For information about Salt Lake and activities in the area, visit the following links:

 

What is below?

Information re. Salt Lake, and places to visit in and around Salt Lake;

A local restaurant guide

Lunch menus at the Marriott hotel restaurant (Elevations) during our conference (scroll to to bottom of page)

I've had some questions about the Mormon Tabernacle choir and requests for recommendations about things to do in and around Salt Lake. Here are information about the choir and some ideas of places to visit (the first two are in walking distance of the hotel, the others will require a rental car):

The Tabernacle Choir performance is free. Doors open at 8:30 AM Sunday, you must be in your seats by 9:15 and the broadcast begins at 9:30. They have a rehearsal, open to the public, most Thursdays from 8-9:30 PM, also in the tabernacle. Details: http://www.musicandthespokenword.com/attend/

As for places to visit:

In and around Salt Lake: in addition to the tabernacle, the historic area at Temple Square is worth a visit (it's within walking distance of the hotel). Here you can see a list of sites near Temple Square: http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/region/0,10749,1779-1-1,00.html. My recommendations are: Temple Square itself, Brigham Young's house (called the Beehive house), and the Church History museum. You can click on those sites from the above web page to find out details (hours and precise address). Note that they are closed on Sunday.

Downtown Park City is a lot of fun and will get you up in the mountains above Salt Lake. It's about a 45 minute drive from the hotel.

Antelope Island, though I've never been, is apparently pretty amazing: http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm.

If you have a day, it may be worth going down to...

Arches National Park: http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/arches.htm.

And near Arches, you should go to Dead Horse Point: http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm.

-Corry

 

Thérèse de Raedt (from the University of Utah in Salt Lake) sends us the following restaurant guide:

1. DOWNTOWN - RESTAURANTS - WALKING DISTANCE

1.1. Close to temple Square : Restaurants from the LDS church

The Roof Restaurant
15 East South Temple, 10th floor
(801) 539-1911
http://www.templesquarehospitality.com/restaurants/roof.php

The Garden Restaurant
15 East South Temple, 10th floor
(801) 539-3170
http://www.templesquarehospitality.com/restaurants/garden.php

Lion House Pantry Restaurant
63 E South Temple
(801) 539-3250
www.diningattemplesquare.com

Nauvoo Cafe
115 East South Temple, Main Floor
Phone: (801) 539-3346
http://www.templesquarehospitality.com/restaurants/cafe.php

1.2. On Main Street :

Vienna Bistro
132 S Main St
(801) 322-0334
www.viennabistro.com
Chef-owner Frody Volgger, an Austrian native with a serious food obsession.

Lamb's Grill Cafe
169 S Main St
(801) 364-7166
Decorated with antiques from the 1920s and 1930s, Lamb's is comfortable and unpretentious. The extensive menu offers mostly basic American and continental fare, although the restaurant's Greek origins are also evident. In a tip of the hat to the restaurant's moniker, several lamb dishes appear on themenu, including broiled French-style lamb chops and barbecued lamb shank.

Bambara Restaurant (in Hotel Monaco)
202 South Main
(801) 363-5454
www.bambara-slc.com
American, Fusion / Eclectic. Bambara is popular with the downtown Salt Lake City crowd for several reasons, one being its one-of-a-kind dining atmosphere. The restaurant itself is sculpted into the lobby of the historic Continental Bank, built in 1924. Another reason Salt Lake City connoisseurs give Bamabara such rave reviews is the broad range of continental fusion creations from the recently hired executive chef, Dave Jones. A hefty wine list is the last, but not the least, of this restaurant's better attributes.

Read a review of Bambara in SL Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923

Melting Pot
340 South Main
(801) 521-6358
www.meltingpot.com
Fondue, European. The Salt Lake City franchise of the popular national high-end fondue chain, The Melting Pot, is popular among both large groups and couples, partly due to its central downtown location and partly due to the "fondue experience." The Melting Pot strongly encourages a four-course approach to their unique take on fondue consisting of a cheese starter, a salad, an entree from their ample menu selection, and, of course, a gooey dessert. Salt Lake City diners are reminded that this process can take some time, as well, reservations are recommended.

1.3. On Market Street :

Takashi
18 West Market Street
Sushi, Japanese.
Salt Lake City's premier downtown location for Japanese cuisine and fresh sushi and sashimi, Takashi is the brainchild of head chef and owner Takashi Gibo. Takashi, as he and his restaurant are known, pride themselves on fresh seasonal sushi specials, while Salt Lake City restaurant critics and diners mention his selection of Japanese style grilled meats and seafood as a "must try."

