The mission to explore takeout dining during Utah’s COVID-19 restaurant closures and reopenings continues. This week, we dropped by Log Haven restaurant in Millcreek Canyon for curbside pickup. The Log Haven dining rooms, deck and patio are open for safe, socially distant in-house dining if you’d prefer to eat at the restaurant. It’s a good choice, especially given the gorgeous, scenic drive up Millcreek Canyon to the restaurant, which is soothing and relaxing. There’s plenty of free parking and the Canyon car fee is waived for Log Haven customers. 

Here’s a note from Log Haven’s owners about current dining at the restaurant. “Log Haven is focused on the health and safety of both our customers and our employees as our very top priority. We follow all current Health Department directives for social distancing and seating throughout the restaurant. We have implemented rigorous safe-health precautions including wearing masks and gloves, daily employee screening (temperature and symptom checks), and enhanced sanitizing procedures and schedules.”

Along with in-house dining, Log Haven has implemented a LogDash Curbside Dining program where customers can pre-order meals for curbside pickup Wednesday through Sunday. In addition to a la carte menu items available for curbside pickup – which includes most of the regular Log Haven menu – the restaurant is also offering a special Anniversary Dinner for two, priced at $125. The idea is to offer couples a gourmet anniversary dinner that they can enjoy at home. Coincidentally, Log Haven celebrated its 25th anniversary this spring and had planned a big anniversary bash in March … before the pandemic temporarily closed local restaurants. The Anniversary Dinner to-go includes Caesar Salad, Beef Wellington, side dishes and dessert for two. More about the Anniversary Dinner below. 

Regular menu choices for curbside takeout include Tuna Tartare, Alpine Nachos, Sesame-Crusted Crab Cakes, Grilled Bison Teres Major Steak, Roasted Poblano Chili Risotto, Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna, Grilled Duck Breast, Sake-Marinated Market Fish, and much more. Those familiar with Executive Chef Dave Jones knows that he’s immensely talented and creative in the kitchen, not to mention a constant source of belly laughs. That’s him either threatening the photographer with a rolling pin or hiding behind it. 

We decided to go BIG for our Log Haven curbside takeout dinner, since we were celebrating my birthday, which is also our wedding anniversary. So, in addition to the aforementioned Beef Wellington Anniversary Dinner, we also ordered from the regular menu. Needless to say, there were leftovers aplenty. 

Although the Anniversary Dinner is aimed at serving two people, in reality it can go much further. The Beef Wellington itself is an entire boneless, center cut filet of beef wrapped in puff pastry which conceals a delicious layer of Madeira mushroom duxelles. On the side was a container of rich, silky Cabernet-Port demi glace. Log Haven’s Beef Wellington can easily serve 4-6 hungry people, maybe more – we had lots of leftovers. The beef, even after reheating at home, was cooked to a beautiful medium-rare and the flaky pastry crust was divine. 

Before cutting into the Beef Wellington, we shared my favorite Log Haven salad – which comes with the Anniversary Dinner but is also available a la carte. It is Chef Jones’ gluten-free Southwestern Caesar Salad: fresh chopped romaine sprinkled with pumpkin seeds, dried corn, queso fresco, and with a slightly spicy and creamy roasted chile dressing. It’s a superb salad. 

New for the Log Haven summer menu is an exceptional Dave Jones dish of grilled salmon with hints of achiote/annatto sitting atop a bed of black bean-hominy puree with shrimp and corn salsa, pico tomato water, pine nuts and lime crema. Wow. This one was a stunner. 

The Beef Wellington Anniversary Dinner came with sensational sides: grilled asparagus with parmesan and truffle aioli and a generous helping of roasted fingerling potatoes. 

In addition to Beef Wellington and the side dishes, the Log Haven Anniversary Dinner also includes a choice of desserts. Both are outstanding, although I think I like the decadence of the Chocolate Flourless Cake with raspberry sauce slightly more than the Cheesecake with fresh strawberry compote. Both are winners, however.  

Typically, when we think of takeout meals we’re thinking along the lines of pizza, submarine sandwiches, burgers, tacos and the like. Well, if you’re looking for high-end restaurant dining but would prefer to do it at home, the LogDash Curbside menu has you covered. It’s elevated, refined dining deliciousness in the comfort and safety of home. 

Culinary quote of the week: 

“No matter what it is you are cooking, buy the best ingredients you can afford. I don’t care if it’s a simple salad or Beef Wellington.” — Joe Bastianich  

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Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine & travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers.

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