Entering from the rear of the restaurant we first noted the outdoor dining section. The weather was a little overcast and it was getting quite windy. So, when asked where we would like to be seated, we chose indoors, joking with our waitress about falling branches from the outdoor trees. The patio did, however, look like a great spot to enjoy a meal on a more temperate evening.

As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a large sweeping bar seating area. This leads onto the main dining space where the table and banquette seating is thankfully well spaced and very comfortable. The space is modern and clean, and also much larger than I had thought on my previous drives by in the past.

The front of the building has large floor to ceiling windows that lend some entertaining views of 3rd south. The restaurant was only half full at 7 p.m. on the Saturday we visited, so we had our pick of table. We chose a perfect table for two which afforded great views of both the impressive wall art and the oncoming storm brewing outside:

After we were seated, our friendly waitress came over and took our wine order. The wine list is modest but perfectly serviceable. We chose the Elk Cove Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($57). The DABC have this listed at $25.99. The two times mark up is pretty standard for Salt Lake. Shortly after our wine selection, a free complimentary plate of bread with oil and vinegar was delivered to the table:

The typical bread/oil/vinegar combo was amped up a little with the light herbed bread and an enjoyable basil and garlic-infused oil. I didn’t bother with the vinegar as the flavoured oil was such a happy change from the norm. The bread was also a nice change from commonly served warmed and sliced roll. It’s at times like this, when I know the rest of the meal should be fun. So much detail shown so early on in such basic items, I approve!

We both found the menu very appealing and after some debate chose the Antipasto Plate ($10.55) to share as our appetizer:

The plate featured a generous serving of three different cured meats, marinated olives, a little cheese, grilled asparagus and some crostini. This was one of the better antipasto plates I have sampled in SLC. All three of the cured meats were excellent. The marinated olives also matched the heights of the meat, juicy and bursting with flavour. Although given only a sparing amount, Wendi proclaimed the cheese to also be first rate. The crostini were pleasingly oily. Our least favourite item was the cold and limp grilled asparagus. That might be more of a personal thing though, we have both been slowly turning away from asparagus of late.

For her entree Wendi selected the Asiago Crusted Scallops (Angel Hair Pasta, Tomato Saffron Broth, Sweet Peas, Arugula, Basil, $23.50):

Her first comments were along the lines of “hmmm, wonderfully cooked scallops”. She did find the Asiago cheese to be an odd topping for the light flavours of the dish though. Still, the cheese was minimal enough that it did not overpower. The tomato saffron broth was delicate and flavourful.

Torn between a few items, I was obliged to select the Chefs Special simply because of the vast number of ingredients (Beef Tenderloin Medallion over Mashed Potato, Roma Tomatoes, Pink Peppercorn Sauce, Shiitake Chips in tandem with Grilled Jumbo Prawns, Zucchini, White Bean Puree, Tomato Saffron Sauce, Arugula Citrus Salad, $32.00):

My initial thoughts were, “surf and turf, but a bit more fancy”, and also “how in the heck can all these flavours work on the plate at once”. The presentation of the plate was good, especially the rectangular plate used. To start with, my beef ordered medium was wonderful. Beautifully tender, big flavour and cooked exactly as I had asked. The accompanying rich sauce and shiitake chips worked well with the powerful beef. The mashed potatoes were also decent enough too. On it’s own, this would have been fine.

The other side of the plate was a much lighter affair. I didn’t care at all for the grilled prawns, they were stringy and a little chewy. The mix of flavours also seemed a tad unfocused and I detected a really strong bacon flavour which wasn’t listed as one of the myriad of ingredients. As I suspected reading the menu, the rich beef section of the plate didn’t work at all with this lighter side of the plate. In summation an odd dish. Some of the elements were great, some not so, and as a whole they didn’t really gel for me. It was certainly fun to try though. My hunch is that this gets ordered A LOT.

We finished of the meal with the Banana Custard ($7.75):

A rather odd looking dessert. We were intrigued by the menu’s description of “banana shingles”, these turned out to be slices of carmelized banana. The shingles were laid over a custard of banana. A quite unusual texture to be sure, almost like a slightly heavier banana mousse. My guess was blended up bananas, cream, and gelatin to hold it together? Whatever it was, it was topped with a caramel sauce and plated with a side of cinnamon ice cream. The ice cream was served on a base of candied walnuts. It was all very delicious and lasted about as long as it took to finish our coffee ($1.95).

Our waitress was attentive and friendly throughout the meal. She seemed to have very good knowledge of the menu, and was there when we needed her, and wasn’t when we didn’t. That’s just what we like, and she certainly helped us have a very enjoyable meal. I’m still not sure what type of cuisine one would call Faustina, but for want of a term in the future, I will settle on “pretty damn good if you ask me”.

Faustina is located at 454 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

I have already mentioned a few times that I am a Gyro obsessive. Whilst not the height of epicurean sophistication, I could happily live off the things. It would be a relatively short yet tasty life. Wendi doesn’t share my enthusiasm, but there’s generally other treats at our local Greek take-outs that make her happy. One common failing we find though, is that the chicken we order usually doesn’t match the Gyro quality.

Much kudos to the Sense and Memory blog then for turning us on to Best Chicken and Ribs. Their vibrant red pictures of the chicken had our mouths watering. As far as we could tell Best Chicken serve Gyro’s and also what seemed to be some killer chicken. Also with a name like “Best Chicken”, you better have something up your sleeve.

We didn’t particularly feel like dining out on the night of our visit, and one of our friends recommended calling ahead for take out. Speed of service isn’t Best Chicken’s strong point we were warned. As we didn’t have a menu, and only a vague guesstimate of what they offered, we called in a stupidly big order and hoped for the best. Although, once we had a menu to look over in person, Wendi was excited by the number of vegetarian options on offer, and will definitely go for a meatless item on our next visit.

