Fine dining used to be the pinnacle on which we all aspired to eat. Now, the tradition is pretty much confined to PBS period dramas.
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whoa. Where am I? L.A.? Silver Lake? The wood floors, spare but civilized décor, friendly tattooed servers, counter service and the offer of CBD oil in any beverage certainly make you feel like you’ve walked into another civilization. The appeal of Em Gassman’s popular restaurant on a hill in Marmalade has always eluded me—its undeniable neighborhood charm, the patio views in the summer, the interesting sounding menu have always, on my visits, been undermined by lackadaisical service and inconsistent execution. Now Gassman has opened The Day Room. Same location, same space, but different hours and a different chef. Milo Carrier, cooking weekday lunch, weekend brunch and daily afternoon nibbles, is finally making the menu match the mood and Saturday brunch here was one of the most original and pleasing fast breaks I’ve had in Salt Lake City.
Order at the counter, take your tea (black assam, green Chunmee, herbal or red), coffee (drip, macchiato, cortado, latte, etc.), Solstice hot chocolate or a hot shrub and wait at your self-selected table to be served. Look around. The place is filled with hipsters—bearded brewmaster-looking young men, young women in the requisite beanie or messy topknots. But in a pleasant deviance, no one is on their phone.
And the food, when it comes, is extraordinary.
This menu is not like any other brunch menu in town. Take the French toast: a thick slice of multi-grain bread (and not the brick-heavy ’60s-style clunkers too often served as healthy bread), soaked in coffee cocoa-flavored cream, sauteed and topped with blood orange and red grapefruit sections and lots of little crunchy nibs—nuts, seeds, etc. You could probably leave it in a warm place and it would sprout. (But you won’t leave any of it.) Another standout—the potato waffles, crisp and more like a galette, with thick-cut bacon, fried onion, an egg and baby greens. Empanadas can be sweet or savory, filled with goat cheese and green chile. Smaller bites are available during the week—“The Normal,” crispy potato, egg, toast and cheese; house-made bagels; breakfast tostados. The menu segues into afternoon with a selection of wine, beer and savory bites. When we were there, Chef brought us a pot pie he was introducing to the menu—order it. The Day Room is a neighborhood treasure.
IF YOU GO
- Address: 271 N. Center St., SLC
- Web: dayroomandems.com
- Phone: 801-596-0566
- Entrees: $-$$
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Aspiring cheesemongers and chocolate lovers will unite this weekend at the Natural History Museum of Utah for the museum’s annual Chocolate and Cheese Festival. For cheeseheads, the festival will offer classes and exhibits on the finer points of cheesemaking. Selecting the type of milk, adding in strains of bacteria, and separating curds from whey, will delight any aspiring cheesemaker. Or just lover of cheese.
For chocoholics, the festival will explore the astounding and complex world of chocolate. Utah chocolate makers have been building worldwide connections with cacao-growing regions and are at the forefront of the bean-to-bar movement.
And you can enjoy both, this weekend on March 30 and 31, 2019. Classes and exhibitions are offered both days, for kids and adults, with tastings and demonstrations from local cheese and chocolate artisans. Plus vendors selling tasty treats.
For registration and more info click here.
For more of our foodie fun visit our archives.
Snyderville Basin’s “Green Heart” will be spared from development. The Summit Land Conservancy completed its fundraising campaign over the past weekend by raising the final $375,000 to secure a conservation easement for the 158-acre Osguthorpe Farm on Old Ranch Road. The farm represents the last major tract of undeveloped land in the center of the basin and ensures views of the surrounding mountain peaks will be preserved into the future.
The final fundraising push was the culmination of a two-year effort to save one of Park City’s last working farms ahead of the March 31 deadline to leverage federal funding towards the conservation effort. In 2017, the land trust entered into an agreement with the Osguthorpe family to purchase a conservation easement for $17,856,000. $8.8 million came from a federal grant as part of a Farm Bill program, $500,000 came from a Summit County grant, and the Osguthorpe family contributed $3.9 million towards the cause, which lets them retain rights to the house currently on the property. The easement prevents any future development on the property and allows the farm to remain operational.
