EAT + DRINK | CW STAFF PICKS Best spice cabinet stock-up to support social justice
Penzey’s Spices
We’re all about putting local producers first on this list of the Beehive’s best, but there are some national chains that deserve a hearty “huzzah!” Case in point: Penzey’s Spices. The top-quality single origin extracts, herbs, spices and popular blends (Sunny Spain lemon-pepper and Arizona Dreaming chile are fam favorites at our casa) are low- or no-salt and packed with flavor. With an established cult following among serious cooks, the company drew national attention and conservative boycotts after the last election when company owner Bill Penzey publicly and proudly started a “campaign for good,” supporting the Women’s March, social-justice initiatives protecting immigrants and refugees, marriage equality and calling out the racist foundations of alt-right nationalism. Boycott-schmoycot. Guess where we’re getting our next packet o’ pink peppercorns? (DD) 280 E. 12300 South, Draper 801-666-7557, penzeys.com
Best cocktail bar in a (ground-floor) basement
The Ruin
In the newly renovated (or gentrified) part of Sugar House, several eateries, specialty shops and watering holes have sprouted up like sweet fruit from barren earth, but none more worthy of praise than Rheda Fouad and Amy Leininger’s The Ruin—you might recognize Fouad and Leininger from the Downtown Artist Collective. Under the looming Wilmington Avenue apartment complex is situated The Ruin, a down-toearth cocktail bar, furnished with sleek wood, stone and leather décor. At once intimate and community-oriented, The Ruin makes it a point to have several local breweries on tap, like Uinta and Proper, and also to substitute name-brand liquors for hometown counterparts, like Beehive and Dented Brick, whenever possible. With a welcoming staff, The Ruin can make a night out quite rightly a night in. (ZS) 1215 Wilmington Ave., Ste. 120, 801-869-3730, ruinslc.com
Best $6 off-menu daiquiri
Wray & Nephew high-proof classic at Water Witch
“A classic Wray-Daq is probably my favorite drink of all time,” award-winning Utah bartender Scott Gardner says. “It’s the best drink. Ever.” And there’s a lot to love about this absolutely clean, minimalist take on the classic daiquiri, made with Wray & Nephew overproof white rum, fresh lime juice and just a titch of simple syrup. But word to the wise: You probably won’t find the WrayDaq listed on the ever-changing menu board at Water Witch. Each visit is the absolute best kind of bartender roulette. Just put yourself in the Witch’s staff’s talented hands, and they’ll treat you to whatever boozy genius they’ve got in mind that day. Case in point is the Wray-Daq, a cocktail Gardner has brought with him to each of the many top bars he’s worked at in Utah. He says, “It’s a promise I’ve made people: Scott Gardner will always have a daiquiri,” no matter where he’s shaking or stirring things up. So far, inflation hasn’t crept up on him, either. I got mine for six buckaroos plus tax. (DD) 163 W. 900 South, 801-462-0967, waterwitchbar.com
Best BuzzFeed-approved soft serve
The Dole Whip Vanilla Twist at Auntie Rae’s Dessert Island
In July, BuzzFeed conducted a Yelp survey to determine the best place for soft serve ice cream in every state. It’s a tough call to make—we Utahns love our soft serve—but the internet aggregates declared Auntie Rae’s Dole Whip Vanilla Twist ($1) the finest soft serve in the Beehive State. Dole Whip soft serve is catnip to anyone who has visited the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, and to get it locally for a buck? It practically sells itself. Auntie Rae’s also offers several dessert delivery systems—I recommend the cookie sundae ($5)—for your Dole Whip, which gives the eccentric little Holladay shop tremendous repeat value. (AS) 4704 S. Holladay Blvd., 801-679-3925, auntieraesdessertisland.com
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