Utah Ski Areas

Eating out in Utah Ski Areas

As with most things, Salt Lake City tends to go traditional with its food, so you'll find a great deal of steak houses, and many menus featuring steak and potatoes. Also, many of the locals won't go out without the kids, so there are plenty of inexpensive chain restaurants and all-you-can eat diners. While it's true that many Salt Lakers shun "blackened this" and "balsamic that," and will quickly pass on mushrooms from Japan, there are those who appreciate these epicurean pleasures. The city, therefore, has many fine gourmet restaurants serving exotic food. For starters, you can order falafel from the Middle East, momo from Tibet, and tapas from Spain, then try more familiar exotics like Thai and Tuscan. The brewpub renaissance has swept into Salt Lake just as it has in the rest of the country, creating a "new old" night out experience.

Salt Lake City.

Gourmet

The New Yorker is a sophisticated dining room reminiscent of movie-star haunts - chic and intimate, with a "Who's Who" clientele. Creative fare, fresh ingredients, and a great chef are the key ingredients for the mouth-watering pasta dishes, especially the lobster fettuccine. The salmon and pheasant specialties are simply wonderful. 60 West Market Street.

Highly Recommended

Log Haven is hailed by top dining critics as the best in Salt Lake City and The Canyons - Gourmet, Zagat, Bon Appétit, and more! The stylish log mansion, serenely nestled among pines, waterfalls, and wildflowers, is just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. The city's best chef creates eclectic American fare to rival the view. Enjoy it outdoors in summer or around the fireplaces in winter. 3800 South, 4 miles up Millcreek Canyon.

Local Flair

Bill and Nada's Café is legendary and always-open, a second home to hippies, students, philosophers, and poets. The breakfasts are hearty, the big ole' T-bones are juicy, and the home-made pancakes are the best around. Every booth has a jukebox and a wheel of fortune that might win you a free meal. Of course, the waitresses are charmers and have kept Salt Lake's hungry eccentrics coming back for more than 50 years! 479 S 600 E.

Romantic

La Caille offers romantic luxury in a French chateau on 22 acres of ponds, orchards, and vineyards populated by peacocks and llamas. This is the definition of opulence and European elegance, and you'll be pampered like royalty. The rack of lamb and duck are specialties, complemented by your choice of fine wine from an extensive list. Reservations required. 9565 S Wasatch Blvd.

Park City.

Gourmet

350 Main, set in one of the area's most beautiful, historic buildings, offers a blend of globally inspired cuisine. Intoxicating aromas surround the warm, spacious dining room and the elegant bar. The delicious entrees range from coconut seafood nage to grilled Angus strip steak to macadamia nut-crusted snapper. 350 Main Street .

Highly Recommended

Cisero's provides skiers with fine dining at affordable prices. The tempting menu offers every fine Italian dish you might crave - at it's best! 306 Main Street.

Local Flair

Blind Dog Grill is a great place to eat, no matter what you're in the mood for. It's got everything from soups and salads to fresh seafood and steaks. House specialties include jumbo crabcakes, pork chops, and filet mignon. 1781 Sidewinder Drive.

Romantic

Park City Yurts serves delicious food in true alpine style - with 6-course gourmet meals set at long wooden tables that glow with the warmth of fireplaces and candlelight. Diners can start with appetizers such as grilled caribou or corn chowder, and move on to delicious entrees like lobster with balsamic poached figs or walnut- and sage-infused pork tenderloin. Leave room for the tempting desserts like roasted banana bourbon bread pudding. Canyons Ski Resort.

Deer Valley.

Gourmet

The Mariposa offers elegant dining, with a menu of innovative dishes. Start off with a delicious appetizers, like lobster ravioli, and move on to one of the tempting entrees, such as roasted Sonoma breast of quail, pan seared tigers prawn, and charbroiled yellowfin tuna. Deer Valley Resort.

