ON THE TABLE

of FAME HALL Red Iguana and Red Iguana 2

736 W. North Temple, SLC, 801-322-1489; 866 W. South Temple, SLC, 801-214-6050. rediguana.com. All locations are a blessing in this City of Salt, which still has mysteriously few good Mexican restaurants. Mole is what you want.

Rio Grande Café –258 S. 1300 East, SLC, 801-364-3302. riograndecafeslc.com. As bustling now as it was when it was still a train station, this is a pre-Jazz favorite and great for kids, too. Dishes overflow the plate and fill the belly.

Taqueria 27–149 E. 200 South, SLC, 385259-0940; 4670 S. Holladay Village Plaza, Holladay, 801-676-9706; 6154 S. Fashion Blvd. Ste. 2, Murray, 801-266-2487; 1688 W. Traverse Pkwy., Lehi, 801331-8033. taqueria27.com. Salt Lake needs more Mexican food, and Todd Gardiner is here to provide it. Artisan tacos (try the duck confit), inventive guacamole and lots of tequila.

Seafood

Current Fish & Oyster House –279

E. 300 South, SLC, 801-326-3474. currentfishandoyster.com. An all-star team made this cool downtown restaurant an instant hit. Excellent and inventive seafood dishes plenty of non-fishy options.

Harbor Seafood & Steak Co.

2302

E. Parleys Way, SLC, 801-466-9827. harborslc.com

A much-needed breath of sea air refreshes this restaurant, which updates their menu frequently according to the availability of wild fish. A snappy interior, a creative cocktail menu and a vine-covered patio make for a hospitable atmosphere.

Kimi’s Chop & Oyster House

2155

S. Highland Dr., SLC, 801-946-2079. kimishouse. com.Kimi Eklund and Chef Matt Anderson are bringing a touch of glam to Sugar House with their highstyle, multi-purpose restaurant: It’s an oyster bar, it’s a steakhouse, it’s a lounge. However you use it, Kimi’s makes for a fun change from the surrounding pizza and beerscapes, with dramatic lighting, purple velvet and live music.

Market Street Grill– 48 W. Market St., SLC, 801-322-4668; 2985 E. Cottonwood Pkwy., SLC, 801-942-8860; 10702 River Front Pkwy., South Jordan, 801-302-2262. marketstreetgrill.com. SLC’s fave fish restaurants: Fish is flown in daily and the breakfast is an institution.

The Oyster Bar– 48 W. Market St., SLC, 801-531-6044; 2985 E. Cottonwood Parkway (6590 South), SLC, 801-942-8870. marketstreetgrill.com

This is one of the best selection of fresh oysters in town: Belon, Olympia, Malpeque and Snow Creek, plus Bluepoints. Crab and shrimp are conscientiously procured.

Southeast Asian

menu of Thai favorites plus some inventions based on Thai flavors.

Chanon Thai Café –278 E. 900 South, SLC, 801-532-1177. chanonthaislc.com. A meal here is like a casual dinner at your best Thai friend’s place. Try curried fish cakes and red-curry prawns with coconut milk and pineapple.

FAV Bistro –1984 E. Murray Holladay Rd., Holladay, 801-676-9300. bestthaifoodinutah.com Cross-cultural food with a menu of fusion dishes based on Thai flavors.

Indochine –230 S. 1300 East, 801-582-0896. indochinesaltlake.com. Vietnamese cuisine is underrepresented in Salt Lake’s Thai-ed up dining scene, so a restaurant that offers more than noodles is welcome. Try broken rice dishes, clay pots and pho.

Mi La-Cai Noodle House –961 S. State St., SLC, 801-322-3590. lacainoodlehouse. com. Mi La-cai’s noodles rise above the rest, and their pho is fantastic—each bowl a work of art. The beautiful setting is a pleasure. It’s even a pleasure to get the bill.

My Thai–1425 S. 300 West, SLC, 801-5054999. mythaiasiancuisine.com. My Thai is an unpretentious mom-and-pop operation—she’s mainly in the kitchen, and he mainly waits tables, but in a lull, she darts out from her stove to ask diners if they like the food. Yes, we do.

Oh Mai– 850 S. State St.,SLC, 801-575-8888; 3425 State St., SLC, 801-467-6882, Other Utah locations. ohmaisandwichkitchen.com. Fast, friendly and hugely flavorful—that sums up this little banh mi shop that’s taken SLC by storm. Pho is also good and so are full plates, but the banh mi are heaven.

