88 replies to this topic

[Bicycle Lee]

SO? How was your stay? Where else did you end up eating?

[Marlene]

I only got to eat out twice while I was there. The rest of the time it was boring conference food. I already posted about the New Yorker.

In fact, I tried to talk my group into going to the Metropolitan on Wed night, but since only one of them could even be remotely considered a "foodie", it was not selling well.

Instead we ended up in the wine bar at Baci, where we still had a great meal. I had a carpaccio starter, and a veal parmesan. The carppaccio was above average, but not stellar, but the veal was pretty much awesome. A round of cappucinos and several bottles of wine, we were pretty happy.

I'll be back in SLC probably in about 6 months as I'm giving a course there, so when I get there, I'll definately come down and visit you

[ExtraMSG]

I went to SLC during the Thanksgiving holiday. Got to eat out a few times. Didn't eat there, but have you ever tried the Oasis Cafe? Both my wife and her brother who lives there like it. They had a couple other suggestions I haven't tried and can't remember. My wife's company has an office in SLC, so she sometimes is there on business.

I had two food requirements for this trip: Red Iguana and Crown Burgers. Also hit Hires Big H for comparison. Liked all three. Red Iguana would be a good Mexican place in any city in the country. I love Crown as well. When I was in college there was a knock-off run by Pakistanis, Royal Burger, that was even better. But they're gone now.

Anyway, a fuller report with lots of pics can be found here:

http://www.extramsg....=article&sid=37

And here's a pic of the Crown Burger:

[Jason Perlow]

I'm actually going to be in Salt Lake City in mid November for a week. What's the latest on the dining scene?

[Beanie]

Jason,

I asked a friend of mine from Salt Lake City about the restaurants on this web site. He's eaten at all of them except for Toscana and Paris Bistro. They're all good, with Metropolitan probably the best in town. He's heard good things about Paris Bistro too. One of his favorite sushi places is Takashi, and there's a sushi bar called Mikado, near Sandy, Utah (a suburb south of SLC) that he recommends. In Provo, where you'll be staying is a place called Chef's Table...excellent reputation, but he hasn't been there yet. Finally, La Caille, near Sandy, has "the best atmosphere of any restaurant in the country (many film scenes have been shot there.)" Sorry I don't have more details about any of these places, but the above web site has links to some of them. The local online newspapers also have listings and reviews (Salt Lake City Weekly; Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News.) Have a good time and please report back to us.

Ilene

[Zak B]

Jason - here are some of my recommendations. They're mostly downtown, as that's my 'hood and I've only lived here since May.

Recommended:
Martine - great tapas
Cucina Toscana - good italian
Squatters - good local brewpub
Red Iguana - great authentic mexican
Metropolitan - probably slc's best
Hires - great burgers
Ruth's Diner - fun breakfast spot

Not Recommended:
The New Yorker (more for the service, not the food - your mileage may vary)
Cafe Pierpont - terrible mexican
Faustina - not bad, but for the price Martine is 10x better
Red Rocks Brewing - also not bad, just not as good as squatters

[Beanie]

Interesting article on SLC in current issue of Travel and Leisure.

[robb]

Not sure if you've made the trip yet or not.

I've lived in SLC for 15 years now. The restaurant situation is improving but still dull. This is NOT a restaurant town.

I travel extensively and take clients out to dinner all around the world. The SLC restaurants mentioned above are fine but, at their best, none would qualify as even a 2 star place in NYC.

[fchrisgrimm]

Anything new to report for SLC?

Will be there for a couple of nights next week.

Definitely going to Red Iguana, but undecided on the other night.

[fchrisgrimm]

I'm still somewhat hammered, but thought I'd file a quick report...

Set-up:
Me (typically trying to strike up a conversation with the comely waitress): So how does a restaurant stay in business in a predominantly dry town?
Comely waitress: Tourists.
So ended my first meal in Salt Lake City, at Metropolitan.

It's strange to sit in a really nice place, watch cute couples eating and canoodling, and think "he's not getting her drunk? what's the point of taking her out to dinner?" because they're just drinking water. Like living on another planet.