Read a review of Takashi in Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923


Market Street Grill
48 West Market Street
(801) 322-4668
www.gastronomyinc.com
Since 1980, Market Street Grill has a been rated as Salt Lake's finest seafood restaurant. Located in the historic Salt Lake Hotel, the Market Street Grill is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch with a bountiful variety of hours-fresh seafood, scrumptious steaks, chicken, prime rib, pastas, salads and delectable fresh baked desserts.

Market Street Oyster Bar
54 West Market Street (350 South)
 (801) 531-6044
http://www.gastronomyinc.com/oyster/index.html
Market Street Oyster Bar-Downtown is Salt Lake's showcase for dining and conversation featuring a fabulous selection of fresh oysters. Six to eight varieties are offered daily, including the Alaska Sterling oyster, which is offered exclusively in the western United States at the Oyster Bar. Other selections may include the Blue Point and the Kumamoto.

The New Yorker
60 West Market St. (350 South)
(801) 363-0166
www.gastronomyinc.com
Since 1978, the New Yorker has been an exclusive dining venue, requiring a membership to dine among the elite. Well, no more. As of July 1, memberships are no longer required to eat at the charming, retro restaurant, with its brass railings and panels of stained glass above the more casual café. Enjoy lunch or dinner there or in the formal dining area that surrounds the café. In addition to chef Will Pliler's contemporary American menu, the restaurant offers a two-course meal at lunch for $14 and three-course meal for $28 at dinner. With an eye toward seasonality, the kitchen expertly turns out fresh seafood, including pristine oysters on the half-shell, meat dishes and desserts. Service is some of the best in the city.

Read a review of The New Yorker in Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923

1.4. On 100 South :

Caffe Molise
55 W. 100 South
Italian, Mediterranean.
This Italian restaurant offers traditional takes on Italian entrees and fresh pasta dishes, all inspired by the Molise region of Italy. Caffe Molise also offers a solid regionally inspired list of Italian reds and whites. The close proximity to Salt Lake City's downtown entertainment attractions, including the symphony and sports venues, makes this Italian restaurant a popular pre-event destination for Salt Lake City residents out on the town.

Martine’s
22 E 100 South
(801) 363-9328
Martine Café and Tapas opened in 1999. Visionary leader Scott Hale and Chef Tom Grant worked in tandem. The creation of Martine was based on the demand of fresh, local, European bistro style cooking. The theme was to model casual Euro country flair with big city comfort. Hale certainly achieved that with his hard work and eye for detail. Thanks to Scotts partnership with chef Grant at The Peery Pub & Café, their success has thrived at Martine. From the endless resources that Salt Lake has to offer, to all the old school methods of European cuisine.

1.5. On 200 South

Cedars of Lebanon
152 E 200 South
(801) 364-4096
www.cedarsoflebanonrestaurant.com
Serves authentic specialties from Lebanon, Armenia, Israel and Morocco. When you come through our doors, you step into another place and time. Cedars of Lebanon also features a weekly belly dancer on Friday & Saturday nights.

1.6. On Broadway (= 300 South)

Christopher's Seafood & Steakhouse
110 West Broadway
(801) 519-8515
www.christophersutah.com
Christopher's award-winning chefs use only the finest, freshest ingredients to create their dishes. We have seafood flown in daily, the highest grade of PRIME BEEF, a full liquor bar, and an extensive wine list. Christopher's provides incredible dishes and a great atmosphere for a lot less than you might think. At Christopher's, we are devoted to maintaining our reputation as the leader in affordable fine dining.

Metropolitan Restaurant
173 West Broadway Ave.,
(801) 364-3472
www.themetropolitan.com
Contemporary American. Metropolitan is exactly just that: a restaurant featuring both high modern design and cuisine forged into an abandoned warehouse in western downtown Salt Lake City. Metropolitan is a popular restaurant amongst the after work crowd for its "attitude adjustment hour" specials, as well as with downtown Salt Lake City theater and event goers. With a focus on local seasonal ingredients, Metropolitan's team of chefs has racked up an impressive list of accolades, not to mention those received by the management for the atmosphere and the wine list.

Squatter's Pub Brewery
147 West Broadway
(801) 363-2739
www.squatters.com

Chang’s China Bistro
174 West 300 S
(801) 539-0500

Faustina
454 East 300 South
American.
Family owned and operated, Faustina continues to garner strong reviews from Salt Lake City diners and restaurant critics with a prodigious menu featuring Italian inspired pastas, flatbreads, chops and seafood entrees. Salt Lake City restaurant goers are also quick to point out the California influence on Faustina's cuisine - as well the California prices. But most diners don't mind paying a little extra for Faustina's top-notch food, service and atmosphere.