Take out was a great idea, as the evening of our visit to Best Chicken highlighted how hot you can make somewhere if you roast chickens all day in the summer heat. Air conditioning was not in evidence. The restaurant itself has a diner feel. A few basic tables and chairs dot the room, a tv plays to one side, and a large portion of the room is devoted to the chicken rotisserie. More than fine by us, since we would be enjoying our order in the comfort of home.

We introduced ourselves at the food counter, and we were told our order would be a few more minutes. It seems our friend was correct, even though we had been told to pick up after 20mins, they still needed another 10minutes to get our order ready once we arrived. That was no worry, because the people here are quite a friendly bunch. I’m going to guess they are a husband/wife owner/operator team, but I could be wrong.

Suffices to say, as we waited for our order to come up, free pens and plenty of friendly chit chat was merrily doled out. If I recall correctly, my friend who visits Best Chicken for lunch on a regular basis has mentioned that, as a regular, he is always offered a free soda while he waits for his order. That’s not surprising considering the level of friendliness we encountered. Once our meals were bagged up, we said our goodbyes and headed off eagerly to dig in.

All meals come with a few pieces of pita and a Green Salad side:

The salad was basic but it was fresh and crisp, which I find is a rarity among take-out side salads, a big thumbs up there.

The first of our three meals(!) was a Gyro with a side of the Boiled Potatoes:

As is the norm, the gyro meat was sliced and layered over onion, tomatoes, lettuce and then wrapped in a pita. The tzatziki sauce was packaged separately. The gyro was far more herby than I am accustomed to, in fact for me personally it was a little too powerfully flavoured. That said, my gyro love overcame the odds and it was soon gobbled up. The accompanying potatoes were a simple side, tossed in a butter and Best Chicken’s ubiquitous dusting of red spices (just paprika, or more?). Nothing extraordinary, but nice enough.

The next entree was the main event, a quarter of Rotisserie Chicken and side of French Fries:

The chicken looked just like the Sense and Memory blog review, a bold shimmering red. The taste did not disappoint either, wonderfully tender and flavoursome. As we eagerly tore the precious chicken from the bones, I lamented I didn’t just order a full chicken ($12.99). A quick survey of just how much we had ordered brought me back to reality. The fries were merely serviceable, I probably wouldn’t bother with them again.

Our final selection was a double order of the Chicken Kabobs and side of Rice:

The kabob chicken wasn’t up to the quality of the rotisserie chicken, but that was only to be expected. It was decent though. Wendi gave it the thumbs up. The rice was surprisingly tasty. More often than not, similar eateries’ rice can be a slightly mushy boil in the bag type affair. Best Chicken’s was still no delicate pillau, but was far less heavy and cleaner in taste than most.

The value of the meal was a huge bargain. Obviously we over ordered, we wanted to get a good feel for as many of the menu items possible. We had plenty left over the next day for lunch and then some. The entire meal of gyro, 2 chicken kabobs, 1/4 rotisserie chicken, 3 green salads, french fries, rice, boiled potatoes, pita bread and a slew of accompanying sauces came in at under $20. That’s hard to beat by anyone’s standards.

So, best chicken? Well, I hesitate to name anything the best after only one visit, but you will be hard pressed to find a much better taste versus value combo at these prices. If like us, you decide on a quick take out order, I snapped a quick picture of the menu for your perusal:

Best Chicken is located at 111 E 2700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Also, thanks to Sense and Memory for allowing us to use the photograph on our home page.

Snowbird was our temporary home last weekend. With the yearly bluegrass festival in it’s 20th year, the mountain air was full of guitars, fiddles and cowboy hats aplenty. We were there to enjoy some great music and maybe even escape the valley heat for a weekend. After we had the pleasure of a truly awful hamburger (processed frozen junk) for lunch the first day, we decided we needed to splurge and enjoy a great meal. As we were staying at the Cliff Lodge, we decide to do just that in their fine dining restaurant, The Aerie.

Located on the 10th floor of the Cliff Lodge, the Aerie possesses a formidable view of the resort mountains. 15ft-tall floor to ceiling windows line one whole length of the space. We were lucky enough to be seated right next to the window:

The restaurant itself has a somewhat 80’s feel, plenty of chrome and black, yet it still feels stylish. Considering the view, they really could have done anything with the space and no one would probably notice. The restaurant itself is comprised of three sections; the lounge/bar area, a sushi bar and the main dining area.

Our reservation was quite early at 6 p.m., so we were one of the first tables seated. Our server arrived shortly after we were seated with the wine and meal menus. Although not as impressive as the mountains outside, the wine list was still considerable. The whole gamut of the wine world was covered, with bottles ranging from the $30 range way on up to $500 and above. After a short debate, we settled on the Archery Summit, an Oregon Pinot Noir ($119.00) and bottle of still water ($8.00):

The DABC site lists the store price of the wine at $44.99, so it appears a rough mark up of 2.5 times is employed. Our server had enjoyed a recent visit to Oregon, and offered some interesting insights into Oregon wines. A little warm bread and butter followed while we chatted and waited for our appetizers:

Frankly, we both had a hard time deciding what to order. There were lots of delicious sounding options on the menu, ranging from a seared tuna salad appetizer to a swordfish entree special on offer that night. Wendi finally decided upon the Strudel (Goat Cheese, Wild Forest Mushroom, Micro Greens, Orange Poppyseed Vinaigrette, $10):

Not being a large fan of cheese I declined a sampling of the dish. however, Wendi mentioned several times that she really enjoyed the dish. She also mentioned the micro greens offered a nice contrast to the creaminess of the strudel.

I chose the Grilled Lamb T-Bone (Rosemary Balsamic Glaze, Mache Salad, Mint Yoghurt Sauce, $15):

The T-Bone was admittedly on the small side. For $15, a larger serving would have been welcome, even for an appetizer. The lamb itself was of great quality and cooked perfectly. The mint yoghurt sauce was a great creamy foil to the lamb, although I thought the mache topping was a little extraneous. I really enjoyed this dish, it was just a shame there wasn’t more of it.

