Going with the Easter flow this week both the Salt Lake Tribune and Your Heart Out go with Easter dining guides.

The usual suspects for brunch are wheeled out by both publications. Frankly I can’t stand dining out on these busy days of the year (see New years, Mother’s day, Valentines etc). I much prefer the saner, quieter comfort of my own kitchen. The times I do venture out on major holidays, the hordes of diners seem to push the standards of kitchens down, and errors way up. Perhaps I have just been unlucky. Has anyone really had a great meal on one of these ultra-busy restaurant days?

The Salt Lake Chowhounds have a busy week covering both Tiburon and House of Kabob

The Chowhounds seem to enjoy their experience a great deal, the one sticking point being the price. It’s been many moons since Wendi and I dined at Tiburon. I do recall the food being largely enjoyable though. What I remember most was being confused as to whether they wanted to be casual or fine dining. Personally I don’t see how the two can mix effortlessly.

For example the palate cleansers between courses just seemed trite. I can appreciate some people may enjoy the more casual attitude, but when I am spending $50 on an entrée (which I was that evening) I enjoy a certain level of service. Each to his own and caveat emptor I suppose.

House of Kabob (wasn’t there a “Pita” in the name once upon a time?) is also highly rated by the Chowhounds. Another restaurant we also visited way back in the mists of time. I will confess to recalling very little on the place, probably the wine I drank. I’ll defer to the Chowhounds on this one.

Tiburon: 8256 S 700 E, Sandy, UT 84070

House of Kabob: 268 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Stacey Kratz of the Deseret Morning News takes on Maurilio’s Italian Cuisine out in West Jordan. The restaurant serves typical Italian cuisine (lasagna, spaghetti, alredo sauce etc.). Stacey seemed to have a pleasant enough time and that’s all I can really say.

Maurilio’s Italian Cuisine: 1650 Fox Park Dr, West Jordan, UT

Sense and Memory contrasts the various ends of the dining spectrum with Costa Vida and Koko Kitchen. As usual the chain eatery pales into comparison with the local alternative. I’d actually seen Costa Vida around and was tempted before I read this piece. The branding and outward look of the place almost convinced me I’d have a fresh, healthy and cheap bite of food.

Koko Kitchen: 702 S 300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Finally, the Salt Lake City Weekly’s Ted Scheffler covers dining in the college area of town. The Point Bistro, The A. Ray Olpin University Union and The Point Restaurant are all briefly covered.

The Point Bistro: 1645 Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

The A. Ray Olpin University Union: Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope, 6th Floor

The Point Restaurant: 200 S. Central Campus Drive, University of Utah