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Upscale Deer Valley dining and revolving sushi – what’s new and next in Utah

Here’s one final update for the year on what’s new on the dining scene, and a look ahead to what’s coming down the road. Next, I’ll be dropping our yearly mega-recap featuring every opening we covered this year. Be warned, they’re usually Mesopotamian-esque epics. The roundups for 2023, 2022, and 2021 add up to more than 500 names. With that in mind, here’s the latest to add to this year’s list.

The Bambino

A new pizza spot in Midvale (7692 S Main) and one that had the local Reddit all fired up. The menu features a dozen pies that start from $12. Salads, sandwiches, and a few small sides join them. Fun fact: Bambino uses organic 00 flower milled in Collinston (Tremonton) sourced from Utah and Idaho wheat.

bb.q Chicken

Now open in South Salt Lake’s Chinatown facility (3490 S State St) – this new Korean Fried Chicken concept coming to South Salt Lake. A variety of the fried stuff packs the menu: whole chicken (wings, breasts, and thighs), boneless, and traditional wings. I believe this is the first Beehive location for a chain that operates stores from East to West.

Best Ever Burgers

You have to admire the name, one that sets out the mission clearly and boldly. Early signs are promising from what I hear. Numerous people have told me of very solid experiences at BEB, and the concise menu of five burgers ($8.99 – $9.49) speaks to a laser-focused effort. A reminder, I take burgers, very seriously.

Brabo Pizza

Another new pie option for you, this one in Millcreek (246 E 3900 S), and also one with a qunie twist. The business notes that, “Passionate about pizza, Adriano Souza has been sharing the authentic flavors of Brazilian cuisine. Each ingredient is carefully selected to highlight the bold flavors and unique combinations of artisanal ingredients. Discover how each slice of pizza is a unique cultural experience.”

Therein the Brabo menu features creations such as the Brabo with fresh tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, catupiry (Brazilian cream cheese), sliced red onion, oregano and extra virgin olive oil.

Dangerous Pretzel

After the Post District recently welcomed new bar Melancholy, the area has now also added one more name (352 W 600 S). Per the moniker, pretzels are the order of business, available in both sweet and savory formats.

El Tonga Taco

A new takeout / delivery-only Mexican option and one that’s already generating near spotless online reviews. Notable, is the fact the business advertises hours of up to 2.00 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Grand Hyatt

Now open in Deer Valley is this ritzy new hotel destination – and inside – several culinary options. Chefs Marc Marrone (last seen at Italian Graffiti) and chef Viktor Merenyi will be teaming up with New York City mixologist Frank Maldonado Here are some notes provided by the PR team on the food and bev offerings:

. . .

  • Remington Hall: The pinnacle of American dining, this signature restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, and dinner with breathtaking views of the Jordanelle Reservoir. Standout dishes include innovative takes on American classics, such as bison tartare with cured egg yolk and truffle aioli, and wild boar bolognese with house ricotta gnocchi, ricotta salata, and aged balsamic. The experience continues seamlessly into the Lounge at Remington Hall, featuring lunch and après-ski programming. Complete with an adjacent sports green room, the lounge showcases an array of elevated bar bites, such as brie and cheddar fondue and caramelized onion dip served with chips and caviar. 
  • Hidden Ace: The speakeasy-style Hidden Ace offers a curated selection of whisky-forward rustic cocktails like the Western Whistle, which features Alpine Bourbon, apple liqueur, chamomile cordial, fresh lemon juice and egg white, along with elevated bites such as fondue made with local cheeses and grilled bison filet. Enjoy live music and DJ sets in this unique and intimate setting.
  • Living Room: Offering the ultimate family après experience, the Living Room features a warm, inviting space anchored by a grand fireplace. Here, guests can enjoy “High Chocolate”—a hot chocolate experience elevated to tea service perfection, complete with tiered trays offering both sweet and savory delights. Savor rich, artisanal hot chocolates alongside s’mores cookies, chocolate snowballs, and gooey baked treats.
  • Double Blacks: The resort’s street-side cozy coffee shop powered by Park City Coffee Roasters offers a standout bake shop program featuring house-made croissants, cacio e pepe rolls, beef bone broth consomme or dirty sodas, a Utah favorite. 
Matteo Sogne (Diane Sheya)
Matteo Sogne (Diane Sheya)

Matteo

It’s been roughly a year since Matteo Sogne’s eponymous eatery debuted in SLC. Here’s Heather L. King’s intro to the restaurant for those who still haven’t caught onto the buzz. The restaurant has now moved to new digs in the heart of downtown SLC (77 W 200 S), allowing them to better cater to the increasing legion of fans the restaurant has garnered. Here’s the full press release on the move from the PR team at Matteo:

. . .

Just one year after opening, Matteo has impressed foodies so much that its popularity has outgrown its space near Liberty Park, establishing itself at the top of the Utah restaurant scene. On November 22, the coveted Italian restaurant that has earned 4.8 stars on Google and OpenTable will reopen in downtown Salt Lake City at 77 West 200 South, Suite 100, opposite the Capitol Theatre. The 6,000 square-foot space is nearly twice the size of the previous location and features three private dining spaces to accommodate corporate dinners, holiday parties, and various celebrations. Expansive windows offer views of vibrant city life. Soundproofed 15-foot ceilings are designed to reduce noise, making for easier conversation, and the larger setting allows greater separation between tables to achieve a more intimate, less bustling feel. Guests can also enjoy complimentary valet parking, a rare commodity in Salt Lake City.