For her main course, Wendi ordered the Napolean (House Made Black Pepper Pasta, Grilled Summer Veg, Ricotta, Basil Ragout, Olive Focaccia Crouton, Pecorino, $22):

Wendi’s second choice was another layered cheese dish, so I opted out again. In particular she raved about the house made black pepper pasta, saying it provided a welcome spicy kick to the dish. Wendi was a little less enthused by the dominating ‘crouton’, which she felt would have been more manageable, in smaller sections.

I selected the Roasted Kurobuta Pork Chop out of a little nostalgia (Black Fig and Onion Marmalade, Shallot Mash, Meyer Lemon Au Jus, $32):

Many moons ago. The Aerie was actually the first restaurant where I was asked how I would like my pork cooked. At that time, the question caused me some degree of confusion. Until later investigation, I was quite unaware that quality pork could be eaten less than well done. Over the ensuing years, the question of pork doneness has become a common one. So, it was with no end of delight that I request my pork medium, hoping it retain a good amount of juiciness.

The pork came to the table slightly more cooked than I would have liked, but it was still plenty moist and exceedingly tasty. It had been some time since I have ordered pork in a restaurant and after one bite, I was very pleased to have rectified that. The fig and onion marmalade was also a wonderful accompaniment to the pork. Although a simple side dish, the mashed potatoes were good. I don’t seem to recall tasting lemon in the au jus though, perhaps a good thing as it could have proven overpowering.

For dessert, we each ordered a coffee ($2.25) and decided to share the Chocolate and Grand Marnier Mousse ($9.00):

A very pretty looking dessert, and thankfully, it tasted as good as it looked. The mousse was deliciously light and rich in flavour. The biscuit base and chocolate stick added some bite, a good end to a quite enjoyable meal. Intriguingly, looking back over the pictures this was the only course that did not come topped with some form of greens. I don’t know if we picked our dishes just right or if the kitchen has a penchant for green toppings.

Our server was excellent throughout the course of our meal; she balanced the fine line of professional service, yet remaining friendly and affable. She happily indulged us and when appropriate, offered a little interesting tale or two of her own.

Overall the meal was a great experience, and a wonderful respite from the hustle and bustle of the festival. My only complaint was the price, which I felt was on the high side. The most prominent example of the elevated pricing was the “Aerie Sushi Roll: Chefs daily creation”. This had a fixed price of $17, regardless of the days creation. $17 for a 6-piece maki roll is crazy expensive in my book, especially so on our visit where the daily special was described as eel, avocado and cucumber. A similar roll down in the valley would not be out of place around the $6-$8 mark.

If you happen to be up in Snowbird this summer, and are looking for a splurge like us, you could do far worse than give the Aerie a whirl. Weekends see live music in the lounge, which is open till 11. This could make for a great evening break, just bring a credit card or two.

The Aerie is located on the 10th floor of the Cliff Lodge, Snowbird, Utah

If you are a foodie, the deal becomes all the sweeter with the array of fine dining on offer; many of which feature some great summer deals ranging from 2-for-1 entree offers to percentage off discounts. Restaurants like Prime, Glitretind, Grappa, Bangkok Thai, Blind Dog, Mustang and many more all run similar summer offers. I’m told the best place to keep track of all this is the town’s free newspaper, The Park Record.

With the summer season now in full swing, I thought it would be fun to cover three of the great meals I had the pleasure of enjoying last year in the off season. I have left pricing and specific dish detail out; the menus of these restaurants have likely evolved since my previous visit. All the restaurants have on-line menu’s so do be sure to check items and pricing.

First up, Ghidotti’s Italian Cafe, which is one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Utah. Full disclosure, we are friends with staff at Ghidotti’s.

Ghidotti’s is one of Park City restaurateur Bill White’s many outposts. As with all the Bill White restaurants I have experienced, little expense has been spared on the dining space. Ghidotti’s features chandeliers hanging from lofty ceilings while elegantly upholstered booths and chairs sit around crisp white-clothed tables. Even the entrance to the restaurant is framed by two large flaming cauldrons.

On our last visit to Ghidotti’s, we dined with one of the restaurants management staff. Based on this, I don’t feel it would be fair to comment in detail on the excellent service we received. I do believe though that their general service is comparable to other eateries in this price bracket (e.g. very good). Certainly I recall noting that other guests seemed to be having an equally great time at Ghigotti’s.

We started this meal with the Antipasto Plate:

The plate consisted of a delicious array of olives, cheeses, cured meats and anchovies. Ever the sucker for strong fish, I found the anchovies especially impressive. At the insistence of our host, we also tried the Heirloom Tomatoes:

These were some of the tastiest tomatoes I have ever had the pleasure of trying. I would love to know where these tomatoes came from, and if I could guarantee that mine would turn out this good, I might even put in the hard work required to grow some. As for the entrees, these included the Shrimp Scampi and Housemade Ravioli (garlic, shrimp, fennel) for Wen:

Wendi really enjoyed the house-made ravioli. Next up was the Wild Mushroom Tortelloni (humbolt fog goat cheese, roasted squast, parmesean-truffle broth):

I passed on trying both of the pasta dishes, due to the cheese factor, but there were satisfied raves from the rest of the table. A special word of mention should go to the Pork Osso Buco (squash, papardelle, pine nut):

Everyone at the table had to sample a bite of this dish, once we saw the meat falling from the bone with just the slightest teasing. A beautifully executed dish, which I could probably eat all day long.

For something a little different, I went with the Ahi Tuna (capers, kalamata olives, eggplant):

The fish was cooked well but perhaps ever so on the over-seasoned side, especially with the capers in the side dish. Nonetheless the accompanying side was a perfect match and led to a still very enjoyable dish.

