Category Archives: Restaurants & Bars

Family-owned Penny Ann’s Cafe Nails Comfort Food

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Enjoy the warm weather on Penny Ann's patio

I had never been to Penny Ann’s when we had the pleasure of stumbling in one afternoon. This hidden gem can be found on Main Street, just south of 1800 South, adjacent to the Terrace Apartments. Don’t be fooled by the inauspicious surroundings, Penny Ann’s serves up all your comfort food favorites, and incredible homemade pie to boot!

The interior is humble and has a very homey feel. You can choose to sit in vinyl booths at the back of the restaurant, classic diner style tables at the front, at the counter stools, or on the patio. Penny Ann herself was our server, which gave our dining experience an extra dose of authenticity. The service was great—personal and efficient, just what you expect from a family-run diner. The first thing I noticed about the menu, besides the massive selection, was the value. For example, you can get a cheeseburger for $3.99, or a full entree, such as Chicken Parmesan, for $8.99. There are not many places around Salt Lake City where you can eat a full portion meal for those prices. The menu ranges from your classic diner starters and sandwiches (sweet potato fries, fried ravioli, mozzarella sticks, reuben, BLT, grilled ham & cheese), to open face sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more.

Cookie's 'n' Cream homemade pie with a heaping mound of whipped cream

My boyfriend ordered the Buffalo Chicken Sub and I ordered the Eggplant Roulade special. Both tasted delicious and came in a hearty portion size—I was happy to have leftovers for lunch today. At the last minute, we decided to split the Cookies ‘n’ Cream homemade pie. I sure would have been disappointed if we hadn’t tried it. It was amazing. Seriously. You should go to Penny Ann’s if only to try some of her pie. I personally am a sucker for whipped cream, so I was very pleased that Penny Ann’s Cafe wasn’t skimpy with the toppings. The filling had the perfect consistency: creamy yet firm, cold yet not straight out of the refrigerator temperature.

Penny Ann’s Cafe is located at 1810 South Main Street. You can visit them online at www.pennyannscafe.com or on Twitter @pennyannscafe. Support a small local business next time you’re craving a diner classic!

 Follow Nicole Mangino on Twitter @nicolesnowbunny.


Salt Lake City Mother’s Day Brunches

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Reservations are filling fast for Salt Lake’s favorite Mother’s Day brunches! A relaxing weekend brunch is a great way to spend time with Mom, whether you prefer a grand buffet like Little America, an intimate plated brunch like Franck’s, gorgeous gardens at La Caille, or a mountain getaway like the Homestead Resort. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13, 2012.

For those who prefer a Saturday option, The Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point will serve an elegant Mother’s Day buffet brunch May 12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Salt Lake City Mother’s Day Brunches

Image by Inti St. Clair. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com.


Ekamai Thai in Downtown Salt Lake

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Ekamai Thai in Salt Lake City

In the hustle and bustle of the downtown lunch crowd of Salt Lake, there is a little Thai Cafe, that provides a quick hunger fix. Ekamai Thai sits in a little foodie district by Tony Caputo’s and Bruges Waffles, and across the street from Pioneer Park.

This tiny cafe serves up a delicious assortment of Thai food favorites. Their menu changes daily so make sure and check out their website, EkamaiThai.com, or if you’re in the area you can check the chalkboard by the street to see what they are offering that particular day. A personal favorite is their Coconut Curry Chicken Soup along with the bright purple rice.  For more photos and details, please visit TheSLCFoodie.com.

Ekamai Thai Restaurant Salt Lake


Salt Lake’s Favorite Easter Brunches

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Easter falls on April 8 this year (more than two weeks earlier that last year), so it’s not too early to make reservations for Salt Lake City’s favorite Easter brunches.

Easter brunch is a holiday tradition for many families, and whether you prefer a huge buffet like the ones at the Grand America or Little America, a Saturday option like Harvest restaurant at Thanksgiving Point, or a plated brunch like the ones at Faustina and Market Street Grill, there are lots of good options to choose from.

SLC Easter Brunches

Photo by John A. Rizzo. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


SLC Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day

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Even if you’re not Irish, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is a great way to celebrate spring’s arrival and blow off steam after a long winter.

There are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day events for everyone in Salt Lake this year, including family fun events like the St. Patrick’s Day parade at The Gateway, Celtic music concerts at The Depot and Peery’s Egyptian Theater, and evening celebrations at Salt Lake’s Irish-themed pubs.

It’s time to wear something green, eat something green, smile with friends and celebrate spring in SLC this weekend!

SLC St. Patrick’s Day Events

Chef-Prepared St. Patrick’s Day Dinners from Pinon Market & Cafe

Image by ballyscanlon. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at saltlakecity.about.com.


Special Evening at Bambara

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Bambara Restaurant in the Hotel Monaco

Bambara is hands down my favorite restaurant in Salt Lake City. I’ve dined out at a wide variety of Salt Lake’s finest establishments, but Bambara always stands out, and is thus my go-to choice for celebrating special occasions. The staff is professional, attentive without bordering on overbearing, and overall great company. The ambiance is upbeat, fun, and a bit avant garde. My boyfriend and I celebrated Valentine’s Day for the second year in a row at Bambara—except we decided to skip the crowds and go a day early. Once again, my taste buds were left in a state of euphoria.

