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.
Read more about this business...
Mother’s Day dining in Utah – where to eat in 2026
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10th this year, and with it, a mammoth amount of buffets and dining specials at restaurants around the state.… Read More »Mother’s Day dining in Utah – where to eat in 2026
Recapping what local food writers have been raving about in Utah
As ever, Alex Springer has been the most prolific since our last recap. Springer tackles La Lola Taco (Murray), Felt Bar & Eatery (Downtown SLC),… Read More »Recapping what local food writers have been raving about in Utah
’mina brings the tradition and taste of Sicily to Salt Lake City
Much is made of authenticity in the food world. Every month, I’ll receive a slew of eager press releases promising authentic this or that. Rather… Read More »’mina brings the tradition and taste of Sicily to Salt Lake City
March DABS meeting concludes with more than 20 new restaurant and bar licenses
Full-service restaurant licenses (beer, wine, liquor) Limited-service restaurant licenses (beer, wine) Bar licenses Twenty-seven licenses were available coming into the meeting, with the following four… Read More »March DABS meeting concludes with more than 20 new restaurant and bar licenses
James Beard Awards announce 2026 finalists
Following on from the January JBF semi-finalists reveal, today sees the list whittled down to the ultimate finalists. In the previous round, Utah was represented… Read More »James Beard Awards announce 2026 finalists
Mama Bird Southern Kitchen takes roost in West Jordan
Opening towards the end of last year, Mama Bird Southern Kitchen is the latest restaurant to join the roster over at Jordan Landing. Their arrival… Read More »Mama Bird Southern Kitchen takes roost in West Jordan
SLC Eatery bounces back with new approach
It’s always the way. No sooner had I completed penning this monster compendium of all Utah’s latest restaurant openings last week, and here come a… Read More »SLC Eatery bounces back with new approach
Easter 2026 Dining in Utah – where to eat this year
Easter Sunday falls quite a bit earlier this year, at least compared to last year. April 5th to be precise. With that in mind, I’m… Read More »Easter 2026 Dining in Utah – where to eat this year
ID laws change for restaurants in Utah
It’s only been a week since I wrote about the possible impending changes for Utah liquor laws in 2026, but one has already hit the… Read More »ID laws change for restaurants in Utah
Avant Delivery – taking the chore out of weeknight cooking
Where January arrives with wide-eyed optimism, by March, a sledgehammer of cold reality hits. You can throw those carefully crafted goals right out the window.… Read More »Avant Delivery – taking the chore out of weeknight cooking
All the latest restaurants to open in Utah – and a peek at what’s next
Here’s our first major recap of new openings for the year. A deep dive into everything that’s opened over the past few months, as well… Read More »All the latest restaurants to open in Utah – and a peek at what’s next
What can we expect from this year’s omnibus alcohol bill?
As the white smoke emerges from the Capitol, we’re now starting to get a more fully formed view of what’s coming our way in this… Read More »What can we expect from this year’s omnibus alcohol bill?
Brownstone 22 opens downtown, adding a new spark to SLC’s dining scene
To say I’ve been eagerly awaiting Brownstone 22 would be an understatement akin to saying black holes are quite heavy things. I originally heard of… Read More »Brownstone 22 opens downtown, adding a new spark to SLC’s dining scene
Want even more content – an unfiltered extra look at SLC dining?
In case you didn’t know, for the past two years, I’ve been offering readers the option to support Gastronomic SLC through a monthly paid subscription.… Read More »Want even more content – an unfiltered extra look at SLC dining?
St. Patrick’s Day specials and a look at other menu changes around town
St. Patrick’s Day specials Here’s everything I know about going on for the big day this year (aside from the obvious big hitters like Piper… Read More »St. Patrick’s Day specials and a look at other menu changes around town
A duo of celeb-chefs to land at Deer Valley’s St. Regis for four days
Starting Wednesday, March 18th, and running through to Saturday, March 21st, “Iron Chef” Geoffrey Zakarian and “Sandwich King” chef Jeff Mauro will be taking up… Read More »A duo of celeb-chefs to land at Deer Valley’s St. Regis for four days
All the new restaurant and bar licenses issued in the February DABS meeting
Full-service restaurant licenses (beer, wine, liquor) Limited-service restaurant licenses (beer, wine) Bar licenses 27 licenses were available for bars in Utah entering the March DABS… Read More »All the new restaurant and bar licenses issued in the February DABS meeting
Eight Settlers expands to downtown SLC with multi-level bar and lounge
It was back in 2020 when Katia and Radu Dugala debuted their Eight Settlers Distillery concept over in Cottonwood Heights. Six years later, and the… Read More »Eight Settlers expands to downtown SLC with multi-level bar and lounge
Left Fork Grill confirms closure date of April 5th
Left Fork Grill After nearly twenty years in the biz, this South Salt Lake institution has decided to call it a day. First opened by… Read More »Left Fork Grill confirms closure date of April 5th