Utah Stories

The Voice of Local Utah

Eat Local, Eat Well

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There’s a lot of exceptional food here in Utah. From burgers to eclairs, we’ve got it going on. Here’s the proof.

1. Local Cheese Plate from Bambara

Chef Nathan Powers has assembled a celebration of local food for this cheese plate. One of Utah’s most impressive exports, Creminelli artisan salami is made from humanely raised heritage pork. Beehive Cheese is also featured on the plate. Beehive’s cows hang out on the 550 acres property enjoying the caring, stress free environment and comfy beds. The other cheese options come from Caputo’s Market, where Powers chats with the friendly cheesemongers to discover new and delicious options. Accoutrements to the cheese plate are warmed olives and perfectly toasted baguette from Eva’s Bakery, which is just down the street. Bambara is located 202 South Main Street in Salt Lake City.

2. The Farmer Marty Pizza from OAK Wood Fired Kitchen

Located in Draper, OAK Wood Fired Pizza Kitchen offers a pizza named after their favorite farmer, Marty Allston. They specialize in authentic wood fired pizza with a thin, chewy crust. Topped with fresh veggies from Maryann and Marty’s farm, The Farmer Marty is ever changing depending on what’s in season. This week’s version included fresh corn and jalapeno along with bacon. The Allston’s are the hardworking duo behind the Wasatch Front Farmers Market as well as Urban Farm and Feed, a store located in Murray offering local goods. You can find OAK Wood Fired Kitchen in at 715 East 12300 South in Draper.

3. Zucchini Noodles from Zest Kitchen & Bar

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Zest’s doused zucchini noodles Photo courtesy of Zest Kitchen and Bar

Casey Staker, owner of Zest Kitchen & Bar deserves an award for this dish featuring only local veggies. Noodles made from zucchini are doused in a vibrant tomato sauce with a dollop of fresh pesto and sprinkled with pine nuts. All raw, all good for you downright delectable. Zest is one of the best places to find innovative and healthy fare along with fun cocktails. Located downtown at 275 South  and 200 West, stop by for lunch or late night partying.

 

4. Local Utah Elk Chimi Burger from Caffe Niche

Caffe Niche is best known for their commitment to using local food. Everything on their menu is a shining testament to eating locally, something that is of utmost importance to Chef Ethan Lappe. One dish that exemplifies this is the Chimi Burger using local elk. Dressed with chimichurri, an onion and herb relish, and housemade aioli this burger is one of the best in the state. Try it with the butternut squash soup. Explore the menu at Caffè Niche located at 779 East 300 South in Salt Lake.

 

5. Stinger Bee Eclair from La Bonne Vie Patisserie at the Grand America

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Stinger Bee Eclair

Utah inspired French pastries incorporate the best of both worlds! Chef Ishraht Mackie was inspired by honey from Vernal and lovingly incorporated it into his Stinger Bee Eclair. There will be more on the horizon including a Bear Lake Raspberry Eclair and a Black Cherry Jell-O-Eclair (although I’m not sure if we want to claim Jell-O as local food!)  Indulge in a celebration of the Beehive State at La Bonne Vie Patisserie at the Grand American at 555 South Main Street in Salt Lake.

 

 

Talented chefs and food artisans with a passion for sustainable fare have given us excellent options of farm to table fare. It’s delicious to eat local! 

Bambara: From Power Lunches to Custom Catering

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‘Tis the season … to entertain, shop, socialize and dine in style. Want to enjoy a before-or-after-theater party? Stage a special family celebration? Or delight business associates with a holiday-themed soiree? Bambara can help you dazzle, delight, impress, and surprise.

SteakFrites“We love welcoming our guests this festive time of year,” says Guy Wheelwright, general manager of the prestigious restaurant located on the corner of Second South and Main Street in the renovated lobby of the historic Continental Bank Building.

Private events are given priority in the “Chairman’s Office,” a restored version of the bank’s 1924 board room, featuring re-purposed trestle tables and polished wood paneling as mood-setting accents. The main dining area, however, has a more informal feel with booths in oversized black-and-white upholstery interspersed with tall painted tables gathered round the centrally located exhibition kitchen, where you can watch the chefs in action.

On this particular cold and overcast November day, my friend and I both ordered the Power Lunch Special — an offering that includes soup, entree, and cookie for just $13, and for which Bambara has won numerous past awards–which we thought would team up well with the justly acclaimed blue cheese house-cut potato chips that we ordered as an additional appetizer. The potatoes are pan-fried and hot with the blue cheese having melted into a pungent topping. It’s more than enough to serve two, although it’s up to you whether to eat them with a fork or use your fingers.Bambara Pork Porterhouse FULL RES

The soup arrived in simple white china bowls perched on a plate buffered with a folded linen napkin and accompanied with a full complement of nicely weighted flatware. My companion started with the silky corn bisque flavored with jonah crab while I opted for creamed tomato soup flavored with fennel. The two dishes ­— one smooth and yellow, one red and tangy — provided a nice contrast to the weather outside.

The clear choice of entree was the Daily House Special which consisted on this afternoon of flank steak grilled perfectly to order accompanied by bacon-wrapped new potatoes and fresh French-cut green beans, all swimming in a red-wine reductase jus. Pretty as well as generous; be warned, the portions at Bambara large and filling.

Our waiter was helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive. I never felt rushed or intruded upon although he was easy to attract when we needed refills of the tea. He brought the meal-ending warm, gooey, chocolate-chip cookie–as large as a small pancake and tasting faintly of mint–with the check. Just over $43 for two people.