Pho Tay Ho –1766 S. Main St., SLC, 385-2400309. photayho.com. One of the best Pho joints around is an unassuming house on the southside of Salt Lake City. The family-owned-and-operated noodle house keeps their menu small but full of flavor.

Pho Thin–2121 S. McClelland St., SLC, 801485-2323. phothinslc.com. From its Sugar House location, Pho Thin serves up pho made in the Hanoi style, and it’s a family recipe. Their menu also offers other Vietnamese comfort and street foods.

Pleiku–264 S. Main St., SLC, 801-359-4544. pleikuslc.com. This stylish downtown spot serves a selection of Vietnamese dishes made from family recipes and served tapas-style. Note the pho, which is brewed for 36 hours and served in a full-bowl meal or a preprandial cup.

Sapa Sushi Bar & Asian Grill–722 S. State St., SLC, 801-363-7272. sapabarandgrill. com.Charming Vietnamese stilt houses surround the courtyard. Sapa’s menu ranges from Thai curries to fusion and hot pots, but the sushi is the best bet.

Skewered Thai

575 S. 700 East, SLC, 801364-1144. skeweredthai.com. A serene setting for some of the best Thai in town—perfectly balanced curries, pristine spring rolls, intoxicating drunk noodles and a well-curated wine list.

Tea Rose Diner– 65 E. 5th Ave., Murray, 801-685-6111. bestthaifoodinutah.com. Annie Sooksri has a mini-empire of Thai and Asian restaurants across the valley—Tea Rose has been a favorite since 2007 and offers a menu of Thai staples and American breakfast dishes.

SOMI Vietnamese Bistro –1215 E. Wilmington Ave., SLC, 385-322-1158. somislc.com But there’s also Chinese food and a cocktail menu at this stylish Sugarhouse restaurant. Crispy branzino, pork belly sliders on bai and braised oxtail are some of the highlights to the menu, which also includes the standard spring rolls and pho.

Thai Garden– 868 E. 900 South, SLC, 801355-8899. thaigardenbistroslc.com. Paprika-infused pad thai, deep-fried duck and fragrant gang gra ree are all excellent choices—but there are 50-plus items on the menu. Be tempted by batter-fried bananas with coconut ice cream.

Krua Thai–212 E. 500 South, SLC, 801-3284401. kruathaiut.com. Curries and noodle dishes hit a precise procession on the palate—sweet, then sour, savory and hot—plus there are dishes you’ve never tried before and should: bacon and collard greens, red curry with duck, salmon with chili and coconut sauce.

Zao Asian Cafe – 400 S. 639 East, SLC, 801-595-1234; 2227 S. Highland Dr., SLC, 801467-4113; Other Utah locations. zaoasiancafe.com

It’s hard to categorize this pan-Asian semi-fast food concept. It draws from Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese traditions, all combined with the American need for speed. Just file it under fast, fresh, flavorful food.

Steak

Christopher’s Prime –110 W. Broadway, SLC, 801-890-6616. christophersut.com. The menu is straightforward, chilled shellfish and rare steaks, with a few seafood and poultry entrees thrown in for the non-beefeaters.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse –20

S. 400 West Ste. 2020, The Gateway, SLC, 801-3553704. flemingssteakhouse.com. This local branch of a national chain has a famously impressive wine list. With more than 100 available by the glass, it has selections that pair well with anything you order.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse –275 S. West Temple, SLC, 801-363-2000. ruthschris.com

This former bank building has inner beauty. Stick with classics like crab cocktail, order the wedge, and ask for your butter-sizzled steak no more than medium, please. Service is excellent. Eat dessert, then linger in the cool bar.

Chabaar Beyond Thai

87 W. 7200 South, Midvale, 801-566-5100. chabaarbeyondthai. com. One of Annie Sooksri’s parade of restaurants, this one features what the name implies: a solid

Sawadee Thai –754 E. South Temple, SLC, 801-328-8424. sawadeethaiutah.com. The menu goes far outside the usual pad thai and curry. Thai food’s appeal lies in the subtleties of difference achieved with a limited list of ingredients.

Spencer’s –255 S. West Temple, SLC, 801238-4748. spencersslc.com. The quality of the meat and the accuracy of the cooking are what make it great. Beef is aged on the bone, and many cuts are served on the bone—a luxurious change from the usual cuts.

