I love the time of summer when our heirloom tomatoes from the garden are ripe enough to eat. Because that means enjoying heirloom Caprese salads! Italy's Caprese salad - named for the island of Capri - is one of the simplest and most delicious things ever. The key to a great Caprese salad lies in its simplicity and freshest ingredients. However, people often … [Read more...]
Wasatch Blueberry Hefeweizen
There’s a local brew that I’m really enjoying this summer. It’s not one of those fancy high point beers, the grooviest new IPA, a sour beer sensation, or even the newest kid on the block. But it’s a dependable, refreshing beer that just seems to hit the right spot: Wasatch Blueberry Hefeweizen. Wasatch Brewery is part of the Utah Brewers Cooperative, which also … [Read more...]
Solitude Summer: Dining & Drinking in the Fresh Mountain Air
The Great (but Close) Escape Seeking a respite from Salt Lake City’s heat and haze, my wife and I enjoyed a recent escape to Solitude Mountain Resort for some high altitude hiking, dining, drinking and relaxation. Put bluntly: It didn’t suck. It’s hard to believe that such a quick drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon from SLC can seem like a visit to another world, but it … [Read more...]
Scheff’s Table: Cacio e Pepe
My son, Hank, works at a really great Italian restaurant in Medford, New Jersey called ITA101. Chef-Owner Kevin Maher, after attending the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, went to Italy for a restaurant internship and wound up staying in the country for 14 years. At ITA101 my favorite dish (and there are so many favorites!) is Chef Maher’s cacio e … [Read more...]
Sip o’ the Week: Soter North Valley Vineyards Rosé
While dining at Solitude Mountain Resort’s Honeycomb Grill, I thoroughly enjoyed an excellent Rosé wine from Soter Vineyards, which is located in the Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley. Soter North Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé is a great pink wine (actually, more like salmon-colored) to drink anytime, but especially in warm weather. The wine is made by Tony Soter … [Read more...]
Sassy Sunday, Viva La DIVA Brunch @The Marriott
The Original SLC Divas This past Sunday I attended the most enjoyable brunch ever, and I’ve been to plenty of them. No, it wasn’t as opulent a brunch spread as you’d find at The Grand America, Stein Eriksen Lodge, or Tuscany. But this one had something no other does: The Viva La DIVA Show! Viva La DIVA is said to be Salt Lake City’s “first and only professional celebrity … [Read more...]
Grilled Flat Iron Steak
Flat iron steak is a cut of beef that is very tender, nicely marbled, and is great for grilling. It’s especially good with a simple marinade made with olive oil, Worcestershire, red wine vinegar, onions, garlic, spices and a few other ingredients. Ingredients: 1 lb. flat iron steak 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1/8 teaspoon onion … [Read more...]
Solitude Mountain Aviation Cocktail
During a recent visit to Solitude Mountain and dinner at the resort’s Honeycomb Grill (read about it here next week!), I enjoyed a delicious drink on the patio from the restaurant’s signature cocktail menu. Among the signature cocktails at Honeycomb Grill are a Strawberry Rosé Margarita, an Aperol Spritz, and a Café & Tonic made with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, simple … [Read more...]
Log Haven Restaurant: Dogs, Dining and Delicacies
“Nature is delicious here.” That is Log Haven owner Margo Provost’s slogan to describe her uniquely enticing restaurant. She nailed it. Natural Beauty It doesn’t hurt that Log Haven is located on 40 private acres within the Wasatch National Forest, surrounded by waterfalls, wildflowers, streams and ponds, gorgeous mountain views, wildlife, and the best that nature has to … [Read more...]
Margherita & More @ MidiCi: An Oasis of Great Taste at The Gateway
Locally-owned Neapolitan Pizzeria Shane Barber knows a thing or two about restaurants. He opened Bandits Grill & Bar here and in California and was instrumental in helping to create MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company - founded in California - consulting on the restaurant’s food and drink menus. Now, in partnership with Marc Crossman and Kathryn Conroy, he has a … [Read more...]