I see my no-mo-Sister every few years, and feel to take her and her man out to dinner this trip thru town. Where is the best place for FOOD, AMBIANCE and not too cookie cutter.

Park City will do, if worth the drive up.

Help me out here.

What about...

SUNDAY BRUNCH?

I always liked to eat at La Caille in Sandy. It's neat French restaurant that is in a chateau styled building on it's own grounds. For Sunday brunch the Little America Hotel downtown is good.

Toscanos in Draper. (Italian)
Cafe Molisse Downtown. (Italian/Mediterranean)
The Green Pig downtown. (Bar/Pub)
Red Iguana. Close to downtown. (old school Mexican)
The Cliff Pub in Draper. (high-end gastropub style)

Not sure what happened with my earlier post.

I can only tell you where I've eaten, but in the last year, I've been to Red Iguana 3 times, twice with my daughter and her husband and once with some friends.

I don't remember what it was like years ago, but these last few times have been just not worth the wait and the money. I'm not very good at describing things like this but all of the people I went with have been disappointed in whatever we all had. Not sure if we caught them at a bad time, since YELP reviews are by and large 100% positive.

I guess I must be wrong but there is always a 30 to 45 minute wait to get in here.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2017 12:39PM by memikeyounot.

If you like Mexican, then as nonmo_1 suggested, Red Iguana is excellent and so is La Hacienda in Draper-one of our favorites. Near Brigham City is the Maddox-best homemade food ever. They raise their own beef,chicken,and dairy and the soups,rolls,etc are all made from scratch. For Italian, Olive Garden is always a good choice.

Eh, mi scusa, Olive Garden is not "Italian," nor is it ever a good choice.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UVyhE3-_lCM

Since that's where I met him and "Man in Black,' another former regular...

Thankfully they ate there because the place we went afterwards was a total f@#k up on my part... Stay away from the International Center is all I'll say on that one.

I'll do better, honest Eric, if you get back this way.

I've never had a good meal at olive garden.

Whenever I'm in Salt Lake I make sure to go to Crown Burger.
And for desert it's the Iceberg Drive Inn.

Yes, I know. Lowlife food.
Let the flaming begin !

Crown burger is the best, that pastrami is to die for

I don't live in SLC anymore, so may not know the best new places. But when I do pop in I like the Little America coffee shop, Rio Grand Cafe, Desert Edge Brewery, and in Park City I like Wasatch Brewing.

I'll have to mark down some of the other places mentioned to try for the next time I'm there.

Squatters Restaurant & Brewery! Excellent.

Agree with not O.G. (not Italian and never a good choice).

Nothing wrong with OG's soup and salad lunch.

You're using the wrong measuring stick.

How was your day? It didn't suck.

Olive Garden or any chain restaurant is not a good place to eat in Salt Lake City if you can also find that very same restaurant in every city in America. By definition, that means good locally run restaurants that you can't experience anywhere else

For dinner:

Indian: Bombay House - https://www.bombayhouse.com/locations/

Mexican: As other suggested, Red Iguana. You can probably get in easier if you go to Red Iguana 2 which is a few blocks away from the original. RI2 does not have quite the same funky abidance, but it does have a patio

Fine Dining: Log Haven - one of my standards for a special dinner with people that are important to my life. Reservations

Eclectic: Tin Angel - A small restaurant near downtown SLC. This is also a place I go to for special events with people that are important to me. Get Reservations

For brunch, I would often go to Market Street Grill in downtown SLC, but I haven't been out for brunch in a long time.

Red Iquana is noisy, crowded and funky. No one would discribe it as elegant. It is fun and the food is good. Just be aware of what it is like. The building is shabby and the tables are very close and at peak times there is a long wait

Who said anything about "elegance"?

The OP mentioned "ambiance" which is not the same as "elegant". I did mention that Red Iguana had a funky ambiance. I also mentioned the eclectic nature of The Tin Angel. If a person wants a "funky" or "eclectic" ambiance (get it yet?) they one of these may be of interest.

I also recommended Red Iguana 2, which is not funky or as you stay shabby.

I like Red Iquana, but he said he wanted ambience. IF he meant quiet elegance, Red Iquana isnt the place. People dont always define ambience he same way. Got it? If food is the main draw and he doesnt mind noise, crowds, and long lines, Red Iquana is a good choice. Depends on what he is looking for and information on what to expect will help him make a decision.Nowhere did I say not to go.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2017 09:11PM by bona dea.

Your point is only valid if one is only talking about the original Red Iguana, which I clearly did NOT do.

I pointed out some differences about the two Red Iguana, including that the original was funky and the second was not and that the second one is easier to get into. And yes, the context of the post you are replying to is important.