Vegetarian & Vegan

Rawtopia – 3961 S. Wasatch Blvd., SLC, 801-486-0332. rawtopia.com. Owner Omar AbouIsmail’s Rawtopia is a destination for those seeking clean, healthy food in Salt Lake—whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or omnivore. Desserts are amazingly indulgent—like chocolate caramel pie and berry cheesecake.

Vertical Diner–234 W. 900 South, SLC, 801- 484-8378. verticaldiner.com. Vertical Diner boasts an animal-free menu of burgers, sandwiches and breakfasts. Plus organic wines and coffees.

Zest Kitchen & Bar–275 S. 200 West, SLC, 801-433-0589. zestslc.com. Zest has sophisticated vegan cooking plus a cheerful attitude and ambience fueled by creative cocktails. Pulling flavors from many culinary traditions, the menu offers Cuban tacos, Thai curry with forbidden rice, stuffed poblano peppers as well as bar noshes and an amazing chocolate-beet torte—all vegan. The menu changes frequently. This is a 21+ establishment.

PARK CITY & THE WASATCH BACK

American Fine Dining

Apex–

9100 Marsac Ave., Park City, 435-6041402. montagehotels.com/deervalley. Apex at Montage exudes luxury in an understated and comfortable way. No need to tux up for pampered service; the classy lack of pretension extends to the menu—no unpronounceables, nothing scary or even too daring—just top-of-the-line everything. Quality speaks for itself.

350 Main– 350 Main St., Park City, 435-6493140. 350main.com. Now run by Cortney Johanson who has worked at the restaurant for 20 years, this mainstay cafe on Main Street is seeing another high point. With Chef Matthew Safranek in the kitchen, the menu is a balanced mix of old favorites and soon-to-be favorites like Five Spice Venison Loin in Pho. Amazing.

Firewood– 306 Main St., Park City, 435-2529900. firewoodonmain.com. Chef John Murcko’s place on Main Street is all about cooking with fire— his massive Inferno kitchen grill by Grillworks runs on oak, cherry and applewood, depending on what’s cooking. But each dish is layered and nuanced, with global influences. Definitely a star on Main Street.

Glitretind–7700 Stein Way, Deer Valley, Park City, 435-645-6455. steinlodge.com. The service is polished, and the menu is as fun or as refined or as inventive as Chef Zane Holmquist’s mood. The appeal resonates with the jet set and local diners. The wine list is exceptional. But so is the burger.

Goldener Hirsch

7520 Royal St., Park City, 435-655-2563. aubergeresorts.com/goldenerhirsch. A jazzed up Alpine theme—elk carpaccio with pickled shallots, foie gras with cherry-prune compote and wiener schnitzel with caraway-spiked carrot strings.

Mariposa at Deer Valley–7600 Royal St., Park City, 435-645-6632. deervalley.com. (Open seasonally) Try the tasting menu for an overview of the kitchen’s talent. It’s white tablecloth, but nothing is formal.

Mustang– 890 Main St., Park City, 435-6583975. mustangparkcity.com. A duck chile relleno arrives in a maelstrom of queso and ranchero sauce. Braised lamb shank and lobster with cheese enchiladas share the menu with seasonal entrees.

Rime Seafood & Steak–2300 Deer Valley Dr. East, Park City, St. Regis, Deer Valley, 435-940-5760. srdvdining.com. Acclaimed Chef Matthew Harris heads the kitchen at this simply brilliant restaurant at the St. Regis—meticulously sourced meat and seafood from his trusted vendors, perfectly cooked.

Royal Street Café 7600 Royal St., Silver Lake Village, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, 435-6156240. deervalley.com. (Open seasonally) Don’t miss the lobster chowder, but note the novelties, too. In a new take on the classic lettuce wedge salad, Royal Street’s version adds baby beets, glazed walnuts and pear tomatoes.

Fletcher’s on Main Street – 562 Main St., Park City, 435-649-1111. fletcherspc.com

Fletcher’s has a casual approach designed to suit any appetite, almost any time. Talented Chef Scott Boborek’s carefully sourced dishes range from burgers to Beef Wellington—with lobster mac and Utah trout.

Handle –136 Heber Ave., Park City, 435-6021155. handleparkcity.com. Chef-owner Briar Handly offers a menu, mostly of small plates, with the emphasis on excellent sourcing—trout sausage and Beltex Meats prosciutto, for example. There are also full-meal plates, including the chef’s famous fried chicken.

