Best of Utah 2013: Food & Drink 

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Best Atmosphere
Pallet
With a warm interior, designed by a collaboration led by Cody Derrick of CityHome Collective, Pallet is simultaneously a feast for the eye and for the palate. The space—formerly a creamery loading dock—retains historical authenticity, including the repurposing of materials from the early 1900s, such as antique shutters and railroad push carts. Original brick walls and reclaimed wood used to create the flooring and tables at Pallet lend credence to the idea that “everything old is new again.”
237 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City, 801-935-4431, EatPallet.com
2. Log Haven Restaurant
3. The Copper Onion

Best Glitz
Silver
Even in a glitzy resort town like Park City, Silver restaurant stands out. No expense was spared in creating Silver, the name of which is an homage to Park City’s silver-mining legacy, with silver veins streaking through the interior and exterior walls of the restaurant. And the cuisine lives up to the Silver glitz, via delectable dishes like seared monkfish in brown butter, wild-mushroom risotto and rabbit & black-garlic pappardelle.
508 Main, Park City, 435-940-1000, SilverRestaurant.com

Best Biker Burger
Guzzi's Vintage Burgers & Fries
Named for Italian motorbike manufacturer Moto Guzzi, this tiny burger joint is a mecca for hungry bikers. It’s decked out with an abundance of motorcycle paraphernalia, including some Moto Guzzi motorbikes perched on the roof. The main draw, however, are the delicious, old-fashioned, no-nonsense burgers and fries, and Guzzi’s friendly vibe.
180 E. 800 South, Salt Lake City, 801-364-4541

Best Italian
Fratelli Ristorante
A perennial Best of Utah winner, it would appear that Fratelli is as good at getting out the vote as they are at pleasing their Sandy customers with authentic Italian fare. Brothers Pete Cannella and Dave Cannell and their families pride themselves on providing warm hospitality to accompany their delicious pizzas, pastas and award-winning entrees, like the espresso-rubbed beef shoulder. Be sure to try the delectable gelato before you depart.
9236 Village Shop Drive, Sandy,  801-495-4550, FratelliUtah.com
2. Lugano Restaurant
3. Cucina Toscana

Best Surreal Steaks
Kitty Pappas Steakhouse
Thanks largely to owner Kitty Pappas’ son “Crazy George” Pappas, there’s a surreal quality at this unusual steak emporium. First, there’s the Jerry Garcia photo near the end of the bar. And then there’s the jukebox, which George has stocked with an eclectic mix ranging from Black Sabbath and Dread Zeppelin to Bonerama and Dionne Warwick. Finally, there’s the tie-dye-clad Crazy George himself, who admonishes customers not to ask for steak sauce.
2300 S. Main, Woods Cross, 801-295-9981

Best Street Food
Saffron Valley Indian Street Foods
In Asia, street foods are immensely popular, and food carts are ubiquitous.In South Jordan, Saffron Valley owner Lavanya Mahate treats customers to a pan-Asian street-food extravaganza in her restaurant. The menu is extensive, but delicious highlights include tandoori chicken pizza, lamb vindaloo, Nawabi-style kebabs, stuffed Indian flatbreads (paratha), chaat, biryani and much more.
1098 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, 801-438-4823, SaffronValley.com

Best Chinese
Mandarin
How does a Chinese restaurant located in Bountiful, run by a family of Greek descent, win Best Chinese, you ask? Well, just take a peek into the Mandarin kitchen sometime. Owner Greg Skedros was smart enough to bring in a crack team of talented Asian chefs from Hong Kong and San Francisco, and their outstanding Chinese fare is the perfect complement to the gorgeous décor and top-notch service that defines Mandarin.
348 E. 900 North, Bountiful, 801-298-2406, MandarinUtah.com
2. Hong Kong Tea House
3. Little World Chinese Restaurant

Best Middle Eastern
Mazza
Mazza owner Ali Sabbah has operated the best Middle Eastern restaurants in town for years. What began as a little falafel joint at 15th & 15th—where food was served on paper plates—has turned into a pair of beautiful restaurants with outstanding Middle Eastern fare. In addition to authentic Middle Eastern small plates and entrees, Mazza has a terrific wine list, including wines from Lebanon and Israel.
912 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City, 801-521-4572; 1515 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City, 801-484-9259, MazzaCafe.com
2. The Med
3. Cedars of Lebanon

Best Caribbean
Adobos  Caribbean Grill
Fans of Puerto Rican and other Caribbean cuisines know that there’s pretty much only one option here in Utah: Adobos. At this family-run restaurant, you’ll find familiar items like the Cuban sandwich and grilled jerk chicken, along with lesser-known dishes such as ropa vieja, tostones, mofongos, arroz con pollo and other classic Caribbean favorites. Don’t miss the incredible guavabestia for dessert.
9460 S. Union Square Plaza, Sandy,  801-523-3672, AdobosGrill.com

Best Frozen Latte
Jarrett's  Java Express
First of all, the folks at Jarrett’s, including Jarrett himself, are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet. That’s key if your first human encounter in the morning is with your barista. And, for frozen-latte lovers: It doesn’t get any better than this. These lattes are not made with powders and piles of ice, but with soft-serve frozen yogurt. All of the coffee here is organic. And, since the folks at Jarrett’s are crazy about canines, feel free to bring your dog with you for a special treat.
3042 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City,  801-467-6918