Roger Damptz is on a mission to spice up your palette. The owner of Burn Your Tongue – SSS (Simply Spicy Stuff), Roger offers more than 700 hot sauce varieties for sale, and he can tell you about every single one. This self-designated chilehead has curated the biggest hot sauce selection in Utah, with current locations in Ogden and Logan, and more on the way. Roger was first … [Read more...]
Archives for September 2021
How Gastronomy Inc. Changed the Face of SLC Dining
One of the first restaurants I ever ate at in Utah was a Gastronomy Inc. eatery. It was 1992 and I was being hosted by a headhunter who was, among other things, trying to “sell” me on Salt Lake City and convince me to relocate from New York City. She chose Baci Trattoria as the venue for our dinner and it was a very good choice, indeed. At the time, this was one of … [Read more...]
Sugar House Growing Pains
The traffic situation in Sugar House demands attention. With the population expected to grow, Salt Lake City is stepping up by addressing the situation with projects aimed at increasing public transit use as well as creating more walking and biking opportunities in the area. “We've got to do something,” said Salt Lake City transportation engineer Lynn Jacobs, “The problem … [Read more...]
25th Street Newcomer: A First Look at Ogden’s Table 25
When I learned of the opening of the new bistro-style restaurant, Table 25 in Ogden, I was excited. In part, that’s because pretty much any new eatery to open - especially in the midst of a pandemic - is exciting. But also, it’s because the married couple who opened the restaurant - Jaimie and Justin Buehler - had most recently worked for a number of years at the Copper Onion … [Read more...]
Thai Basil & Chili Chicken
This year my wife and I planted Thai chilies and Thai basil in our garden, which are perfect for this dish but you can also find them in Asian food markets. This is a delicious, spicy stir-fry that’s called pad kra pao gai in Thailand. It’s a hugely popular street food there and is typically served with a side of fried egg. This recipe makes two large servings of Thai Basil … [Read more...]
Oktoberfest at Bewilder Brewing
Here’s a fun event taking place over the next week: Oktoberfest at Bewilder Brewing Co. Following on the success of last fall, when Bewilder brewed up batches of German-style beers and offered Bavarian-inspired menu items, this year they’re pulling out all the stops and hosting a weeklong Oktoberfest at the brewery, from September 18th (the official start date of Munich’s … [Read more...]
New BBQ Pop-Up, Local Beer Events and More
New Wild Ember BBQ From Tupelo Park City I was excited to learn of Chef Matt Harris’ (Tupelo Park City, RIME Seafood & Steak, RIME Raw Bar, Afterword) new pop-up dining experience: Wild Ember BBQ. Combining Chef Harris’ Southern roots and his fine-dining background, the upscale smokehouse concept began offering curbside and catering services at The Snow Park Residences at … [Read more...]
Where to Find Vegan Replicas of Your Favorite Candy Bars in Murray, Utah
Chef Felicia Holmberg (“Chef Fee”) revolutionized Salt Lake’s vegan scene with a Facebook post selling candy. Soon after, she was meeting customers in parking lots, peddling her version of Snickers, called Snix, or “vegan crack”, she jokes. Made with nougat, caramel, and salted peanuts dipped in semi-sweet chocolate, her vegan candy bars created a cult following. Twelve cars … [Read more...]
Staycationing in Ogden: With its Rich History and Gritty Spirit, Ogden is “The Other Utah”
Whether you want to avoid the lines at the airport, or you don’t enjoy long car rides, a staycation is a perfect way to relax your mind, body, and wallet, all while getting that vacation experience you so desperately deserve. You should take your vacation days. You earned them, after all. And there is no better place to staycation in Utah than in Ogden! I know what you may … [Read more...]
Flying for the First Time over Some of the Most Spectacular Scenery on Earth, Moab Utah
The sensation of taking off in a single-engine Cessna with our two kids — ages four and six — and watching their eyes become saucers while their jaws drop, naturally causes a parent to wonder: “Will they love this or hate it? Will they relax and have fun or will they remember this as agonizing child abuse?” I have no idea. It only takes a few minutes until the grip of fear … [Read more...]