Bakeries & Cafés

Park City Coffee Roasters –1764 Uinta Way, Park City, 435-647-9097. pcroaster.com The town’s fave house-roasted coffee and housemade pastries make this one of the best energy stops in town.

Wasatch Bagel Café –1300 Snow Creek Dr., Park City, 435-645-7778. wasatchbagelandgrill. com. Not just bagels, but bagels as buns, enfolding a sustaining layering of sandwich fillings like egg and bacon.

Windy Ridge Bakery & Café –1750

1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, Park City Mountain Resort, 435-615-9878. thevikingyurt. com. Arrive by sleigh and settle in for a luxurious five-course meal, featuring a healthy introduction to the nordic beverage aquavit. Reservations and punctuality a must.

Viking Yurt

American Casual

Blind Dog Grill–1251 Kearns Blvd., Park City, 435-655-0800. blinddogpc.com. The kitchen offers imaginative selections even though the dark wood and cozy ambience look like an old gentlemen’s club. Don’t miss the Dreamloaf, served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes.

The Blue Boar Inn–1235 Warm Springs Rd., Midway, 435-654-1400. theblueboarinn.com

The restaurant is reminiscent of the Alps, but serves fine American cuisine. Don’t miss the award-winning brunch.

The Brass Tag–2900 Deer Valley Dr. East, Park City, 435-615-2410. deervalley.com. In the Lodges at Deer Valley, the focal point here is a wood oven which turns out everything from pizza to fish and chops, all of the superior quality one expects from Deer Valley. Open seasonally.

Eating Establishment – 317 Main St., Park City, 435-649-8284. theeatingestablishment. net. Claiming to be the oldest, this restaurant is one of Park City’s most versatile. On weekend mornings, locals line up for breakfasts.

Hearth and Hill

1153 Center Dr., (Newpark), Park City, 435-200-8840. hearth-hill.com

This all-purposse cafe serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, focusing on bright, approachable American dishes with a kick.

High West Distillery–703 Park Ave., Park City, 435-649-8300. highwest.com. Order a flight of whiskey and taste the difference aging makes, but be sure to order plenty of food to see how magically the whiskey matches the fare. The chef takes the amber current theme throughout the food.

Lush’s BBQ –7182 Silver Creek Rd., Park City, 435-333-2831. lushsbbq.com. Tennesee-inspired BBQ you won’t soon forget.Think sharp vinegar with a hint of citrus and just a touch of sweetness. When the meat’s just coming off the smoker, you’d be hard pressed to find better ribs, brisket or pulled pork anywhere.

Sammy’s Bistro –1890 Bonanza Dr., Park City, 435-214-7570. sammysbistro.com. Down-toearth food in a comfortable setting. Sounds simple, but if so, why aren’t there more Sammy’s in our world? Try the bacon-grilled shrimp or a chicken bowl with your brew.

Silver Star Cafe –1825 Three Kings Dr., Park City, 435-655-3456. thesilverstarcafe.com

Comfort food with an upscale sensibility and original touches, like shrimp and grits with chipotle or Niman Ranch pork cutlets with spaetzle. The location is spectacular.

Simon’s at Homestead resort –700 N. Homestead Dr., Midway, 800-327-7220. homesteadresort.com. Simon’s boasts a robust menu of smoked meats, wood-fired pizza and local craft beer, while the Milk House offers both classic and unexpected flavors of ice cream, coffee and treats.

Spin Café –220 N. Main St., Heber City, 435654-0251. spincafe.net. Housemade gelato is the big star at this family-owned café, but the food is worth your time. Try the pulled pork, the salmon BLT or the sirloin.

Zermatt Resort –784 W. Resort Dr., Midway, 435-657-0180. zermattresort.com. The charming, Swiss-inspired resort hosts both the high-end, but straight-forward, Z’s Steak & Chop Haus and the less formal Wildfire Smokehaus, home to smoked meats and draft beer.

Iron Horse Dr., Park City, 435-647-2906. windyridgebakery.com. One of Park City’s most popular noshing spots—especially on Taco Tuesdays. The bakery behind turns out desserts and pastries for Bill White’s restaurants as well as take-home entrees.

Bar Grub & Brewpubs

Burgers & Bourbon–9100 Marsac Ave., Park City, 435-604-1402. montagehotels.com/ deervalley. Housed in the luxurious Montage, this casual restaurant presents the most deluxe versions of America’s favorite foods. The burgers are stupendous, there’s a great list of bourbons to back them, and the milkshakes are majorly good.