I wandered around SLC (what a clean city!) until I found this place, previously endorsed by other e-g'ers. Having been recovering from a dreadful two-week cold, and a couple of days on planes, I decided to treat myself to the seven-course, with wine ($75 + $60). Two bottles of water, too.

Watercress salad with watermelon, crab meat, and juniper. Terriric starter, very autumn (even considering the watermelon). I don't usually like watermelon, but loved the combo. (Charles de Fere Brut).

Double Tomato Soup (with a goat cheese thing-y, and a dried slice o' tomato). Good, but still just tomato soup. (2004 Boutari Moschifilero from Greece - a nice, but bone dry match with the creamy soup).

Seared foie gras with radish, green onion, and ginger. Another very autumnal dish (never mind that it is March). I'm not used to having foie gras without a sweeter, say chutney-esque, accompaniment. And I really liked this approach. (Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes).

Seared diver scallop (with red pepper sauce, tomato, basil sauce, and artichoke). Grrrr. Another dish (first one here, but an ongoing complaint of mine) in which salt is used like an herb. Too salty. Ruined the dish. (2004 Crow Canyon Chard - I'm guessing an oak-free Chard, which made it a bit of an odd match, too).

Watermelon sorbet. It's funny, because isn't watermelon sort of sorbet like anyway? And (as I mentioned above), it's not my fav ingredient. But I loved this sorbet. It was a great palate cleanser but (contrarily) had a long finish like a fine glass of wine. Terrific thing.

Filet mignon with cinnamon cap mushrooms, truffled potato foam. It's hard to get jazzed about steak. I like steak, but steak is steak. But this was some fabulous meat. And I loved the potato foam. I know it is all the rage in Barcelona, but I can't say that I've had serious foam yet - and this was the second time this meal. What do you put the mashed pots in a whipped creme canister? Rockin' good. (02 Clos du Val Cab Sauv)

Passion fruit and white chocolate mille-feuille, with coconut, sesame, and vanilla. (banfi rosa regale). All fruit, including that nice "greenness" that you get from passion fruit.

All in all, it was a very good meal. I don't think it was worth the total price. But I'd go back and order a la carte, without hesitation. On a four fork scale, the salad gets 4 forks, the foie gras, sorbet, and steak get 3, the dessert gets 2.5, the soup gets 2, and the scallop gets 1. So what's that, about a 2.75 average? Pretty good in my book.

Being semi-liquored up, I was directed to the Red Door, where I bought my three-week membership (guess I'm going tomorrow, too!) and had a solid Cosmopolitan, in order to complete the job.

Started schlepping back to the Radisson and realized I was out of smokes. Finding cigs in SLC is harder than getting a drink - I felt like I walked five miles. Anyway, the front desk at the hotel directed me to the Maverick gas station. It was from there that I saw Crown Burger, down the block!

I'm only here for two nights, so I better strike the Crown Burger while it's there to be struck. Got my burger, and a Coke.

These things have been previously noted on other threads. A cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and onion, topped with pastrami and Russian dressing. Sort of a cross between a cheeseburger and a ruben. Good stuff - even on a full stomach.

Hope to follow-up fairly rapidly with a report on Red Iguana - tomorrow's destination.

Edited by fchrisgrimm, 15 March 2006 - 07:15 AM.

[Beanie]

Still waiting for Part 2. How was the Red Iguana?

[Art]

Still waiting for Part 2. How was the Red Iguana?

Well, I think you are waiting for his report. However, I'll go ahead and post a bit of a response since I happen to live not too far away.... (I'm in Provo, which is about 45 minutes south.)

The Red Iguana is fantastic. It always has been and always will be. The prices are reasonable. It isn't fancy. But the food is so good that you will often find yourself in a line going out the door. This occurs even in the winter months so they had to install infrared heaters over the sidewalk to keep people warm. (I waited about 45 minutes in line outside last Nov. It wasn't too bad with the heater but without it, it would have been brutal.) This is a local "hang out" place thus is casual dining.

They are particularly famous for their moles. They have the best moles I have ever had. Having grown up in New Mexico, I've had some pretty good stuff in and around the Santa Fe area. However, their moles can't IMHO be beat.

