Menu watch – January 2017

Even Stevens Sandwiches: Banh belly

Even Stevens Sandwiches – First, a special shout out to one of our Local Partner’s who today hit a huge menu milestone: one million sandwiches ordered, and one million donated to local charities. No, you didn’t read that wrong, 1,000,000 sandwiches. If you stop by any location today you can grab a free commemorative pin marking the achievement.

Since launching just three years ago, the Utah based “sandwich shop with a cause” now operates 10 locations across UT, AZ and ID. The mini chain isn’t ready to rest on its laurels though according to founder, Steve Down:

“Every sandwich donated reflects the love and passion of our team members who create memorable experiences for our guests. This one millionth sandwich is a significant milestone toward serving and giving one million sandwiches each and every day when we grow to 3000 locations; a goal I hope to attain before I retire.”

The impact of Even Stevens on local charities is hard to overstate. Danielle Stamos of Catholic Community Services of Utah explains, “the partnership between Even Stevens and us has been invaluable in our fight against hunger in Utah. Between our St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall in Salt Lake and our Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Northern Utah, Even Stevens has donated thousands of sandwiches so that Utah’s most vulnerable do not go hungry.”

So, raise a sub, roll, bun, slice or whatever baked good you have handy – to the success of this Utah based business with a heart of gold.

Oasis Cafe: Chef Efren Benitez

Oasis Cafe – Chef de cuisine Efren Benitez has created special weekly three-course meals for January “resolution dining.” Priced at just $30 and changing weekly to take opportunity of the freshest ingredients, the nightly dinner special includes a nourishing choice of soup or salad and changing entree and dessert options.

January 15-22
Efren’s Cioppino (seafood stew) and poached pears in red wine with vanilla ice cream to end the meal

January 23-29:
Tender beef and grilled vegetable lasagna finished by cappuccino cheesecake

151 500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 322-0404
www.oasiscafeslc.com

Porch – pork tenderloin with hoppin john

Porch – All through January, the Daybreak based restaurant is offering buy one get one free entrees on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. There is a limit 2 per table and the offer is not not valid with any other offer or promotion.

11274 Kestrel Rise Rd g, South Jordan, UT 84009
(801) 679-1066
www.porchutah.com

Stanza – flight and bite

Stanza – After lots of positive feedback from the event in late 2016, Stanza’s “Flight & Bite” monthly event has become a weekly one. Renamed “Wine Wednesdays”, the promo now runs every week from 5 – 7 p.m. in Stanza’s lounge.

At the event wine educator and sommelier Jimmy Santangelo hand selects wines and educates diners about the nuances of each. Several options are available that include two 2-1/2 oz. splashes of wine and two “bites” of Stanza’s Italian Bistro cuisine that have been carefully paired with the flavor profile of each wine selection. The selections change monthly.

Most of these selections are brought into the state by special order and will be sold in flights in the restaurant during the entire month, while supplies last. January’s selections range in price from $15 – $27 with additional dessert options available:

#1 Flight & Bite $15 (flight only $11, bite only $4)
* Zonin Prosecco, Veneto DOC
* Bisol ‘Crede’ Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG
* Compressed apple fennel salad, candied almonds
* Robiolo, toasted focaccia, honey date compote

#2 Flight & Bite $17.75 (flight only $11.75, bite only $6)
* Palmina “little rascal”, Arneis, Santa Ynez Valley 2014
* Vietti ‘Tre Vigne’ Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont 2013
* Barolo sweet Italian salumi, mustardo
* Pecorino Romano custard, shaved root vegetable

#3 Flight & Bite $27 (flight only $15, bite only $12)
* Allegrini Valpolicella, Veneto 2014
* Tenuta Sant’Antonio Amarone DOCG 2012
* Mushroom Ravioli, herb cream sauce
* Pulled Pork Ragu, Gnocchi

Dessert Options:
* Cannoli alla RicottaTwo Cannoli alla Ricottas $8
* Pair with either Cocchi Americano $7 or Meleto Vin Santo $12

“With over 30 wines available by the glass of mostly Italian selections, this is a great way for our diners to be a little adventurous and to try some of these amazing wines we are special ordering,” says Santangelo. “Plus, if people can’t join me at the bar on Wednesdays, these special order wines will be available at Stanza throughout the month, while our supply lasts.”

454 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 746-4441
www.stanzaslc.com

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.