ON THE STREET 

The other day Pago on Main had a ½ hour wait for lunch. Sad face, right? But in this case, we’re happy for them–having a busy lunch service downtown means people are returning to their offices–and that is great news for the urban core’s retail and F&B outlets.

As the kids say, “this is going to be Gucci…”
West Quarter is the massive development on the block of Royal Wood Office Plaza (btw, even when new, there was nothing royal about it). Construction is happening in phases, but eventually there will be residential, retail, restaurants, and in October, the first tower to open will be Le Méridien. Kitty-corner from Vivint Arena, this upscale, design-focused international hotel brand will bring 144 guestrooms and Adelaide Restaurant and Bar, a farm-to-table concept. Our eyes lit up like Christmas morning when–near the end of the press release–these two magical words appeared: rooftop bar. 

Our hearts just grew three sizes! Now you have our full attention. 

Rooftop bars are sexy, they cultivate cool vibes. Do you know how often conventioneers ask where they can find a rooftop bar?! Oh… wait, press release, what now? You buried the lede? Now there are not one, but two rooftop bars at West Quarter!!! Another lounge will be perched atop Element, a longer-stay hotel brand from Westin. 

Journey with us, drink in hand (Grey Goose up a little dirty, three blue-cheese stuffed olives) as we watch the sun dip below the Great Salt Lake from the outdoor garden on the 13th floor. Email us if you’d like to be invited, we’ve already set a Google calendar alert.

Speaking of ascending, Pulp on Gallivan Avenue has permanently closed. Wait, no, they are launching a new concept,  Ascent Kitchen. It isn’t all about us, but this is a two minute walk from our office, so we’re happy this lively little space with great service will return. We spy an expanded menu with very yummy-looking Orange Kitchen, Thai Peanut Chicken Salad, and more. 

Oh Village Baker, how we miss your Meatball Sandwich. The space in the handsome 111 Building will soon be the new home of ALPHA Coffee. Sounds macho. Can’t wait. 

Next door, City Creek Center has set a date for The Capital Grille of March 25th to open this emporium of steak! Owned by Darden Restaurants, we hope this opens the door for more of their platforms to our market, including Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Yard House. 

Eva’s Bakery has expanded  into McKay Diamond & Jewelry. (Don't worry McKay, moved .01 miles to Regent Street. Even better: Eva’s plans to keep and refurbish the iconic neon sign).The new space will serve the grab-and-go crowd with faster coffee service, and rumor has it that ice cream is on its way!  

Have you been to the Winter Market at The Gateway? From 10-2 every Saturday, this bustling community experience is a healthy, wholesome way to start your weekend. Aziza, owned by Menna Rashwan, is new to the market and her Egyptian desserts, including kunafa cups and baklava are insanely good… we almost don’t want to let this secret out of the bag. For real. 

We can be frank about this: we welcome the triumphant return of J.Dawgs to downtown! Get your buns moving to their new location in City Creek, facing Temple Square in the Kirton McConkie building. This is a real weiner! On these chili days, we relish their reemergence downtown. We’re going to ketchup with them soon and often!

The Downtown class of 2021 is in the books, and we are impressed with the freshman class that included 14 new retail shops and 22 new restaurants and bars. We applaud these merchant’s chutzpah! We too are bullish on the downtown economy: the downtown residential community will double by 2025 and employers are growing and relocating to downtown. The momentum continues, we count another dozen businesses opening soon in 2022… including:

Bourbon House Group is delighting us once again with the announcement that Edison, a petite street packed with potential, will be the newest addition to their storied collection of restaurants. Across from Brick & Mortar, The Warhol, a renovated warehouse offering luxury rentals, will house the new concept on the ground floor. With the new liquor store expected to break ground soon, and the existing ROCTACO, Copper Common, Diabolical Records, and Mortar & Pestle, this lusty little lane is going to get even more loads of love from us.

Congratulazioni to Salt and Olive, opening between Under Current and Gourmandise. One roof, two concepts: a cafe/bodega opens every day from 8am-8pm, and a restaurant open 11:30am-11:30pm. Don't you just love consistency? Stop in for an espresso and croissant in the morning; return for a leisure lunch over chianti and a hand-tossed margherita pizza; swing in later and say, "Ciao!" with bucatini and linger longer with a semifreddo affogato! Bellissima!

We’ve been sitting on this for a few months, so we’re delighted to share that Salt Lake’s second food hall is under construction at the Avia on 300 East 400 South. The Local Market & Bar will bring seven concepts and one bar with Chef Akhtar Nawab at the helm. This guy is kind of a big deal and it says a lot about SLC that we nabbed him. A Kentucky-born chef who was a protege of Tom Colicchio and mentor to David Chang, he has an Indian heritage and embraces Mexican cuisine… You can imagine his flavors are complex and innovative. He’s consulted around the world, opened restaurants around the world, and his next is in your backyard.