Summit Land Conservancy, a non-profit dedicated to saving land in Summit County, spearheaded the effort to preserve the farm.
The final $4.5 million came from more than 1,100 individual donors, which included many Park City residents and second home owners. As with the recent approval of a $48 million bond to preserve Treasure Hill and the $38 million bond to acquire Bonanza Flats in 2017, Parkites have shown quite the appetite for footing the bill when it comes to preserving open space and public land.
As the deal came down to the wire, the community rallied in the name of conservation. A group of Old Ranch Road residents calling themselves “Defenders of the Ranch” helped raise awareness about the land deal, and a large donation from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation in addition to a challenge grant from the Willow Creek homeowners’ association helped drive fundraising efforts across the finish line.
Another slice of Park City is protected from the endless march of development, and once again it’s largely thanks to the efforts and contributions of residents.
See all our community coverage here.
Salt Lake Acting Company proudly announces its 49th season, following an incredibly well- received string of box office and critical successes. This season is comprised of six works never produced in Utah, two of which will receive world premieres.
The season opener is Death of a Driver an African-set drama work-shopped through SLAC’s Playwrights’ Lab last year.
Next is the first world premiere of the season Form of a Girl Unknown by Charly Evon Simpson, which has been awarded a David Ross Fetzer Foundation Emerging Artists grant.
A professional children’s theater performance will be brought to the Salt Lake audience with Pete the Cat a musical adaptation of the popular book series by James Dean and Kimberly Dean, adapted for the stage.
Starting off the new year with a Utah premiere of the Tony Award-winning A Doll’s House, Part 2, Followed by How to Transcend a Happy Marriage.
Lastly, the season closes with the 42nd iteration of Utah’s longest-running theater tradition, Saturday’s Voyeur.
SLAC is also making history, for the first time in 49 years the lineup of directors for this season will be entirely female. “This season we examined each of our productions and sought the best storytellers to bring each to its fullest life. It just so happens that these productions will be best served by these fierce females at the helm.”
Mark these dates on your calendar:
- September 11- October 20, 2019 — Death of a Driver
- October 16– November 17, 2019 — Form of a Girl Unknown
- December 6 – 30, 2019 — Pete the Cat
- February 5– March 8, 2020 — A Doll’s House, Part 2
- April 8– May 10, 2020 — How to Transcend a Happy Marriage
- June 17– August 23, 2020 —Saturdays Voyeur 2020
Parents with young kids have a lot to worry about: Will they get along with kids at daycare? Are Arby’s Curly Fries at least slightly nutritious? Is it an ear infection? Please, God, not another ear infection! After a week of cleaning, cooking, play dating and countless other burdens, along with your 9-to-5 at the office, sometimes you just want PAW Patrol to take over during a little “you” time. But first, there’s one more parenting duty to knock off your crayon-covered list: read to your kids.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends reading to your kids from birth and states that doing so is as important as vaccinations and breastfeeding. “Parents are a child’s first and most-important teacher,” says Paul Schvaneveldt, director of Weber State University’s Family Literacy Program, which teaches low-income families in Weber County strategies for discipline and engaging in literacy with their children.
“We really focus a lot on what we call dialogic literacy, which is where you make reading time interactive; you expand vocabulary and language,” Schvaneveldt says. In other words, don’t just read the book — start a conversation with your kid by pointing out shapes, colors and objects while reading. (Ever notice Pop’s green yoga mat in Hop on Pop, or that one Wild Thing reminds you of Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden?)
Recently, the Family Literacy Program followed up with families that were in the program about a decade ago and found that parents are still reading with their children, who are thriving in school. “They’re at level, above level — oftentimes, they’re the children who are the better performers in their school,” Schvaneveldt says.
Read to your kids to set them on the right path, too.
Margaret Brennan Neville, Kid’s Room Buyer and Manager at The King’s English Bookshop, recommends the following books to get the job done:
How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan (local author) and Lee Wildish
“Jean’s How To series has a wide audience. Her lyrical rhyming text will please and amuse audiences, because, let’s face it, there are a lot of grandmas and grandpas who need watching,” Brennan Neville says. Reagan’s newest book, How to Scare a Ghost, is also a fan-favorite.
