new business is first and foremost a bar and twice the size (triple kitchen size as well) of the existing Sugar House location. The commission was noticeably impressed by Wilkerson, and a bar license was quickly approved. Side note: Wilkerson explained the liquor license recently granted to the Sugar House location has resulted in a 30% uptick in food sales.

Brandy Seat from Touche Tavern in South Salt Lake appeared before the commission too. Currently the business operates under a beer tavern license, and wanted to surrender that in order to secure a full bar license. Seat explained during the 3 months in business so far, they’ve worked hard to remodel and clean up the former Dawg Pound space. The commission agreed and a full bar license was approved.

Almost unbelievably, and to the audible surprise and jokes from the commission, this actually leaves more than one bar license available at this time. Yep, that’s not a misprint, come and get em while they’re hot! SLC has honest to god, available bar licenses right now. Well, probably for not much longer…

Full service licenses – Wild Thyme Café (Kanab) and Canyons First Tracks Café (Park City) both received licenses to pour beer, wine and spirits while Whole Foods Market (Park City) and Wing Nutz (South Jordan) were approved conditionally.

Limited service restaurant licenses – Tokyo Steakhouse & Asian Fusion (Lehi), 565 (Salt Lake City), Sasa Kitchen (Salt Lake City) and Even Stevens Sandwiches (Ogden) were all outright approved to pour been and wine, while the following other restaurants were approved conditionally: Clarion Inn & Suites (Cedar City), Freshies Lobster Co. (Park City), Café Soleil (Springdale), Mod Super Fast Pizza (Woods Cross).

Other notes – Crazy Cow Cafe (Beaver) receives a beer only restaurant license. Paradise (Ogden) receives a beer tavern license and Hub 801 by Zucca (Ogden) receives a reception center license.

Both Morgan and Payson were approved new package agencies.

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.