Red Rock Junction–1640 W. Redstone Center Dr., Ste. 105, Park City, 435-575-0295. redrockbrewing.com. The house-brewed beers— honey wheat, amber ale or oatmeal stout, to name a few—complement a menu of burgers, brick-oven pizzas and rotisserie chicken.

Squatters Roadhouse –1900 Park Ave., Park City, 435-649-9868. squatters.com. Everyone loves the bourbon burger, and Utah Brewers Co-op brews are available by the bottle and on the state-ofthe-art tap system. Open for breakfast daily.

Wasatch Brewery–250 Main St., Park City, 435-649-0900. saltlakebrewingco.com. This was the first brewpub in Utah, and it serves handcrafted beer and family-friendly fare without a hefty price tag. Everyone loves Polygamy Porter, and the weekend brunch is great, too.

Breakfast

Deer Valley Grocery & Cafe –1375 Deer Valley Dr., Park City, 435-615-2400. deervalley. com. The small lakeside spot serves sandwiches and lunch specials, plus it’s a great place to stock up on deer Valley classics to take home—think classic Deer Valley turkey chili.

Woodland Biscuit Company–2734 E. State Hwy. 35, Woodland, 435- 783-4202. woodlandbiscuitcompany.com. Breakfast is the real deal here so pile on the bacon and eggs but if you sleep late, not to worry—burgers, sandwiches and tacos are good too.

Continental & European

Café Terigo – 424 Main St., Park City, 435645-9555. cafeterigo.com. This charming café is the spot for a leisurely meal. Chicken and bacon tossed with mixed greens and grilled veggies on focaccia are café-goers’ favorites.

Courchevel Bistro –201 Heber Ave., Park City, 435-572-4398. courchevelbistro.com. Named after Park City’s sister city in the Savoie region of France, which happens to be the home turf of Chef Clement Gelas and is he having some fun with his mother cuisine. Be guided by him or your server and try some French food like you haven’t had before.

Italian & Pizza

Fuego –2001 Sidewinder Dr., Park City, 435- 6458646. fuegopizzeria.com. Off the beaten Main Street track, this pizzeria is a family-friendly solution to a ski-hungry evening. Pastas, paninis and wood-fired pizzas are edgy, but they’re good.

Ghidotti’s – 6030 N. Market St., Park City, 435658-0669. ghidottis.com. Ghidotti’s evokes Little Italy more than Italy, and the food follows suit—think spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and rigatoni Bolognese. Try the chicken soup.

Grappa

151 Main St., Park City, 435-645-0636. grapparestaurant.com. Dishes like osso buco and grape salad with gorgonzola, roasted walnuts and Champagne vinaigrette are sensational, and the wine list features hard-to-find Italian wines as well as flights, including sparkling.

Japanese/Pan-Asian

Sushi Blue –1571 W. Redstone Center Dr. Ste. 140, Park City, 435-575-4272. sushiblueparkcity.com

Find the yin and yang of Asian-American flavors in Bill White’s sushi, excellent Korean tacos, crab sliders and other Amer-Asian food fusions, including the best hot dog in the state, topped with bacon and house-made kimchi.

Yuki Yama Sushi– 586 Main St., Park City, 435-649-6293. yukiyamasushi.com. Located in the heart of Old Town Park City, Yuki Yama offers both traditional japanese dishes and more modern plates. It’s all guided by the steady hands of Executive Chef Kirk Terashima.

Mediterranean

Reef’s

7720 Royal St. East, Park City, 435-6580323. reefsrestaurant.com. Lamb chops are tender, falafel is crunchy, and the prices fall between fast food and fine dining. It’s a den of home cooking, if your home is east of the Mediterranean. Open seasonally.

Mexican & Southwestern

Baja Cantina –1355 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-649-2252. bajaparkcity.com. The T.J. Taxi is a flour tortilla stuffed with chicken, sour cream, tomatoes, onions, cheddar-jack cheese and guacamole.

Billy Blanco’s – 8208 Gorgoza Pines Rd., Park City, 435-575-0846. billyblancos.com. Motor City Mexican. The subtitle is “burger and taco garage,” but garage is the notable word. This is a theme restaurant with lots of cars and motorcycles on display, oil cans to hold the flatware, and a 50-seat bar made out of toolboxes. If you’ve ever dreamed of eating in a garage, you’ll be thrilled.

