Snowbird, UT, Dining at the Bird

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Billing itself as an all year resort, I had high hopes for the culinary options at Snowbird. Perusing the website, the descriptions of the various eateries led me to believe that I was going to have quite the dining experience.

Sadly, things weren't quite what I expected. The food was by no means poor, but overall, things were of a generally average nature. The coffee spot, Baked and Brewed, offered up some good coffee and baked goods (at a relatively high price). A few spots were closed or only open certain days.

The biggest disappointments were the big ticket restaurants - The Steak Pit and the Aerie Lounge. Caveat, we ate only at the Aerie Lounge, the lower end version of the Aerie, but after the meal there and at the Steak Pit, the perceived value of the Aerie was in such doubt, we passed on it in favor of another stop at El Chanate. El Chanate was the big winner, two dinners and a lunch.

In any resort environment where there's a captive audience, the diner is at the mercy of the establishment. When you're on top of the mountain, prices, selection and quality take back seat to "can I get anything? Please!?!"

Overall, I'd give Snowbird (summer version) a solid 2.5 stars.

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Here's some details:

Forklift
For a nice little sit down breakfast, pancakes, the works, Forklift is a good option. The oatmeal was quite good as were the bacon and pancakes!

Meal: Breakfast
Rating: ***
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/forklift.html

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Baked and Brewed in the Bird
Okay, I'm in Snowbird, Utah. I want coffee and it's early in the morning. Where's my Starbucks!?!?! Huh? Where is it? What? Down in the valley? Yikees! What do to do?

Okay, I'm calming down, there's some coffee in the Cliff Lodge lobby (but nothing but powdered white stuff - and I don't mean snow) to lighten it. Where to go?

Okay. Baked and Brewed. Whew. The best little spot (ok, the only spot) to get a really good cup of coffee and a baked good.

I had the cinnamon roll which was light and tasty with just the right amount of frosting. It was really too big for just one person, but well ... it was vacation!

Meal: Breakfast
Rating: ****
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/bakednbrewed.html

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General Grits
General Grits was a good, all around spot for getting supplies while staying at Snowbird. The sandwich bar, located in the back, could get pretty busy during breaks in the Botany meetings, but the crew of sandwich makers soldiered on.

There were the usual offerings (ham, turkey, etc.). I went with a tasty salami on a roll. A nice, relatively inexpensive option at Snowbird.



Meal: Lunch
Rating: ***
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/generalgritts.html

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El Chanate
I had one and a half dinners and lunch at El Chanate. We arrived late at Snowbird and El Chanate was our only option. We had great service and a nice and lovely light meal with enchilladas and chips (note: you pay for the chips and salsa!). I also, with some business colleagues, had the "all you can eat" lunch. A nice hot table of options as a reasonable price.

We ended with another dinner on the patio (surrounded by potguts - the local ground squirrel). Good service and serviceable food.



Meal: Lunch/Dinner
Rating: ***
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/keyhole.html

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Aerie Lounge
It was getting late and there weren't that many options. It was also pretty busy since the Botany conference that I was attending was getting underway and the botanists needed to eat!!!

We went with the Aerie Lounge on this night.

Service was very slow (but I blame the staffing levels and crowds for that). Worse, the food was extremely mediocre. We had a fusion spring roll apetizer and for a main course, I had what sounded like a good pizza offering. Overall, it felt like the Aerie Lounge had ordered their foods from Chef Tontino and zapped them all in the microwave.



Meal: Dinner
Rating: *
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/aerie.html

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Steak Pit
Well, the Steak Pit was the big disappointment at Snowbird. I don't go out for steak often and when I do, I like it to be an event. I was hoping for an event at Snowbird. If this dinner was an event, it was not a big event!

Located in the lower level of the Snowbird Center, the Steak Pit aims for the basic "western steak house" look. Seated in a large booth, we made a good selection from the nice wine offerings. Snowbird is big on coupons and we had one for a free appetizer. We went with the artichoke. A nice selection, but basically, it was a boiled artichoke. Good, but, well, I make the same - and better, trimming the spiky tips - at home.

A nice touch was the family style salad. A salad was served in a large bowl with dressings on the side for the table to eat from.

For my entree, I went with the 7 oz. snake River Farms Wagyu Petite sirloin. The steak was a bit dry and didn't have a good grill look to it. Might have been done in a broiler or even in a pan. Tender, but not terribly flavorful. My wife had the chicken and my daughter the burger. Both, again, adequate, but leaning towards the dry and basic.

