Matteo on the Move

It’s no secret that Matteo Ristorante Italiano – which opened last fall – is one of my favorite Utah restaurants. Matteo Sogne and his team hit very high notes in all departments. Well, now Matteo is on the move, having outgrown its space near Liberty Park.

On November 22nd, Matteo reopened in downtown Salt Lake City at 77 West 200 South, Suite 100, opposite the Capitol Theatre. The 6,000 square-foot space is nearly twice the size of the previous location and features three private dining spaces to accommodate corporate dinners, holiday parties, and various celebrations.

According to the owners, “Expansive windows offer views of vibrant city life. Soundproofed 15-foot ceilings are designed to reduce noise, making for easier conversation, and the larger setting allows greater separation between tables to achieve a more intimate, less bustling feel. Guests can also enjoy complimentary valet parking, a rare commodity in Salt Lake City.” I, for one, am grateful for the soundproofing since Matteo 1.0 was a noisy spot. 

“It’s no secret how challenging the restaurant business is, and we feel very fortunate that Matteo has been enthusiastically received by fellow Utahns, also becoming a must stop for out of state visitors. We couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a more suitable space that will better meet our guests’ needs with a more comfortable dining experience and the same gracious hospitality and quality of cuisine our customers have come to appreciate,” says owner and founder Matteo Sogne, a native of Modena, in the heart of Emilia, globally recognized as the “Food Valley” of Italy. “Our new location is equally ideal for dinner for food lovers as it is for those heading to Utah Jazz and Hockey Club games and theater performances. We are also well positioned to host meals for state leaders and legislators, Utah’s corporate, business, finance, banking, and tech-communities, or attendees of the many national and international conventions at the Salt Palace.”

According to Sogne, “Matteo’s regular customers will also appreciate being served by familiar faces, most of whom have been with the restaurant from its start in 2023. Chef Damiano Carlotto continues to helm the kitchen, while Matteo’s Mom, Manuela, uses traditional Italian technique to bake scrumptious focaccia, many varieties of Italian bread, and delicious desserts. A more expansive bar allows for a more varied and creative beverage program, and the optimally designed kitchen is conducive for seamless back-of-house to front-of-house operations.”

“Our focus continues to be on creating an unforgettable experience that encourages guests to come together and share the joy of delectable food paired with a broad, expertly curated wine list. We are excited by the greater visibility and the downtown revitalization plans that include a Sports and Entertainment district nearby,” Matteo explains. “Ultimately, the characteristics of this new space will help us overcome the many challenges the former location posed while allowing us to continue our growth trajectory.”

Matteo is open daily from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Southern Classics Menu at Tupelo

The bustling winter season is back, and so are a selection of Tupelo Park City’s Classic menu offerings to celebrate the changing of the seasons. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Tupelo will be open seven days a week beginning Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. 

“As we embark on another busy winter ahead, it’s important for us to ground ourselves in the nostalgic, nourishing meals our guests have fallen in love with over the years,” said Tupelo Partner Maggie Harris. “We are excited to return to nightly dinner service to welcome locals and visitors from all around the world who are seeking a uniquely Southern dining experience right here in the Wasatch Mountains.” 

Tupelo will feature three signature menu items each week, pairing comforting, familiar dishes paired with the restaurant’s quintessential Southern hospitality.

Week One’s Classics will include Crispy Blue Crab Fritters, House Pickles, Fresno Chili, Hot Sauce Butter; Sue’s Maine Mussels, Chili, Garlic, Herbs, Grilled Sourdough; and “Beef & Barley” (entree), Mishima Farms Wagyu Strip, Braised Cheeks, Roasted Garlic, Swiss Chard. 

Additional classics that will rotate on Tupelo’s menu this season will include the following: Famous Fried Chicken, Deviled Eggs, Elk Bolognese, Shrimp & Grits, Rabbit Pappardelle, Spiced Carrots, Crab & Goat Cheese Stuffed Pimento Peppers, Utah Elk Carpaccio, and Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey Butter.

Beginning Friday, Nov. 29, tupelo will be open for dinner nightly at 5 p.m. Reservations are available on RESY.

Seasonal Saturday Brunch at Laurel

At Laurel Brasserie & Bar, extended holiday brunch offerings are back for another season of weekend indulgence. Starting Saturday, November 30th, Laurel guests can enjoy the fan-favorite Sunday brunch buffet on Saturdays AND Sundays, through December 28th.

Laurel Brasserie’s weekend brunch features chef-manned live cooking and carving stations, a dedicated kids’ area, pizzas, salads, seafood, breakfast dishes, seasonal offerings, wonderful desserts including Grand America Bread Pudding, and much more.

Brunch at Laurel runs from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and is priced at $69 for adults and $34.50 for kids 12 and under.