The Top List of Great Restaurants-Salt Lake City, UTYour guide to dining in Salt Lake City! by Heather King
With the 2002 Winter Olympic Games less than a year away, the world is watching Utah. And while the liquor laws may leave visitors scratching their heads, the world-class cuisine choices are guaranteed to be big winners. From burgers to sushi, and tapas to elk, Utah's culinary scene is something to be savored!
ABSOLUTE 52 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 359-0899 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-10 pm; (Sat) 5 pm-10 pm Located next to Capitol Theatre, Absolute has become a staple for pre-ballet, opera, and theater dinners. The Northern European cuisine is usually presented with a Scandinavian flare in homage to Staffan, one of the owners from Sweden. Wild game and fish such as sea bass, salmon, and cod fill the entrée menu. The chanterelle mushroom soup is always superb and can be eaten as a meal or appetizer. The Swedish lingonberry mousse is an amazing way to end any meal.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
TUSCANY 2832 East 6200 South, Holladay, UT 84121 (801) 277-9919 Hours: (Tues-Fri) 11:30 am-2:30 pm/from 5 pm; (Sat & Sun) from 5 pm; (Sun) 10 am-2 pm Focusing on Northern Italian cuisine, Tuscany is perfect for a business lunch or an elegant dinner for two. Try the double-cut pork chop or pesto-crusted salmon for an entrée. Mussels or hearth breads are excellent starters and no dinner is complete without at least a sampling of the 7'4" Chocolate Cake named after former NBA star and co-owner Mark Eaton. In addition to the 350 wine selections available on the regular menu, Tuscany also has one of the few cigar bars in the city.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MARTINE 22 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 363-9328 Hours: (Tues-Fri) 6 pm-10 pm; (Sat) 6 pm-11 pm; (Mon & Sun) Closed Chef Tom Grant has done an excellent job of introducing tapas to Utah. Ranging from Spanish to French to Northern African, the tapas menu completely changes every three weeks. If a more filling meal is what you're craving, try the seared lamb tenderloin with vanilla bean au jus, or the almond-crusted sea scallops. The European standard bar offers a full selection of aperitifs and dessert wines, and even if you're not imbibing, take a peak at the bank vault turned wine cellar.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
RED ROCK BREWING CO. 254 South 200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 521-7446 Hours: (Sun-Thur) 11 am-11 pm; (Fri & Sat) 11 am-12 am Chosen as the National Brew Pub of 2000, Red Rock is one of the most happening places in Salt Lake. Ten freshly brewed beers (five staples and five seasonal) are always on tap as well as brewed-on-site cream soda, root beer, and orange soda. Enjoy a salad, burger, pasta, or wood-fired pizza from the imported Italian pizza oven while watching a game on TV or just chatting with friends.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
ICHIBAN SUSHI 336 South 400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 532-7522 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 4 pm-10 pm Transplanted from Park City, Ichiban Sushi is more than just sushi. The hot kitchen offers chicken teriyaki, seafood soba, and tempura. And while the Funky Charlie roll, Utah roll, and Death roll may have funny names, sushi is no laughing matter to Ichiban's owner and sushi chef, Peggi Whiting. She holds the title of being the first Caucasian woman to have worked in Japan as a sushi chef.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
BAMBARA 202 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 363-5454 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11:30 am-2:30 pm/5 pm-10 pm; (Fri) 11:30 am-2:30 pm/5 pm-11 pm; (Sat) 5 pm-11 pm; (Sun) 5 pm-9 pm New American cuisine is the speciality of Bambara, located in the Hotel Monaco. The Argentinean beef tenderloin with a bleu cheese crust and Merlot reduction sauce, grilled Scottish salmon, or lacquered breast of free-range chicken with a balsamic soy glaze are some of the top choices, but the menu changes daily so there is always something new to try. Leave room for the sampler of California cheeses or the tropical meringue tart.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MARKET STREET GRILL/ THE OYSTER BAR 48 West Market, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 322-4668 (Grill) (801) 531-6044 (Oyster Bar) Grill Hours: (Mon-Thur) 6:30 am-10:30 pm; (Fri) 6:30 am-11 pm; (Sat) 7 am-11 pm; (Sun) 9 am-9:30 pm Oyster Bar Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11:30 am-11:30 pm; (Sun) 10 am-10 pm Open for 20 years, Market Street Grill is still considered one of Utah's favorite upscale dining establishments. The Grill serves certified Angus beef and fresh seafood flown in daily. The Oyster Bar (a private club for members) shares the chef, Todd Hicks, and offers between 6 and 8 different types of oysters, some of which are exclusively served there. Both restaurants' staffs are meticulous about quality and take pride in offering a comfortable atmosphere for any occasion.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
CAFFE MOLISE 55 West 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 364-8833 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm/5:30 pm-9 pm; (Sat) 5:30 pm-10 pm Caffe Molise could still be considered one of Salt Lake City's best-kept secrets. Owner Shelly DeProto is credited with one of the top-rated lasagnas in the state, and the crab ravioli and made-from-scratch tiramisu round out a menu of Italian favorites. Two appetizer specials are offered each night. During the summer months, the patio is open and seating capacity is nearly doubled.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
RIO GRANDE CAFÉ 270 South Rio Grande, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (801) 364-3302 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11 am-2:30 pm; (Mon-Thur) 5 pm-9:30 pm; (Fri & Sat) 5 pm-10:30 pm; (Sun) 4 pm-9 pm The Rio Grande Café is known for its location in the historic railroad depot as much as its food. Guacamole, salsa, and chips made fresh on a daily basis set the stage for the hands-down favorite of pork carnitas with the Rio's special sauce. Shrimp enchiladas and a good selection of vegetarian dishes are just a few more of the regular menu choices. While waiting for food, enjoy the toy train clacking around the elevated track over the bar in the center of the restaurant.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $15 - $25
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
MR. Z's CUCINA ITALIANA 111 East Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 994-2002 Hours: (Mon-Thur) 11 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) 11 am-11 pm; (Sun) 4 pm-9 pm According to Mr. Z, the owner of Mr. Z's, what sets the restaurant apart is that if you traveled to Italy and went to ten different restaurants, you'd find between six and eight items on the menu at Mr. Z's. With 29 pasta dishes available, it's easy to see why the focus remains on classic Italian. The pumpkin ravioli, veal marsala, and Lasagna Vedura (all vegetable) are just a few of the appetizing choices. Mr. Z's tiramisu is some of the best in the city, as is the Vegetable Z sandwich and polenta. During your meal, don't be surprised if Mr. Z visits the table to make sure everything is to your liking.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $10 - $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Great Restaurants-Salt Lake City, UT