Desert started with a selection of Gelato’s:

Our staff friend told us the turning wheel was the latest in a line of different ways this dish was presented. This was very good gelato, that got a little messy towards the end (probably not helped by the amount of wine we drank during the meal). We also chose to share a decent Creme Brulee:

I don’t doubt that this evening’s meal was made even more enjoyable being in the presence of our friend, but I also have no doubt that dining at Ghidotti’s would be a highly enjoyable experience for anyone. The food was first rate and served in a very relaxed and comfortable environment. We also had the pleasure of meeting some of the staff and the chef, all of whom seem very dedicated to making the dining experience a great one. I thought the standard prices were already quite reasonable (for upscale Park City dining); if you can grab a 2-for-1 discount when available, Ghidottis would represent a fabulous value for money.

Ghidotti’s Italian Cafe is located at 6030 Market St, Park City, UT 84098

Prime Steak House is another restaurant that offers a great deal in the summer months with their “buy one get one free entrees”. As I write, this offer is presently available until November 30th.

The entrance to Prime is located just off Main Street, stepping inside you find a more contemporary space than a traditional steakhouse. Indeed, Prime bills itself as a Piano Bar in addition to steakhouse. Towards the front of the restaurant a large piano provides the source for much of the venue’s live music (nightly). On our last visit, the piano player’s tunes ranged from the more steakhouse-apt swing/rat-pack numbers through to slightly chuckle-worthy renditions of pop tunes by groups such as Coldplay. At any rate, the music was certainly understated and provided a nice accompaniment to our meal.

Our meal began with an order of the Crab Cakes:

A well executed classic steakhouse dish, but nothing special to write home about. Wendi chose the 8oz Filet Steak Oscar Style:

Whilst the picture isn’t the greatest, you can see how all the steaks at Prime are served with butter. In retrospect, Wendi found this choice, coupled with her Oscar-style, a little unwise. Plates are served insanely hot, causing the butter and crab to continue cooking table side. We found this results in some unpleasant burning of the crab meat. Definitely something to consider when ordering at Prime.

Personally I find the idea of dousing a steak in butter a touch of gilding the lilly so to speak. As such, I went with the 8oz Filet Steak without butter:

A great steak on a par with the Spencers back down in Salt Lake City. Prime’s website presently states “Voted Best Steak House in Utah 2008″. We really enjoyed our night at Prime, but Spencer’s old school charm still wins out for me. That 2-for-1 offer is hard to beat though.

Prime Steak House is located at 804 Main St Park City, UT 84060

Wahso is the second of my Bill White restaurant picks, and another equally impressive dining experience. The Wahso website describes the restaurant as “Discover the mood of the Orient with an ambiance that reflects Shanghai in the 1930’s”. From the ornate ceilings, to the elaborate draping of silky fabrics and choices of rich understated colours, the interior of Wahso, is a breathtaking adventure for the eyes. It’s somewhat surprising to think that all of this waits at the top of a flight of stairs just off Main Street, but lucky for Wahso’s diners, it does.

Again a little disclosure should be in order. The staff at Wahso knew in advance I was coming in and that intended to write about my experience. Service was impeccable, which I honestly suspect it may have been anyway. Bill White’s employees seem to have their stuff very much together when it comes to service. Again like the Ghidotti’s meal, I took great efforts to survey the dining space and check on other diners. Once again, everyone seemed very happy. The meal started with an Amuse Bouche:

Deep fried won ton chips (which appeared a couple of times on the menu) were served with a curried mayo-based sauce. We both found this a nice little touch being suckers for things deep fried.

Full to the brim with won ton chips, we decided to share the Tuna Tartare (scallop ceviche, spicy tuna, house made ponzu and won ton crisps):

A great little appetizers that we eagerly finished off. We were also treated to some lovely soups on this evening, the first of which was the vivid Roasted Bell Pepper Soup:

The soup was an excellent, creamy and possessing a deep flavour. Ever a fan of Chinese soups, I had to try their Hot and Sour Soup with Dumplings:

A very pleasing rendition of the popular soup, all the more enjoyable with the added texture of the dumplings. We also had the pleasure of trying the Beet Salad with goat cheese:

I passed due to the cheese, but Wendi loved this salad. Beets are certainly an acquired taste, but the classic beet/cheese combo suited Wendi’s tastes perfectly. Wendi’s entree on this evening was a pan roasted Halibut with risotto:

Wendi gave her entree rave reviews, but was so stuffed she could hardly finish half of it. She certainly did her best though.

I went with the Szechuan Duck:

If memory serves, this also came with a pineapple and duck confit fried rice. The duck was perfectly cooked on the medium/medium-rare side. All said and done, every course was competently executed, and very tasty. My only slight niggle would be that I feel the prices might be ever so slightly on the high side.

I would be back at Wahso in a heart beat though, as we had a thoroughly enjoyable meal. Looking over their on-line menu, much has changed since our last visit, so please do check their menu at http://www.wahso.com if you’re considering a visit.

Wahso is located at 577 Main St, Park City, UT 84060

Aside from the food last summer, we also had the pleasure of visiting the Bacchus wine bar for the first time. Unless you know to look for Bacchus you could easily miss it, the bar is hidden underground via a simple doorway down a flight of stairs on Main Street. Park City’s signing ordinances prevent anything overtly noticeable on exteriors. Once inside, Bacchus is an intimate space, dimly lit with a red-black colour scheme throughout. Seating ranges from tables to sofas and a long bar area. Many of the furnishings are imported directly from Bali, the part-time home of the owners.

Given the time of the year, we found Bacchus to be almost deserted, so we decided to sit up at the bar and speak with the bar tender. As chance would have it, that evening we were served by the super-friendly owner himself. As such, we were not only lucky enough to be led through the menu with expert assistance, but also regaled with some fun stories of Park City and the bar’s much busier times during the Sundance Film Festival.

