DABC News
A relatively short DABC meeting for September with notably less action than usual. The most noteworthy item was the minor-kerfuffle over the Park City Smith’s location trying to open an onsite beer bar. Commissioners expressed concern over the layout of the proposed space. The 25 seater, beer only bar, looks set to replicate similar build outs at Los Alamos and Vegas Smith’s locations.
Park City already has a grocery store with on site bar – Whole Foods – but that operation is licensed as a restaurant meaning those drinking also need to order food. The proposed Smith’s opening would be a full 21+ bar with no need to dine. Commissioners requested more time to better understand and stuff the plan s before reviewing the license at the October meeting. Read more here. Other liquor licenses granted in September are as follows:
Full service licenses (beer, wine liquor)
Anthera, Springdale, conditional
Amangiri Tent Camp, Kanab, conditional
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, Logan, conditional
Limited service license (beer and wine)
Ombu Korean BBQ, Midvale
Bar licenses
One sole license was up for grabs at the September meeting. The current list of applicants awaiting a license include:
Circle Inn Pizzeria, Clearfield
Bout Time Pub & Grub, Lehi
Grid City Beer Works, Salt Lake City
Jackson’s Base Camp, Park City
Pins & Ales Restaurant & Brew Pub, West Valley
Redemption, Herriman
Trolley Wing Company, Salt Lake City
Circle Inn Pizzeria took away the only license by virtue of already being open (under a beer only tavern license at present) and ready to move forward; not least being located in an area with less bar licenses for nearby residents than other applicants. It looks like the next few months are going to be tough for those wanting to obtain a new bar license – only two more are expected to become available in October; and a minimum of six applicants looking set to compete.
Beer only restaurant license
Real Taqueria, Salt Lake City
Puerto Vallarta Mexican Grill, Salt Lake City
Tapatio Mexican Food, Ogden
Casa De Nena, Ogden, conditional
Others
Clear Water Distilling Company (Pleasant Grove) won a manufacturing and Type 5 Package Agency license making it the 28th distillery in Utah. Salt Flats Spirits of Salt Lake City added a Type 5 Package Agency license to their existing manufacturing license.
Dine O Round returns
A little later in the calendar this year, the popular discount dining event returns for its 17th installment. The event features select downtown Salt Lake City restaurants from October 18th through November 3rd; participating restaurants offer lunch specials priced at $10, $15 or $20 and dinner specials for $20, $30 or $40. These usually comprise two and three course offerings respectively.
Options run the gamut of fancy to casual; Martine, HSL, Ruth’s Chris and White Horse through to Caputo’s Market & Deli, Taco Taco and Bocata. Newcomers for 2019 include Campos Coffee, CoreLife Eatery, Ginger Street, Honest Eatery and Maize.
As ever, diners can enter to win a downtown dining package by posting photos from their Dine O’Round experience on Instagram with the hashtag #DineORound and tagging @downtownslc.
There’s no need to signup to take part, just ask for the Dine O’Round menu at participating restaurants. Sample menus and participating locations can be found at www.dineoround.com
Restaurant closures
Meditrina
This Saturday saw the final dinner service at at one of Salt Lake’s most pioneering (at least in contemporary terms) eateries; Meditrina being the ostensible first independent restaurant to embrace tapas/small plates – a decade before it became omnipresent. Confirmed on Facebook:
“THANK YOU FOR AN INCREDIBLE 11 YEARS SALT LAKE CITY! It is with a heavy heart that we announce Meditrina will be closing permanently after dinner service on Saturday, September 28th. We have loved being a part of this community.“
We reached out for comment but have yet to hear back on the apparently sudden closure of the business; no word if sister business Porch over in Daybreak will be affected. The space will be replaced by a new startup – Good Mood Cafe – which will serve breakfast and lunch.
Eggs In The City
Also by way of Facebook the closure of this East side breakfast joint, who note:
“The rumors are true. With a very heavy heart…we are closing our Yalecrest location this Sunday the 22nd of September. This decision has been years in the making and wasn’t an easy one to make. To say this neighborhood and our customers are special is the understament of a lifetime. We have watched so many children grow, we have experienced heartache and celebrations with you, and we have built incredible friendships!! But it’s time for us to grow and expand and hopefully your footprints on our hearts will lead you to our new Milcreek location. The new location is 2795 s 2300 e and will be opening in November.”
In the ever swirling circle of life that is restaurant opening and closings, North Salt Lake’s Nomad Eatery will be opening up in the space towards the end of the year.
Cafe Trio Cottonwood
With the shuttering of the Park City location and now the Cottonwood Heights location, Cafe Trio now lives on as just one location on the outskirts of downtown. The business formally closed for business on September 28th.
Left Fork Grill
The rumor mill continues to um, mill, on whether this South Salt Lake institution will re-open. Finger crossed that it does of course, this is one of the best classic-styled diners in town. The pie-famous cafe, the work of New England Culinary Institute graduate Jeff Masten recently closed in June due to fire damage.
Fireside On Regent
Update: We’re hearing word on the grapevine today (October 1st) that Michael Richey’s Fireside On Regent is shuttering. No official word yet from the restaurant or ownership, but a multiple reports have suggested today is their last day of service.
Want to hear about opening and closing as they happen in real time? Follow along on our twin Instagram accounts here: New In Utah, Closed In Utah.
National holidays mean free dessert and tacos
Free dessert
This Thursday (October 5th) is National Cinnamon Roll Day and to celebrate, Cinnaholic in Downtown SLC is offering a buy one get one free offer (second roll must be of equal or less value). The local imprint of the national chain is conveniently located next to a Trax red line station plus its 100% vegan friendly. If you’ve yet to check them out, this is the a fine deal to get sampling.
Free tacos
Chronic Tacos is giving away one free taco to all lunch customers in celebration of National Taco Day, October 4th. For the second year in a row, customers will get one free chicken, al pastor, carnitas or beyond beef taco with the code word announced on Chronic Tacos social media. Offer valid from 11am – 2pm at all locations.
Other
Cupbop emulated
https://www.upr.org/post/inspired-utah-restaurant-asian-mexican-fusion-food-thrives-vietnam
A look at Wanship’s Yuta
https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2019/09/06/utahs-newest-fine-dining/
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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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