The CragBaby

Picture from my birthday dinner at Cafe Madrid last August.

The other day I received a text message from a friend inquiring about Salt Lake City restaurants recommendations. I realized that lately I have been frequenting the same restaurant continually and making a list of favorites reminded me I needed to re-visit some of these classics. My favorites include:

Sushi

• Koko’s Kitchen - I was introduced to Koko’s by my friend Gunner. I might be in debt to him for this as Koko’s is now my favorite restaurant, with me visiting about once per week. I have always eaten sushi there (as sushi is one of my favorite dishes) but Gunner has a whole list of recommendations. For sushi, definitely try the Fireball and Pocky Dynamite. They have great sake, an extra large filled to the rim being only $8. Location is the corner of 300 south and 700 east.
• Takashi - Takashi is great place for a nice night out on the town, but expect to wait if you don’t make a reservation in advance. They have some creative combinations, including Strawberry Fields which combines the odd couple of strawberries and red chilis. Location is on Market Street in downtown Salt Lake.

Mexican

• Red Iguana - though the place is a dive, it is hands down the best mexican dishes in Salt Lake City. Location is the west side of North Temple.
• Lone Star - the best fish tacos are definitely found at Lone Star located on 6200 south. It is the place with an old car covered with stickers out front. Note that they do not take credit cards for amounts under $20, but do take personal checks.

Italian

• Michelangelo’s Ristorante - homemade pasta in the heart of sugarhouse. However, for some odd reason I think I have only gone there on one occasion. Located across the street from the Wild Oats on the Highland Drive side.
• Caffe Molise - located downtown on 100 south, this quaint restaurant has delicious gnocchi that can be enjoyed in a nice outdoor setting.

Mediterranean

• Mazza - fantastic Mediterrean food. There are two locations, one in 15th and 15th and another in 9th and 9th. The menu and pricing are the same, but the atmospheres are distinctly different. The 15th and 15th location is loud and small, feeling somewhat like a small cafe. The 9th and 9th location is more elegant with the white table clothes and lots of room. Both are great depending on the occasion. Definitely try the looma, hummus, grape leaves and lentil soup.
• Atlantic Cafe - cafe atmosphere. Food is more expensive than Mazza and not any better. Still worth a visit. Location is main street and about 300 south.
• Cafe Med -located on 33rd south and just a little east of state, this restaurant also has good food, but doesn’t completely compare to Mazza.

Indian

• Bombay House - the Bombay House might be my all time favorite restaurant. Everything from the massaman to saag to all appetizers are utterly fantastic. Location is off Parley’s Way by I-80.

Tapas

• Martine - good tapas in ample sizes. The setting is just ok, but the food quality makes up for it. Location is downtown on 100 south and between (I believe) State and Main.
• Cafe Madrid - located by the Black Diamond store on 3900 South, Cafe Madrid has fantastic tapas made of exquisite mixtures. Unfortunately they are quit small in size, probably the smallest portions I have had from a tapas place. Definitely try the shrimp in cream sauce and the sausage in fig sauce. Delicious.

Pizza

• Settebello - if you have been to Italy and enjoyed true Italian pizza, you will adore this place. Fantastic pizza that makes you feel like you are sitting in front of the Duoma. Location is downtown by Red Rocks.
• Este Pizza - the Grayhghost gave me the heads up about this joint. It is small shop in Sugarhouse with some snow attitude. Stickers of ski resorts are plastered around and they refuse to put pineapple on pizza. Great pies and pitchers of beer. You honestly can’t go wrong with this place! Location is one of the side street of Sugarhouse and around 1100 East.

Sandwich Shops

• Robin’s Nest - this woman ran business is by far my favorite sandwich shop in town. My personal favorite (in fact, so good that I don’t think I have ever branched out) is the Robin’s Grill. Location is Main Street and 300 South.
• Gandolfos - New York style subs that are good, but their breakfast sandwiches are delicious and extremely fairly priced. My personal favorite is the Radio City. Location is downtown on about 200 South and Main Street. There is another location in Sugarhouse, but the hours are really odd.

Pubs

• Desert Edge - this one would not have made the list, except that once I tried their crabcake salad. Superb. I will never order another dish there.
• Bayou - whenever I have a friend visiting I take them to the Bayou. The beer selection is the best in SLC and the food, especially the sweet potato fries, are delectable.

If you readers have personal favorites, please post up in the comments.

Tags: restaurants, utah

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 8:50 pm and is filed under restaurants, utah. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.