Soup dumplings, sausages, and sushi – whats new in the Utah food press

Looking for somewhere new to add to your dining rotation this month? Let me offer you some inspiration then, courtesy of our monthly review roundup – a rundown of what local food writers have been furiously tapping away about.

First up, Greg Brinkman in the Salt Lake Magazine, who gets all hot soupy under the collar at Zhu Ting Ji (Taylorsville) – specifically over their xiao long bao. The restaurant has caused quite the stir since opening, attracting thronging crowds from almost week one. I, too, am a fan. Here’s a piece I wrote on their thrilling Spicy Boiled Fish. Also in SL Mag, Lydia Martinez details Taqueria 27’s PBTLA (various), the new Le Depot (Park City), and makes a trip to La Cevicheria (Downtown SLC).

Alex Springer in the City Weekly remains as prolific as ever, checking out Skillets (SLC), an event at Urban Hill, (Post District), The Bambino (Midvale), and Budda’s Bakery & Breakfast (Pleasant Grove). Springer also describes his Josper Experience meal at Rouser (Downtown SLC). The chef’s counter meal is offered three times each week. drawing maximum flavor from the restaurant’s signature oven.

In Utah Stories, Ted Scheffler hits up North Italia (Riverton), and Beiing Restaurant (Sugar House), while Heather L. King tells the tale of Feldman’s Deli (Sugar House) handing the reins over to the next generation.

I’ve not heard much first-hand reporting on Junah (Central 9th) so far, but Kolbie Peterson in the Trib, gets to the bottom of the Italian-Japanese fusion menu – the work of the team behind the exceptional Koyote.

It’s been a busy month in Slug with Addison Austin-Lou heading to Blue Fish Sushi Bar And Restaurant (South Jordan). Austin-Lou also looks at the duo behind both Pie Party and Sunakku. Also in Slug, Christian Ledek delves into Big South (South Salt Lake), and Vashti Hansen writes about chef Christan Gonzalez.

What else? Aimee Cook of Town Lift details Le Depot (Park City), Dainon Moody of Utah Business gets into the history of J. Dawgs (various), and Katie Hatzfeld of the Park Record talks to chef Kevin Lee. FOX 13 looks at the return of Cannella’s (Sugar House) in Sugar House’s new Sugar House Station.

Lastly, Meg Walter of the Deseret News continues her chip and salsa, Tim Vandenack writes about chef Dee Benson for KSL, Val Phillips talks about the expansion of Ramblin Roads (various), and Mike Riedel of the Weekly explains what’s going on with all the Monster/Squatters/Salt Lake Brewing Co news of late.

Other useful links

• Free newsletter – signup and receive our weekly newsletter for free
• Food talk group – chew the fat with other like-minded Utah foodies over on Facebook.
• Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.

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.