Mi La Cai
961 S. State St., Salt Lake City
(801) 322-3590
Review: Salt Lake Tribune

The first of two reviews from the Salt Lake Tribune and Vanessa Chang, is Mi La Cai. Vanessa concedes some items may be less than perfectly authentic, but the restaurant does serve up “fast, affordable Chinese and Vietnamese food in a comfortable, calm setting”.

Au Naturale
880 E. 2100 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 466-8888
Review: Salt Lake Tribune
Our review: Gastronomic SLC
Website: www.goaunaturale.com

Au Naturale has been the subject of much discussion over the last few months. Vanessa’s second review is the latest to weigh in on this (relatively) new restaurant. Healthy fast food is something that appears to be in big demand, but Vanessa’s review indicates the operation is still struggling to live up to its own big ambitions. If Au Naturale do manage to tweak things right, I am sure they will have a runaway success on their hands.

Temple Square Dining
Review: City Weekly

Over in the City Weekly Ted Scheffler checks out the three dining options at Temple Square: Nauvoo Café, The Roof and The Lion House Pantry.

Zest ‘n’ Zing
6949 S. 1300 East, Cottonwood Heights
(801) 566-9663
Review: Deseret Morning News
Website: www.zestnzing.com/

Stacey Kratz writes about Zest ‘n’ Zing in the Deseret Morning News. Stacey is enthusiastic about the restaurant but the review left me a little confused as to what they actually serve/focus on. Stacey mentions items such as “rolled beef paupiettes, Korean chapchae noodles and beer-battered fish and chips”, before later talking about “chicken noodle soup, teriyaki chicken bowls and a daily special, the roast pork loin dinner”. A confusing mish-mash and no mistake. Price seems to be the big draw with nothing priced over $10.

Coachman’s Dinner & Pancake House
1301 S. State St. in Salt Lake City
(801) 486-3579
Review: In Utah This Week

“High quality food with low prices” and “kitschy digs” are just two elements that combine for Amanda Chamberlain’s praise for Coachman’s, in In Utah This Week. I’d always wondered what this place was like, and Amanda’s review leaves me very intrigued to give it a try sometime. The only drawback is that it’s a cash only place.

Guru’s
45 E. Center Street, Provo
(801) 375-4878
Review: Your Heart Out
Website: www.guruscafe.com

Your Heart Out’s Courtney Buell reviews Guru’s of Provo. Pasta, salad, wraps, burritos etc seem to be the order of the day. And the verdict? A big thumbs up from Courtney.

Atlantic Cafe
325 S Main St, Salt Lake City
(801) 524-9900‎
Review: Salt City blog

Atlantic Cafe gets reviewed by Krista Smith and her Salt City food blog. Great fries, paninis and killer coffee are just some of the top notch selections on offer at this European-styled Eatery. In fact, the coffee seems to be that good, one commenter is led to declare “Also? I would marry that coffee. It was that good”.

Meditrina
1394 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 485-2055
Review: Salt Lake Chowhounds
GSLC review: Meditrina review
Website: www.meditrinaslc.com

Another “go here now” review for Meditrina, this time courtesy of the Salt Lake Chowhounds. We personally found Meditrina really good, but I have heard mixed feedback from others of late. I’d love to hear from anyone else who has been lately.

El Paisa Grill
2126 South 3200 W Salt Lake Cty, 84119
(866) 257-1030
Review: SLC Tacos
Website: www.elpaisagrill.net

And finally, a new review from SLCTacos.com, this week El Paisa. By all accounts El Paisa is highly regarded by these guys, but the focus of this trip was to run the rule over their Molcajete dishes. Not a term I was familiar with, but apparently “basically means that it is something served (and sometimes cooked) in a HOT stone bowl”. Interesting stuff for sure.