I’ve been singing the praises of R&R BBQ since brothers Roger and Rod (R&R) Livingston opened their first brick-and-mortar operation in the spring of 2013, in downtown SLC. Prior to that, the boys had scored a bevy of awards at local and national barbecue competitions, including an invitation to strut their stuff at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational … [Read more...]
9 Places to Dine Out on Easter Sunday
I’ve often wondered how bunny rabbits and colored boiled eggs came to be part of the Christian Easter tradition. Beats me. Seems like a stretch. Maybe the United Egg Producers or the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association were behind it. At any rate, nowadays we celebrate Easter with bunnies, eggs, Easter baskets and bonnets and, increasingly, the opportunity to get out of the … [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...]
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...]
Mandarin Restaurant in Bountiful, Utah Celebrating 40th Birthday
As the Chinese New Year draws to a close—the Year of the Dog—I’m reminded how enduring Bountiful’s Mandarin restaurant is. The annual Chinese New Year has been being celebrated there since it began on February 16th and the festivities come to an end this weekend. It’s always a fun, colorful time to dine at Utah’s venerable Chinese eatery, which is doing some celebrating of its … [Read more...]
All-New Chedda Burger
Nick Watts is proud of the burgers he builds. And, as founder of Chedda Burger - which began as a food truck and now has two brick-and-mortar locations - he deserves to be. The tattoo of a cheeseburger on an inside wrist is a reminder that a good burger can save a life. In a way, burgers saved Nick’s. Watts is open about the past demons he wrestled with. He feels that being … [Read more...]
Saffron Valley In Sugar House
Lavanya Mahate is a remarkable woman. Does she sleep? It doesn’t seem so. The founder of East India Pantry, Biscotts and Saffron Valley is constantly on the go, overseeing her various business ventures, which now includes a new Saffron Valley restaurant in Sugar House. The newest sibling to Mahate’s South Jordan and Avenues Saffron Valley locations, the new eatery on 21st South … [Read more...]
Down on The Bayou: Dinner and a Show at The Bayou and State Room
It’s hard for me to believe that Mark Alston and Del Vance opened The Bayou way back in late 2002. Since that time, it’s become the place for beer aficionados to congregate in SLC - not surprising given that there are some 300+ beers on tap and in bottles and cans on any given day at what has become lovingly known as “Beervana.” The Bayou has won countless awards for their beer … [Read more...]
Cabin Cuisine: Superb food & views at Lookout Cabin
Granted, it’s not so easy to get to and there is no parking, unless you can catch a ride on a snowcat. But if you find yourself skiing at Park City resort, you should make it a point to visit Lookout Cabin for its top-notch food, drink and service. Oh, and the views at this 9,000 foot on-mountain eatery don’t suck, either. Tucked away from urban glitz and glam … [Read more...]
Reef’s 3.0—Middle Eastern Fare Comes to Deer Valley
Moving on up Following a long run in its Marriott Plaza location on Main Street—Reef’s second—the restaurant relocated this December to its third venue in the Deer Valley Club, following a rent spike that the owners felt was unreasonable. It’s an interesting juxtaposition: a somewhat funky, Middle Eastern eatery situated in a posh Deer Valley lodge. I hope this location works … [Read more...]