It amazes me how sushi has become such a food staple in America during the past couple decades. Not only does nearly every city and suburban block seem to have a dedicated sushi restaurant, but you can find sushi at most supermarkets now, and all-you-can-eat sushi has gone completely out of control. Now, I’m not much of a fan of supermarket sushi and even less so of … [Read more...]
St. Regis Sensation: A Visit to RIME in Deer Valley
Beginning with a mountainside funicular ride from the valet parking area up to the St. Regis Deer Valley and its signature RIME restaurant, you know you’re in for something special. And whether you’re hunkered down with a craft cocktail at the St. Regis Bar, enjoying gorgeous slopeside views and an al fresco meal on the Mountain Terrace, indulging in French bistro fare at … [Read more...]
A TASTE OF BRAZIL: The Churrasco Experience at Tucanos Brazilian Grill
During graduate school as I was working on a PhD dissertation in anthropology, I took time off to travel to Brazil to study the Brazilian martial art called capoeira. It was in Rio de Janeiro during my time at Mestre Camisa’s capoeira school that I got my first churrasco experience. It’s a popular dining style in the southern states of Brazil, usually called churrasco … [Read more...]
10 Taco Temptations: Terrific Tacos, from Funky to Fancy
I will never forget the first Mexican street taco I ate. It was from a cart in Mexico City and it was a revelation, having previously thought that the crunchy tacos from Taco Bell were the real deal. Since then, I’ve probably eaten a thousand tacos from dozens and dozens of different sources. I’ve rarely met a taco I didn’t like, but some are better than others. … [Read more...]
DINE WITH DAD: Tasty Treat for Dad on Father’s Day
Where would we be without our dear old dads? Thankfully, we get a chance at least once every year to celebrate and appreciate our fathers, on Father’s Day, which is just a week or so away. If you’re considering dining out with dad on Father’s Day, here are some tasty options. If you’re looking for a special treat for dad on Father’s Day, the folks at Park City’s Alpine Pie … [Read more...]
HEARTH & HILL’S CATERING & CAFE: A Visit to Park City’s New Hill’s Kitchen
One of Park City's most popular gathering spots - both for locals and visitors alike - is family owned Hearth and Hill, created by Brooks Kirchheimer and his associates. Well, in March Kirchheimer and his team launched a sort of Hearth and Hill spin-off called Hill’s Kitchen, a clever derivation of New York City's infamous Hell’s Kitchen. Hill’s Kitchen combines a … [Read more...]
FORTRESS OF FLAVOR: Red Fort’s Vibrant Indian Cuisine
Ever heard of India’s Red Fort? Me neither. But with the help of Google, I learned that what is called the Red Fort was originally built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad - the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan. It got its name from the formidable walls that enclose the Red Fort complex, made of red sandstone. What prompted me to dig into a … [Read more...]
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY: Grand America’s Happiest Hours
A couple of months ago I reviewed The Grand America’s wonderful new restaurant, Laurel Brasserie & Bar. It is a killer addition to the downtown SLC dining scene and maybe most surprising: it’s affordable. Well, even more affordable are the Happy Hour specials at Laurel’s bar, which I was barely able to touch on in my previous review since I had so much else to say about the … [Read more...]
APPLAUSE WORTHY CUISINE: A Delightful Dinner at Oquirrh Restaurant
As someone who is married to a restaurateur, I’ve never quite understood how marriages survive with couples working together in the same restaurant. But then, I guess that could be said of any business. I’m pretty sure working alongside my wife would not end well, because I would drive her crazy. But there are couples who make this situation work, like Angie and Andrew (Drew) … [Read more...]
FINE DINING NOT DEAD: A Visit to The Charleston
It’s sort of sad - to me, at least - that for every independent restaurant in Draper, Utah, there are probably 25 more chains and franchise eateries. In fact that might be lowballing the actual numbers. And, if you’re looking for fine dining in Draper … well, best of luck. There is however, at least one such option: The Charleston. To my knowledge, The Charleston in … [Read more...]