Perfectly prepared new york steak with mac n' cheese

We decided to go all out: Dungeness Crab Stuffed Piquillo Peppers as a starter, followed by a Ruby & Golden Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, rounded out with the Dry Aged New York Steak and Cast Iron Seared Hawaiian Tuna. Oh, and we can’t forget the special flourless chocolate cake to top it all off. Everything was prepared exquisitely, complete with a highly aesthetic—visual and taste—presentation. Each ingredient complemented those surrounding it, and the final result was a perfect symphony of taste.

When you eat really amazing food, it just makes sense. And that is the rare and special feeling I am encompassed in every time I dine at Bambara. It is truly a treat that I look forward to months in advance!

Valentine's Special: Flourless Chocolate Cake

Bambara is located on the main floor of the Hotel Monaco in downtown Salt Lake City at 202 South Main Street. They are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and can arrange events for large private parties as well. 

Bottom Line: Bambara is definitely not inexpensive, but I truly believe their incredible service and cuisine is worth every cent. Special occasions call for an equally distinctive meal, and Bambara is the restaurant worthy of such moments.

 Follow Nicole Mangino on twitter @nicolesnowbunny.


2012 Salt Lake Magazine Dining Awards

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Salt Lake Magazine Dining Awards

Last week the city honored the best chefs and restaurants in the area with the annual Salt Lake Magazine Dining Awards.

The Leonardo Gallery was filled with the ‘Who’s-Who’ of the local dining scene. Beer and wine flowed as well as tasty hors d’oeuvres and rich desserts served in cocktail glasses. The food community in Salt Lake is a tight knit group of folks so for many it was an enjoyable evening with friends.

Here is a taste of some of the awards that were received:
Best Comfort Food: Pat’s Barbecue
Best Breakfast: The Copper Onion
Best Lunch: Left Fork Grille
Best Bakery: La Bonnie Vie in The Grand America Hotel
Best New Restaurant : The Farm
Best Pastry Chef: Amber Billingsley at Vinto
Best Chef: Viet Pham and Bowman Brown from Forage

For more information and photos from the event please visit The Vintage Mixer blog.


Happy Valentine’s Day, SLC!

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Valentine’s Day is almost here – how will you be celebrating? It’s not too late to plan a romantic night to share with your sweetie. There are plenty of theater, music, dance and dining events to consider, including Lady Antebellum at EnergySolutions Arena, Celtic Nights at Kingsbury Hall, dining specials at Salt Lake’s most romantic restaurants, and a lot more.

Salt Lake City Valentine’s Day Events

Salt Lake City Romantic Restaurants

Inexpensive Romantic Dining

SLC Sweetheart Dining Deals

Photo by Deborah Harrison. Read more from Marsha Maxwell at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


Dojo: Fresh and Flavorful Asian Cuisine

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The section of 300 South that stretches between 300 and 500 West is a treasure trove of great SLC eating spots, including Tony Caputo’s Market & Deli, Carlucci’s Bakery, and Bruges Waffles and Frites. Now Dojo Asian Inspired Cuisine and Lounge can be added to that list.

Dojo, a sleek, chic space attached to the Homewood Suites hotel near the Gateway, opened just over a year ago and quickly developed a reputation for fresh, top-quality sushi, killer ramen, and creative Asian appetizers, salads and entrees. It was named one of Salt Lake City’s best new restaurants for 2011 by City Weekly.

Full Review: Dojo Asian Inspired Cuisine and Lounge

Utah’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Photo by Marsha Maxwell. Read more at http://saltlakecity.about.com/.


Bar X: Don’t be fooled by the garish sign

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Bar X, a downtown Salt Lake City staple since 1933, has been transformed under the guidance of savvy new ownership. Fun fact: You may have even seen of the owners, Ty Burrell, on ABC’s Modern Family. Once a seedy bar with a bad reputation, Bar X has now become a hip downtown hangout. Don’t be fooled by the flashy, Vegas-esque sign, the sole remnant of the old Bar X. The first time I walked into Bar X I felt like I was in an entirely different place.

Don't let Bar X's flashy exterior fool you

With no windows to reveal your modern Salt Lake City surroundings, Bar X has an almost speakeasy vibe to it. It’s dark, comfortable (even when packed with other patrons), unassuming, and swanky all at the same time.

Bar X is a great spot to grab a drink with friends, coworkers, or to bring a date. You can sneak off to a private corner booth or socialize in front of the building length bar.

Dim lights set the mood inside Bar X

Pick Your Poison

Bar X has an high-end cocktail menu to choose from. The drinks are a bit pricier than most Salt Lake City establishments, but I think the price is worth the ambiance.

My recommendation: The Moscow Mule (vodka, Ginger beer, lime, and a dash of mint) served in a traditional copper mug. Delicious.

Bottom Line

If price is your main concern when choosing an after dark destination, go next door to Johnny’s on Second. You can get a shot of well whiskey and a stein of beer for $5. But if you prefer a more quiet, hip, subdued, and sophisticated backdrop, give Bar X a try.

Bar X is located at 155 E 200 S in Downtown Salt Lake City. You really can’t miss the gigantic, glaring sign.

Follow Nicole Mangino on twitter @nicolesnowbunny.