Rooftop cocktails, African cuisine and a food hall – new restaurant highlights for March

Van Ryder - view from rooftop bar

Welcome back aboard the good ship new and notable, and frankly, what’s been a relative calm sea. The pace of openings over the past month has been more sedate than that prior,; though looking ahead, it still seems like we’re in for a buoyant year. So, hoist the mainsail and allow me to stop torturing … Read more

Is Salt Lake City the next destination for the famous STK Steakhouse

Mishima Reserve American wagyu from Beltex Meats

Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles… Salt Lake City? Might the Beehive state capital be the next port of call for the ultra-hip STK Steakhouse? At least that’s what this permit application filed last week implies which lists STK Steakhouse as the client for, “A new restaurant in new building shell and interiors, with related site improvements … Read more

Two dozen new Utah restaurants opened over the past month

Adelaide Urban Brasserie - window seating

After a brisk start to the year in January, it’s heartening to see yet another strong month of restaurant openings across the state. In this latest roundup of openings across Utah, the total for the last thirty days or so comes in at a smidge under the two dozen mark. If we keep that cadence … Read more

The Local – Utah’s next big food hall is almost here

The Local Market + Bar - interior dining room

As with most culinary trends, it can often take time for big national movements to filter down o the streets of Utah. Food halls are a perfect example. For years we visited our big city cousins in NYC and San Fran and cooed at their fluid food spaces. We’d return home with tales of flexible … Read more

A unique new restaurant in downtown Salt Lake is set to debut

Xiao Bao Bao - pork bun

Here’s one you’ll want to keep a very close eye on, and one I’d been sworn to secrecy on. Until now. I’m giddy, you should be too. As you might recall then, 2022 ended with the sad news that Romina Rasmussen would be shuttering the doors to her iconic Les Madeleines bakery and cafe. Rasmussen … Read more

Noodles to nachos – what’s new in Utah dining for January

Graffiti art at Woodbine Food Hall and Tavern

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 to dessert? Just one more wafer thin bite? Yep, that’s right, we’re back at it again, and looking at everything opening this January – as well as keeping a greedy … 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

A first look at the all new Urban Hill in downtown SLC

Urban Hill in downtown Salt Lake City

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 several years, and as 2022 closes, it’s finally coming into focus. By this time next year as many as 500 residents could be milling around the 13 acre site, a … Read more

Destination rooftop bar coming to Downtown SLC in 2023

Van Ryder rooftop bar at Le Meridien Salt LakeCity (Le Meridien)

I fielded more than a few questions regarding the interest and coverage of Mar | Muntanya – the Spanish-informed fine dining option nestled on the sixth floor of the sparking new Hyatt Regency. Why did I care? Why did so many Utahns care? It’s just a bajillion dollar chain hotel right? Why the rabid attention? … Read more

Tiki flair comes to the heart of Sugar House with this new Utah bar

Acme Bar Co - Mike Edwards, Festivus Swizzle

I arrive at Acme Bar Company just before the lights go up for service. The switch is flipped as several million (or so a brief glance and terrible estimation skills would suggest) tiny lights flicker into festive life; we peer through the window to make sure the surrounding neighborhood doesn’t blink out in response. Welcome … Read more

New restaurants continuing to open at pace in Utah

Cava and scallops at Mar Muntanya at Hyatt Regnecy

If you’re feeling a little drubbed after recent weeks, you’re alone. The preceding fortnight has been punch after smack after whack, and I’m sure there are more I’ve missed. With that in mind, time for some brighter news. Amidst all the current heavyweights hitting the canvas, there’s still plenty of eager newcomers champing for a … Read more

The Sicilian Butcher marks tenth purchase for Utah based fund

The Sicilian Butcher

For those with a keen interest in our ever expanding chain landscape (I know you’re out there, I see the queues at the Cane’s) here’s an interesting news nugget that dropped this month. Utah based Savory Fund – an investment vehicle that gobbles up nascent concepts – has snagged another brand for their collection. Making … Read more

First glimpse of the all new Mar | Muntanya – Spanish flair for Utah

Mar | Muntanya - patatas bravas

It’s rare I’ll move this quickly on reporting on a restaurant, but frankly there’s a volcanic level of pent up interest for info on this one. I’ve fielded a whole host of queries from eager beavers, so here’s a few shots I took last night. You’ll want to wrap your peepers around them aprisa. For … Read more

BBQ to Empanadas – what’s new on the Utah dining scene

This makes our fourteenth check in to date this year; another installment in an ever growing compendium of what’s new in Utah for 2022. I have a feeling we’re gonna smash last year’s end of year summary which recapped 195 new restaurants reported on. As ever lemme remind you that you can follow along in … Read more

Could this be the possible return for Hoppers Brew Pub?

Rumored Hoppers Brew Pub spot at Central 9th

O.k. I’ll preface this whole article by noting it’s built completely on the liquefaction of unsubstantiated rumor – but who doesn’t love some good hearsay? Cue my inner buddha pointing out none of us should. Ahem…anyway… It’s been just under a year since the long lived Hoppers Brew Pub in Midvale shuttered shop. As I … Read more

Superstar chef Bobby Flay targets Salt Lake City for expansion

Bobby Flay and Bobby's Burgers

Or at least his burger franchise is. In news released today, Bobby’s Burgers, have announced plans to bring the concept to the Beehive state. Considering that a recent report found Utahns the third most voracious for burgers in the U.S. they sound like smart plans to me. Via a press announcement today, the Bobby Flay … Read more

More than 30 new restaurants and bar openings in Salt Lake City

Laziz Kitchen in downtown Salt Lake City

Roll up, roll up. It’s time to rapidly run down the list of new, notable and next. In the year to date so far we’ve seen a whirlwind of openings – and it doesn’t look set to slow any time soon. Since the last recap in July there’s another three dozen or so places to … Read more

Spanish-inspired cooking set to crown massive new Utah hotel

Rendering or Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City

This week saw the first big PR push for the glittering Hyatt Regency in downtown SLC. Press, yours included, were invited to an online presentation for the towering build which has shot up on the corner of West Temple and 2nd South. The new four star is one of a variety of impressive projects close … Read more

Viet Pham’s award winning Pretty Bird is headed to Midvale

Pretty Bird

For fans of this local mini-chain, clear the whole of your August calendar, because Midvale is set to become the fourth location in Viet and Alexis Pham’s burgeoning fried chicken empire. According to DABS July agenda notes, the business has applied for a limited service liquor license – which affords beer and wine sales. With … Read more