The Dean of American Cookery For those who might not know of James Beard, he was a larger-than-life force of nature. Named the “Dean of American Cookery” by the New York Times in 1954, he was a chef and gourmand who laid the groundwork for much of the cuisine American chefs create today, as well as for the way that we eat. In 1955, Beard established the James Beard Cooking Sch … [Read more...]
Do You Know Jack? Logan is Home to Jack’s Wood-Fired Oven
Will Travel for Pizza It is no secret that I will travel far and wide for great pizza. I’ve eaten amazing Neapolitan pizza in Italy, pizza topped with hard-boiled egg and linguiça in Brazil, pizzaladière in Provence, and many, many more pizzas in many, many more places. And so, it’s not really that much of a stretch for me to travel to a town like Logan for good pizza. No, m … [Read more...]
Glamp Out: Glamping at Conestoga Ranch
Nature Meets Luxury This Labor Day, many of us will be spending the last long weekend of summer camping. But I have to admit, as much as I love pitching a tent and sleeping on the hard ground, I’ve been spoiled by glamping - glamour camping. That’s what my wife, Faith, and I enjoyed doing recently up near Bear Lake at Conestoga Ranch, where nature meets luxury. Conestoga Ran … [Read more...]
State of the Union: Southwestern Sizzle at Tortilla Union
Spirit of the Southwest I can’t really say that I’m too fond of shopping centers like City Creek in SLC or Farmington’s fairly new Station Park. The commercialism of those places is smothering to me. However, I decided recently after shopping at Harmons in Station Park to bite the bullet and check out a new restaurant there. I’m glad I did. Farmington is the second location … [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 does. … [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 and … [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 l … [Read more...]
Bar Fare Extraordinaire: Takashi Opens Post Office Place
No Mail Pick-up at this Post Office It’s been a long time coming, but Post Office Place (16 W. Market St, SLC) - a new bar created by the owners and staff members of Takashi restaurant - is finally open. And boy, was it ever worth the wait! Takashi owners Tamara and Takashi Gibo took over the space adjacent to Takashi restaurant - former home to Kristauf’s Martini Bar - wel … [Read more...]
Rockin’ Ramen: Jinya’s Japanese Roots
Made in Japan I tend to shy away from writing about franchise and chain eateries, choosing normally to highlight independently-owned, truly local businesses. But now and then I come across a chain restaurant that doesn’t look or feel chain-like, and that is simply too good to ignore. Such is the case with Jinya Ramen Bar. There are currently 27 Jinya locations in the U.S. a … [Read more...]
Conscious Dining: A Visit to The Dispensary
Not Your Daddy’s Diner David Heiblim knows a thing or two about comfort food. He’s the founder of both Este Pizzeria - specializing in East Coast-style pizzas - and Este Deli, which offers East Coast-style sandwiches and other deli fare. So it might come as no surprise that the main attraction at his newest restaurant is one of the ultimate comfort foods: pot pie. It’s the type … [Read more...]