Although the term “farm to table” might be a tad overworked these days, there really is a bevy of discerning local chefs and restaurateurs who place a high value on freshness and do their damndest to source produce locally whenever possible. That means that you really can get a fresh, healthy meal with a smallish carbon footprint in many of our best Utah eateries. Here are a … [Read more...]
X-RATED—True Farm to Table Fare at Table X
I recently had the pleasure of co-hosting the Salt Lake City episode of a terrific TV series that showcases American restaurants, called Tasting America. Among the restaurants that Tasting America host Gary Takle and I visited was Table X, a unique SLC eatery that I’ve been rooting for ever since it opened. The dining room is sleek and modern, yet retains the rustic … [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...]
Sage’s Cafe—Serving Up Local Love Since 1998
At Sage’s Cafe, Salt Lake’s oldest, most prestigious vegan restaurant, local produce takes center stage. You’ll find everything from escargot made from mushrooms to fresh linguine drenched in creamy Alfredo served with tender, steamed broccoli and warm, buttery garlic bread. Chef and owner Ian Brandt knows just where to buy his bounty. When I tracked him down for this story, … [Read more...]
Food Truck Friday with Petersen Family Farm
Where can you experience made-from-scratch food grown on a farm and prepared in the trendiest way possible? At Petersen Family Farm in Riverton! Through October, the farm hosts six to eight food trucks every Friday night from 5-9, each featuring a signature item from the farm on their menu. "We have chosen trucks that have greater culinary skill and are willing to include … [Read more...]
Welcome to Utelandia –Utah Stories Annual Dining Guide
In our annual, Utah food renaissance issue, we are examining the food scene in terms of the farmers who grow food alongside the chefs who dice, chop, julienne, saute, fry, roast, grill, and plate it to perfection. There is good news in food: fat is the new black, and is now healthy! But besides that, we are beginning to see a picture emerge of a trend that could be a sea change … [Read more...]
Storage Container Gardening
, Harvest Squared is a company based in Park City, is changing the way we look at farming. Using what is basically a storage container and a system of growing plants without soil, called hydroponics, you can farm 365 days a year. You only need to add seeds and water. “We basically are a technology company, but our container project has worked out really nicely and showcases … [Read more...]
Omnivore’s Dilemma: Liberal Propaganda?
The book Omnivore's Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, has been recommended to me about 15 times by various people, mostly from the farmers market. I write about food, farmers and ingredients and especially the farm to table movement, but the reason I didn't read this book sooner is that this book's title makes its content sound like liberal propaganda. I don't read books that … [Read more...]