Comments for Gastronomic Salt Lake City

Comment on Kyoto restaurant review by Chris O.

Chris O. — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:50:23 +0000

It’s sad to partake in the decline of one of Salt Lake’s most venerable, and my traditionally favorite, sushi bars: Kyoto.
Since back in the day, over ten years ago, when dear old Rocky oversaw the sushi chefs, Kyoto has been, for me, the standard of excellence in sushi. Make no mistake, the restaurant’s tempura is still the best to be found. But their sushi, under the current guidance of Akira, Old Rocky’s protegee, has suffered from a lack of enthusiasm and care. Much the way a seemingly bored Akira treats his guests. Tonight we started with 4 dishes: seaweed and squid salad, baked mussels, mussel shooters and raw oysters. Every dish was drenched in chili spice. Even the oysters. It was as if chili or hot spice is now the fallback flavor in all their sushi recipes. Unfortunately, hot spice mangles the delicate flavor of most fish, and certainly oysters. When I had the temerity to ask about the liberal use of chili spice, I was treated to hastily and resentfully prepared sushi the rest of the evening. Including a broiled fish appetizer that was the consistency of shoe leather. I’ve been going to Kyoto’s for 15 years. Sadly, it’s time to move on. Thanks for the great meals and memories, Kyoto.

Comment on News around town 01/20/12 by Stu

Stu — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:00:28 +0000

Here is the full Faustrina menu for those who want the full scoop too:

SIDES & STARTERS

Brie Puff Pastry • roasted grapes • seasonal berry compote • toasted french baguette • 7

Farm Fresh Eggs* • two, any style • 3

Toast • rye , sourdough, wheat berry, or english muffin • 2

Breakfast Potatoes • 3

Croissant • 4

Applewood Smoked Bacon* • three slices • 4

Sausage* • house sausage, linguisa sausage, or lamb sausage • 3

SALADS

Caesar Salad • romaine lettuce • asiago cheese • herbed croutons • 5 Entrée Size* • with pesto grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon • 11

Citrus Salad • arugula • goat cheese • pink peppercorns • candied pecans • citrus segments • lemon honey thyme vinaigrette • 6 Entrée Size 11

Smoked Sonoma Chicken Salad* • mixed greens • dried blueberries • gorgonzola • almonds • carmelized onion • pomegranate vinaigrette • green apple • 6 Entrée Size* • 11

House Salad • butter lettuce • mixed greens • sherry vinaigrette • beet chips • 5

EGGS AND SUCH

Faustina Breakfast* • two eggs • breakfast potatoes • toast • choice of bacon or sausage • 8

Faustina Scramble* • artisan lamb sausage • roasted pepper medley • scrambled eggs • asiago cheese • french baguette • 9

Omelette* • squash • mushrooms • tomatoes • white cheddar • diavalo sauce •
breakfast potatoes • toast • 9

Faustina Benedict* • polenta • italian sausage • grilled tomato • poached eggs • hollandaise • breakfast potatoes • 10

BREAKFAST BREADS

Baked Oatmeal Brulee • cranberries • toasted almonds • golden raisins • 7

Roasted Fruit Crepes • mascarpone • vanilla whipped cream • berry crepe • roasted peach crepes • 9

Brie Stuffed Brioche French Toast • house-made honey almond butter • roasted grapes • 8

Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes • cream cheese glaze • Short Stack (2) • 7 Big Stack (3) • 9

SANDWICHES

All sandwiches served with choice of house salad or house made sweet potato chips

Black Forest Ham Puff Pastry* • gruyere cheese • house-made honey mustard • egg • Mosiah sauce • 11

Bacon Egg Cheeseburger* • smoked bacon • cheddar cheese • tomatoes • avocado • Mosiah sauce • 11

Salmon BLT* • applewood smoked bacon • tomato • lettuce • dill mayonnaise • 11

Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini* • roasted chicken breast • black forest ham • swiss cheese • sweet & spicy mustard • bechamel sauce • tomato • 11

Comment on On the road: Saam at the Bazaar by Living in the Weeds

Living in the Weeds — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:55:23 +0000

Sounds fantastic. For the location and selection you received the price seems very reasonable.

Comment on Tuscany restaurant review by Sara132

Sara132 — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:42:57 +0000

I’ve been to Tuscany’s before and was greeted with great service, mediocre but creative food, and friendly staff. HOWEVER, I decided to go there again to celebrate a friend’s birthday and was sadly disappointed with poor service, mediocre food, and the evening ruined by the attitude of our waiter. Middle aged, receding hairline, dark brown hair, moderate length, 190-200lbs. Working on Saturdays.

We waited forever for our food but it was tolerable since the group had bread to snack on. Our waiter was rude and clearly forgot any sort of etiquette. I thought this was suppose to be a refined establishment?! Our waiter had the attitude that belonged in a corner diner with neon signs and coffee stains next to the plastic silverware.

On another note, the food was mediocre. I had the Lemon Basil Farfalle and some of the pasta pieces were undercooked and broken. Along with that, there was a mix of real shrimp and frozen shrimp DROWNED in the lemon basil sauce. DEFINITELY NOT WORTH $30+.

In sum, this place has definitely gone downhill. Please, I urge you to find another place to eat. If you want to spend a lot of money on a nice dinner, do not come here. It will steal your money and leave you disappointed. I promise you’ll be finding yourself on this site writing a terrible review.

The only nice thing about the night was that there was complimentary valet (which doesn’t always happen) and it came in handy when I wanted to LEAVE. –There’s a reason they didn’t win a 2011 recognition award and will not be receiving another in 2012.

Comment on Mist Project by Colt

Colt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:08:58 +0000

To quote Fry from Futurama “Shut up and take my money.”

Comment on On the road: Saam at the Bazaar by Jason

Jason — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:11:32 +0000

Any new reviews in the works Stu?

Comment on $50 at Market Street’s fresh salmon celebration by Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:18:47 +0000

A handful of fresh raspberries!

Comment on Takashi restaurant review by kent

kent — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:03:34 +0000

My wife and I eat often at Takashi. We have followed Takashi Gibo since he was serving sushi at Shogun,(years ago). The saba shashimi is as good as any I’ve ever had anywhere. We order it every time we’re there. Also if you haven’t tried the live scallops (shashimi) you are missing a real treat. I also love the mussel shooters with quail eqq, and the uni with quail egg.

As you may gather from this comment, I’m not a big nigiri fan, I prefer shashimi. The shashimi is superb at Takashi’s. It you don’t take advantage of the way in which this sushi is served you are missing something special.

Comment on Bay Leaf Cafe restaurant review by Jim

Jim — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:06:14 +0000

The Bayleaf has come down a notch in my personal estimation but the reason might be good news for you, if you don’t have kids. The reason? We were told, on our last visit, the reason they discontinued their kid’s menus was they get enough business with their new liquor license they no longer really care to serve families. Yep, that’s right. We were politely told we could take our business, and our brats, elsewhere. Now, the food is still good, the servers are always friendly and the atmosphere is as grunge-chic as it always was, but if you have a family, the manager is not shy about telling you he doesn’t need your business and, to quote him, “That’s just the way it is.”

Comment on $50 at Market Street’s fresh salmon celebration by John

John — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:39:53 +0000

Berries.
Sea Bass

Love your restaurants.