1.7. On 400 South

Himalayan Kitchen
73 East 400 South
(801) 328-2077
www.himalayankitchen.com

Star of India
55 East 400 South
(801) 363-7555
www.starofindiaonline.com

1.8. On 200 West

Red Rock Brewing Company
254 South 200 West
801-521-7446
http://www.redrockbrewing.com/red-rock-salt-lake.html

Acme Burger

275 S 200 W
(801) 257-5700
www.acmeburgercompany.com

Settebello
260 S. 200 West
(801) 322-3556
www.settebello.net
This is the quintessential fast food, baked in a 900-degree oven that serves up thin, crisp-crusted pies with just the right proportion of toppings to dough. Pity the poor guy who stands in front of this wood-fired hell-hole, feeding it all day to create the white-hot coals that will make each pie a slice of heaven. Diners can choose their own toppings from a list that ranges from Italian anchovies to peppered salami or choose from such classics as a tomatoless pie with prosciutto, mozzarella and Parmigiano-Reggiano, then sprinkled with peppery, fresh arugula. The menu also includes a few salads, but the pie's the thing here. It's one size fits all, 12 inches, which might be too large for lunch.

Read a review of Settebello in Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923

1.9. Gateway Mall (400 West)

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse
 (801) 355-3704
www.flemingssteakhouse.com

Happy Sumo
(801) 456-7866
www.happysumosushi.com

Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
(801) 596-7222
www.biaggis.com

California Pizza Kitchen
(801) 456-0075
www.cpk.com

McGrath's Fish House
(801) 456-7890‎

Tucanos Brazilian Grill‎
(801) 456-2550

Thaifoon Taste of Asia
(801) 456-8424

Rumbi Island Grill
(801) 456-4400

1.10 On South Temple

Spencer's for Steaks and Chops
255 South West Temple
Steakhouse, American.
Spencer's for Steaks and Chops of Salt Lake City has received the "best steakhouse" award from Salt Lake Magazine for eight consecutive years. Fans of aged American beef, single malt scotches and rare cigars - the three staples of the Spencer's brand - need look no further than this downtown Salt Lake City restaurant. Located in the Hilton hotel, Spencer's of Salt Lake City features a masculine decor of dark woods and high-paneled booths, as well the atmosphere has been described by some Salt Lake City diners as "boisterous."

2. Trolley Square

Rodizio Grill
459 Trolley Square
Brazilian Steakhouse.
Concept dining with a Brazilian flair is alive and well in Salt Lake City at Rodizio Grill. This distinctive restaurant features an almost endless menu of appetizers - which comes in handy when appetizers are all-you-can eat - and an array of Brazilian waiters armed with skewers of fresh meat and seafood awaiting the signal to serve as diners to flip their red cards to green. It sounds dodgy, but Salt Lake City diners have figured it out and are flocking to Rodizio Grill for the party-like atmosphere and innovative dining experience. [a lot of meat!]

Trolley Square Pub
602 S 500 E
(801) 521-8918

3. Close to University of Utah Campus (1300 East)

Aristo's
244 South 1300 East
Greek.
Aristo's of Salt Lake City is located just a block from the campus of the University of Utah, and is thus a predictably popular restaurant with the student body. However, Aristo's receives high marks from the Salt Lake City dining community at large thanks to its unique take on numerous traditional Greek dishes, all available at student-friendly prices. In addition, Aristo's offers a hefty lunch menu and a broad selection of fresh seafood nightly.

Market Street Broiler
260 South 1300 East 
(801) 583.8808
For over two decades, diners at the Market Street Broiler has enjoyed a menu featuring over 30 varieties of scrumptious fresh seafood and 20 delicious non-seafood selections. "Fresh" is truly the focus here. Seafood flown in daily from around the world, and tender steaks, are grilled over mesquite for a unique and savory flavor. Enjoy a wide selection of crisp main-dish salads, our famous Market Street Clam Chowder, a delectable assortment of delicious sandwiches, tender chicken and steak entrees, and our famous succulent hickory-smoked back ribs. And be sure to try the luscious fresh baked desserts from our in-house bakery.