The wine list was very extensive, especially so the options by the glass. Bacchus uses a compressed inert gas to seal bottles after pouring a glass of wine, allowing them to stock and serve far more options by the glass than is usually common. Best of all, the menu featured a number of affordable “wine flights”; a series of smaller glasses of wines, highlighting a specific area or varietal of wine.

A small menu of light wine-friendly bites such as olives, cheeses and meats is also available. Both myself and Wendi each chose one of the red wine flights and sat back with a small plate of olives and cheese. We whiled away the late afternoon with some really excellent wine, and equally great conversation with the owner.

We enjoyed our time here so much so, we came back later the same evening after dinner to round the night off with a sampling of ports. An excellent little wine bar, and one we can’t wait to visit again. For any wine lovers in the Park City area, I would encourage you to get on down there ASAP.

Bacchus Wine Bar: 442 Main St Park City, UT 84060

Royal India, as seems to be the case with many Salt Lake Valley Indian restaurants, isn’t located in the most inspiring location. As with so many others, it sits almost anonymously amongst a row of stores in a strip mall. If the outside isn’t overly appealing, stepping inside is more rewarding. The restaurant space is nicely broken up into more comfortable smaller sections. The décor is minimal and understated, again reminiscent of quite a few other Salt Lake Indian eateries.

To kick things off, we each ordered a drink and settled in. Royal India offers a couple of imported beers, some domestics, and a small wine selection. I ordered my long-standing favourite Indian beer (Taj Mahal) at a slightly pricey $7.95, Wendi instead went with an iced tea for a more reasonable $1.95. To get a good feel for the place, we decided to start by sharing the Mixed Appetizer Plate ($7.95):

This combination plate contained 1 Vegetable Samosa, 2 Chicken Pakoras, 2 Vegetable Pakoras, and 2 Onion Bhajis. At $7.95 this seemed a great value. The plate came with the two ubiquitous condiments, a thin mint/cilantro sauce and a thicker spicy sweet brown sauce.

The first pleasant surprise of the evening was the almost whirlwind speed at which the food arrived at our table. Indeed such was the rapid pace of the kitchen, we had barely finished half our appetizers when our entrees appeared. Normally I am not a fan of such rushed service, I generally like to finish my appetizer before moving on. In this case, I wasn’t so concerned, as I find Indian cuisine is a little easier to mix and match. Wendi even enjoyed dipping her samosa into her curry, something she does on a regular basis.

As for the starters overall, they were quite good, but not terribly exciting. My favourite was the chicken pakora, featuring moist chunks of white meat, battered and deep fried. We both thought that the batter was under seasoned and could do with more of a kick. This theme ran throughout the variety of fried appetizers.

Wendi decided to go with what has now become our touchstone of curries, the Chicken Tikka Masala ($12.95):

She ordered her dish medium and was delighted to find that at Royal India medium has some kick. This dish was all it should be, creamy and rich, yet not disappointing as far as depth of flavour and spiciness. From the picture above, you can also see the plate of Basmati rice we were served to share. Some of the grains of rice had been coloured red, giving a certain festive appeal to the rice, which was perfectly done.

We also chose to share a Garlic Naan ($2.50):

The naan itself was a fine enough example of the bread standard, although I found the use of garlic powder rather than fresh garlic a little unusual. I will admit neither of us are garlic naan experts, so I couldn’t say if garlic powder is the traditional or authentic way to prepare this type of naan. If so,we will probably stick with plain naan from now on.

I chose one of the listed chef’s specials, the Lamb Rogan Josh ($13.95):

It’s not often I order lamb curries, at least not until I know a restaurants quality. I personally love lamb curries, but all too often find the cuts of lamb to be fatty and chewy. Based on the positive reviews I had heard of Royal India, I made the bold leap straight off the bat, and I wasn’t disappointed.

Large tender chunks of lean lamb meat were bathed in a delicious cardamom-rich sauce. I couldn’t identify a hint of gristle or fat on the meat. I was in curry heaven. Moreover, as I eagerly ploughed through my bowl, I realised what generous portions we had been served. As I reached the end of my curry capacity, I still had plenty of meat to work through. Ever the trooper, I did my best to finish.

A special mention and word of praise should definitely go to the organisation and service at Royal India. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a friendly young hostess who sat us promptly (while a second hostess waited up front should anyone else enter as we were being seated). Our table wait staff was comprised of several sharply-dressed men who checked our welfare at regular intervals and made sure we were enjoying our meals and in need of nothing. We were also visited by an owner/manager, who surveyed the floor and checked in with all the diners periodically to make sure things were going smoothly. Everything ran like clockwork and we felt perfectly attended to and spoiled from beginning to end.

If we are out in the area again, we will definitely be happy to dine at Royal India. I would heartily recommend it to anyone in the Sandy area looking for tasty affordable food served with a great attitude.

Royal India is located at 10263 S 1300 E, Sandy, UT 84094

Royal India also has a Bountiful location at 55 N Main St, Bountiful, UT 84010

I will skip the service and décor comments, you can read more on those in our initial review of Bambara here. Suffice to say, service is still friendly, professional and courteous. I’m happy to report that the only thing to have changed is the menu.

This particular meal started with the Achiote-Masa Crusted Calamari (Manchego, Lime Jalapeno Aioli), $11.50:

The calamari is a new addition to the menu I believe. We all found the Calamari decent enough, the masa crusting was appetizingly light and the squid not in the slightest chewy. Nothing exceptional, but certainly well executed standard.

One of the long standing menu items not to change under the new rein is Bambara’s signature Blue Cheese House Cut Potato Chips, $7.50:

While a little sedate for me personally, everyone else seemed very happy with the chips. I think its the blue cheese that made everyone so happy, it does strange things to people.

One of my dining companions went with the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna (Bamboo Rice Cake, Shiitake Mushroom Salad, Blonde Miso) $29.50:

His smiling face from the arrival of the plate, right up to its departure from the table, told me he really enjoyed this dish. I even stole a bite for myself, great quality tuna, lightly seared to perfection. The accompanying rice cake created a few perplexed looks, but in the end, it too was wolfed down.

