Hell’s Backbone Grill returns in 2023 with Powerhouse Team

Blake Spalding, Jen Castle, amara Stanger (Blake Peterson)

The ladies of Hell’s Backbone Grill will return for the 2023 season renewed, refreshed, with a new reservation system (thank you) and with a new team member! Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm Co-owners and Founding Chefs Blake Spalding and Jen Castle will be joined by Executive Chef Tamara Stanger (pictured, credit Blake Peterson). “We’re excited … Read more

The Utah meat collective – bridging the gap in meat education

Tom Wheatley - Utah Meat Collective

Tom Wheatley, founder of Utah Meat Collective, is on a mission to assist meat consumers on seeking out sustainable meat sources that stay true to traditional methods of butchery. Making a connection to the meat we consume through education is the main goal behind Utah Meat Collective. Bringing together the diverse group of farmers, chefs, … Read more

101 Utah restaurant dishes to try this year

Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club - pulled pork sandwich

Sometimes it’s hard to see the woods for the trees. Or should that be gyro for the tzatziki. Feel free to insert your own edible idiom, then proceed onto this most mammoth of lists. Essentially a rough recap of the better plates of food that were placed before my greasy mitts in 2022. Stuck in … Read more

Restaurant reviews as you know it – they’re set to change all over again

La Maison de la Gourmandise - exterior

When I penned my first restaurant critique some near twenty years ago – the dining world was unrecognizably other. The cloistered society of the restaurant critic was an impenetrable thing; a lofty and venerated position in many circles. Anonymity was king, the New York Times’ Ruth Reichl famously took to restaurants under disguise. Six figure … Read more

Salt Lake City’s Winter farmer’s market offers a treasure trove

Winter farmer's market - haul

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 my weekends in a neanderthal state of dishevelment; a cave dwelling troglodyte, rarely venturing out without the safety of a setting sun and martini glass. But still they insisted I … Read more

Hey look ma – we’re in the paper

Pendry Park City - Apres Pendry macaron

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 into a content sharing partnership with the Salt Lake Tribune. Under this agreement you might see some of the stories published on this website appear online at the Salt Lake … Read more

More than 160 new Utah restaurants – how many have you tried so far?

Franklin Ave Cocktails & Kitchen - orecchiette pasta

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 and restaurants that opened across Utah this year – I give you our end of year monster. Please do note that this Frankenstein is cobbled together from a variety of … Read more

Raise a glass – 2022’s best cocktails

Beehive Distillery - bar area

It’s that time of year when best of the year lists abound. 2022 will go down as the re-emerging of Utah, and the world, from the pandemic, with hope for new endeavors and the wish to sustain the things we love. In this vain, we bring you a round up of spirited drinks found at … Read more

Utah dining landscape quickly changing as closures continue to mount

De Los Muertos Mexican Restaurant - seating

It’s been a little over a year since I penned the sobering why your favorite might restaurant might be closing. In the intervening months, those keeping score could’ve optimistically countered by nodding to a slew of openings. Last year’s grand recap soared past 195, this year’s will handily top the 150 mark. I undoubtedly missed … Read more

Salt Lake City’s baking underground

Sandwich using Mims Bakery bread

It’s bizarre to think anything positive came from the Covid years.  The pandemic seems to have been the catalyst for creating some cottage baking heavyweights in Salt Lake City. A wide variety of items like filled donuts, sourdough bread, and Middle Eastern sweets are suddenly available. All beginning from home kitchen in the last three … Read more

Chili Crisp 101 – what you need to know

If your social feeds resemble mine, you’ve no doubt seen the words chili crisp emblazoned everywhere. You’ve also no doubt been spookily trailed around the web with dazzling ads promising fame, fortune and flavor unparalleled. I’m guessing you’ve also reeled at the cost too. $15? $20!? Bring me my fainting chair Jeeves. Moreover, if you’ve … Read more

Get ready for the weekend – who has the best pancakes in SLC?

Brunch spread with pancakes and syrup

The pancake has come a long way since its creation. Historically, Christians cooked pancakes to avoid wasted dairy products before lent. Now, the pancake is a staple include on most breakfast and brunch menus. Pancakes range from simple to gourmet. The humble pancake holds a special place in my heart. It’s simple, customizable, and packed … Read more

Utah peach season is here – don’t miss out

Utah peach burrata

As a person who regularly and loudly tells the Internet what she’s eating (see, e.g., here, here, and here), I am frequently asked what my favorite food is. The answer is too easy. While there are countless things I love to put in my face, my ultimate, very best, if-I-could-only-have-one-food-I’d-pick-this-one-every-time is peaches. Fresh ones, specifically. … Read more

Oh hey look, we just picked up some awards

Taqueria Los Lee - gorditas

Last night at the Denver Press Club, the 2022 Top of the Rockies journalism contest awards ceremony was held. Seventy-five media outlets plus a dozen freelancers from Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico entered this year’s contest, submitting 1,507 entries – and what’s that – we won two nods for our 2021 efforts. You can … Read more

Menus shrink as restaurants face a barrage of challenges

Slimming down isn’t just for the gym anymore: it’s happening in restaurant menus as well. Rising food and labor costs, ingredient shortages and delivery issues are spurring both local and national eateries to reduce the number of menu items.    According to a December 2021 Forbes article, Datassential (a food-industry market-research firm) found that 60% of the 4,800 menus … Read more

Utah chef’s favorite dishes – I’ll have what they’re having

Beef stroganoff at Table 25

Restaurant menus are created for customers, but they also reflect the tastes of their creators. We asked a few restaurateurs and chefs: “What’s your favorite go-to dish on your menu?” You know, the one they could — and maybe do — eat every day? It’s not always the top-selling dish with customers, but there are … Read more

State Of The Plate 2021

Bricks Corner

Hot on the heels of our recent readers choice awards, I bring you my favorite way to end the year – the sixth annual State Of The Plate; a look back over 2021 and what was hot, what was tepid and what I reckon will soon be whistling on the stove. You can see previous … Read more