Dining Guide 2023 

Page 5 of 6

• Courtesy Photo
• Aqua Terra Steak + Sushi

Try Something New
Check out these additions to the Salt Lake dining scene.
By Thomas Crone

For a while, we stayed home and learned to bake bread and shake martinis while zooming with our friends, but those dark days are behind us. We're cruising for burgers again. And all of a sudden, the shuttered diners and empty malls and new housing developments across the valley have "had some work done" and are lighting up with delightful new offerings, so much so, that it's hard to keep up. We've compiled this list of new-ish spots, so you can schedule a visit and see what the buzz is about. See you out there.

Yumz! Vegan Cafe
If State Street has anything, well, it has ... everything. So a spot that sells vegan Mexican and Puerto Rican food is a perfect complement to the myriad restaurants that call State Street home, though few do so with the exact blend of meat-free, family-friendly vibes of Yumz!, which quickly established itself as a linchpin of the local vegan dining scene. Unsurprising, too, is that a kid-friendly restaurant like this would be a strong purveyor of sweets, so if you're thinking of tackling a plate of tacos here, do consider leaving just a bit of room for dessert.
3490 S. State, South Salt Lake, 801-590-8092

Oromian Restaurant
Rundassa Eshete's Oromian Restaurant is one of State Street's real wins, a place that's flipped a former pawn shop into an authentic Ethiopian restaurant featuring his sister, Bullallee Eshete, as the acclaimed new spot's chef. They offer a variety of East African fare with a heavy emphasis on vegetarian dishes and shareable options.
1522 S. State, SLC, 801-978-9673, oromianrestaurant.com

Aqua Terra Steak + Sushi
Washington state's Ascend Hospitality Group brings this concept to life, an intriguing blend of game cuts, sushi, sake cocktails, a superior wine list and a warm, inviting atmosphere. And since steak is right there in the name, consider any beef items (including, of course, steak) to be among the best picks from this restaurant's menu.
50 S. Main, Ste. 168, SLC, 385-261-2244, aquaterrasteak.com

Noemi's Café and Catering
Now in the old strip mall location that used to be Ganesh's, Midvale's Noemi's Cafe comes from the direct lineage of a truck called Noemi's Catering, a business that established this Chilean cuisine in the local consciousness. They do a lot of things right, but steak?

Last fall, City Weekly's own Alex Springer gushed that "Every single bite of steak on the lomo saltado at Noemi's is perfectly cooked, so when you line up that perfect bite of fry, onion, tomato and steak, all you get is pleasure." So, yeah, maybe give it a try, or find another dish that hits the spot, with Noemi's excelling at everything from seafood to sweets.
777 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale, 801-979-7888

Angry Korean
Growing out of the food truck model that's brought so many brick-and-mortar restaurants to Salt Lake, the Angry Korean's first restaurant took root in South Jordan in 2019 offering a solid take on Korean street food, with some nods to fusion. Launching their second eatery in May 2022 in Cottonwood Heights (and perhaps more to come), chefs Young-Ho Kang and Peter Kim were recently honored as semi-finalists for the annual James Beard Foundation awards, among a small selection of SLC locations to get that nod amidst a five-state region.
6945 S. 1300 East, Cottonwood Heights, 801-441-1022; 11587 S. District Main Drive, Ste. 300, South Jordan, 801-307-8300, theangrykorean.com

Mama Coco Kitchen
Soul food (be it baked, boiled or fried) and sweets are the appeals of Mama Coco, a proper new fit in a strip mall on Main Street not far from the Chinatown Mall near 3300 South. Po'boys made with chicken, shrimp and fish are at the heart of the menu here, but so are waffle meals and all manner of sides.

With what has to be the thinnest web presence of any restaurant on this list, it appears that a walk through the door is the best way to get familiar with the offerings here.
3357 S. Main, South Salt Lake, 725-247-2046

Neutral Ground
Calling on flavors from Louisiana kitchens, Neutral Ground brings an updated and elevated spin on menu items such as alligator tacos, crawfish mac'n'cheese and fried green tomatoes. The physical space also plays with some NOLA elements without overwhelming diners and drinkers. Speaking of which, the bar program is geared towards "proper whiskey," though fans of beer, wine and spirits will be satisfied with their options as well.
2110 W. North Temple, SLC, 801-953-0443, nglounge.com

Woodbine Food Hall
The Granary District scored big with the introduction of Woodbine Food Hall, a space that currently features 3 Cups, Deadpan Sandwich, Mozz, Yakuza Ramen, Taco Lady and W. Cocktail Bar. Facilities like this, blending a host of different food 'n' drink options under one roof, are all the rage across the U.S., and Salt Lake's newest play on the concept brings together spots that are a well-matched group, with divergent tastes and menus collectively featured Tuesday through Saturday.
545 W. 700 South, SLC, 801-669-9192, SLC, woodbineslc.com

Urban Hill
Brought to life by the folks behind Park City's Hearth and Hill restaurant and Hill's Kitchen café and catering, Urban Hill is a sharp-looking affair in the Post District, featuring a wood-fired grill in the heart of the open kitchen. With an emphasis on quality sourcing and a kitchen staff that's pulled the best in town, Urban Hill's menu covers most proteins well, but fish is given a definite star turn. A large bar area and a patio that'll be kicking come spring, augment the big, beautiful dining room.
510 S. 300 West, SLC, 385-295-4200, urban-hill.com

Italian Graffiti
In City Weekly's first issue of the year, dining critic Alex Springer topped himself with this zinger of a thought re: Italian Graffiti, which, he notes "comes to us from Nice Hospitality Group, which excels at creating restaurants that have, for lack of a better term, strong-ass vibes. While quality food and an exciting menu remain front and center, these restaurants strive to take their diners on an escapist journey."

