Sensational new spots for al fresco dining.
Al fresco dining offers a unique kind of joy that blends good food with the fresh, open air — turning even the simplest meal into an experience.
There’s something invigorating about eating outside, where natural light replaces harsh indoor bulbs and the sounds of birdsong or a breeze through the trees can create a calming backdrop. Dining outdoors encourages us to slow down, savor each bite, and enjoy the present moment more fully.
The local restaurant scene here is exploding. So, how do you decide where to spend your hard-earned dining dollar? Well, here are a half-dozen new restaurants that offer outstanding cuisine combined with perfectly appealing patios. Check ‘em out!
Salt Lake City’s most elegant new hotspot is Aker, located in the historic Boston Building, where a melding of Asian and Latin flavors meet in a stunningly gorgeous atmosphere. As beautiful as the interior of Aker is, the outdoor patio is right up to par.
Owner Brandon Hargett spared no expense designing the sprawling urban patio at Aker. It’s the perfect place to indulge in decadent cuisine like the dry-aged toro with homemade whiskey barrel-aged soy sauce that Aker is quickly becoming famous for. And speaking of famous, at Aker you might just bump into the likes of Post Malone, who was recently spotted hanging out on the Aker patio.
When Jesus “Jesse” Galvez, Oscar Perez, and Edgar Estrada opened Sol Agave about a year ago, they raised the bar for upscale Mexican cuisine in SLC. The interior is bright and airy and very inviting. And in warm weather, it’s pretty hard to beat the Sol Agave patio where you might enjoy huevos rancheros or chilaquiles during brunch from a cozy wicker chair while sipping Mexican wines from Valle de Guadalupe or a hand-crafted Margarita out in the sunshine. The carnitas at Sol Agave are not to be missed, indoors or out.
Located in the new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Remington Hall is the hotel’s signature restaurant serving refined rustic American fare under the direction of superstar Culinary Director Chef Marc Marrone.
The perfect spot to enjoy dishes like bison tartare with cured egg yolk and truffle aioli or seared scallops with butternut squash mousse and royal trumpet mushrooms is on the Remington Hall patio, which offers breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and the surrounding mountain peaks.
At the newly opened North Italia restaurant in Riverton, guests looking to dine al fresco will welcome the covered outdoor patios and the spectacular views they afford, seating some 76 diners. Hand-painted, locally-commissioned murals of the Italian countryside adorn the outside walls of North Italia, and views of the Oquirrh Mountains make al fresco dining there delightful. While enjoying the outdoor dining, be sure to share an order of the scrumptious wild shrimp scampi with someone special.
The two patios at the all new Hearth and Hill in Sugar House seat 60 sun-stoked or star-gazing guests, depending on the hour of your reservation. The spacious eatery and al fresco decks showcase hardwood floors, white oak millwork, custom lighting and a beautiful mix of tiles, stone, brass and other Utah-informed materials.
It’s an ideal setting to indulge in a signature H&H dish like Joyce Farms duck breast complemented by celeriac purée, potato gratin, charred orange, Amarena cherry, and huckleberry reduction.
My favorite new Park City dining destination is Le Depot Brasserie, award-winning chef Galen Zamarra’s new French-inspired eatery. The interior ambiance, decor and design is like none other in Park City, and the outdoor patio is equally inviting.
The bar-style high top chairs and tables on the patio are unique: crafted from original train depot railroad ties and 200-year-old wood that was salvaged from the Main and Sky Hotel. Those rustic furnishings blend beautifully with more traditional French-style bistro tables and chairs on the deck. You’ll feel like you’ve discovered a perfect Parisian sidewalk cafe as you tuck into classic dishes like fruits de mer, tartare de boeuf, paillard de poulet, cassoulet, sole meunière, and steak frites.
Feature Image: Le Depot patio.