For years these were the only things I ate their. Why give up a great mole for a "taco" ??? Then two or three years ago, we were coming back home and we decided to get some take-out. I ordered my usual mole for myself and my wife and then ordered some tacos for the kids. Our son being about three thought the taco was "too spicy" so I got it. Man, that was an incredible taco! I don't think I've had another that quite compared. Since then, I've tried a whole variety of their other dishes (though their moles are still my favorite) and they are all incredible. My only regret is that we don't live closer so that we could eat there more frequently.

Hope this helps,

-Art

[Art]

Anything new to report for SLC?

Will be there for a couple of nights next week. 

Definitely going to Red Iguana, but undecided on the other night.

I would heavily recommend the Bombay House if you like Indian food. I've eaten at Indian restraunts all around the country and the Bombay House is IMHO the best one I've found. It is actually run by a good friend of mine -- we used to go to school together in Hawai'i. He came here and opened up the Bombay House in Provo (and later SLC). His name is Danny and he is very particular about his quality and service. I'm always amazed at the lengths he will go to to ensure that things are "just right."

I didn't go for the longest time not ever quite getting around to it. Finally,l I broke down and went and it was incredible. I've been a very regular customer ever since (for about 15 years now). They get all sorts of awards through Zagats and local / state awards as well. Definitely worth trying.

-Art

[cchen]

Is Takashi still the best bet for sushi in SLC? I'm heading over to SLC on Tuesday for club volleyball championships and should be there most of the week, and would love to try the top sushi restaurant.

[Flocko]

Is Takashi still the best bet for sushi in SLC? I'm heading over to SLC on Tuesday for club volleyball championships and should be there most of the week, and would love to try the top sushi restaurant.

Yes, yes, a thousand times....YES!!

[cchen]

Is Takashi still the best bet for sushi in SLC? I'm heading over to SLC on Tuesday for club volleyball championships and should be there most of the week, and would love to try the top sushi restaurant.

Yes, yes, a thousand times....YES!!

Thanks. How much does omakase usually run??

[Flocko]

Is Takashi still the best bet for sushi in SLC? I'm heading over to SLC on Tuesday for club volleyball championships and should be there most of the week, and would love to try the top sushi restaurant.

Yes, yes, a thousand times....YES!!

Thanks. How much does omakase usually run??

cchen:

I honestly don't know. I have my favorites and usually order them (hirame sashimi, sweet and spicy giant clam roll, spanish makeral, pray for snow roll, tuna tetaki, etc); and then ask Takashi what is special or good to try.

Takashi is pricier than most of the other sushi places in SLC, but not unreasonably so. Do try to sit at Takashi's own station (He is the short guy, slender, about mid forties) if you can. Tell him you're a friend of Bill's from Moab

I'm going up to SLC later this week for a few days and will definitely be at Takashi's Thurs or Friday (or both )

I hope you enjoy it.

Bill

[cchen]

Thanks for the info. One more question. Any spots for cheap eats near the convention center?

[Malaclypse]

Thanks for the info. One more question. Any spots for cheap eats near the convention center?

for cheap eats around the convention center I would remmomend Junior's Tacos, and Squatters and Red Rocks brewpubs are both relitively cheap.

[angberke]

cchen-

I must second Bill's recommendation of Takashi. I eat there about once a week and it is always fabulous. I have not ordered omakase style there but have in Vegas and CA at comparably priced restaurants and I am sure you would not find the pricing to be astronomical. Then again, I suppose it depends on what you end up with! I would say go for it.

Happy eating~
Angela

[Flocko]

Thanks for the info. One more question. Any spots for cheap eats near the convention center?

cchen:

Yup! All within a block of my SLC office and 1 to 2 blocks from the Salt Palace:

Cafe Atlantic (or Atlantico?) in 300 South block of Main St., East side of street. Eastern European......great smoked beef, feta, gyros, stuffed cabage rolls, salads etc.

A Chilean place on the West side of Main in the 200 block. Empanadas and stuff....cheap and good.

Curry in a Hurry..........same side and same block of Main..............pretty good Pakistani style curry, very cheap.

House of Kabob..............same side and same block of Main.............pretty good pan-middle eastern food......reasonable.

Also the Thai Orchid is pretty good and reasonable.......a couple of blocks west of the Salt Palace on 200 South. Next door is Cup of Joe...........a great coffee joint.

