Valentine’s Day dining in SLC 2022
Here’s your timely reminder that Valentine’s 2022 is headed your way fast. There’s three weeks to the big dining day as I write, and if… Read More »Valentine’s Day dining in SLC 2022
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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New year, new restaurants, what’s opening next?
After rounding out the end of the year with this colossal collection last month – normal service now resumes; which is to say, saner bite… Read More »New year, new restaurants, what’s opening next?
Two of Utah’s biggest brewers change hands
In a whirlwind start to 2022, two of Utah’s biggest names in craft beer have confirmed significant changes to their ownership. January sees both Utah… Read More »Two of Utah’s biggest brewers change hands
Let’s bid farewell to this list of dining don’ts
As the New Year beckons, so my mood curdles. Just like that eggnog you’ll uncover at the back of the fridge any day now. A… Read More »Let’s bid farewell to this list of dining don’ts
State Of The Plate 2021
Hot on the heels of our recent readers choice awards, I bring you my favorite way to end the year – the sixth annual State… Read More »State Of The Plate 2021
More than 195 new Utah restaurants – how many have you tried?
Despite the ever present threat of Covid this year, the food and drink scene in Utah has boomed unlike any other I can remember in… Read More »More than 195 new Utah restaurants – how many have you tried?
Reader’s choice restaurant awards 2021 – the winners
With thousands of votes cast, tallied – and laboriously spell checked and corrected – the results are now in. I’m excited to take the wraps… Read More »Reader’s choice restaurant awards 2021 – the winners
Local Utah foodie business seeks help to go national
If you haven’t yet seen this one, consider contributing some seasonal cheer (see: cash) for a fabulous local producer. Created by Matt Caputo – always… Read More »Local Utah foodie business seeks help to go national
Christmas and NYE 2021 dining in Salt Lake City
I know the feeling. Thanksgiving dinner is still a very raw, fresh memory right? The frenzied dance of pots and pans, the subsequent clean up,… Read More »Christmas and NYE 2021 dining in Salt Lake City
Richie Lush’s BBQ – is this the best in Utah?
For the time pressed, I’ll address that outrageously provocative headline immediately: as far as I am concerned, and have tasted, this is currently the best… Read More »Richie Lush’s BBQ – is this the best in Utah?
Christmas food gifts for the food obsessed – 2021 holiday guide
Looking to delight the gourmand in your life this Christmas? Been scrolling through Amazon and coming up with nothing more than comedy sized wine glasses?… Read More »Christmas food gifts for the food obsessed – 2021 holiday guide
Scion Cider – Utah’s most unique new bar
Here’s a timely interruption to our Eat Here Now series. File this one under Drink Here Now. And if you do, you’ll be beating the… Read More »Scion Cider – Utah’s most unique new bar
Utah liquor license crisis set to worsen according to reports
Get ready for a fraught 2022 folks. Following this months DABC meeting, Ben Winslow confirmed via this story that the Utah legislature seems unmoved by… Read More »Utah liquor license crisis set to worsen according to reports
Taqueria Los Lee – unmissable home made food
I heaved a sigh of relief when I read the news that Taqueria Los Lee was staying put; for a moment I was worried the… Read More »Taqueria Los Lee – unmissable home made food
Utah restaurants pressured by record unemployment lows
I’ve been covering the issue of restaurant staffing with increased scrutiny of late. It’s a story that I believe we’ve only just started to turn… Read More »Utah restaurants pressured by record unemployment lows
Upcoming food and drink events for your calendar
Donkey And Goat wine dinner at Pago While all the hubbub of late has been for the new downtown Pago (On Main), tomorrow night (Tuesday… Read More »Upcoming food and drink events for your calendar
Cast your vote – who’s the best in Utah?
>> Cast your votes here << I just wanted to remind you of our yearly reader’s choice awards – these are ongoing through the end… Read More »Cast your vote – who’s the best in Utah?
Hoppers Grill set to turn off the lights at their Midvale location
News in today from the fantastic Utah Beer Blog; Midvale’s venerable Hoppers Grill are set to close their doors on November 24th, ending a more… Read More »Hoppers Grill set to turn off the lights at their Midvale location
Gastronomic SLC – Readers choice awards 2021 – Vote now!
Right folks, put on your thinking caps, it’s time once more for our readers choice awards; a rigorous survey of the most in the know… Read More »Gastronomic SLC – Readers choice awards 2021 – Vote now!
Mythical Utah bar license spotted in the wild, then gobbled up
DABC commissioners gathered this week to debate the outcome of an unexpectedly available bar license – which at this point are right up there with… Read More »Mythical Utah bar license spotted in the wild, then gobbled up