From Heather L. King:
The dog days of summer are upon us here in Utah, but there’s nothing lethargic about Salt Lake’s plethora of refreshing dining options. Check out what’s new in your neighborhood.
Amour Café
If you’re a fan of Amour Spreads, you’ll be thrilled about Amour Café, a new sit-down neighborhood respite near Liberty Park. Owners John and Casee Francis have teamed up with famed pastry chef Amber Billingsley to build this welcoming cafe which dishes up sweet and savory toast, salad, pastries, coffee and gelato treats. Along with highlighting Amour Spreads jams and marmalades, the eatery also supports many local purveyors and producers from around the state while beckoning everyone in the community to sit down and enjoy a Black Mission Fig jam and gorgonzola roulade, or cool off with the creamy honey habanero gelato featuring Orange Habanero marmalade.
Amour Café is located at 1329 S. 500 East, Salt Lake City.
Manoli’s
Also near Liberty Park, Manoli’s is the latest addition to Salt Lake’s high-end Greek cuisine options. Built around the small plates or “meze” concept, chef and owner Manoli Katsanevas offers up vegetarian, seafood and meat selections in addition to salads, larger main courses, sides and dessert at dinner and weekend brunch. Try the pastitsio croquette, rounds of spiced beef and béchamel secured to the plate with a dollop of Greek yogurt, or the Spanish-influenced piquillo peppers stuffed with a creamy smoked feta and black sea salt. Enjoy it all while sitting at the kitchen counter watching the chefs on the line, in the main dining room, or outside on the breezy patio.
Manoli’s is at 402 E. 900 South, #2, Salt Lake City.
Dottie’s Biscuit Barn
Need some southern comfort food? Look no further than Dottie’s Biscuit Barn–a mobile barn rolling around Salt Lake each weekend through October. Stop by their spots at the Downtown Farmers Market on Saturday or Wasatch Front Farmers Market at Wheeler Farm on Sundays for flaky biscuits, savory gravies, fried chicken and other southern classics. Pick up the crunchy fried chicken and buttermilk biscuit sandwich spread with pumpkin seed/garlic scape pesto. Or, there’s the farmers market favorite: the Cuddle Pig. It’s a fresh biscuit cut in half, spread with Pimento cheese and topped with a piece of fried chicken thigh, a ladle of sausage gravy and a fried egg from Clifford Family Farms. It’s finished with chow chow (a pickled pepper relish).
From Chelsea Nelson:
Good Grammar
Good Grammar is one of Salt Lake City’s newest hot spots with a perfect location right on Gallavan Avenue in the heart of Downtown. Good Grammar is slinging up craft cocktails and fresh food, including killer sandwiches such as the classic Reuben or the Short Rib Melt, crisp salads with featured ingredients such as chicken confit and Luxardo cherries, and great snacks like the Hot Pretzel with house beer cheese. In addition to fun cocktails and food, Good Grammar has created an incredible hang out space that boasts large retractable patio doors and over-sized Jenga to keep you entertained! Don’t miss this spot during the beautiful Salt Lake City summer.
Good Grammar is at 69 E Gallivan Ave., Salt Lake City.
Martine Cafe
With all of the new restaurants and bars opening their doors these days, sometimes we can forget about the wonderful gems that have been in our backyard for years. While many old staples have closed their doors, Martine Cafe is stepping up, getting inspired, and proving they can hang with the new kids. New Executive Chef Brandon Mowbray is creating delicious, seasonal, and rotating menu items that are sure to keep you coming back. Try the Field Asparagus with poached egg or the Morel Mushroom dish with onion jam and grilled bread, and you won’t be disappointed. For your main course, order up the Grilled Red Hen, served with blue corn chilaquiles and Beehive cheddar mornay. And never fear, the craft cocktails coming out of the bar feature local ingredients and spirits! The Slow Burn is not to be missed.
Martine Cafe is at 22 East 100 South, Salt Lake City.
