Best of Utah 2007 | Food & Drink 

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BEST PATIO
Sun & Moon Café
The view from the patio isn’t much: a hillside in Emigration Canyon. But the terraced wooden deck behind the old restaurant remains one of the most pleasant places in the valley to spend a summer evening. The beer selection is excellent and the live music—blues and bluegrass—keeps you coming into fall when the canyon can be downright chilly. The food is good, too. Once a place for burgers—damned fine burgers—in the restaurant’s previous incarnation as Crompton’s Roadside Attraction, Sun and Moon has gone a little fancy with wine tastings and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus designed by owner Carl Wayant, the former chef of Solitude’s Yurt.5195 Emigration Canyon, 583-8331, TheSunAndMoonCafé.com

BEST BREWPUB Readers’ Choice
Squatters
Don’t just ask our readers—though we’re delighted to hear from them. Ask the judges for the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, who have honored Squatters’ brews over the years too many times to count. With a variety of wonderful beer options like Chasing Tail Ale and Polygamy Porter—in addition to the tasty pub food—it’s no wonder that the formula has proven successful enough open a new location in Park City. And in case all that wasn’t enough reason to visit, it’s also one of the state’s most environmentally conscious businesses.147 W. 300 South, 363-2739, Squatters.com
2. Red Rock Brewing Co.
3. Desert Edge Pub

BEST PLACE TO RUB FAMOUS ELBOWS
Cisero’s
Across the street, there is a velvet rope and a line of gawkers craning their necks to get a glimpse of Britney’s ass. Meanwhile, you, Brad and Angelina are having a quiet Italian meal or listening to blues at the nightclub, enjoying the lower profile of Cisero’s and discussing if, really, you didn’t buy into Park City a tad too late.306 Main, Park City, 435-649-6800, Ciseros.com

BEST VIETNAMESE Readers’ Choice
Café Trang
Count Salt Lake City blessed that we have Vietnamese restaurant of this quality and choice of locations. Count Salt Lake City doubly blessed that we have a Vietnamese restaurant with such an extensive menu of offerings and the option of brown rice to boot. Caramel pork, mango fish, and the ever-popular spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce are standard for longtime customers, but it’s likely not even they have covered the full terrain of Trang’s menu. Not that they, and we, won’t keep trying.Multiple locations, CaféTrangUtah.com
2. Mi La Cai
3. East West Connection

BEST STARTERS
Jean Louis
At Chef Jean Louis Montecot’s namesake Park City restaurant, the appetizer options are so inviting, you might just decide to make a meal of nothing but starters. We could imagine, for example, kicking things off with steamy escargots served in the Burgundian style with toasted country bread before moving onto a dish of fresh tuna tartare with English cucumber and roasted peppers. Next, smoked wild salmon with Peruvian potatoes or maybe Muscovy duck rillette with cornichons and pearl onions would be in order. Don’t get too busy with the Swiss Raclette or cheese fondue, though, because you’re absolutely going to want to save room for an appetizer order of seared foie gras drizzled with a fig and balsamic vinegar reduction. And that’s just for starters!136 Heber Ave., Park City, 435-200-0260

BEST TORTILLA SOUP
Pistol Pete’s
At many other Mexican eateries, the tortilla soup is thin, runny and bland. This is not the case at Pistol Pete’s, an Arizona style Mexican walk up and order joint whose tortilla soup has a base of thick tomato broth, guacamole, tortilla strips, rice and cheese. It’s served with a side of tortilla chips complemented by the free salsa bar. This dish is sure to keep your stomach full with its dense content and your wallet thick with its low price.2477 Fort Union Blvd., 944-1833

BEST NEW ETHNIC RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice
Sawadee
Whether you’re a curry girl or a Pad Thai kind of guy, the Thai explosion has been one of Salt Lake City’s best dining developments in recent years. Sawadee may be the new kid on the block, but we’re glad it moved in—and so close to the Avenues. Adventurous diners will appreciate authentic Thai seafood dishes the likes of which have not often been seen in these parts and, for those who already know what they want—curries, natch—Sawadee offers a rainbow of them.754 E. South Temple, 328-8424, Sawadee1.com
2. Mazza
3. Chanon Thai

BEST WESTERN VALLEY RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice
Q4U
What can get SLC downtowners to leave their comfortable confines and head southwest to Q4U’s new location? How about a chance to experience the finger-licking delights of T’s succulent barbecue or the side dishes that taste like a Southern grandma just put ’em out on the table? Bring a big appetite, a couple of toothpicks and a willingness to get messy. Oh, and maybe the classified ads—when you’re done, you just might consider moving a little bit closer.3951 W. 5400 South, West Valley City, 955-8858, Q4U.com
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. Red Iguana

BEST HOT CHICKEN
Wasatch Broiler & Grill
Whether skewered on a kebab, atop a salad or on a pizza, the chicken dominates in flavor and succulence in every one of Wasatch’s dishes. Wasatch focuses on healthy dining and does not skimp on the chicken. The pieces are stripped of their skin and marinated for 24 hours in a blend of vegetable juices and seasonings. The chicken is then flame grilled, never fried, over a specially built broiler and grill. Better yet, each dish is cooked fresh to order and served hot.4927 S. State, 266-3311, WasatchBroilerAndGrill.com

BEST TRUCK STOP
Flying J Travel Plaza
Sometimes a late-night hankering for hash browns—or for a surreal adventure with your freaky friends—calls for a visit to the local travel plaza. The smell of diesel fuel permeates everything and the truckers will eye you with suspicion if you laughingly order a java mocha half-calf back-flip latte. Stick with coffee; you’ll be OK. The wait staff aren’t all named Flo, but they might call you “hon” if you leave a decent tip. Otherwise, be prepared to kiss some grits.850 W. 2100 South, 972-3711