Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restaurants. Show all posts

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Afternoon Tea at the Grand America Hotel

I have always wanted to have Afternoon Tea at the Grand America Hotel and I finally found a willing victim friend to go with me.  Angela and I went yesterday afternoon and it was so lovely.  I especially loved the live music playing in the background!
You have your choice of several black teas, green teas, herbal teas, or hot chocolate.  I chose a peppermint herbal tea and it was delicious!
English scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, and jam.  My Scottish grandmother made the best scones ever but these were pretty good!
We were also served Strawberries & Creme Chantilly (divine), Finger Sandwiches, and an Assortment of Pastries.

Afternoon Tea is served in the Lobby Lounge of the Grand America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City every afternoon at 1:00 pm Monday-Thursday and at 12:30 and 3:30 pm Friday - Sunday.  Afternoon Tea is $32 for adults and $24 for children 12 and younger.  You can also order a Grand Traditions Tea which includes a Selection of Imported and Domestic Cheeses for $40 and you can add a glass of Champagne for $12.  Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.  Go here for more information.

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Birthday Dinner at The Garden Restaurant

My sister and I have birthdays one week apart and we have a tradition of celebrating at The Garden Restaurant at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial building downtown.
The Garden Restaurant has a casual atmosphere, with stunning views of downtown, and and upscale bistro menu.
Spinach & Artichoke Dip ($11)
Classic Burger ($13)
Berry Cobbler & Ice Cream ($8)

The Garden Restaurant is a great place to celebrate an occasion (there is a special menu for Father's Day).  The food is really good and reasonably priced (entrees range from $13-$20) and the wait staff is very efficient and friendly.  It is open Monday - Thursday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm and Friday - Saturday 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.  Reservations are accepted (go here).

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Dinner at Caffe Molise

If I had to pick a favorite cuisine, it would most definitely be Italian so Caffe Molise is obviously one of my very favorite restaurants downtown!  It features a menu full of traditional dishes from Northern Italy and has an extensive wine list from that region, as well.   Caffe Molise has a simple and casual decor featuring the work of local artists or you can opt for the patio during warmer months.  I like to eat here before seeing productions at Capitol Theatre but it is equally appropriate for a casual dinner after work.
I like just about everything on the menu but I highly recommend the lasagne ($15.95).   It features layers of pasta, Italian sausage, seasoned beef, ricotta, Asiago, and marinara.  It is delicious!
Definitely save some room for dessert (if you can!).  I became a fan of Tiramisu on a trip to Italy several years ago and Caffe Molise has an excellent version but I usually opt for the Dark Chocolate Cake ($6.95).  It is quite possibly the most decadent chocolate cake I have ever had!  It is dense and chocolaty, with just a hint of cinnamon!

Caffe Molise is located in the heart of downtown SLC at 55 West 100 South (near the Salt Lake Convention Center).  It is open Monday - Thursday: 10:30 am - 9:00 pm, Friday - Saturday: 10:30 am - 10:00 pm, and Sunday: 10:30 am - 9:00 pm.  Most entrees are reasonably priced under $30.00.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Dinner at Bistro 222

Since I spend so much time downtown, I wanted another option for dinner before attending a performance at Capitol Theatre.  I recently found Bistro 222 and it has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants.  Located in the heart of downtown, Bistro 222 has a very sophisticated vibe with black and white decor that is modern and contemporary.  I love the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on Main Street because you can people watch to your heart's content!  I feel like I'm in the middle of a big city whenever I eat there!  The seasonal menu features contemporary American cuisine which is simple yet elegant.
I am very partial to their artisan pizzas and my server informed me that they have an authentic wood fired pizza oven!  I recently had the Ratatouille pizza ($14.00) with zucchini, yellow squash, red onions, eggplant, red peppers, marinara, whole milk mozzarella, and torn basil.  It was delicious and I really appreciate the fact that Bistro 222 has so many vegetarian options.
The desserts change nightly and this bit of deliciousness is called the "Chocolate Tower."  It is chocolate cake stuffed with a decadent mousse topped with cream ($8.00) and I loved it!  The service is always great and there is often live music on the weekends.  Bistro 222 is located at 222 S. Main Street in downtown SLC making it a perfect place for dinner before a performance at Capitol Theatre!  It is open Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, Friday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, and Saturday: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm.  Entrees range from $18.00 - $45.00.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Dinner at Bambara

I spend a lot of time in Downtown SLC, especially at Capitol Theatre.  Every once in a while I like to have a really nice dinner before I see a performance and Bambara, one of my favorite restaurants, is right across the street!  Dining at Bambara is a lovely experience because it is housed in the elegant lobby of a former bank with high arching windows, brass fixtures, and travertine tiles which really set the mood for a memorable evening.  I also really love the houndstooth upholstery!  The kitchen is in the center of the space allowing Executive Chef Nathan Powers to put his culinary skills on full display.  The cuisine is New American with a seasonal menu emphasizing an exotic twist on familiar dishes.  I tend to stick with vegetarian dishes, which can often be a bit boring, but at Bambara I am always surprised by unexpected flavor combinations.  I recently had dinner there and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
I started with Mixed Baby Greens with Beehive Smoked Cheddar, Cinnamon-Ancho Almonds, and Rosemary Cider Vinaigrette ($10.00).  
For the entree I had Black Kale and Asiago Ravioli with Butternut Squash, Cipollini Onion, Walnuts, Artichoke Heart Puree, and Fancy Balsamic ($25.00).
The dessert menu is also quite wonderful.  I had the Turtle Ice Cream Sandwich with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Pecan Crusted Dark Chocolate Cookie, Salted Caramel Drizzle, and Cocoa Nib Crackle ($8.00).  I must confess that I have this every time I come to Bambara!

