When restaurateur Scott Evans opened Pago restaurant in 2009 in the 9th and 9th neighborhood, “farm-to-table,” “artisan,” “craft,” and “local” weren’t terms nearly as pervasive in the culinary world as they are today. He deserves credit for creating one of the first local restaurants to use and promote local products from businesses like Beehive Cheese, Clifford Family Farms, … [Read more...]
Spicy Asian Beef
Here is a simple but very tasty recipe for Asian-style beef. You could serve it with rice or as a salad, or even just by itself as an appetizer. Or, make it into lettuce cups. However you use the beef, I think you’ll find it to be vibrant and delicious. Ingredients: FOR THE BEEF & MARINADE 12 ounces flank steak 2 Tbsp water 2 tsp. cornstarch 1 tsp. … [Read more...]
Hess Collection Wines Perfect for Holidays
For quite some time, Hess Family Wine Estates and, more recently Hess Persson Estates, has been one of my favorite sources for excellent wine values. Hess is a family-owned, fifth-generation company committed to responsible agricultural and business practices. The Hess family’s wineries in California produce award-winning wines made with sustainable production and growing … [Read more...]
Holiday Gift Ideas, Whiskey Dinners and more
WB’s Gift Ideas At WB’s Eatery in Ogden’s The Monarch, as well as online, you can purchase unique gift boxes and packs, as well as jams, cocktail kits and more - any of which would make a terrific gift for the holidays. If you or yours loves a good (non-alcoholic) Margarita, I’d suggest the Margarita Box from WB’s Market, which includes 750ml Ritual Zero Proof Tequila … [Read more...]
A VISIT TO LOG HAVEN: New Winter Menu and More at SLC’s Lovely Log Mansion
Originally created in upper Millcreek Canyon as a log hideaway anniversary gift for his wife in 1920 by steel baron L.F. Rains, today Log Haven is a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind restaurant with cuisine that hits the high notes of the restaurant’s superb ambiance, service, and the natural beauty that surrounds it. In November Chef Dave Jones launched his new winter menu and Log … [Read more...]
What to Do this Weekend in Heber and Ogden Utah
Afterword’s Winter House Reopens Following a brief closure to winterize the restaurant, Afterword by Tupelo in Heber has reopened its Winter House dining area for the winter season. Tempting dishes from Chef Matt Harris’s inspired current menu include Roasted Spanish Octopus; Butternut Squash “Cacio e Pepe” Pasta; Roasted Duck Breast with rosemary polenta; Fried Green Tomatoes … [Read more...]
Oaxacan Pollo en Barbacoa
When I was in college and then later in graduate school, I spent long stretches of time in Oaxaca, Mexico, including a full summer there. Oaxaca is well known for its marvelous moles, but I also like barbacoa, which is meat and other foods slow-cooked until very tender. This recipe for pollo en barbacoa is a delicious one that I found in a cookbook called Oaxaca: Home Cooking … [Read more...]
A Telleira Godello: A Bright, Refreshing, and a Vibrant White Wine
My wife often enjoys purchasing wines that she knows little or nothing about, based on interesting wine bottle labels. That’s how she came to bring home a Spanish Godello wine called A Telleira last week. She loved the quirky label. As it turned out, we both loved the wine, as well. Godello is a white grape variety grown in Spain’s northwest, particularly in Galicia. Wines … [Read more...]
ESCAPE TO NOLA: Exploring the Bold Flavors of New Orleans
Having not left Utah for nearly two years thanks to the pandemic, my wife and I finally escaped the Beehive State recently for a much-needed change of scenery. Specifically, we flew to New Orleans for R&R and some outstanding food and drink in that one-of-a-kind American city. So, in this week’s Utah Bites we’re leaving Utah to appreciate and explore NOLA, with the hope … [Read more...]
Salt Lake’s New Restaurants, Chefs, Menus and Truffle Season
Laurel Restaurant Opening at Grand America Laurel Brasserie & Bar is scheduled to open at The Grand America on December 1, 2021, in the space that was previously home to the Garden Cafe. I was given a couple of recent sneak previews of the new space and, well, it’s quite a change! The new restaurant and bar are beautifully designed - gone are the gaudy furnishings and … [Read more...]