In the context of what I wrote, what the OP said and the original text of your second post, no, you did not have a valid point regarding WHAT I WROTE,

I hate to say this, but if you OP is how you talk about the restaurant you like and go to, I'd hate to see what you see what you would write about a restaurant you did not like. You only started taking about liking it when someone challenged you. It comes across as back pedaling.

I was one that understood that the OP was vague about his ambiance questions which is why most of my recommendations included information about the ambiance of the restaurant I was suggesting.

In the case if Red Iguana, I pointed out there was a difference between the two in regards to ambiance.

To write a response to my post that dismisses the idea that there were two Red Iguanas (three if you count "Taste of Red Iguana" in City Creek, also not shabby) with totally different ambiances and insist one focusing in just the one is not a valid point in regards to the context of my post, the post you were replying to.

Overall, the Red Iguana franchise is mostly NOT SHABBY. One is, the other two are not.

And you are right, not everyone defines ambiance as "elegance".

Every time, other than with you, that I recall seeing the word used it's use matches this definition:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ambiance

I can't find any definition that talks about ambiance as meaning any particular environment, including elegance. If you find one, let me know.

As I stated, I understood this, that is why I gave dome indications about ambiance, knowing that *I* did not know what ambiance he was looking for.

I said If the OP defines ambience as elegance or even a quiet experience, Red Iquana may not be the right place for him. The key word is 'if'.Ambience means atmosphere and he did not say what kind of ambience or atmosphere he was looking for. Waiting in a long line outside for a seat, being seated within inches to another table, and a high noise level isnt for everyone. I go there fairly often but usually in off hours when it is not so busy.

In my original post I said that the food is good (no.issues there) and added that there are long waits and it is crowded and noisy. It is. That is a fact. By your reaction, you would think I had insulted your favorite child. As for Red Iquana 2, I have never been there.In fact I was barely.aware of it. If it is different,thank you for pointing that out, but you could do so in a less snarky manner. Next time I want Mexican food, I will give it a try.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2017 01:34AM by bona dea.

IF the OP wanted a casual eclectic abidance than an ELEGANT place would not be right for them.

Without knowing what abidance the person is looking for, you were being quite presumptuous. My example above shows how I could do the same with an elegant restaurant.

It does strike me that you picked on just RI's ambiance when taco carts and Dee's where mentioned, both are not "elegant" either.

AGAIN, my post had already addressed the issues you raised.

If good food, funky an fun are what the OP wants the first would be perfect. ONE Red Iguana is "funky" the OTHER is NOTi One would meet their desire for funky, the other would not. YOUR POSTS HAVE NEVER ADDRESSED THE FACT THAT THERE ARE TWO RED IGUANAS WITH DIFFERENT AMBIANCES, MINE DID.

Valter's always has customers coming away satisfied. And Walter (no typo, honest) is a class act and a friend of mine. West of Squatters on 300 South...

Market Street Grill and New Yorker are awesome... New seafood restaurant is getting good reports, Current... 300 South and 400 East

Best Italian: Give Cucina Tuscana a shot; Good Italian is wasted on me... I am going to put together an Exmo get-together at Buca di Peppo in downtown (I think there's still one in Fort Union). That one is billed "Immigrant Italian" and plan on sharing one meal with two people; they're that big. And ladies, get a gentleman to escort you into the men's room for a laugh...

Best Sushi/Japanese: The Naked Fish or Tsunami

And the place my folks took me to on my last birthday?

Provisions, 3364 South 2300 East in East Millcreek

It says "Modern American Fare" but it was pretty French to me...

Good list here.

One addition - Tuscany, down in Murray

Another vote here for Valter's Osteria. It's very pricey, but the most incredible Italian meal you can imagine. Valter is a true bon vivant.

Taqueria 27 - They've got three locations: downtown, Foothill, and Holladay.

I'll second Cafe Molise for a nice Italian meal and Squatters for pub fare.

Expensive food and atmosphere is lost on me but for $300 you could go to Ruth's Chris and enjoy yourself until you see the check.

Try Saltys. It's in Portland. Better yet, the Portland City Grill. Nothing in Utah. Sorry.

Love Portland City Grill!

I agree! The best place to dine in SLC is Portland Oregon.

If that doesn't work, try Seattle. Unless list of fabulous, memorable places to dine.

Lambs is good, Utah's oldest restaurant, if you like historic?
Spaghetti factory is one of Salt Lakes best for mixing and mingling with Salt Lakes gentry on a Friday night.

Really? Is that a thing? SLC's elite eating at the Spaghetti Factory?

Maybe it's where they can hide from the paparazzi.

Besides, what's wrong with spaghetti and SLC elite, ie, gentries, in same sentence? It sounds like a local hub to me. :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2017 06:42AM by Amyjo.

You gotta be kidding,

Curry in a hurry on state!

I'm kidding.