My other two guests both selected the mouth wateringly described Citrus Brined Salmon Creek Pork Chop (Wilted Greens, Grits, Grilled Stonefruit, Candied Walnuts, Cherry Balsamic Syrup), $24.50:

Our waiter Jake was very keen to recommend this dish. Indeed, I would have probably have ordered this myself, but for the sake of a more interesting review, I chose otherwise. The pork was undoubtedly the star of our four entrees. There is nothing as bad as overcooked pork chops in my book, so it was with much happiness that both diners found their chops expertly cooked and not the least bit dry. The accompanying stone fruit was also well received by both diners. A great entree.

The “pork chopp’ers” also decided to share a side order of Au Gratin Potatoes ($4.50):

The potatoes proved to be another big hit with the table, although slightly too much food alongside the large servings of pork. I personally have never bothered with the Bambara side dishes, knowing that the entrees are typically perfectly balanced and portioned.

For a little variety I chose the Cedar Planked Adobo Salmon (Grilled Nopalitos, Prickly Pear Sauce, White Bean-Corn Salsa, Queso Fresco, Tortilla Straws), $26.50:

While the Salmon was cooked well, I didn’t feel the cedar planking gave the fish *that* much extra flavour. When I offered a bite to a dining companion, he summed it up best with “I’m from the Pacific North West, I have had Salmon any way you can imagine, there is not much you can do that I haven’t tasted already. Salmon is salmon”. The grilled cactus was also a little odd. It had a slightly tough texture and a taste that only required a few bites before I lost interest. The “tortilla straws” were a nice twist, adding some crunch to the dish. Overall, the salmon was pleasant enough, but it didn’t set my world alight, not something I would order again.

In the final analysis my three guests were more than happy with their Bambara experience. I was happy to see that on the whole the new menu is working well, yet still retaining a few of the old classics (Prawn Fettuccini for one). I just need to ensure it doesn’t take me another six months to return to Bambara next time.

Bambara restaurant website located at 202 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Overall: Solid food in a fun atmosphere
Food: Upscale pub fare
Ambiance: Buzzing brewpub
Service: Quick and pleasant

My past experience of Utah restaurant/brewpubs has been limited to a few trips to Squatters. However, based on the ever-teeming crowds, there always seemed to be a long wait for a table, and frankly, I more often than not found Squatters not the worth the wait. When a reader of the site suggested I try Red Rock Brewing Company, who was I to argue. With a recent World Beer Cup Silver Medal having been awarded to Red Rock for their Nut Brown Ale, it seemed time to give the place a try.

As 6 p.m. rolled around last Saturday, a spur of the moment whim took hold. With the Salt Lake City Gay Pride festivities in full swing, we thought we had no chance of being seated, but chanced our luck anyway. To our surprise, even with crowds milling outside, we were instantly seated by the hostess. It was at this point I realised just *how* big Red Rock is inside. In addition to outdoor patio seating and a long expansive bar, the restaurant space extends quiet deep into the building. The former warehouse space is nicely ordered so as to not feel overwhelmingly large.

An urban industrial feel prevailed, with plenty of brick and wood. A long bar area with seating curled around the open kitchen, where kitchen staff could be watched working away. The vibe was certainly relaxed, and whilst the noise level was buzzing, it was not obnoxiously loud. As we were seated, I felt instantly comfortable and at home.

This was probably due excitement over the large selection of award winning beers on offer. Red Rock features a number of ever-present beers, plus a number of special occasional brews throughout the year. The beer menu was arranged from light beers such as Honey Wheat through to heavier dark offerings such as the Oatmeal Stout. I chose towards the heavier end of the scale and went with a pint of the Amber Ale ($4.50):

This was described as a “traditional northwestern style ale, offering just the right balance between the sweetness of malt and the dry tang of cascade hops”. It was very reminiscent of Uinta Brewery’s Cutthroat, a favorite, which I also drink quite often. I think I preferred the Amber Ale all said and done, so much so I ordered a second one later in the meal. Wendi isn’t a beer drinker so she went for a Cadillac Margarita ($9.50). I should note Red Rock offers a full bar selection beyond beer, including wine and liquor.

The menu would be best described as ‘upscale pub fare’. Amongst wood fired pizzas and sandwiches sit choices such as Almond Crusted Red Trout and Filet Mignon. We decided to split a couple of appetizers and began with the Organic Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella Wrapped in Prosciutto ($9.99):

We were a little taken aback by the size of the thing, Wendi proclaimed it big enough by far to serve as her main course. Three thick sliced tomatoes were topped with generous servings of fresh mozzarella. These were then layered with Prosciutto and liberally smothered with a Basil and Dijon vinaigrette. A simple dish, but executed perfectly.

We also chose to share an order of the Cajun Fried Tiger Shrimp ($9.49):

Another hearty sized plate, it was accompanied by cocktail sauce and a garlic aioli. Another hit for both us. The shrimp coating had a subtle heat, which played perfectly with the accompanying dipping sauces. Given the portion sizes, we both had to stop half-way through to ensure room for our entrees.

Wendi chose the Hearts of Palm & Bay Shrimp Salad ($13.99):

In addition to the main ingredients, the salad also included romaine lettuce, new potatoes, avocado, feta cheese, roma tomatoes, red onions and caper berries in a Dijon vinaigrette. Wendi gleefully dug in, more than satisfied.

I went for the Halibut Fish and Chips ($15.49), to see how this pub classic would stand up:

Whilst the chips were nothing to write home about, the beer battered halibut was delicious. The batter reminded me of authentic fish and chip batter from back home in England: rich and crunchy with a pleasing edge of grease. The accompanying coleslaw seemed like an afterthought, I left it largely untouched.