Dude! By Aaron Reynolds and Dan Santat
“This book has one word! Your child will be reading it to you after the first go through,” Brennan Neville says. Dude! follows a platypus and beaver who want to go surfing but have to contend with a shark as well. Santat’s detailed illustrations make the book a perfect go-to for practicing dialogic literacy.
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn and Mark Buehner (local authors)
This author and illustrator team are known for their snowmen books, which Brennan Neville says are “oozing charm” and offer “illustrations that beg for careful examination,” i.e. hidden pictures. The Buehners have also released Fanny’s Dream (a pioneer Cinderella story) and Dex: The Heart of a Superhero (Dex finds out there’s more to being a superhero than having muscles).
Princess in Black series by Shannon and Dean Hale (local authors), and LeUyen Pham
“Magnolia, so pretty in pink, also has to morph into the monster-beating, kingdom-saving Princess in Black whenever there is danger,” Brennan Neville says. Don’t be deterred by the 96 pages. With a lot of fun pictures by illustrator LeUyen Pham accompanying the story, these books work for a wide range of ages.
A Little Book of Sloth by Lucy Cooke
“We didn’t know that we were so interested in sloths until this book came out,” Brennan Neville says. “Great way to explore a species in trouble, and the pictures are darling.”
You can pick up any of these books at The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, SLC. To learn more about the Family Literacy Program or to participate, visit weber.edu/familyliteracy.
Read more of our family content in our Kid-friendly blog roll.
Admittedly, I thought I’d stumbled into the wrong show when I arrived at the Depot on Monday, March 18, 2019. Co-headliner Zoé was not at all the same genre as Metric: the psych-rock band from Mexico drew a huge following, and the philistine in me was surprised to find out from a fellow photog that they were a rather big deal, especially in L.A. Led by Leon Larregui, the five-piece troupe has been making waves since their second album, 2003’s Rocanlover. This, as well as their follow-up LPs, have been produced by Phil Vinali, the same guy behind some of Radiohead’s, Placebo’s, and Pulp’s recordings.
Zoé performed tracks spanning their 2001 debut to this year’s Aztian. A heads up about the sharp, persistent strobe lights coming from the stage would have been helpful; as it was, it was hard not to wince for the majority of their set. Larregui, however, came more than prepared in Bono-esque shades, a rainbow poncho, and even a matching feathered mic stand. As seemingly one of the few audience members who was unfamiliar with Zoé, it was a rare way to be introduced to a new band: bathed in trippy lights (strobes notwithstanding) and effects, a bunch of raised smartphones, and Larregui’s warm yet raspy vocals, in a tongue that was not my own.
After they were done, Zoé’s audience (literally) swapped places with Metric’s. Chalk it up, perhaps, to the oddly-coupled roster. Emily Haines’ voice has that naturally shallow and echoey quality about it that recalls a female Julian Casablancas, and it translated impressively live. The top of their set mostly featured songs from their new album, Art of Doubt. Perhaps it requires a few listens in isolation, but they seemed to blend into one another a little too much, not really accentuating Haines’ unique vocals or having any distinct hooks.
Their more memorable numbers came toward the end: the bittersweet “Gimme Sympathy,” the hypnotic “Gold Guns Girls,” and in the encore, “Help, I’m Alive” and “Black Sheep” (Scott Pilgrim fans, unite!). While it’s a lot more contemplative and lengthier than the others, “Now or Never Now” from their new album is worth checking out for its slow burn and ’80s pop instrumentals. As the songs became more coherent and recognizable, so too did the Toronto band become livelier and more interactive with the audience. Some lingering Zoé fans even started moshing (unsuccessfully) by the bar.
To see more photos from the show, go here.
See all our music coverage here.
Odyssey Dance Theatre performed its Shut Up and Dance season finale and it was a wonderful way to end the 2018/19 season. The finale debuted three dance performances on from Feb. 27 thru March 9, 2019. I was fortunate to go to all the three performances on the last week of the season finale.