Local Flair

McHenry's serves specialty grilled sandwiches, quesadilla, and chili in a casual atmosphere. Dinner selections include creative appetizers, Black Angus steaks, and fresh seafood. Deer Valley Resort.

Sundance.

Local Flair

Chuck Wagon Dinner is featured every weekend during the summer. Held in a beautiful wildflower-filled meadow, the atmosphere is rustic and unique. The full "cowboy" menu includes BBQ chicken and ribs, salads, breads, corn on the cob, beans, and fruit cobbler. Sundance Stables.

Romantic

The Tree Room offers the best in mountain elegance with a romantic dining room built around its namesake tree. Seasonal mountain cuisine is served by candlelight, and specialty dishes include peekytoe crab and asparagus, and grilled swordfish with vine-ripened tomatoes, pea shoots, and white bean puree. Sundance Resort.

Snowbird.

Highly Recommended

The Steak Pit is among Snowbird's longest-standing restaurants. This popular Zagat award-winning spot serves excellent, hearty food and boasts scenic views often populated by local porcupines and moose. Try the hand-cut Angus steak or one of the many fresh seafood dishes. Snowbird Center.

Romantic

The Lodge Bistro offers Continental cuisine in an intimate setting with great mountain views. Specialties include coconut beer-battered shrimp, seared elk tenderloin, and roasted Atlantic salmon. There is also a small patio for al fresco summer dining. Lodge at Snowbird.

Going party in Utah Ski Areas

Salt Lake City has come a long way from being a place half-joked about as forbidding fun. There are now plenty of good (and often excellent) choices for after dark partying and the performing arts. The government overhauled the infamous and antiquated drinking laws, so sharing a drink with friends isn't much of a problem anymore. Many nightspots, however, require that you purchase temporary "membership" for a nominal fee, before you purchase liquor. Pick up a copy of the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Evening News for a list of current city happenings.

Skiers, as everyone is aware, know how to have a good time, and you'll find plenty of nightlife in Park City where the party scene is varied and runs into the wee hours. In other Utah ski regions, however, you should expect the night scene to be more subdued than at most ski resorts. Nevertheless, concerts are frequent and there are many bars and clubs.

Salt Lake City.

Utah Symphony

This highly-acclaimed company is considered one of the country's top orchestras and performs year-round in an elegant hall known for its flawless acoustics. Favorite annual events include the November "Messiah Sing-In" with the Utah Chorus and the New Year's Eve performance. In summer, they perform outdoors in Snowbird and Park City.

Utah Opera

International artists star in 4 productions each season, staged in their original languages with English titles so you can understand the story as well as admire the artistry!.

Capitol Theatre

Home to several local performing arts companies, this theater stages dance, drama, and musical productions, including Broadway musicals.

Ballet West

This nationally-acclaimed troupe performs 4 times per season, presenting shows ranging from the classical to the contemporary.

Zephyr Club

Everyone who loves good live music loves this club. It pulls in top national bands and welcomes local bands as well. The dance floor has a great show of its own!.

Dead Goat Saloon

This saloon brings some of the best live blues in the state to the basement of historic Arrow Press Square. Blues artists take to the stage nearly every night, with really big-name acts on Monday nights. Have a trademark Goat Burger with your drink!.

Area 51

A beacon to the dark side in a city that revels in all things light and happy. Goths and other creatures of the night writhe to the best darkwave and gothic/industrial music anywhere. There are 2 bars for the young crowd that voted this one of Utah's Best.

Park City.

Harry O's

Two tiered lounge areas, the biggest dance floor in Utah, 6 full-service bars, knock-out laser-lighting, digital visual shows, and the best DJs and live performances around make this a #1 hotspot!.

O'Shucks Bar and Grill

Though it has become globally famous, this place still acts like your favorite little neighborhood tavern. Check the scene on Main Street from the heated patio or head inside for good tunes, pool, and pinball. There are 18 beers on tap, premium liquors, wine by the glass, and a fine selection of cigars.