I second the vote for Junior's Taco's. I am less inclined toward the brewpubs, but that's just me, I guess

An excellent Mexican place............a little further afield is Julia's..............about 10th or 11th West between 1st and 2nd South, east side of the street. Mom and Pop place................no English spoken..........Very good and cheap!

My favorite Mexican place is really south in Murray. Tacozana at about 8000 South State on the West side of the road, next to a bowling alley. Superb and very cheap. Again, limited English.

Have a great stay

Bill

[Flocko]

cchen-

I must second Bill's recommendation of Takashi.  I eat there about once a week and it is always fabulous.  I have not ordered omakase style there but have in Vegas and CA at comparably priced restaurants and I am sure you would not find the pricing to be astronomical.  Then again, I suppose it depends on what you end up with!  I would say go for it.

Happy eating~
Angela 

Hi Angela:

Lucky you . I made it to Takashi's about once a week when I spent more time in SLC............now it's only about every two weeks............but that's almost enough to keep me from totally "jonesin'" and going into withdrawal for his great sushi

I was a devoted customer of Takashi at the Shogun for about 15 years.............same great sushi..............just a little "seedier" ambience

I love his fried oyster lunch specials and the rice wedges as well as all of his sushi and sashimi.

This sushi talk has me really looking forward to getting up there Thursday and Friday.............YUM!!! (And, anyway, it's "Jeep Safari" down here in God's Country and really a ZOO this week!!..............no way to get into any restaurant in Moab right now )

Maybe I'll run into you at Takashi sometime.

Best,

Bill

[angberke]

Hello Bill,

Actually spent last weekend in Moab (with a side trip to Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon) with my daughters. Had a great time except I am a bit scraped and bruised Looked at some property in Castle Valley but didn't really find anything.

I am not sure I would call myself lucky... more like addicted. Need to go into recovery because the kobe appetizer alone is seriously draining my bank account. I was a devoted customer at Shogun too but never liked the seating much prefer everything at the new place. Except one of the wines I tried last time.

Maybe I will run into you at Takashi sometime. Problem is, how will I know it is you??

Take care,
Angela

Edited by angberke, 12 April 2006 - 08:09 PM.

[Malaclypse]

Bill,

It was great to see you at the restraunt yesterday. I'm glad you guys decided to stop by, made my night. I hope eveerything lived up to Metropolitian's reputation.

[cchen]

So I had lunch at Takashi, and suprisingly they didn't have an omakase. Takashi-san said that most SLCers aren't interested in that level of sushi experience, which I can understand. Anyway, here are pics of what I had (except for 2 pieces bluefin toro sashimi):

http://www.flickr.co...57594108811038/

Overall, everything was great and very fresh. I had a great time. Thanks for the recommendation!

[angberke]

So I had lunch at Takashi, and suprisingly they didn't have an omakase. Takashi-san said that most SLCers aren't interested in that level of sushi experience, which I can understand. Anyway, here are pics of what I had (except for 2 pieces bluefin toro sashimi):

http://www.flickr.co...57594108811038/

Overall, everything was great and very fresh. I had a great time. Thanks for the recommendation!

Hi cchen,

Happy to hear that you enjoyed your meal. I am not surprised to hear there wasn't an omakase. Your photos are gorgeous and now my mouth is watering. Too bad I am on a layover right now on my way to Boston.

Take care!
Angela

[fchrisgrimm]

LOL - belated reply (with a faded memory)....

LOVED Red Iguana - fantastic assortment of moles. Line out the door by the time I left the place. (Just beat the crowd.) My bosses are at OR this weekend, so I'm steering them that way.

[lalala]

We're in SLC for three nights next month. We don't really drink, but we're looking for good food options.

Incidently, we booked the romance package at the sheraton for 20 bucks less a night than the standard room rate. Includes a bottle of wine, go figure.

lalala

[estufarian]

So, Metropolitan and Red Iguana.
Anything else worth visiting?

[Malaclypse]

So, Metropolitan and Red Iguana.
Anything else worth visiting?

Takashi has some killer sushi and Fresco has some really great northern Italian (they just rolled out a new menu in fact). Incidentally Metropolitan rolls out it's late fall/winter menu on Tuesday :)