When our waitress came to clear our plates and enquire about desert, we were stuffed to the gills. Despite some of the sweeter selections looking tempting we resigned to take our leave, with plenty of leftovers in tow. Whilst on the topic of service, our waitress was extremely affable and checked in at the appropriate times throughout the meal. Even though the restaurant seemed to be close to capacity, the restaurant floor appeared to be running very smoothly.

I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed Red Rock. I am not certain what I anticipated, but my expectations were certainly exceeded. Red Rock mixes great food with great beer in a fun atmosphere. Red Rock would be a perfect start to a night out on the town or maybe somewhere to celebrate with friends over a couple of beers. Which is just what we are planning to do on our next visit in a couple of weeks time. (Wendi’s note: Go Wendi! It’s my birthday!) Although, next time we will definitely be more aware of the generous portion sizes, and order a little less food, if only to leave a little bit of room of dessert.

(P.S. Many thanks to Jeff for the recommendation!)

Red Rock Brewing Companyhas two locations:

254 South 200 West Salt Lake City, Utah
1640 W. Redstone Center Dr. Ste. #105, Park City, Utah

It seems everyone else in the local media is covering Baxter’s American at the moment. We felt left out, so decided to run a quick follow-up review of our own. Our first visit to Baxter’s American was back in March, you can read that here.

After that initial visit we couldn’t wait to come back. Just recently we had the perfect excuse to head back down, one of our favourite bands was playing in the attached venue, The Depot. On this visit we opted to share a bottle of wine with the meal. The Baxter’s wine list is not super-extensive, so it was with a little disappointment that our first selection was unavailable. Instead we went with the Wild Horse Pinot Noir ($55.00), not too bad at a touch over 2X markup:

We started the meal by sharing an order of the Grilled Vegetables with Hummus and Pita ($7.25):

The grilled vegetables were a little limp by the time they reached our table, yet the hummus and pita were both good. The Ceviche from our last visit was far superior.

Wendi took full advantage of the almost build-it-yourself-style menu. She chose a Small Caesar Salad ($5.25) with Salmon ($5.95) and side of Risotto ($4.00):

Whilst there isn’t a great amount one can say about a simple salad, Wendi did note that the Salmon was well cooked. She proclaimed the risotto wonderful, better than her previous SLC favourite over at Bambara.

After my last visit I also wanted to try something new, so I selected the Lemon-Garlic Roasted Chicken (pan gravy, house fries) ($19.75):

The portion was surprisingly large, featuring half a chicken. The chicken was cooked expertly, perfectly moist and juicy. The ‘pan gravy’ was also pleasingly rich. The dish was completed with asparagus and squash. Personally I thought either the squash or asparagus could be dropped. The accompanying fries were presented on the side in a rather cute mini-fryer basket:

Rather than just a whimsical serving presentation, this actually benefited the fries. The separation from the pan gravy kept the fries deliciously crisp throughout. I thought this was an excellently executed dish, just ever so on the large side. At any rate, I could not finish every last bite.

Baxter’s has received fairly unanimous praise from everyone in the Salt Lake media of late, we ourselves are also big fans as you may have noticed. It is certainly true there are still niggles to be worked out, not every dish is a home run. However, service is charming, the space is exceedingly comfortable and the the menu seems to be evolving at a healthy pace.

Worthy of further note are the lunch and Sunday brunch options, all aggressively priced. A set three course lunch comes in at $9.95, whilst all but two of the six Benedict selections for brunch come in at under $9. The brunch menu in particular seems to be one of Salt Lake’s remaining dining “secrets” of sorts. I read of someone visiting as recently as 2-3 weeks back, and having no problems walking in and being seated straight away at noon for Brunch. Given SLC’s seeming love for Sunday Brunch, such a feat would be impossible at a gamut of local eateries.

I should also note that Baxter’s American have recently made some updates for their “summer menu”. Amongst these are an extended “small plates and things to share” menu featuring intriguing options such as Sliders, Potato Lollys and Smoky BBQ Meatballs. Next time you are down town we heartily recommend you check these guys out.

Baxter’s American is located at 400 W South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84180

Overall: Interesting
Food: Tasty and unique
Ambiance: Intimate
Service: Prompt and friendly

Wendi and myself are long-time fans of tapas. A little bite of this, a small taste of that, tapas is great for the indecisive. For those of you unaware, tapas are small plates of food ideal for sharing with your dining companions. There are only a handful of places in SLC that serve food tapas-style, indeed a few have closed over the past 18 months, Zola and Panache to name two. Yet even these restaurants aren’t “true” tapas in the original Spanish sense. To my knowledge Cafe Madrid is the only place in SLC that offers a comprehensive menu of authentic Spanish-style tapas.

With our combined love of small plates and Spanish flavors, Cafe Madrid has long been on our list of places to try. The only issue we had in visiting was that I had heard weekends were extremely busy and reservations were definitely required. As a result, we never quite managed a trip. On a recent weekday evening, the restaurant popped into our heads and we headed over. Upon arriving quite early, around 6:00 p.m., to be on the safe side, we were the first diners in the restaurant.

As we entered and were greeted, we were asked if we would like to dine inside or outside. Cafe Madrid has a lovely little patio area set back sufficiently from the adjacent 3900 South. The weather being a little too warm, we declined and were led into the dining space. I could immediately see why weekends might get busy here, the room is somewhat small and cosy. Booths line two edges whilst tables fill the floor. The decor is homey and inviting with a definite Spanish influence. Wendi particularly enjoyed the Spanish (or perhaps just Spanish-influenced) art and sculpture throughout the room.

Cafe Madrid features a full bar and what appeared to be quite an extensive selection of Spanish wines. At our waiter’s suggestion, I opted for a glass of the Arrocal Tempranillo ($9.00) whilst Wendi went with a chilled glass of Sangria ($6.00). The wine proved to be a great choice. Wendi, not a regular sangria consumer, was a little disappointed. She described it as light and summery, but not an ideal match for the food we ordered.