We love dark wood paneled walls with white table cloths, so we’ll be first to make those rezys at the long awaited The Capital Grille when it opens in the next four months. Another top secret high-end steak restaurant is expected in this same neighborhood later this year, that is in addition to Scott Evans' new meat-centric creation coming to Hope Gallery… this area is quickly becoming Carnivore Country.

Looking to open a restaurant? Hines, the owner of the historic, handsome and newly renovated Kearns Building is looking for a restauranteur for the ground floor that once was home to Jos. A. Banks. This soaring sanctuary would be a sublime shrine for a supreme star– with sweeping views of SLC’s Main Streets and literally seconds from the Eccles. Going once, going twice?

Another available retail space is opening up at 272 South 200 East, Misc Boutique, the well-edited vintage clothing boutique on Broadway is adjusting their business model and owner Missy Baber reports the landlord is great to work with. 

Got a tip about coming retail or restaurants in downtown Salt Lake City? Drop me a line:  

“Let’s meet downtown for a drink” is the opening line in an endless number of stories about friendship, business ventures, and romantic partnerships. Tonight, downtown Salt Lake City bars are alive and buzzing with people beginning their next great story. Following are some of our favorite downtown sippers and the bars and restaurants serving them.

LONG TOM at ALIBI BAR & PLACE
Named for the moniker legendary baseball player Leroy Robert “Satchel” Paige gave to one of his pitches, Alibi Bar & Place’s (369 S. Main St.) Long Tom is a gin cocktail that, while seeming to have not much to do with baseball, tastes like the golden days of autumn in a glass. Made with Old Tom gin, Amaro Montenegro, Laird’s Applejack brandy, orange bitters and fresh orange zest.

HOT TODDY at BAR X
When the weather turns brisk, there’s no better warmer than the Hot Toddy at Bar X (155 E. 200 South). It begins with black tea brewed with baking spices and then embellished with fresh ginger, lemon and honey. The default booze addition is bourbon, of course, but why not be a little adventurous and try it with cognac, rye or even tequila?

BEET SANGRIA at ZEST KITCHEN & BAR
While many may not consider sangria a cocktail per se, when visiting the plant-based Zest Kitchen & Bar (275 S. 200 West), it makes sense to try something less boozy (And super delicious!) like the Beet Sangria, made with organic red wine, organic beet juice and fresh fruit.

 SUGAR & SPICE at VARLEY’S
Though those in the know often indulge in Varley’s (63 W. 100 South) signature Tangerine Lime Sour (Kettle One grapefruit vodka, rose, lime, citrus tea). Cool temps, however, have us dreaming of this bar’s Sugar & Spice, a comforting riff on wassail made with Hennessey, red wine, citrus and spices.

SHIPWRECK at THE VAULT
When the grey days of winter arrive in Salt Lake City, as they always do, you can find us enveloped in one of the canopy armchairs at The Vault (inside Hotel Monaco, 202 S. Main St), sipping a Shipwreck (Cruzan rum, Cyanar, St. Germain, Orgeat, lime) and dreaming of sunny skies, lapping surf and white sand beaches.

THE ROTISSERIE INN PUNCH at WHISKEY STREET
As you might guess, the beer, wine and cocktail menu at Whiskey Street (323 S. Main St) reads like a novel, with creative touches throughout. A nod to the building’s history as a 1930s-era French and Italian restaurant can be found in The Rotisserie Inn Punch, made with Bacardi Rum, raspberry liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, and prosecco.

BOOLEY HOUSE at WHITE HORSE SPIRITS & KITCHEN
Like its sister restaurants, the cocktail program at White Horse Spirits & Kitchen (325 Main St) is both innovative and extensive, offering more than enough to choose from right off the menu. We, however, can’t stop thinking about a drink the mixologists at White Horse concocted earlier this year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day: the Booley House—a gingery, caramelly wonder made with Red Breast 12-year Irish Whiskey, ginger liqueur, sherry, Laird’s Applejack and black lemon bitters.

FIRST RODEO at BODEGA
Though Bodega (331 S. Main St) is best known as the portal to the subterranean restaurant, The Rest, this small but mighty bar has a following all its own, built largely on tequila. You can get right to it with a $3 shot or, for something to savor, order up a First Rodeo, made with tequila, lemongrass simple syrup, Honest John Bitters Co’s lemongrass cardamom bitters, jalapeño and Topo Chico.

