Solitude Chocolate Lovers Festival Chocolate lovers rejoice! On Saturday, March 24th, Solitude Mountain Resort will be the scene of the resort’s 28th annual Solitude Chocolate Lovers Festival. The fest celebrates all things chocolate, with nine chocolate stations located both on and off the mountain. Attendees kick off the day at 9 AM by picking up their Chocolate Lovers … [Read more...]
New Sushi Kid on the Block: Hamachi Pecatarian Grill
“I was a bit of a knucklehead,” says Billy. He’s co-owner and sushi chef at Hamachi Pescatarian Grill & Sushi Bar, and he’s explaining how he came to live in Utah. In short, he was incorrigible, acting out, and his mother shipped him off from Chicago to the Beehive with the thought that he’d clean up his act here. He did. Mongolia to ‘Merica Billy is originally from … [Read more...]
This Week’s Mexican Food Recipe: Camarones a la Diabla
Camarones a la Diabla - or, the Devil’s shrimp - is a favorite Mexican dish of mine. The chile-based sauce can be made as hot or mild as you’d like, but for authenticity it should be fairly spicy. I’ve eaten incendiary versions in Mexico. Take the time to char the main sauce ingredients before using them. This helps bring out the rich flavors of the chiles, tomatoes, … [Read more...]
The World’s First Pomegranate Heffeweizen
Normally, I write about my favorite wines in this space. But, I enjoy drinking beer, too. So this week I’m turning my attention to an enticing new fruit beer from Germany: Schöfferhofer Pomegranate Hefeweizen. This is the world’s first heffeweizen pomegranate beer, according to the folks at Schöfferhofer, and was recently introduced exclusively to locations in the … [Read more...]
High West Whiskey Dinner at Stanza
Martinis & Oysters at Under Current Bar Big Gin is named in part to honor Ben Capdevielle’s father, Big Jim. Capdevielle — owner and founder of Big Gin — began distilling gin as a hobby with his dad, who in turn had learned distilling from his father. Ben Capdevielle will entertain guests with the story of Big Gin and Captive Spirits Distilling. The public is welcome (21 … [Read more...]
Utah’s Exceptional Burgers: Where to Get Them this Week
Meditrina I just heard from Meditrina chef/owner Jen Gilroy who checked in to tell me that Meditrina began serving their new Express Lunch this week. Lunch hours are from 11 AM to 3 PM, followed by a Snack Happy Hour from 3 to 5 PM. The Express Lunch is aimed at customers who want to enjoy items like Meditrina’s famous Mushroom and Brie Burger (now back on the menu) in 45 … [Read more...]
Easy and Delicious Shrimp Risotto Recipe
My favorite risotto recipe is based on one that actor Stanley Tucci (Big Night) uses, which he learned from his mother. It's called risotto con gamberetti or risotto with shrimp. Success in making great risotto is mostly about advance preparation and time management. Risotto, properly cooked, is a slow process. It can take about 45 minutes of cooking time (plus … [Read more...]
Burgers and Art: M.C. Escher and Block Restaurant
M.C. Escher Exhibition: Maybe it’s a too-well kept secret, or perhaps I’ve just been languishing in the dark… But I was stunned to learn recently about an exhibition of M.C. Escher artwork that’s been running at the BYU Museum of Art since November, and continues through May 19th. The Dutch-born Escher was one of my favorite artists, so I was thrilled to learn of the … [Read more...]
Wine o’ the Week: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
To me, the name Kim Crawford is synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc. I’m not quite certain, but I think it may have been the first Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc I ever tasted. The memory stuck, that’s for certain. I recently had the opportunity to taste the 2017 vintage Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($16.99, but on special this month in Utah stores for $13.99) and, as always, was … [Read more...]
Utah Sips: This Week’s Updates on Local Beer and Wine Happenings
Bohemian Brewery and Salt City Brew Supply This Saturday, March 3rd, at 2:00 PM Bohemian Brewery & Grill will team up with Salt City Brew Supply to host a lager class for homebrewers. Guest speaker Paul Konopelski from Bohemian Brewery will be on hand to help attendees understand what lagers are along with tricks and tips for brewing great lager beers. Paul is a brewer for … [Read more...]