The greenery and floral décor no doubt contribute to the vibe. Chef Marc Marrone's food at this Gateway eatery, though, is centered around pastas, steaks, seafood and items from in-house artisan bakery.
156 S. 400 West, SLC, 385-281-8373, italiangraffiti.com

Mi Buena Vida
This 2022 debut comes compliments of Utah restaurateur Alan Galeano, who operates El Chubasco and Don Gallo in Park City among eight restaurant holdings. This 15th & 15th neighborhood "truly Mexican" spot features traditional items such as burritos, tortas, tacos and tostadas and provides a nice counterpoint to other area staples such as the nearby Caputo's.
1500 S. 1500 East, SLC, 385-229-4812, mibuenavidaslc.com

Emigration Cafe
After opening in April 2022 in the east side Yalecrest neighborhood—and drawing on customers from well outside that geographic boundary—Emigration Cafe has got folks covered with breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner served seven days a week (minus a Sunday dinner service). With a heavy emphasis on well-executed, classic American favorites, restaurateur Scott Evans has another hit on his hands. The addition of Logos Coffee adds to this excellent, day-round destination.
1709 E. 1300 South, SLC, 801-906-8101, emigrationcafe.com

The Dough Miner
This spot in Maven West (an apartment community in the Maven District) hit upon a unique notion: that people in SLC wanted to try the many variations of, yes, dough. And all in a single locale. Located just across 300 West from T.F. Brewing, Dough Miner serves up a common favorite like a bagel or a donut alongside items that might have a touch more of a niche audience—the fans of kolaches, say, or Cornish pasties, which are the signature dish of Dough Miner.

Though open seven days a week, there's a chance that you might not be able to get your favorite treat later in the afternoon, as "selling out" means "closed" at Dough Miner. So plan your trip accordingly and don't be shy in asking about the joy that is the Cornish pasty.
945 S. 300 West, Ste. 101, SLC, 385-334-3389, doughminer.com

Franklin Ave. Cocktails and Kitchen
Officially opened in June 2022 by the Bourbon Group, "Franklin Avenue" refers to the building's first incarnation as the Franklin Avenue Variety Theatre, built in the 1890s. There's a swashbuckling history inside 231 S. Edison, dating back a century, when it was a bit of a speakeasy, sporting house and gastronomic hub, all in one place.

These days, some of those vices have been given the boot, but a revamped building and the food and drink remain. And they excel at those things, tackling modern American fare with aplomb, along with a top-notch beverage program.
231 S. Edison St., SLC, 385-831-7560, franklinaveslc.com

Pretty Bird Hot Chicken
You'd be forgiven for thinking that all new restaurants in the Beehive State are serving up variations of spicy chicken, and Pretty Bird's a big part of this not-a-problem. The chain's growth in town is due to a nationwide trend to love all these yardbird dishes, sure, but there's just something special about the way that Pretty Bird handles simple items like tenders.

With a mere four Pretty Bird locations flying in our region today (the original Regent Street location downtown first expanded to Sugar House, then in 2022, to both Park City and Midvale), would it surprise you to see this name hit 10, 20 or more? It shouldn't. They're that good.
Multiple locations, prettybirdchicken.com

Libertango Steakhouse
Steakhouses with lineage in Brazil and Argentina are typically un-shy in speaking about their general sense of exquisite taste, be it the food served to you, the music played overhead or the drinks accompanying one's meal.

Libertango, which opened in December 2022, is such a place—self-confident and deservedly so. The steak list (obviously) headlines this Sandy restaurant's bill of fare. Its menu ranges includes salads, pastas and rice dishes that are several notches above the ordinary. When a place can brag on its sides as well as its signature dishes, well, it's got something special.
10395 S. State, Sandy, 801-448-6449, libertango.us

The Juice Shop
What's especially pleasing about the food menu at The Juice Shop in the Maven District is that the menu is relatively small, playing to the strengths of this health-inclined kitchen. There are salads/bowls, toasts and a handful of snacks. Barring a special or two, these are your options, though there's range within each category.

Hot beverages, loaded smoothies and, of course, fresh-pressed juices are also there for you, with items like Liquid Sunshine (golden beet, carrot, orange, ginger, turmeric) beaming with healthy radiance.
888 S. 200 East, SLC, 801-203-0877, thejuiceshopslc.com

Yoko Taco
Long in the planning process, Yoko Taco anchors the corner storefront of theRUTH apartment complex, located just a stone's throw from the complementary Fisher Brewing and RubySnap Fresh Cookies. Noted for its farm-fresh ingredients, local sourcing and a small, nimble taco menu, Yoko Taco (sister restaurant to Yoko Ramen) is hitting its stride after a delayed build-out.

The pig's ear taco is a must for those inclined toward an adventurous order, and the kimchi pico de gallo will bring you back for more.
285 W. 800 South, SLC, 385-218-4325, yokotacoslc.com

Training Table
The name rings out to a true Utahn, with The Training Table's pair of dipping sauces the stuff of legend. With those now available for purchase online (sad Salt Lakers were trying to recreate sauces in their kitchens from scratch prior to TT's return last year),

The Training Table is sending food trucks into the community to further strengthen the brand before the arrival of a new brick-and-mortar shop in 2023. Family lawsuits now sorted out after the restaurant's closure in 2016, the hearts of cheese fry fans throughout the regions are singing with TT's return—though no word yet if the signature tabletop landline telephones will be back, at least for nostalgia's sake. thetrainingtable.com