As we perused the menu, freshly baked warm bread was brought to the table. The menu was comprised of three main sections, cold tapas, hot tapas, and an entrees section. With the unique nature of the food, we decided to order exclusively from the tapas menu. Our waiter was happy to explain that for two people, 4-5 tapas plates would probably suffice.

When I see a charcuterie plate on a French menu my eyes light up, so when I saw the Entremeses ($16.50) on offer, I had to dive in:

The plate included Serrano Ham, Lomo, Chorizo, Manchego Cheese and a small bunch of red grapes. I should have asked the waiter to tell me which meat was which, but I as did not, I will just say that I found the deep red circular salami-esque meat the most enjoyable. The other two meats were not especially rewarding, indeed one had a slightly odd flavour I couldn’t quite place. Wendi especially enjoyed the cheese and grapes. Between the two of us, we nearly cleaned the plate. For the cost of the entremeses, we both would have enjoyed a little more variety.

I am also a huge fan of Pate, so again as soon I saw the Pate de Pescado ($8.50), I had to try this as well:

The menu described the pate as “delicate white fish pate, served with an exclusive Spanish pink sauce”. The pate was also accompanied by a large portion of toasted bread. The pate was indeed delicate, sporting a very subtle and mild flavour. The pink sauce added a nice element of creaminess. My only complaint was that the toasted bread, for the thickness at which it had been cut, was exceedingly over toasted, and thus very hard and crunchy (almost painfully so). As a result we used our baked bread from earlier as the ideal vehicle for the delicious pate and sauce.

Next up was the Butifarritas con Brevas ($11.50):

Imported Spanish sausage were grilled and accompanied by a Black Mission fig sauce. A few fig pieces were also thrown in for good measure. I was a huge fan of this dish. The figs and sauce were a beautiful sweet and fruity foil for the rich sausage. Top notch.

Our final plate of tapas was one of that day’s specials. I heard our waiter mention “deep fried, baby eels” and immediately nodded my head, forgetting anything else he said. The Gulas ($10.50) came to the table in a bowl of red hot, bubbling oil:

Also in the bowl were peppers and copious amounts of garlic. More of the baked warm bread from earlier was also served with the dish. The restaurants host kindly explained the idea was to mop up the eels with the bread. While a little messy, this was another enjoyable and unique dish.

Before this dish I had only tasted eel in sushi restaurants, where the pieces are much larger. The baby eels here were a marked contrast. These were literally hundreds of little eels sauteed in the garlic-infused oil. This dish was unusual and quite addictive once we got the hang of scooping the little guys up with our crusty bread. Definitely not a dish I have seen on an SLC menu before, and one I would also happily eat again.

Our waiter’s suggestion of five plates seemed to be spot on. Four would have left us a little hungry, and on a hungrier night, six might just do the trick. Plus, the more variety and new dishes to try, the happier we are. For dessert we chose Fresas Maceradas a la Pimienta Verde con Helado de Vanillia ($6):

Strawberries with peppercorns, a little balsamic vinegar and vanilla ice cream, we were already fans of this combination from other restaurants. Wendi particularly enjoyed this version. They didn’t hold back on the peppercorns or the balsamic, which provided an intriguing mix of flavors with the richness of the ice cream. Wendi also had a rich cafe con leche ($3.00) with dessert.

Service was prompt throughout the meal, although the restaurant was largely empty for our visit. The staff were clearly versed in the menu and were only too happy to help us with pronunciation, clarify menu items, and provide additional details as needed. Although we failed to try any of the entrees, diners at other tables seemed to be enjoying theirs immensely and they did look delicious.

Whilst there were a few misses, our meal was mostly hits. Without a doubt, Wendi and I will return to Cafe Madrid during the summer. I’m also looking forward to taking friends and family to Cafe Madrid. If they don’t like one of the dishes, hey, try another! The more the merrier. I think a larger group willing to go on a tasting adventure and experiment a little would lend itself perfectly to the ultimate enjoyment of Cafe Madrid.

Cafe Madrid is located at 2080 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84124

We dropped by last Saturday evening and were intrigued by the staffing changes afoot behind the sushi bar. A new highly experienced chef (Tetsuo) was evaluating whether to join the already formidable team. We were told Tetsuo was a chef with vast experience, working in over 30 states and more than 70 restaurants. A number of specials were available that evening as a consequence. The most visually dramatic newcomer was the whole Snapper Head ($10.50):

The head was steamed for 20 minutes in sake, lemon and asparagus. When the finished plate finally landed in front of me, it elicited more than a couple of curious stares. The flesh around the neck and cheek areas were especially delicate and flavoursome. Wendi commented on how much the sake had permeated the meat, this was a real treat.

Another new unusual item was the Tuna Skin Salad ($4.50):

We were told that Tuna has a comparatively thick skin for fish, this was particularly evident in the tasting. The marinated skin had a pleasingly chewy texture. Indeed, a little extra chewing went a long way in providing a rich lasting flavour. Also creating quite a stir at the sushi bar was the heart stopping Crunch Roll ($14.50):

This was essentially a dressed up Prawn Tempura roll. A standard tempura roll is topped with heaps of “crunchy bits”, namely the left over bits of tempura batter from the fryer. Finally the mountain of deep fried goodness is drizzled with spicy mayonnaise and eel sauce. The plate was certainly Americanized and anything but healthy, it was however delicious, in that kind of guilty-pleasure way. Best enjoyed in moderation for sure!

These were just three new items on the menu that night. A variety of ‘dragon rolls’ also featured that, although we did not have room to sample them. It was unclear if Tetsuo will be joining the Kyoto team permanently, nor am I sure if these items are still available. If they are though, I would heartily recommend you give them a try.

While on the subject of Kyoto staffing changes, I should say goodbye to Mike, our friendly sushi chef at Kyoto for the last year, we will miss you Mike! At least Akira and Katsu will be there to console us with their great sushi in your absence. For our original Kyoto review please see here.