Portland, Oregon, is not just any city; it’s a pulsating heart of culinary innovation, where every restaurant tells a story, every dish a narrative of flavors, cultures, and traditions. I’m a regular in the city, making a pilgrimage for the food scene nearly quarterly. I’ve flown there for the day to eat at a certain restaurant. One of the chefs who have significantly contributed to this vibrant tapestry is Peter Cho, whose establishments Han Oak, Toki, and the newly opened Jeju have become cornerstones of the city’s gastronomic scene. Under Cho’s visionary guidance, each restaurant offers a u ..read more

I am admittedly a Salt Lake snob, generally adhering to the principle that anything south of 33rd is “the country.” But I was drawn out of my usual stomping grounds recently by talk around town of a new Italian-inspired restaurant called Scelto in, gasp, Sandy.  To be clear, there are of course great restaurants down south. The Charleston comes to mind, for example, but the south end of our valley is also littered with chain restaurants leaving its residents high and dry if they’re looking for something that doesn’t come with fries. Scelto has a shot at helping this situation. Unfortunate ..read more

If Ethiopia is the cradle of coffee, the Ottoman Empire, at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe in modern-day Turkey, gave birth to the roasted and brewed coffee along with the original coffee houses. Elif Ekin, the owner of Kahve Cafe, a Turkish-style coffee shop in downtown Salt Lake City, explains “In Ethiopia, monks created an infusion where they soaked the coffee berries in water for 24 to 48 hours and would drink that. I always joke that the monks discovered coffee, but the Ottomans experimented with roasting and grinding the coffee because 24 to 48 hours is way too long to wait fo ..read more

Felt Bar and Eatery is the new urban bar hotspot to arrive on Main Street in Salt Lake City. Appropriately named after the building where it resides in the Felt Building, the interior is industrial with a central bar, black ceilings, warm wood, leather, and concrete. According to Building Salt Lake, the building itself has had a multitude of uses, from a brothel, cigar store, home of the Felt Electric Company, and this particular pad as the former location to Pago on Main.  The seating is comfortable, with a mix of bar seating, low tops, high tops, and cushy banquettes. If you c ..read more

Every wanted your cat’s face recreated in latte art? Want to pop the question via coffee? Or need a new caffeinated profile photo for the ‘gram? Bix Bakery and Cafe has you covered. Latte art has been around for a while but new coffee printing machines have arrived on the scene to do what no barista ever could: print a photo-realistic recreation of any image you want on your coffee while you wait. Photo by Lydia Martinez Bix Cafe is the first spot in Utah to offer up the trend. Owner Lavanya Mahate explains the process, “There is a QR code at the counter where you scan and then upload a pictur ..read more

The James Beard Foundation (JBF) just came out with their 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award Finalists. “The James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards are one of five separate recognition programs of the James Beard Awards. The awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.” We wrote about the semi-finalists from Utah in January, and when the list was winnowed down, we are delighted that we ..read more

Koyoté was under the radar for a moment after they opened in February this year. However, for those who missed the early buzz (me, included), be prepared to wait to get into this little Marmalade-area gem. You’ll be welcomed by a sign in the entry that says, “You’ll be judged if you don’t slurp.” So bear that in mind… I can’t decide if I love the recent restaurant trend of getting to the table and just scanning a menu and ordering. I’m for convenience and ease. But I love talking to a server about what they love or recommend. It is how I have found most of my food crushes over the years. Howev ..read more

Gathering to share a cup of coffee is a time-honored tradition. It is the stuff of first dates: “Want to get a coffee sometime?” The beverage of choice on a stakeout. A road trip savior: “Let’s stop for a coffee and to stretch our legs.” The hero of late-night study groups. And, of course, the morning beverage of choice by many, with Americans drinking over 400 million cups of coffee every single day.    The Story of How Coffee Was Discovered There is an Ethiopian/Yemeni legend about the origins of coffee. A goat herder named Kaldi noticed that his goats were eating the leaves and re ..read more

Oh, the humble burger. A staple in American cuisine, but here in Utah, it’s an art form. Let me take you on a delicious journey through the Beehive State, where Utah burger joints turn this classic into something extraordinary. Buckle up because we’re going on a flavor expedition! No. 1 —”Rise & Shine” from Spoke on Center, Moab Start your day with a bit of burger brilliance at Spoke on Center. The “Rise & Shine” burger, topped with a perfectly fried egg, bacon, grilled tomato, and mushrooms, promises a morning wake-up call of flavor you will never forget. It’s breakfast and lunch com ..read more

Epic adventures often begin with the words, “Your party walks into a tavern…” and this one is no different. While there might not be a suspicious, cloaked figure sitting in a dimly lit corner, the Thieves Guild Cidery has its own fantasy-inspired charm: “We’re calling it ‘chaotic wizard maximalism.’” That’s how co-owners Jordy Kirkman and Max Knudsen describe their soon-to-be taproom, which is taking over the former Alphagraphics building in the Central Ninth neighborhood (530 W. 900 South). Combining a preoccupation with role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and theatrical, high-conc ..read more