Mother Urban's Ratskeller

This popular nightspot has an Alpine motif, with decorations from Park City's mining days. Live music takes place every night, with everything from blues to jazz to acoustical tunes.

Club Creation

Thanks to the lack of an anti-dance ordinance in Summit County, the party doesn't wrap up here until dawn breaks. There are 3 pool tables and a spacious dance floor ruled by the DJ.

JB Mulligan's Irish Pub

Just a great place to hang out, shoot some pool with the locals, and sip a beer. Start with a bang - order the "Irish Car Bomb" specialty drink that mixes a shot of Jameson and a half shot of Bailey's with a pint of Guinness. During the snow season there's live music, mostly jazz, reggae, bluegrass, and funk.

Cisero's

You can start and end your evening here if you'd like, because they've got a fine Italian dinner menu, dancing to live music, and just about any type of libation you can think of. Fine dining and dancing without having to find two parking spaces. You'll love it!.

Deer Valley.

Snow Park Lounge

Visitors come here for music, entertainment, videos, and televised sporting events. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres are served.

Sundance.

Owl Bar

This historic bar - once frequented by Butch Cassidy - is a great place to relax and enjoy live musical entertainment.

Snowbird.

Performing Arts Center

Snowbird's arts center hosts some of the world's finest artists throughout the year.

Common events in Utah Ski Areas

Salt Lake City.

Utah Winter Games

Amateur athletes compete in downhill and Nordic skiing, figure skating, and hockey. January, Salt Lake City, Park City, other locations.

Olympics 2002

The Olympic Winter Games and millions of visitors from around the globe will descend upon Utah for the ultimate competition of world's greatest athletes. February, Salt Lake City.

Utah Arts Festival

This 4-day festival focuses on literary, culinary, musical, dance, and artistic creations. Headliners and local entertainers perform while artists showcase their funky wares to at one of Utah's best unpretentious events. June, Salt Lake City.

Utah Jazz and Blues Festival

Big-name musicians make this one of Utah's premier music events. July, Snowbird.

Festival of the American West

A multimedia historical pageant and a fair with traditional Old West food, music, craft demonstrations, and live entertainment, including medicine-man shows and square dancing. July - August, Logan.

Oktoberfest

A traditional celebration with German music, food, and - of course - beer. September and October, Snowbird.

Utah State Fair

A venerable old state fair with a horse show, a rodeo, livestock judging, arts and crafts exhibits, and other typical state-fair fun. September, Salt Lake City.

First Night New Year's Eve Celebration

Downtown bursts to festive life with arts and crafts, live entertainment, storytelling, and numerous other family-oriented activities, culminating in a midnight fireworks display. December 31, Salt Lake City.

Deer Valley.

Freestyle World Cup

Athletes compete and show off impressive skiing moves on the mountain. January.

Utah Symphony Summer Series

Weekly concerts take place at Deer Valley. July - August.

Sundance.

Sundance Film Festival

This famous festival brings screenings and seminars on the best independent productions. January.

Snowbird.

Senator's Ski Cup

United States senators compete in the fun-filled charity fundraiser. January.

Utah Winter Games

Athletes compete in several winter sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and ice skating. January.

Banff Film Festival

Non-stop movie screenings are the main attraction during this popular film festival. February.

Mardi Gras Celebration

New Orleans comes to Snowbird for a Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras celebration. Music and parades fill the streets. February.

Music in the Mountains

This week-long party provides a variety of music at several locations throughout Park City. February.

Snowshine Festival

Two weeks of family races, snow softball and other sports for fun-in-the-snow. March - April.

ParkWest Summer Concert Series

These concerts present big-name rock, country and jazz bands. June - July.

Street Dance

Dancing, ski racing, and fireworks take place to celebrate the opening of ski season. November.

Christmas Eve

Skiers fly down the mountain in a torchlight parade, followed by Santa and Mrs. Claus. A candlelight service and jingle bell parade round out the night. December.