“It’s no secret how challenging the restaurant business is, and we feel very fortunate that Matteo has been enthusiastically received by fellow Utahns, also becoming a must stop for out of state visitors. We couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a more suitable space that will better meet our guests’ needs with a more comfortable dining experience and the same gracious hospitality and quality of cuisine our customers have come to appreciate,” says owner and founder Matteo Sogne, a native of Modena, in the heart of Emilia, globally recognized as the “Food Valley” of Italy. “Our new location is equally ideal for dinner for food lovers as it is for those heading to Utah Jazz and Hockey Club games and theater performances. We are also well positioned to host meals for state leaders and legislators, Utah’s corporate, business, finance, banking, and tech-communities, or attendees of the many national and international conventions at the Salt Palace.”

While diners will welcome the delightful ambiance and ease of parking, Matteo devotees can expect Matteo’s signature Italian cuisine that pays homage to Modena, knowledgeable service and warm, Italian hospitality coupled with dedication to detail. Matteo’s regular customers will also appreciate being served by familiar faces, most of whom have been with the restaurant from its start in 2023. Chef Damiano Carlotto continues to helm the kitchen, while Matteo’s Mom, Manuela, uses traditional Italian technique to bake scrumptious focaccia, many varieties of Italian bread, and delicious desserts. A more expansive bar allows for a more varied and creative beverage program, and the optimally designed kitchen is conducive for seamless back-of-house to front-of-house operations.

“Our focus continues to be on creating an unforgettable experience that encourages guests to come together and share the joy of delectable food paired with a broad, expertly curated wine list. We are excited by the greater visibility and the downtown revitalization plans that include a Sports and Entertainment district nearby,” Matteo explains. “Ultimately, the characteristics of this new space will help us overcome the many challenges the former location posed while allowing us to continue our growth trajectory.”

Matteo’s signature dishes, which feature authentic ingredients and daily house made pasta, include Manuela’s focaccia, Risotto Modena, Paccheri, Gnocchi, and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.

Reservations made before the relocation will be honored, and new reservations are welcome. Bookings can now be made for corporate holiday parties and other celebrations. Three private dining rooms of varying sizes can each host groups from 12 to 60 guests. Each one features a different theme and can be fully privatized upon request.

Matteo is open daily from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning November 22. For more info, visit MatteoSLC.com or call 385.549.1922. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.

Piko Mexican Grill

A new Mexican option hovering on the edge of downtown SLC (511 E 500 S). I don’t have too much information beyond scouring the various social media / online platforms. One commenter notes that the business might be connected to the much-lauded Victors.

Coming next

Crispy Duck & Dumplings

This one should have a few folks hot under the collar. Headed our way from the bay area, this new Chinese eatery (700 N Redwood Road). A poke around their nascent social media presence suggests this is the work of the folks behind San Francisco’s Chef Li’s Cafe.

One post explains, “After nearly 40 years of serving delicious Hong Kong style, roasted meats, our flagship location in San Francisco is excited to announce the opening of a new branch in Salt Lake City, Utah. We can’t wait to welcome you—stay tuned for our grand opening!”

Menus posted to the company’s Facebook page show a menu showing a whole crispy roasted duck for $37. Half and quarter options are priced $19 and $10 respectively. Crispy pork belly, char siu, honey-glazed pork ribs, a range of fried dumplings – are just some other interesting items on the menu.

Layne’s Chicken

A new national name is headed your way. Layne’s focus is chicken fingers, and the beach head for fifteen locations planned for Utah. The location should be open this December in Clearfield (846 W 1700 S).

Kura Revolving Sushi Bar

One more big name, with Utah set to join a roster of an existing 70 US locations. The revolving sushi bar in Sugar House (675 E 2100 S) would be unique in Salt Lake county (right now) as far as I know.

Tilte Popups

Intriguing news from this post. After recently closing SLC Eatery, the restaurant’s social media teased the following update, “Hopefully you had a great holiday! We have a couple temporary projects rolling out. Follow our new account if you’re interested in our upcoming ideas. We will be starting to do some takeout only for lunch. And hopefully do some small tasting menu events over the next couple of months. If you’re interested follow the new account! We will be posting all of our menu items there! We look forward to feeding you again! Cheers!!!”

Weller’s Bistro

One more from the socials, this Ogden-based name recently announced plans to double up in size next year writing, “We are very excited to announce that we will be opening our second location…coming to 25th Street in Ogden in early 2025!! We’re looking forward to partnering with the Monarch to bring German Cuisine to Weber County!! Follow us for updates on remodel progress and timeline in the next couple months. We appreciate all your support in making this expansion a reality!!”

Permit Watch

801 Coffee Roasters. 550 N 300 W.

Pizzeria 712. The highly-praised Orem pizzeria looks set to open shop on the East side of SLC. 2145 E 2100 S.

Previously mentioned with no further update

We’ve previously written about the following restaurants in posts tracking new restaurants around Utah. We’ve heard no further news on these at this time – but that’s not to say they didn’t open! If you know of any business opening that eluded our gaze, please do get in touch.

Opening a new restaurant in Utah? Be sure to read our restaurant resource section which includes info on everything from marketing to POS systems.

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