Eating Local in Salt Lake City - My Top Five Picks

I'm always searching for local Salt Lake City eateries that are unique, charming, and of course, serve delicious food. I've narrowed down my top five local picks.

Best Brunch - The Wild Grape

The Wild Grape offers decedent flavors, local produce and high quality cuisine at affordable rates. The brunch menu features small plates, soups, salads, breakfast specialties and sandwiches. I suggest the huevos rancheros The Grape's benedict or the brioche French toast. My personal favorite is the huevos rancheros, a fresh take on the classic with beautiful presentation. For brunch they offer many different fruit flavored Bellini’s. The next time you're going to brunch with your girlfriends or looking for a nice ambiance, check out the Wild Grape, 481 E South Temple.

Best Saturday Lunch - Tin Angel Cafe

Driving up or down 4th South, you might not notice the Tin Angel Cafe, directly across from Pioneer Park and West of the Vespa shop. At first glance, you might not think it's anything special. I didn't until one Saturday afternoon I was amazed by the quality of food, service and unique environment. Their menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and stews. My favorites include the house roasted lamb ciabatta, chicken and cambozola baguette, wild boar stew and Moroccan spiced shrimp with farfalle pasta. If you like lamb, you have to try to the lamb ciabatta with slow roasted lamb, feta cheese, balsamic red onions and pesto. I savored every last bite. The ambiance is extremely funky and inviting with the owner's handmade jewelry displayed on the restaurant walls.


Best Pub Food - Desert Edge Brewery

The Desert Edge Brewery seems to go unnoticed at times when compared to popular local favorites like Squatters and Red Rock. Just because they're not as well known does not mean their food and brews do not compare! The Desert Edge, under the same ownership as Red Butte Cafe, offers tasty sandwiches and entrees in the Trolley Square shopping center. They have TV screens for the sports fans, and a quieter low-key area for those that want a different dining experience. They feature a daily hot and cold pasta offered with their legendary French onion soup.

Best Romantic Dinner - Fresco Italian Cafe

Fresco Italian Cafe, located in the 15th & 15th district, offers delicious Italian cuisine in a very charming and quaint location. The restaurant holds less than 15 tables, making every dining experience unique. I had the rosemary brined ballard farms pork chop with yam gnocchi, brussel sprouts, bacon and buttermilk sauce. I was more than impressed. The executive chef even visited every table at dinner to get customers feedback. The menu also has pastas, risottos, antipasti, soups and salads. Fresco Italian Cafe is the perfect romantic date.

Best Pizzeria - Settebello Pizzeria

Settebello offers true Italian thin crust pizza. As an Italian, and a lover of Neapolitan pizza, Settebello pizza meets the criteria. They have the classic margherita with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. My personal favorite is the Diavolla (Italian for devil) with tomatoes, salami, red bell peppers, garlic and mozzarella. After you enjoy a real Italian pizza, you can also experience Italian gelato at the gelateria next door. For your next Italian meal check out Settebello!