SIGNATURE OLD FASHIONED at BOURBON HOUSE
As indicated by this watering hole’s moniker, the Signature Old Fashioned wins the popularity contest at Bourbon House’s (19 E. 200 South). There, along with the Fee Bros Barrel aged bitters, sugar, orange twist, Amarena Cherry, you can choose from three top-shelf spirits: Old Forester 128.6, WhistlePig 10-year 112.6 or High West Ruby Port Double Rye.

PATIO SPRITZERS at COPPER COMMON
Diversity is the name of the game at Copper Common (111 E. Broadway), where you can imbibe everything from an expertly crafted high ball to a White Claw. But where this popular bar excels, in particular, is with its Patio Spritzers. Choose from one of five on the menu or ask the bartender to create something completely unique. Then grab a seat outside and watch the world go by on Broadway.

 TEMPLE CITY TONIC at LAKE EFFECT / RABBIT HOLE
In an apparent homage to their Salt Lake City home, the mixologists at Lake Effect/Rabbit Hole (155 W. 200 South) present the beautiful and refreshing Temple City Tonic, which brings the classic gin and tonic to a new plane with Holystone cerulean gin, génépy, Scarlet Glow tea, lime, thyme, and Fever Tree tonic.

STOLI CUCUMBER MULE at LONDON BELLE
London Belle Supper Club (321 S. Main St.) is well known for its menu of reimagined classic pub food (Salt Lake Magazine named it a “best restaurant” in 2019.). But its moody and plush decor makes it an appealing destination for just drinks as well. We recommend choosing from the cocktail menu’s seven iterations of the classic Moscow Mule—one we’re particularly enamored with is the Stoli Cucumber Mule.

PINE SOUL at GOOD GRAMMAR
Against the backdrop of Gallivan Plaza and the creativity of local DJs, Good Grammar (69 E. Gallivan Ave) is the place for the fruity, earthy and unexpectedly fantastic mashup known as the Pine Soul—tequila, Zirbenz pine liqueur, Chartreuse yellow liqueur, lemon and pineapple.

BLACKBERRY BASIL at GRACIE’S
Sip one of Gracie’s (326 S. W. Temple) longstanding faves, the Blackberry Basil (Ogden’s Own Five Wives vodka; fresh blackberries, basil and lemon juice; ginger ale), while you drink in sweeping views of downtown and the mountains beyond from one of downtown’s most fabulous rooftop decks.

TWISTED OLD FASHIONED at TWIST BAR & BISTRO
While known for its killer weeknight drink specials and talented bring-down-the-house DJs on the weekends, Twist Bar & Bistro (32 Exchange Pl.) also boasts a sophisticated cocktail program. Case in point: the Twisted Old Fashioned, made with Maker’s 46 bourbon, Demerara syrup, chocolate bitters and orange zest.

HANZO STEEL at UNDER CURRENT BAR
This airy and beautifully renovated former auto dealership has been a go-to for well-crafted cocktails since it opened in 2015. Not surprisingly, the menu at Under Current Bar (270 S. 300 East) offers plenty to choose from, including Hanzo Steel. This elevated riff on an Old Fashioned is made with Japanese whiskey, rye Falernum, Swedish Punsch and coconut bitters, garnished with a ground coffee bean.

 INFLIGHT SMOKER at MORTAR & PESTLE
The hip and cozy Mortar & Pestle (152 E. 200 South), located within the intimate Edison Street alleyway, is well worth seeking out. M&P’s list of signature cocktails is creative and long, all of which are made with house-made syrups and locally sourced booze and bitters. One that scratches both the performance and gustatorial sweet spots is Inflight Smoker, an unexpected riff on a margarita or paloma made with mezcal, grapefruit-lime elixir, bitter orange liqueur, and Jamaican #2 Bitters.

BLING BLING at MARKET STREET GRILL & OYSTER BAR
Many may assume that a mimosa or Bloody Mary are among the most popular cocktails at the 41-year-old Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar (54 W. Market St), where brunch is an institution. Sure, those breakfast sippers are certainly high on the list, but it’s the Bling Bling, made with Tito’s vodka, fresh raspberries, simple syrup and a float of prosecco, that takes the cake.

MIDSOMMAR at POST OFFIE PLACE
Cocktail making is truly high art at Post Office Place (16 W. Market St), where bar manager Crystal Daniels thinks way outside the box to create unforgettable sippers like Midsommar: Roku Japanese gin, Kina L’Aéro D’or Aperitif (with an aroma of quince or a find marmalade), raspberry sour beer syrup and lemon.