4. Close to Ninth South and Ninth East District

Café Trio
680 S. 900 East
801-533-8746
www.triodining.com
This neighborhood restaurant -- as its name suggests -- excels at the three things most diners want: a light, welcoming atmosphere; simple and satisfying food; and modest prices. But we can add three more areas where Trio stands out: an approachable wine list that is broad but not overwhelming, an inviting patio and a delicious Sunday brunch. Chef Martin Combs and owner Mikel Trapp make just enough changes to the regular menu each season to keep thing interesting but smartly keep the favorites including creamy tomato soup, BLT salad and barbecue chicken pizza.

Read a review of Café Trio in Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923

Mazza
912 E. 900 South,
(801) 521-4572
www.mazzacafe.com
When Ali Sabbah opened shop in the 15th & 15th neighborhood of Salt Lake City, locals didn't just get a new neighborhood eatery -- they (and the entire city, for that matter) got a place where omnivores and vegetarians alike could break pita bread together over roasted eggplants pureed into a silky baba ghannouj or the humble garbanzo bean pureed with garlic, lemon and sesame paste (tahini) to make hummus. Lamb (marinated, braised, ground or grilled) became more of a midweek takeout ritual more than an exotic treat. Its popularity and menu grew alongside each other and eventually spawned a more sumptuous and spacious sister location in the Ninth and Ninth neighborhood. Though the menu has expanded and grown up (try the wine from ancient Lebanese vines), Mazza's appeal is basically the same: generous portions, flavors as bright as the Mediterranean sun and Sabbah's hospitality.

Read a review of Mazza in Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_13455923

5. Fifteenth and Fifteenth

Mazza
1515 S. 1500 East
801-484-9259

Fresco Italian Café
1513 S. 1500 East,
(801) 486-1300
www.frescoitaliancafe.com
It's the sort of restaurant where the dining room doubles when it's warm outside. Thanks to a patio lush with greenery and vines and an understated dining room tucked behind a local bookstore, Fresco has always tugged at the romantic heartstrings -- it's been the setting for countless engagements and receptions. But don't let the domestic bliss fool you into thinking it's only a "special occasion" place. Chef Billy Sotelo's menu of Italian-inspired pasta and entrées is as streamlined as the interior and attracts food lovers with rich garganelli alla Bolognese and a refreshing potato-crusted halibut. Keep it simple with à la carte offerings or go all out with a chef's tasting menu featuring the season's finest ingredients.

Paris Bistro
1500 E 1500 S
(801) 486-5585
www.theparis.net
The Paris offers New American cuisine inspired by Italian, French and Mediterranean food cultures, with an award winning wine list, in a classic bistro and lively zinc bar setting. The Paris serves dinner and take-out seven nights per week, Monday through Sunday, beginning at 5p.m.
The Paris provides gracious service by an experienced staff and cooks soul- satisfying food bound by the seasons and determined from our marketplace , which features the bounty of local products from the American West.

May be worth the short cab ride:

Red Iguana Restaurant

736 W North Temple, 801-322-1489. Perhaps the best Mexican in Utah--Mole is their speciality.

Some other favorites:

Blue Iguana, 165 SW Temple (no relation to the Red Iguana) (801) 533-8900 www.blueiguanarestaurant.net

Oasis Cafe, 151 S 500 E (801) 322-0404 www.oasiscafeslc.com

The Wild Grape, 481 E South Temple (801) 746-5565 http://www.wildgrapebistro.com/

 

The hotel restaurant (Elevations) has put together a special menu for us:

ELEVATION'S LUNCH BUFFETS $16.00 (plus tip and tax; 11:00AM-2:00PM)

THUR. 10 / 22 - SOUP OF THE DAY - SALAD BAR W/ ASSORTED DRESSINGS - BAKED CHICKEN ITALIAN - BASMATI RICE - CARROTS VICHY - HOT APPLE COBBLER - ASSORTED ROLLS AND BUTTER

FRI. 10 / 23 - SOUP OF THE DAY - SALAD BAR W/ ASSORTED DRESSINGS - BAKED SALMON W/ DILL SAUCE - OVEN ROASTED ROSEMARY POTATOES - GREEN BEANS ALMONDINE - CHEESE CAKE W/ STRAWBERRY SAUCE - ASSORTED ROLLS AND BUTTER

SAT. 10 / 24 - SOUP OF THE DAY - SALAD BAR W/ ASSORTED DRESSINGS - SLICED ROAST BEEF BURGANDY - GARLIC MASHED POTATOES - ASSORTED SAUTTED FALL SQUASH - COOKIES AND BROWNIES - ASSORTED ROLLS AND BUTTER