My wife and I enjoyed a brief escape over the Fourth of July weekend for some mountain town magic at Park City Mountain’s Canyons Village, with great food and drink, Forum Fest 2024, and a delightful stay at the Hyatt Centric Park City.
On Friday we had a terrific time at Canyons Village Forum Fest and I highly recommend marking your calendar for next year’s Fest. Forum Fest is a multi-day festival that takes place on and around the Fourth of July and features live music and entertainment, fireworks and drone shows, public art displays, a variety of food and beverage options from local purveyors and bars, and a dedicated kids’ zone for family fun.
One of my favorite hangouts during Forum Fest – or any other time I’m at Canyons Village – is the Umbrella Bar at Park City Mountain. It’s a chill spot with a great staff serving up classic comfort food and drink like burgers and beer (including an excellent veggie burger) as well as Buffalo wings, beef chili, mac n’ cheese, and a Southwest Bowl with roasted corn & red peppers, black beans, jalapeños, tomato, red onion, and brown rice with an avocado vinaigrette. The Umbrella Bar is open daily from 12 pm to 5 pm.
For those looking for something a little stronger than beer to imbibe, a terrific addition to this year’s Forum Fest was Kona Big Wave “Liquid Aloha.” Founded as Kona Brewing Co. by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, the pair had a vision to reflect the spirit, culture, and beauty of Hawaii in a collection of local island beers. So in 1994 they set out for the Big Island to bring their dream to life. Kona Big Wave, originally brewed as Pacific Golden Ale was brewed in 1994 and inspired by the legendary waves of Hawaii. Now, Kona Big Wave has rebranded from Kona Brewing Co. and at Forum Fest the Kona Big Wave booths offered Kona Big Wave beer as well as Wine Spritzers, Fever Tree Zero Proof Cocktails, Hard Seltzer, Sodas, Gatorade, Water and Fever Tree Cocktails.
Kona Big Wave Aperol Spritz
Along with cocktails like a Gin & Tonic, Margarita, and Paloma, there was a scrumptious Aperol Spritz made with Zonin Prosecco, Fever Tree Club Soda and orange. The Aperol Spritz really hit the spot during sun-drenched Forum Fest.
During the Forum Fest weekend we loved our posh 1-Bedroom Residence at the Hyatt Centric Park City, centrally located in Canyons Village. It’s surprisingly affordable given how luxurious and stylized the accommodations are.
The Hyatt Centric Dog Wall
The Hyatt Centric Park City is a dog-friendly hotel and resort and on a wall next to the Hyatt’s restaurant is a montage of dog photos – Polaroids of furry guests who have visited the Hyatt Centric.
For guests wanting to do some of their own cooking, the kitchens in rooms such as ours are, frankly, nicer and better-equipped than our home kitchen, complete with a wine cooler, gas range, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher and a dining area that comfortably seats eight.
As for those who would prefer to leave the cooking to the professionals, Hyatt Centric has an excellent eatery called Escala Provisions Co. Restaurant & Bar (EPC), which serves breakfast, lunch, apres ski, and dinner. I’ve been quite impressed by the service and ambiance at EPC, as well as with Chef Peter Zemaitis’ outstanding cuisine.
EPC Huevos Rancheros
At breakfast, my Huevos Rancheros were fantastic: Two Over Easy Eggs, Crispy Pulled Pork Taquitos, Black Beans, Avocado, Queso Fresco, Ranchero Sauce, (hold the Cilantro, please). There’s also a tempting Centric Benedict with Cornbread, Soft Poached Eggs, Pork Belly, Chipotle Hollandaise, Avocado, and Chives.
EPC Green & White Omelet
On the healthier side of the EPC breakfast menu are items such as a Green Smoothie, Granola with Yogurt, Chia Seed Pudding, Toasted Quinoa & Yogurt Bowl, McCann’s Steel Cut Oatmeal, Blue Skies Smoothie, and Vegan Hash. My wife really liked her Green & White Omelet which was a Three Egg Omelet with Spinach, Kale, Feta, and served with Grilled Asparagus, Crispy Shallots and Lemon Vinaigrette. We can’t wait to return to EPC for dinner.
EPC Bar
In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is also a 21 and over bar at EPC with a special bar menu from 2:30 to 5 pm that ranges from a Margherita Flatbread and Camembert & Pears, to a decadent S’mores version for dessert. The bar at EPC is fully stocked with wine, beer, cocktails, liqueurs, and more.
During our July 4th weekend getaway to Canyons Village we also enjoyed a return for dinner to KITA Japanese Steakhouse & Mountain Grill at Pendry Park City, which I will write about in detail in an upcoming Utah Bites. Here’s a teaser: our KITA dinner was flawless.
Whether during Forum Fest or any other time of the year, Canyons Village is a wonderful, family-friendly destination. I encourage you to book a room at an excellent hotel/resort such as Hyatt Centric or Pendry and enjoy the many restaurants, shops, bars, entertainment, and activities that Canyons Village at Park City Mountain has to offer. The mountains are calling.
Photos by Ted Scheffler
Culinary quote of the week: “All I ask of food is that is doesn’t harm me.” – Michael Palin