Chimayo – 368 Main St., Park City, 435-6496222. chimayorestaurant.com. Bill White’s prettiest place, this restaurant is reminiscent of Santa Fe, but the food is pure Park City. Margaritas are good, and the avocado-shrimp appetizer combines guacamole and ceviche flavors in a genius dish.

El Chubasco –1890 Bonanza Dr., Park City, 435-645-9114. elchubascoparkcity.com. Regulars storm this restaurant for south-of-the-border eats. Burritos fly through the kitchen like chiles too hot to handle—proving consistency matters.

Tarahumara –1300 Snow Creek Dr., Ste. P, Park City, 435-645-6005. tarahumararestaurant. com. Some of the best Mexican food in the state can be found in this Park City cafe. Don’t be fooled by the bland exterior; inside you’ll find a full-fledged cantina and an adjoining family restaurant with a soulful salsa bar.

Seafood

Freshie’s Lobster Co.–1915 Prospector Ave., Park City, 435-631-9861. freshieslobsterco. com. After years as everyone’s favorite summer food stop at Park Silly Market, Freshie’s has settled into a permanent location selling their shore-to-door lobster rolls all year round.

Rime Seafood & Raw Bar– 9850 Summit View Dr., Park City. rimerawbar.com. Such a hit on the slopes that Chef Matt Harris took the concept inside and Rime is an anchor restaurant inside the St. Regis, Open Thurs-Sun.

Southeast Asian

parkcity.com. Live country music, fresh salmon, lamb and chicken, and a mammoth salad bar. Order bread pudding whether you think you want it or not. You will.

Edge Steakhouse – 3000 Canyon Resort Dr., Park City, 435-655-2260. westgateresorts.com This beautifully fills the beef bill at the huge resort, and the tasting menus take you through salad, steak and dessert for $45 to $60, depending on options.

NORTH SALT LAKE & BEYOND

American Fine Dining

The Huntington Room at Earl’s Lodge – 3925 E. Snowbasin Rd., Huntsville, 888437-5488. snowbasin.com. Ski-day sustenance and fireside dinner for the après-ski set. In summer, dine at the top of the mountain.

American Casual

Hearth on 25 –195 Historic 25th St. Ste. 6 (2nd Floor), Ogden, 801-399-0088. hearth25.com

The charming upstairs dining room is a great setting for some of the best and most imaginative food in Ogden. Handmade hearth bread, espresso-rubbed yak, killer stroganoff—too many options to mention here—this is really a destination restaurant.

Pig & a Jelly Jar–227 25th St., Ogden, 801-605-8400. pigandajellyjar.com. The same great made-from-scratch Southern comfort food as the original, now in Ogden. A popular brunch spot open seven days a week.

Bar Grub & Brewpubs

The Beehive Pub & Grill–255 S. Main St., Logan, 435-753-2600. thebeehivegrill.com. An indirect offshoot of Moab Brewery, the Grill focuses as much on house-brewed root beer as alcoholic suds, but the generally hefty food suits either.

Burgers, Sandwiches & Delis

Caffe Ibis – 52 Federal Ave., Logan, 435753-4777. caffeibis.com. Exchange news, enjoy sandwiches and salads and linger over a cuppa conscientiously grown coffee.

Maddox Ranch House –1900 S. Highway 89, Perry, 435-723-8545 maddoxfinefood.com

Angus beef steaks, bison chicken-fried steak and burgers have made this an institution for more than 50 years. Eat in, drive up or take home.

Chinese

Mandarin– 348 E. 900 North, Bountiful, 801298-2406. mandarinutah.com. The rooms are filled with red and gold dragons. Chefs recruited from San Francisco crank out a huge menu. Desserts are noteworthy. Call ahead.

Italian & Pizza

Slackwater Pizza –209 24th St., Ogden, 801-399-0637. slackwaterpizzeria.com. The pies here are as good as any food in Ogden. Selection ranges from traditional to Thai (try it), and there’s a good selection of wine and beer.

Rovali’s Ristorante –174 E. 25th St., Ogden, 801-394-1070. rovalis.com. This friendly family-owned place on Ogden’s main drag serves hearty Italian fare and housemade pastry, plus a creative bar menu and live music.

Shabu

442 Main St., Park City, 435-645-7253. shabuparkcity.com. Cool new digs, friendly service and fun food make Shabu one of PC’s most popular spots. Make reservations. A stylish bar with prizewinning mixologists adds to the freestyle feel.

