Rooney

If you're there by St. Patrick's Day, be sure to go to Springdale for the parade. It's a great example of local humor. Springdale has attracted lots of big city refugees as well as artists. It has a very liberal side to it. The transplants are very welcoming to new arrivals. Probably the closest thing to "nightlife" is the Bit 'n Spur (mexican restaurant/bar). Buy a mountain bike and use this as an opportunity to live in and see spectacular scenery and to get lots of exercise. But be prepared: you are really going to be in the middle of nowhere.

If you are dining alone, japnaese is probably the way to go. There are several good choices: Mikado, Ginza, Ichiban Sushi. For Thai, Lemongrass is ok. For Indian, there's a place on 4th South just below main street (I think the name is India Palace) that is ok. Bambara at the Hotel Monaco is excellent food, but I'm not sure I would want to dine there alone. The New Yorker is first rate. Next door is a sister restaurant, the Oyster Bar, which is lively and fun. And it has plenty of meat choices. Martine is also right downtown (a ten minute walk from your hotel) and features tapas. It was just featured in Bon Appetit. Salt Lake tends to look deserted at night, but if you want a destination where there will be people walking around and several restaurants to choose from, go to the Gateway center. The restaurants are basically high end chains (i.e. Flemings).

Will you be downtown? what is your budget? any particular food?

The fact that your travelling companion does not have a license concerns me.........are you sure it's legal to go with her?

One more suggestion. If you're driving from Jackson to SLC I would suggest that you take the route that goes thru Bear Lake and Logan. It is a gorgeous drive. In Logan, stick your head into the Bluebird Cafe to go back in time many decades (the food probably sucks, though, but just go in and look). And in Brigham City, there is a restaurant that is legendary for downhome Utah cooking called Maddox. Probably no liquor service. Save room for pie (the cocomut cream pie is incredible). They raise their own cattle, and the fried chicken is great. On your drive, if you go through Star Valley (in Wyoming) stop at the cheese factory. Their ice cream is terrific.

Rosie, the setting at Log Haven is worth making a call for a reservation. Chow Guy, in park city try the Sage Grill (in Kimball junction), the Riverhorse (especially if you can score a table outdoors on the upstairs deck that overlooks main street) or go to Heber/Midway for a dinner or brunch at the Inn on the Creek (expensive, though). The drive to SLC is about 30 minutes.

Thanks for the welcome to the board. My thought on your dining decision is that you ought to focus on combining what is unique, i.e. canyon dining, as opposed to picking a restaurant downtown. That is not to say that Groovin Gourmets recommendations were not right on, they were (although I would add the New Yorker in the Gastronomy group), but what makes this place special is the geography. So if you are willing to drive, I would certainly endorse the selection of Log Haven, which is up Millcreek Canyon, Silver Creek (up Big Cottonwood), the Shallow Shaft (Big Cottonwood), or Ruth's Diner (truly a local's place in Emigration Canyon). There is always Park City, but I personally think the restaurants there are overpriced and overrated. I would be happy to give more detail if you're interested. And there is always La Quaille if you're yearning for a french country estate geese in the pond waitresses with busooms kind of experience.......

I can help you out in Salt Lake but need to know your interests, price constraints etc.

Just one minor question: wasnt the NY Worlds Fair in 1964? I was there as an eleven year old (or nine, if 1962 is the correct year) and the young kid from Utah was quite amazed by the first site of a Belgian waffle.