Food: It shouldn't be complicated, right? Like all animals, we need our fuel, and we should be able to fill ourselves without unnecessary anxiety that we're somehow doing it wrong.

Sometimes, however, the world of contemporary dining might seem intimidating. Am I going to the place where people who really know good food would go? When I get there, am I going to select the right menu option, or are there secret choices known only to the chosen few? And what's that strange word on the menu that I can't quite pronounce and don't know if I want to order?

City Weekly's 2012 Dining Guide is here to ease your mind. We'll help you figure out how to find comforting fare in ethnic cuisines that may be unfamiliar, and how to locate the locally produced food items at grocery stores. We can offer a handy guide to culinary vocabulary, and even provide a firsthand account for why restaurant "food challenges" might be a harrowing experience. We can even let you know where some of Utah's notable residents take folks when they really want to show off our finest dining.

We're happy to do the hard work for you. All you need to do is savor the flavors.

Scott Renshaw
Arts & Entertainment Editor