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

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

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

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

Utah liquor licensing starting to turn the screw on local businesses

Generic bar setup

If recent DABS meetings weren’t worrying enough for would be bar owners, the August meeting writ large the reality of a distressing future. Entering the eighth edition of this year’s disbelief fest, fourteen Utah bars turned up hoping for the best. Five business were ready to roll, three bar licenses up for grabs. But wait, … Read more

Fried chicken to fine dining – what’s new on the dining scene

The Crack Shack

Ascent Kitchen For those last few of you, belligerently clinging to new year resolutions – or those just arterially kaput from yet another fried chicken sandwich – check out this new healthy option with a trio of locations across the valley. The business moves seamlessly into the former Pulp Lifestyle spots (Downtown, Liberty Park, Sandy), … Read more

Need weekend dining inspiration? Try these eight restaurants

As I stumble around our fair city, I try to recount as many restaurant experiences as I can. As the weeks blur into months and life makes mockery of my intricate plans, many fine dishes are sadly left on the proverbial cutting room floor. Now follows then, a rectification of sorts – eight restaurants, where … Read more

Superbowl Sunday specials in Utah

While food prices might be soaring – 12% in some categories according to the Des News – at least there isn’t an industry wing shortage this year. With that in mind then, here are the local restaurants and bars offering Super Bowl specials this year. Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club This newly opened venue in … Read more

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 recent memory. The following list contains nigh on two hundred different business that opened their doors around the Beehive this year: bars, coffee shops, bakeries, food trucks, delivery services and … Read more

Restaurant liquor licenses starting to feel the pressure

Crack Shack sandwiches (Crack Shack)

Welcome back to our monthly roundup of all things perfectly potable. While ordinarily I’d start with a raised eyebrow and nod to the state’s bar license crunch (there are presently ZERO available) there’s truthfully not much to talk about. So instead lets start with another looming area of concern… Full service restaurant licenses (beer, wine, … Read more

Love is in the air this weekend – dish up something special

Flourish Bakery - king cake and Persian love cakes

Menu watch Menus this weekend are turning their attention to matters of the heart. If you’ve still not secured a reservation you might still luck out if you’re quick. Check out our full roundup of Valentines specials here. Also, in other menu news, here are a few more to keep an eye on. Flourish Bakery … Read more

Restaurants continuing to open at pace during Covid

Wow Bao header 3

As I recently wrote, the hospitality industry is facing a tumultuous upheaval. Despite the shifting odds of success though, there’s still more than one restaurateur willing to roll the dice. In fact there’s a whole heap of them ready to lay down a bet. Here are all the latest businesses to open across the Wasatch … Read more