The wait staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly and I've never been led astray by any of their recommendations.  The hostesses frequently greet me by name which is always a nice touch.  The menu is a bit pricey but I think it is a lot of fun to get all dressed up and have a beautiful evening every once in a while.  Bambara is perfect for a pre-theatre dinner or for a special occasion (there is a special menu for Valentine's Day).  Bambara is located at 202 S. Main Street in Downtown SLC.  It is open for Breakfast: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 10:00 am, Brunch: Saturday - Sunday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm, and Dinner: Every Night 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm.  Entrees vary from $25.00 - $43.00.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Dinner at Pago

A couple of years ago I made a New Year's resolution to try a new restaurant every month and I actually kept it!  Not only was it a really fun resolution (you should try it!), but I found lots of restaurants that I now frequent on a regular basis.  I thought I would share a few of them for those of you in the SLC area looking for new places to try.  Pago is one of many great restaurants in the trendy 9th & 9th neighborhood of SLC.  It has a modern and rustic design with a really fun vibe.  Pago features contemporary American cuisine with an ever-changing seasonal menu incorporating a farm to table philosophy.  I eat there quite a bit, usually before attending the theatre, and the service has always been excellent and the wait staff are friendly and personable.
I consider myself to be a really picky eater.  I sometimes have a hard time eating meat (It's a long story) so when I find a good burger I tend to order it a lot.  The Pago Burger ($18.00) with bacon, Gouda, pickled onion, black garlic aioli, and truffle frites is a good one.  I'm telling you, it is Heaven on a bun and, in my opinion, it is one of the best burgers I've had in SLC.  Pago is located at 878 S. 900 E. in SLC and is open for Lunch: Monday - Friday 11:00am- 3:00pm, Dinner: Monday- Sunday 5:00pm - 10:00pm, and Brunch: Saturday - Sunday 10:00am -2:30pm.  Prices for dinner vary from $31 to $50.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Brunch at Eva's Bakery

I always begin summer vacation with a list of new things I want to do, new places I want to see, and new restaurants I want to try and this year was no exception.  Now that school is about to start, I realize that I haven't accomplished anything on my list.  What have I been doing with all of my free time?  Yesterday I had to wake up early (on a Saturday!) and vacate my house for several hours for an inspection.  Eva's Bakery in downtown SLC has been on my list for quite a while so I decided to have brunch there so I can check at least one thing off!  I was in absolute heaven!  Eva's Bakery is a little slice of Paris right on Main Street.  Paris is my favorite city in the world and when I spent a semester abroad there, I loved to wander the streets and find an out-of-the-way cafe in which while away an afternoon.  When I walked into Eva's Bakery, the aroma and ambiance immediately transported me back to that time and place!  Why have I never been there before?
Eva's Bakery has a breakfast and lunch menu with many traditional French dishes.  I had the Stuffed French Toast with lemon cream cheese filling and blueberry compote ($8.00).  The lemon and blueberry flavors really complemented one another and it was cooked to a crispy perfection.  I loved every bite!  Next time, I want to try the lunch menu.  I love French onion soup and I haven't had a good Croque Madame since I was in Paris!  Eva's Bakery is located on 155 S. Main Street in SLC and is open for breakfast and lunch Monday - Saturday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm and for brunch on Sunday from  9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  All of the items on the menu are reasonably priced from $8.00 - $11.00.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Dinner at La Caille

Every year I am invited to a dinner at La Caille, a beautiful French restaurant at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It is quite extravagant, but every once in a while it is nice to get all dressed up for a lovely evening!
As you drive through the gates and up the tree-lined brick road, it is like you are entering another world.  The grounds are incredibly beautiful and I always like to get there early so I can stroll through the gardens and the vineyard.
You might meet one of the many peacocks who roam freely!  Be careful, though, because they are kind of mean.
The restaurant is located inside a French-style chateau.
Once inside the chateau, you are escorted to one of several intimate dining rooms on three levels.  In each dining room there are alcoves and nooks which give you the feeling of separation from other diners.
My dinner had a fixed menu (on fancy menu cards) which included Escargot with Roasted Garlic and Herb Butter, Raspberry Sorbet, Fresh Romaine Salad with Champagne Dressing, Vegetable Ravioli, and Crepe Maison with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce.  I do feel that the food is a little bit pricey (most entrees are between $28 and $56) but the atmosphere and ambiance are definitely worth it!  La Caille is the perfect spot for a special occasion dinner, such as an anniversary.  Go here for more information.

Note:  A friend of mine teaches French and he takes his classes to La Caille every year.  One year he asked me to come along as a chaperon and I ended up at a table of restless boys.  I started quizzing them on their French vocabulary and, because I was in a silly mood, I taught them the word decolletage (because the waitresses wore very low-cut uniforms).  When our waitress came back to the table to fill our water glasses, one of the boys yelled out, "Miss Johnson, what was the French word for boobs?"  Yeah.  What's the French word for embarrassed?
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