First Night
The first evening was a look back on the 25 years that ODT has been performing. Derryl Yeager Founder and Artistic Director started the evening by reading some thoughts that he had put together on the past 25 years and what this company has meant to him. You can tell that this has been his project of love—creating a space where talented dancers who want to stay in Utah can show their skills and abilities.
The evening proceeded with a performance stunning performance of “Traditional Illuminations” choreographed by Mia Michaels of So You Think You Can Dance. Laura Brick-Kempski was a standout as the lead for this number. She was grounded, strong and you could feel the emotion. The second number of the night was the first number that Derryl Yeager ever choreographed for ODT set to Kurt Bestor’s “Prayer of the Children.” I personally have always loved this song and the dance number was beautifully paired with the music. The evening continued with four more dance pieces:
“Between Disconnect” choreographed by Christian Denice a former ODT dancer who has gone on to do some amazing work around the country. He was in the audience that evening. This number had very cool technical music with precise, intricate and often angular movements.
“SoundTrax” by Eldon Johnson who has choreographed a number of pieces over the years for ODT. It featured wonderful music that makes you feel like you are watching a movie; along with incredible transitions and use of space.
“Meraki” was an all-male number that has never been performed here in Salt Lake City. The men of ODT perform with strength, power and agility, (along with some pretty amazing gymnastic moves).
“Rain” was the last number for this part of the evening. A jazz number that ends up with the ODT dancers, dancing in actual water coming from spouts in the ceiling. Kingsbury Hall smelt like it had rained after the number was done. A very effective, cool and original dance number to end this half of the evening.
The second half of the evening was all about disco with “Dance Fever,” choreographed by Darryl Yeager, Allison Thornton and Jessica Holker. Holker was in the audience and the performance was dedicated to her sister, Allison who has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with The Stars. For me this was the highlight of the evening, it took me back to the days of Saturday Night Fever and disco nights. (I met my husband while dancing at the disco.) The costumes were perfect renditions of the style of era. Standing out were Brandon Glass, Bailey Evan, and Madee Kunz who proved they could get down and boogie. Brandon danced in 6-inch heels!
The “Fifth of Beethoven” number (disco-style) featured some ballet moves and unfortunately one of the couples struggled with the lifts. With only six dancers on the stage it is pretty apparent when someone doesn’t execute the moves. But then came “Boogie Shoes” a remarkable tap number by Ryan Moguel and Samantha Jo Ruotsi.
At the end of the evening Darryl Yeager asked all the former dancers from ODT come to the stage and dance with the company. Many of the dancers remembered the number and those who didn’t helped encourage all those dancing.
Second Night
The second evening a performance of Romeo + Juliet conceived and directed by Darryl Yeager. Costumes by Cheryl Yeager and choreographed by Eldon Johnson, Ashleigh and Ryan Di Lello (of So You Think You Can Dance fame.) Alan Salazar, Thayne Jasperson (one of the original cast members of Hamilton), Veronica Cabling, Gev Monaoukian, and Natalie Reid. The performance sets Romeo and Juliet in modern times with the Montagues (Montes) and Capulets (Caputans) as rival gangs.
Romeo, danced by Casey Peterson, and Juliet, danced by Darby Jones, with Mercutio danced by Diego Ballesteros and Benvolio danced by Sage Swenson. The stand outs for me were the “Pas de Deux” of Romeo and Juliet performed with such innocence and feelings of young love. The scene when Romeo thinks that his Juliet is dead and he dances with her “lifeless” body was danced with such sorrow and heartache. This is technically difficult piece to maneuver and he pulled it off. The most moving part of the whole evening was when Mercutio and Benvolio are killed in the gang fight. The heartbreaking movements brought me to tears. And in a surprise ending, the audience gets to decide if Romeo and his Juliet get to live or die.
I voted for them to live but the audience gave them a thumbs down. This story has always tugged at me heart and I often wonder as many years ago that this was written and we really haven’t grown or changed that much as societies have we? Sad. All in all it was a very powerful performance.