Not the "best western steakhouse" that I had been looking forward too.

The service was attentive and informative.



Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date Visited: July 2009
Address: Snowbird, Utah
Website: http://www.snowbird.com/dining/diningguide/steakpit.html

Dining at Temple Square, Salt Lake City

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Dining at Temple Square: The Garden and Nauvoo Cafe

The curious spot that is Salt Lake City features a wide range of dining options. From wine bars (yes, even in Utah!) to great Nepali food. However, the visitor to SLC, especially those following in the footsteps of Mark Twain, must sample some of the spots located in historic Temple Square and run by the Latter Day Saints (Mormon) church.

The Joseph Smith Building, formerly a grant, western-style hotel, now hosts many church offices and functions as well as a collection of restaurants. Just around the corner, in a house owned by Brigham Young, is the Lion House Pantry.

On this trip, I was able to sample to of the four: The Garden Restaurant and the Nauvoo Cafe. I missed The Lion House Pantry (featuring homestyle breakfast, lunch and dinner) and The Roof (a gourmet dinner buffet).

So, let's start with dinner at The Garden Restaurant. The first thing you notice about the restaurant is the amazing view. Located on the 10th (rooftop) floor, it commands a fabulous view of the Mormon Temple and the shimmering of the Great Salt Lake in the distance. The view (especially at sunset) through the floor the ceiling windows is almost enough to take your mind off the powerful smell of chlorine from the various pools and fountains that are in the restaurant!

For the food, well, let me first say how annoyed was I didn't order the speciality appetizer, Fried Dill pickles: "Quartered, lightly Battered and Quick-Fried to a Golden Brown. Garnished with Celery and Carrot Sticks and served with Thousand Island and Ranch Dipping Sauces." I wasn't that hungry, and just got a side salad, but the pickles sound great!

For an entree, I went with the French Dip (you know me!), here called the "Beef Dipper". Served with carmalized onions and sweet peppers and a side of au jus (plus fries) it was a nice, but not spectacular sandwich. My wife went with the grilled salmon (which was excellent) and my daughter, the kids' ravioli (which were deemed "best ever").

For beverages, well, no wine or beer of course, so ...

Service was pleasant, but our server had an uncanny resemblance to Phoebe (from Friends) both in looks and style, which was fun and didn't distract from the meal.

I would give The Garden a higher rating, if not for that darned chlorine smell!



The Nauvoo Cafe (named after the side of a Mormon massacre in Illinois), located on the ground floor of the Smith Building (and opening on to outdoor seating with yet another great view of the Mormon Temple) is a perfect spot for a quick, inexpensive lunch. With a selection of soups, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches.

I went with one of the premium sandwiches; with choices of "carved before your eyes" options of ham, sirloin, roasted turkey, and, my choice, Coca-Cola Porkloin. After your meat is carved, it passes along to be put on bread, and then a little conveyor belt where it runs under a heater (those of you familiar with Pot Belly Sandwiches will know what I mean - see picture above). Final stop, dressing up with a choice of relishes and sauces. The porkloin was juicy and tender, the outdoor dining, wonderful. Highly recommended!

The Garden Restaurant
Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date Visited: 29 July 2009
Address: 15 East South Temple, 10th Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Website: http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/garden.html

Nauvoo Cafe
Meal: Lunch
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 31 July 2009
Address: 15 East South Temple, Main Floor, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
Website: http://www.diningattemplesquare.com/nauvoo.html

Beef and Brandy for breakfast

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Beef and Brandy Restaurant and Lounge

A place called "Beef and Brandy" might not be your first choice for breakfast, but the B&B has been called "the best breakfast in the Loop" and, from my small experience, it sure is. The lounge area downstairs supplies the brandy part when the sun goes down, but when the sun comes up, head in for a nice, hearty and traditional breakfast.

The service staff might be tattooed and pierced these days, but after a great plate of pancakes, juice and a side of bacon, the B&B will make you feel like you're at your favorite childhood diner.

If you're in the Loop at breakfast time, don't miss the B&B!

Meal: Breakfast
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 12 & 13 July 2009
Address: 127 S. State street, Chicago, IL 60603
Website: http://www.beefbrandy.com/

Chicago styled, Italian Village

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Italian Village

A Chicago institution since 1927! Family run for 80 years! Haunt of visiting opera stars! Dark! We got pasta!