Kuchu Shabu House – 3270 N. Sundial Ct., Park City, 435-649-0088. kuchushabu.com

The second shabu-style eatery in PC is less grand than the first but offers max flavor from quality ingredients.

Steak

Butcher’s Chop House & Bar–751 Lower Main St., Park City, 435-647-0040. butcherschophouse.com. The draws are prime rib, New York strip and pork chops—and the ladies’ night specials in the popular bar downstairs.

Grub Steak–2093 Sidewinder Dr., Prospector Square, Park City, 435-649-8060. grubsteak-

Prairie Schooner– 445 Park Blvd., Ogden, 801-392-2712. prairieschoonerrestaurant.com. Tables are covered wagons around a diorama featuring coyotes, cougars and cowboys—corny, but fun. The menu is standard, but kids love it.

Table 25 –195 25th St., Ste. 4, Ogden, 385-2441825. table25ogden.com. A bright, contemporary space in Downtown Ogden has a patio right on Historic 25th Street. The elevated yet approachable menu includes Spanish mussels and frites, ahi tuna and a classic cheeseburger.

Union Grill– 315 24th St., Ogden, 801-6212830. uniongrillogden.com. The cross-over cooking offers sandwiches, seafood and pastas with American, Greek, Italian or Mexican spices.

WB’s Eatery– 455 25th Street, Ogden, 385244-1471. wbseatery.com. Part restaurant, part bar, part coffeehouse, WB’s Eatery is located inside The Monarch, a hip maker and market space for artists. A hybrid space as well, the eatery sells CBD oil, as well as serving up cocktails, bites and boards of meat and cheese.

Japanese

Ramen Haus –2550 Washington Blvd., Ogden, 801-393-0000. ramenhausogden.com. Sergei Oveson’s experience with ramen master Tosh and Shani Oveson’s at Naked Fish shows all over their restaurant in Ogden. Simple but stylish sums the space and terrific is the only word for the ramen. Do not leave without ordering the honey toast even if you think you don’t want dessert.

Tona Sushi–210 25th St., Ogden, 801622-8662. tonarestaurant.com. The charming old space on Ogden’s main drag houses a meticulously top-notch sushi restaurant. Owner Tony Chen grows herbs and sprouts in the basement and the plates he presents show an artist’s touch. Ask about the secret menu.

Mexican

Sonora Grill–2310 Kiesel Ave., Ogden, 801-393-1999. thesonoragrill.com. A big, beautiful Mexican restaurant, the kind you see in Texas or New Mexico, Sonora serves great chips and salsa, a famous margarita, several kinds of ceviche and all the dishes you love as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Southeast Asian

Thai Curry Kitchen– 582 25th St., Ogden, 385-333-7100. thaicurrykitchen.com. Chic and sleek counter service offering bright from-scratch curries and salads plus locally made kombucha.

PROVO & CENTRAL UTAH

American Fine Dining

Communal–102 N. University Ave., Provo, 801373-8000. communalrestaurant.com. Food is focused on the familiar with chef’s flair—like braised pork shoulder crusted in panko. Attention to detail makes this one of Utah’s best.

The Tree Room– 8841 Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Sundance Resort, Sundance, 866-627-8313. sundanceresort.com. Sundance Resort’s flagship is known for its seasonal, straightforward menu and memorable decor, including Robert Redford’s kachina collection. Try the wild game—spice-rubbed quail and buffalo tenderloin.

American Casual

Chom Burger– 45 W. 300 North, Provo, 385-241-7499. chomburger.com. Colton Soelberg’s (Communal, etc.) low-key high-end burger place has an eye towards infusing high-quality ingredients into America’s favorite sandwich. Inexpensive, innovative and delicious burgers and shakes, as we have come to expect from Soelberg who has a knack for elevating comfort food.

The Foundry Grill– 8841 Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Sundance Resort, Sundance, 866-9322295. sundanceresort.com. The café in Sundance Resort serves comfort food with western style—sandwiches, spit-roasted chickens and steaks. Sunday brunch is a mammoth buffet.

Station 22–22 W. Center St., Provo, 801-6071803. station22cafe.com. Ever-hipper Provo is home to some cutting-edge food now that the cutting edge has a folksy, musical saw kind of style. Station 22 is a perfect example of the Utah roots trend—a charming, funky interior, a great soundtrack and a menu with a slight Southern twang. Try the fried chicken sandwich with red cabbage on ciabatta.