Authors: James Bennett
Food Review: Road Island Diner
Diners have always held a special place in my heart. Greasy food, handmade desserts and dim lighting—the trifecta of honest road-side eating—have long made me a fan of this style of restaurant. As essential as the food is though, the setting can be even more important. A great burger or a fantastic breakfast special can easily be overshadowed by chintzy décor or a poorly trained wait staff. The opposite can also be true. The right surroundings can make even average food seem immortal. It is in the combination of great food and an incredible atmosphere that the Road Island Diner really shines. … read more
Jay Henderson
Jay Henderson knows what it means to pay for studio time. An accomplished musician and member of local roots-rock heroes Band of Annuals, Henderson has spent his share of time both inside and outside the recording booth. “I’ve always been a huge fan of music—writing, recording, producing, the works,” he says. … read more
Atipical
Elegant and simple, Tipica is a project that marries the vision of chef Adam Kreisel with the best ingredients Caputo’s Market has to offer. The pasta is made from locally milled flour, the tomatoes are grown in Cache Valley and the bread is baked right in the neighborhood. … read more
Book Reviews – November 2009
Books reviewed this month are Hakuin’s Precious Mirror Cave, Last Shop Standing and The Night In Question … read more
Food Review: Salt Lake Burgers – December 2009
Hires Big H 700 East 400 South (801) 364-4583 www.hiresbigh.com Crown Burgers 377 East 200 South (801) 532-1155 Acme Burger Company 200 West 275 South (801) 257-5700 www.acmeburgercompany.com Mormons don’t have many normal vices. The stringent lifestyle removes alcohol, tobacco and drugs from the mix, and you’d be surprised how little fun gambling and whoring
National CD Reviews – December 2009
This month’s national reviews feature releases from Asobi Seksu, Beak>, Dead To Me, Evangelista, The Mary Onettes, The Prodigy, The Rakes, Skeletonwitch, Slayer and many more. … read more
Food Review: Bayleaf Cafe – March 2010
Months ago, I started hearing whisperings of a local soul food restaurant that served chicken and waffles. Where the pairing of fried chicken and a syrup-covered breakfast waffle may seem a little strange to the uninitiated, this eclectic comfort food combination has been standard fare on the menus of traditional African-American restaurants for decades. To experience chicken and waffles in all of its glory, I had to consider the context, I would have to try the dish in the middle of the night, after an evening of dancing and soul music. … read more
No Reservations: Anthony Bourdain in SLC
Anthony Bourdain knows his way around a kitchen. Currently using a string of spoken word gigs to work out some new material, the chef-turned-author-turned-television personality will grace our fair city in mid-June. SLUG recently had the chance to ask Tony about his planned visit to Salt Lake, his history of punk rock fandom and his perceived influence on the food industry. While we had him on the horn, we also asked him what he thought about several traditional Mormon dishes. … read more
Food Review: Chow Truck – May 2010
Speaking of stalking, I’ve been stalking the Chow Truck for the past few months. The Chow Truck is a little bit like a bright yellow, wheeled version of the island on the show LOST—it’s considered sacred by some, and it has the ability to move around at will. I started seeing the massive catering truck long before I had the courage to approach it and prior to understanding that there was a website detailing where it would be and when it would be there. … read more
10 Years of Stoneground
At this point, the location of Stoneground really shouldn’t be a secret. But since it’s tucked away downtown on the second floor of an older building, one that overlooks the Salt Lake Library and a Trax station, it is easy to drive straight by without ever seeing the large rust-colored sign. In June, Stoneground celebrated its tenth anniversary. And while this is an incredible feat for any restaurant, it is even more impressive when you consider the eatery’s humble beginnings and the adversity it has faced over the past decade. … read more