I don't know, how to you rate an old fashioned Italian restaurant, that is not only old fashioned, but just plain old? Our group of six was seated in a snug booth in a dark corner (well, the whole place was dark, part of the "atmosphere"). All the "traditional" Italian restaurant touches (paintings of "ruins", "marbleized" walls, yadda yadda). "Bottle of red, bottle of white, it all depends on your appetite" (whoops, that's Billy Joel).

Our table started out with a huge plate of serviceable spicy calamari; I added a side salad and for a main course had a nice chicken risotto.

All well and good; good service; but not quite my cup of Chianti.



Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date Visited: 12 July 2009
Address: 71 W Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603
Website: http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/

Catch 35, toss it back

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Catch 35, throw back the salmon!

I got in kind of late to Chicago and was meeting a colleague (or was it two or three? Sometimes even with cellphones making arrangements can be tricky!) for dinner. Our first couple of choices were either inconvenient or booked, next up on our list was Catch 35. Looked good from the website and the front desk gave it a thumbs up.

Located on Wacker by the Chicago River, it had to have great seafood, right?

Well, the appetizers were pretty good, Point Judith Calamari (lightly fried with a really good tofu satay & tartar sauce). But I cast in the wrong direction for my entree. I went with the Scottish Salmon with horseradish & Parmesan Crust, Shimaji mushroom, asparagus, roasted garlic gnocchi & brandy cream. Properly prepared, this might not have been bad, but the fish was dry and overcooked; the crust a tasteless texture and the horseradish sauce too mild to make an impression.

Service was adequate, though on the slow side (for a restaurant that wasn't all that full). Our server seemed to be trying, but the wait time between ordering, drink arrival, and food arrival was far too long.

Maybe on a different night with a different selection Catch 35 would be a better catch. But not on this night.





More photos.

Meal: Dinner
Rating: **
Date Visited: 9 July 2009
Address: 35 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Website: http://www.catch35.com/

Let the Carnivale begin!

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Carnivale, Festive Dining in Chi-town

Carnivale is yet another entree in the "restaurant as destination" club. Yes, the food is really good, bordering on the fabulous, but you come more to a place like Carnivale to say that you've been there and to be seen my other people.

I went with a group of people and we spent a good 45 minutes past our booked reservation waiting at the bar for our table. The bar, by the way, was great. Excellent bartender and nice guacamole and chips to keep hunger away while sipping on the mojitos.

When we were seated, we had a variety of appetizers. The standout was the Ropa Vija (sweet plantains, braised beef, spicy may oand queso fresco). Also  of note, the ceviche mixto (a sampling of tuna, calamari, halibut and others).

For my entree, I went with the Pernil (a fork tender cut of rum glazed pork shoulder with fried plantains, and rice and beans). A nice and tasty dish indeed, but it was the Mama Mendez' Arroz Con Mariscos (sofritoo rice, shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, chorizo, peas, chicken and souped into a lobster broth) that, hands down, won the accolades of the table.

More photos.

Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 10 July 2009
Address: 702 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661
Website: http://www.carnivalechicago.com/

Viand, a hidden gem in Chicago

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Viand: American cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.

Hidden away in a section of Chicago called Streeterville, Viand is located in Marriott hotel. I've said on a number of occasions that I'm not really keen on hotel restaurants, but I think I'm going to have to adjust that view. Though many hotels (hello Sheraton) still stick a mediocre sports bar or overpriced steakhouse in the hotel and call it fine dining, increasingly hotels are actually putting quality eateries on premises.

Viand is an excellent example of such a place. An eclectic mix of ingredients and cuisines, with leanings towards the Mediterranean, the full menu made for some hard choices.

The table was started off with a small tumbler of complimentary, and very tasty, gazpacho. This nice touch set the tone for the rest of the meal.

For starters, I had an order of the homemade potstickers in a dark soy and brown sugar glaze. The potstickers were good, and a nice large serving, but didn't quite blend with my main course, a lovely tangine of lamb and root vegetables with couscous. Nicely spiced, a great choice.

The dessert tray was tempting (including a basket of freshly baked cookies), but I'm not really a dessert person, so I let that go by.

Service was excellent and attentive. Highly recommended (even if you have to go through a hotel lobby too get there!).

More photos.

Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 13 July 2009
Address: 155 E Ontario St., Chicago, IL 60611-2822
Website: http://www.viandchicago.com/