I like the taco trucks. Never had a bad one in salt lake. The farther west you go in the US the better the Taco trucks (or carts)

Log Haven up Mill Creek Canyon is superb!

http://www.log-haven.com/

For fancy (and pricey) Sunday Brunch:

In SLC: Grand America
In Park City (Deer Valley): Glitertind at Stein Erickson Lodge

I haven't been to SLC in decades but The Prairie Schooner in Odgen and Maddox Steak house are still around and good from what I'm told.

I like Five Alls, Market Street Grill/Broiler (there is one of each), Tiburon.

For dessert: the Chocolate Cafe, on Redwood Road and around 9400 South. I think they also have one in Provo.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2017 11:56PM by slskipper.

Nobody else has mentioned it thus far (for ambiance, and juicy pizza), so I will: "'The Pie' Pizzeria"

Dee's!

It's somewhere on state, I thought it was a really good diner, although it did not have very good service. And for all I know it's a chain.

Dee's is a topic worth it's own thread....Lots of history there.

Hire's Drive In, Pat's BBQ, Ruby River, Prairie Schooner in Ogden.

Aristo's and Manolis for Greek food.
Cafe Med and Mazza for Mid Eastern.
Michelangelo's,Molise for Italian.
Red Butte,Desert Edge,Stella's, Martine's for pub fare.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2017 01:25AM by bona dea.

Not been for a year or so but I've always enjoyed the Oasis Cafe and I really like browsing the book/gift shop next door too.

oasiscafeslc.com
goldenbraidbooks.com


151 South, 500 East

Almost, but not quite.

Seafood: Oyster Bar/ Market Street. Steaks: Finn's or Ruth Chris' or New Yorker. Sunday Brunch: Snowbasin, although a little far from Salt Lake. Sunday Brunch, Salt Lake, Little America. Pizza: The Pie. Barbecue: Pats or R&R.French: La Callie. Lunch sandwiches: Siegfried's. Asian: PF Changs(average but acceptable)or Charlie Chow's ( not fancy, but good food.)Hamburger: Tony Burger or Cheddar Burger. Mexican: Red Iguana, but long wait, was better in old days before discovered.. or Tres Hombries, very good. Modern Gourmet: Copper Onion. There's more, pick up a City Weekly and check out Ads for two-fers. Good luck. In spite of the negativity on this board about Salt Lake in general, it's got some excellent restaurants. Have fun.

I probably didn't answer your question. The best in Salt Lake. Probably day in, day out, consistent etc: The New Yorker.

Still been reading. Nothing in Utah. OK, wait. The Conoco gas station in Moroni has the best fries on the planet! Beyond that I'm sticking with the Portland City Grill. 30th floor. See forever. Wonderful food. Awesome service. Piano bar for 'dessert.' Boy howdy!!!

Well...according to Steve Benson...try the Grand Buffet spread between the Sunday sessions of General Conference!!!

Good luck getting in unless you're connected somehow.

Heaven knows you've earned it and paid for it (tithing) anyway!

Or so it seems to me...

all salt lake restaurants suck.A few possible exceptions are Lucky 13 for burgers and beer,Tsunami for sushi and that is it .Salt lake simply does not have a very good selection of restaurants. Most are only Ok and some are downright awful.Some of the places people have mentioned are pathetic. Maybe folks are Ok with crappy food which in abundant .If REd Igauna is the best Mexican what does that say? People think The Pie is good pizza? it's a greazzzzy mess and whomever even mentioned Olive Garden really needs to have their taste buds examined .

That is the biggest bunch of shit I have heard in a while.
There are many great restaurants in SLC metro.

Sure there a few good not great restaurants in SLC if you want to spend a lot of money such as Log Haven.I would like you to even try to name 5 restaurants where you an get great dinner for say even 30 dollars not counting alcoholic drinks ,just the food .Id like to know where they are

I guess if your regular dining experience is your local truck stop, anything over $30 must seem like a fortune.

Cost is a factor for me when dining out. I hate spending more for a single meal just for the experience or ambiance of a certain restaurant. For special occasions, sure fine. Otherwise, it seems like a big waste of money.

$30 is a lot for a single meal IMO, if not eating at a posh restaurant. For $30 I could easily feed at least two people for that. Because I like simpler restaurants that aren't pricey. Then save my money for activities or events. That's just me.

The most I ever spent for a meal was on one of my children's birthdays, when treating him and a colleague in Japan. That was one such special occasion that was worth the indulgence.

ETA: In Japan it is frowned upon to tip your waiter/waitress. So you don't do it. I could easily get used to that! :)

That also applies to bell hops, taxi cabs, hair dressers and so on.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2017 01:50PM by Amyjo.

Wrong thread.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2017 11:26PM by bona dea.

Reading through this list has made me hunger for: breakfast. I shall be dining in the warm ambiance and comfort of home. ;)

Bon appetit! :)