January’s DABS meeting a quiet one
After the storied DABS voyage that was 2022, and a particularly choppy end of the year, January’s DABS meeting offered calmer waters; surely a portent… Read More »January’s DABS meeting a quiet one
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.
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Newly proposed bill would make home delivery of beer legal in Utah
Hat tip to the St George News publication for this one – an intriguing little bit of news that almost passed me by – delivery… Read More »Newly proposed bill would make home delivery of beer legal in Utah
NBA All Star games will mean 115,000 visitors and a new temporary liquor store for SLC
Mark February 17th through 19th very boldly on your calendar. If you didn’t already know, those are the official dates for the massive NBA All… Read More »NBA All Star games will mean 115,000 visitors and a new temporary liquor store for SLC
Two Sugar House restaurants close amid changing neighborhood
News reported in the Trib today, confirms that both Flatbread Neapolitan Pizza, and nearby Habit Burger (pictured) Grill – have now shuttered. Looking at social… Read More »Two Sugar House restaurants close amid changing neighborhood
Utah bar named one of the best in the country
You can’t get a drink in Utah they say. Or at the very least, you can’t get a real drink in Utah they’ll tell you.… Read More »Utah bar named one of the best in the country
Soup dumplings to buffet specials – recent menu updates in SLC
While it’s always fun to report on what’s brand spanking new, from time to time, I do like to take stock over what more established… Read More »Soup dumplings to buffet specials – recent menu updates in SLC
Restaurant reviews as you know it – they’re set to change all over again
When I penned my first restaurant critique some near twenty years ago – the dining world was unrecognizably other. The cloistered society of the restaurant… Read More »Restaurant reviews as you know it – they’re set to change all over again
Where to eat this Valentine’s Day 2023 in Utah
This year’s Valentine’s Day represents an additional challenge for those hoping to secure a table. Valentines will fall on Tuesday this year, but just a… Read More »Where to eat this Valentine’s Day 2023 in Utah
Celebrate year of rabbit with traditional lion dances and great food this weekend in Salt Lake City
Like a wedding gatecrasher surreptitiously eyeing up the buffet spread, I’m forever looking for an excuse to join a party and grab a plate. As… Read More »Celebrate year of rabbit with traditional lion dances and great food this weekend in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City’s Winter farmer’s market offers a treasure trove
Get there before noon on Saturday morning they said. It’ll be fun they said. They – the Downtown Alliance – clearly didn’t know I spend… Read More »Salt Lake City’s Winter farmer’s market offers a treasure trove
Lamb burgers – the perfect Winter pick me up
If the archetypal hamburger is a Summer staple – a lamb burger is surely its Wintery cousin. While the former basks in the sun poolside,… Read More »Lamb burgers – the perfect Winter pick me up
Noodles to nachos – what’s new in Utah dining for January
If you’ve finally digested the twenty four course tasting menu that was last month’s roundup of every new opening in 2022, might I tempt you… Read More »Noodles to nachos – what’s new in Utah dining for January
Hey look ma – we’re in the paper
Some big news today, so allow me if you will, to blow my own proverbial trumpet very briefly. Starting this week, Gastronomic SLC has entered… Read More »Hey look ma – we’re in the paper
Utah chocolatier makes list of nation’s best
News hot off today’s press – finalists of the highly acclimated Good Food Awards are just in – and the beehive received a duo of… Read More »Utah chocolatier makes list of nation’s best
Burger specials to buffets – menu updates around town
Now we’re back in the saddle for the year proper, let’s begin with a quick recap of what’s been happening on menus around town. Welcome… Read More »Burger specials to buffets – menu updates around town
Start your 2023 with this vibrantly refreshing Utah restaurant
My past two weeks have been richly punishing ones. Whereas Thanksgiving requires I assume the role of grown up, and all the assiduous turkey tasks… Read More »Start your 2023 with this vibrantly refreshing Utah restaurant
More than 160 new Utah restaurants – how many have you tried so far?
We’re gonna need a bigger boat. Maybe two. Clocking in at somewhere close to 20,000 words, and recapping the unveiling of more than 160 bars… Read More »More than 160 new Utah restaurants – how many have you tried so far?
Final Utah DABS meeting of 2022 proves an intriguing one
Well that was a head scratcher. Maybe someone was passing around the egg nog, but the final DABS meetup of 2022 left this curious onlooker… Read More »Final Utah DABS meeting of 2022 proves an intriguing one
Christmas and NYE 2022 dining in Utah
Here’s our last major dining event update of 2022, cheers! If you’re looking to dine out in the coming couple of weeks (or even take… Read More »Christmas and NYE 2022 dining in Utah
A first look at the all new Urban Hill in downtown SLC
Anyone who’s escaped downtown via 5th South has no doubt glanced left towards soaring construction. The $200 million dollar Post District has been rising for… Read More »A first look at the all new Urban Hill in downtown SLC