Third night
The third evening of the season finale was Chicago Nights. This performance was set in the 1920s during Al Capone’s reign of Chicago. Conceived and Directed by Derryl Yeager, choreographed by Veronica Cabling and costumes by Cheryl Yeager. Great music throughout this performance and a good variety of dance styles, including tap, hip-hop, contemporary and jazz. Roxie Hart was danced by Amber Morain and she danced the part very well. She was believable as a dumb but not-so-dumb blonde. Velma was danced by Amanda Kier, Al Capone danced by Casey Johnson, Matilda Carse danced by Laura Brick-Kempski and Amos by Sage Swenson. Some of the stand outs for me were the Charleston and flapper number, the tap number in the Speakeasy and Mr. Cellophane which was a great hip-hop number with a lot of isolated movement. It was an evening that was full of gangsters, Christian temperance union, drunkards and murderesses.
Bottom line: I wish that the community was more supportive of this great company. I was surprised by the sparse audience. C’mon tickets are reasonable and they really do a good job. Shut up and get tickets to keep this company going for another 25 plus years!
See all of our Dance coverage here.
Each restaurant in Salt Lake magazine’s Hall of Fame has received consistent awards for excellence over a period of years. These restaurants represent the foundation of the Utah dining scene. If you haven’t been to all, you haven’t dined in the Beehive State.
6451 Millcreek Canyon Rd., SLC
801-272-8255
18 W. Market St., SLC
801-519-9595
224 S. 1300 East, SLC
801-581-0888
20 UT-12, Boulder
435-335-7464
736 N. Temple, SLC
801-322-1489
1515 S. 1500 East, SLC
801-484-9259
912 E. 9th South, SLC
801-521-4572
147 Broadway, SLC
801-363-2739
We asked you, dear readers what you thought about where to eat around the state. Our survey got a huge response, with more than 600 of you responding. There are some old favorites and newcomers and even one tie among your choices which, thankfully, did not include any chain restaurants.
Best Restaurant Salt Lake City
Log Haven
6451 Millcreek Canyon Rd., SLC
(801) 272-8255
Best Restaurant Park City
Silver Star Café
1825 Three Kings Dr., Park City
(435) 655-3456
Best Restaurant Red Rock
Hell’s Backbone
20 UT-12, Boulder
(435) 335-7464
Best Restaurant Ogden
Tona Sushi Bar & Grill
210 25th St, Ogden
(801) 622-8662
Best Restaurant Provo
Communal
102 N. University Ave., Provo
(801) 373-8000
Best Restaurant St. George
Painted Pony
2 W. St. George Blvd., St. George
(435) 634-1700
Best Restaurant in Utah
Plates & Palates
390 N. 500 West #100, Bountiful
(801) 292-2425
Best Undiscovered/Discovery
Trestle Tavern
1513 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
(801) 532-3372
Best Indian
Bombay House
2731 Parleys Way, Salt Lake City
(801) 581-0222
Best Chinese
Mandarin
348 E. 900 North, Bountiful
(801) 298-2406
Best Japanese
Takashi
18 W. Market St., Salt Lake City
(801) 519-9595
Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Mazza
912 900 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 521-4572
Best Mexican
Red Iguana
736 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City
(801) 322-1489
Best Southeast Asian (TIE)
Sawadee
754 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City
(801) 328-8424
Somi
1215 E Wilmington Ave., Salt Lake City
(385) 322-1158
Best Breakfast
Ruth’s Diner
4160 Emigration Canyon Rd., Salt Lake City
(801) 582-5807
Best Lunch
Plates & Palates
390 N. 500 West, Bountiful
(801) 292-2425
Best Quick Eats
East Liberty Tap House
850 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City
(801) 441-2845
Best Comfort Food
Silver Star Café
1825 Three Kings Dr., Park City
(435) 655-3456
Best Wine List
Pago
878 S. 900 East, Salt Lake City
(801) 532-0777
Subscribers can see more. Sign up and you’ll be included in our membership program and get access to exclusive deals, premium content and more. Get the magazine, get the deals, get the best of life in Utah!
