If you’re reading this article, you probably already know the Japanese word umami, which translates roughly as “pleasant savory taste.” It is used to describe one of the five basic tastes, which also include sweet, bitter, salty, and sour. Umami is a savory taste found especially in foods rich in nucleotides and glutamates such as fish, mushrooms, soy sauce, yeast extract, … [Read more...]
A SUSHI STORM—Park City’s Yuki Yama Sushi
One of my very favorite Park City restaurants isn’t one of the new kids on the block. In fact, my first rave review of it happened back in 2008, when the eatery in question was called Yuki Arashi. Since then, new owners have taken over and changed the name to Yuki Yama Sushi, but the food, service, and ambiance is every bit as stellar as it was some 13 years ago. Yuki means … [Read more...]
TALES OF TAKEOUT #11—Sandy Sensation: Sobe Eats
A few years ago, during a Made in Utah festival hosted by Utah Stories, I met the three brothers behind a unique culinary concept called Sobe Eats. The brothers are Salvador Soberanis, Fernando Soberanis, and Victor Soberanis - hence “Sobe.” Maybe they thought Soberanis Eats was a little too clunky sounding. The Soberanis’ are all professional chefs who have worked at high … [Read more...]
FARMINGTON FIESTA! Niño Viejo por Cinco de Mayo
One of the most interesting new restaurants I’ve visited this year is called Niño Viejo, which is located at Farmington’s Station Park in the location that previously was home to the short-lived Tortilla Union. If my Spanish serves me, Niño Viejo translates as “old boy.” The Niño Viejo website clarifies … sort of: “The Niño Viejo Story: Old Boy. Old Soul. Young at … [Read more...]
MORE SOY TO ENJOY: A Visit to Holladay’s Mint Tapas and Sushi
For a number of years now I’ve been following one of my favorite Utah chefs - Batsaikhan “Soy” Ariunbold around, as he moved from restaurant to restaurant. I first fell in love with his cuisine at Rice Basil in Holladay, before he opened his namesake restaurant, Soy’s Sushi Bar & Grill in Murray, and then Blue Marlin in Sandy, the name of which was changed last year to Mint … [Read more...]
WILLKOMMEN TO WELLER’S—Excellent German Fare & More in Layton
Being of German and Austrian descent, I love my schnitzel, sauerbraten, spätzle and such. And yet, it’s easier to find Ethiopian fare - which I also love - in Utah than to find German cuisine. To my knowledge, the only German eateries here are Rimmels in Orem, which specializes in döners, Das Cafe in Spring City, and Siegfried’s Delicatessen in SLC. So I was thrilled … [Read more...]
FRENCH CONNECTION—A Gateway to France (sort of) via Courchevel
Courchevel is, of course, the famous ski resort in the French Alps. If you ever have the opportunity, you should go there. If not, don’t fret. You can enjoy a French getaway, of sorts, by visiting Courchevel Bistro in Park City. Courchevel and Park City are, by the way, Sister Cities, having first developed an alliance in 1984. Courchevel BIstro is a beautifully … [Read more...]
TALES OF TAKEOUT: HIT PARADE – A Dozen Delicious Restaurant Takeout Dishes
As COVID-19 cases spike and the virus is at an all-time peak in this country and others, some of us are wary of dining in restaurants. Thankfully, most restaurants have rolled with the punches and even many fine dining establishments now offer takeout meals and curbside pickup and/or delivery. My wife and I have been indulging in a lot of takeout cuisine during the past nine … [Read more...]
Burger Battle – How Does Shake Shack Shake Out vs. a Local?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months, you’re likely aware that Shake Shack has come to Utah. It would be hard to miss Utah’s press and foodies going gaga over the opening of our first Shake Shack at The School Yard in Sandy or the recent opening of a second Utah location at Fashion Place. So this week I decided to find out what all the fuss is about. … [Read more...]
All About Arlo: A Visit to Marmalade’s Newest Eatery
I was bummed to hear of the closing of Emily Gassman’s namesake restaurant, Em’s, in the Marmalade neighborhood. It, along with Martine and Cucina, were among SLC’s first American bistro-style eateries. The good news is that in the space that was Em’s, a brand new restaurant called Arlo has opened. The new owners completely gutted the place and turned it into a very … [Read more...]