LAVENDAR MARTINI at THE RED DOOR
When you’re craving a martini, head directly to The Red Door (57 W. 200 South). The delectable selection there includes everything from the classics to uber-creative options like the Martini L’Amour (pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, orange brandy, fresh lemon) or the boozy Three Drunken Men (Johnny Walker Red, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, house-made sweet and sour). Our top pick—one made seemingly specifically for girls’ night out—is the Lavender Martini (vanilla vodka, limoncello, crème de violette, lemon juice, house-made lavender simple syrup).

VERDE at SEABIRD
Before or after a Jazz Game, head over to the intimately friendly Seabird (7 S. Rio Grande St, The Gateway) for the Verde, a well-balanced amalgamation of earthiness and floral notes that makes whiskey sing. Made with rye whiskey, green Chartreuse, lime smoked rosemary and lavender simple syrup.

DIY COCKTAILS
Have a yearning to up your at-home cocktail game? Take an in-person cocktail class at Caputo’s (314 W. Broadway), stockists of an ample selection of bitters, mixers, garnishes, syrups, extracts, and more. Or go online for an evening of cocktail education and fun with the Salt Lake City-based Bitters Lab, offering three-session cocktail-making classes on a quarterly basis.

Denver has LoDo. In Austin, it’s Sixth Street. L.A. boasts Culver Boulevard. And here, one of downtown Salt Lake City’s hippest locales is a block bordered by 200 South, 200 East, East Broadway (300 South) and State Street, known simply by the alley that bisects it from north to south, Edison.

You probably already know about Edison’s dense concentration of murals, an ever-changing, open-air gallery of local and international street art and graffiti lending this block its unique aesthetic. (El Mac & Retna’s Ave Maria—arguably Salt Lake City’s most-photographed public art piece—is there high on the east side wall of the Fice Gallery & Boutique building.) Pairs of old shoes hanging from overhead cables and fire escapes add to Edison’s distinctly urban vibe. But it’s Edison’s mostly independent shops, restaurants and bars that give this area artistically gritty soul.    

A handful of proprietors, like Gallenson’s Gun Shop, Diabolical Records and Fice, have called Edison home for a decade or more. Several new businesses have taken up residence there recently, adding to an eclectic vibe not found elsewhere in Utah’s capital city. 

Restaurants

What began as a food truck in the San Francisco area, is now the country’s fasted growing Indian-inspired fast-casual restaurant chain, Curry Up Now (152 E. 200 South). (Utah locations include another in Midvale.) Approachable Indian street food is the rule here. Think slightly Americanized versions of pani puri, samosas, vada pav, daha puri and much more.  

When you’re craving a wide slice of pizza, made with a characteristically thin, hand-tossed crust and dripping with gooey mozzarella—a la New York City—make a beeline to the locally owned Este Pizzeria (156 E. 200 South). Note: the wings, Stromboli and calzones there are as good as the slices.   

One of SLC’s friendliest, most inclusive coffee shops—The People’s Coffee (200 E. 200 South)— relocated to Edison in May. Walk into this inviting and airy space—with high ceilings and whimsical green-stained chevron-pattern hardwood flooring—any time of the day, and you’ll likely find hours have passed when you finally tear yourself away to leave. 

Made-to-order guacamole; creative, seasonally-inspired tacos; and tasty cocktails made with fresh ingredients is what you can expect at Taqueria 27 (149 E. 200 South). Dine inside this modern, minimalist space or outside on the umbrella-shaded patio.   

Proving that everything tastes better when wrapped in a tortilla, the ingredients used within Roc Taco’s (248 S. Edison) “freestyle” tacos—defined as having “zero restrictions in the flavors and techniques employed”—run the gamut from Korean short ribs, Daikon radish and chicken tikka masala to Cuban carnitas, grilled Mahi Mahi and citrus tabbouleh. When you go, be sure to try one of Roc’s deliciously creamy batidas—the citrus avocado is a local fave.

The time is now to get a final fix of the expertly roasted beans, café eats and friendly ethos at Campos Coffee (228 S. Edison). The owners announced they are closing all of Campos’ North American operations July 15, 2021, including the charming café on Edison. Campos very quickly became a popular destination for locals and visitors. Numerous other craft restaurant operators are considering what they could bring to this unique location. Stay tuned for what’s next for this lovely downtown space.

Bars

From the moment you pass beneath the old-timey, light-bulb façade into Bar X (155 E. 200 South), the focus of this hip, speakeasy-esque watering hole is crystal clear: relaxing with an expertly made cocktail. Rows and rows of illuminated bottles serve as a backdrop against which a team of  pro mixologists create anything your palate is desiring. 

Hard booze not your jam? No worries. You’ll find 30 beers are on tap and hundreds more in cans and bottles next door to Bar X at the Beer Bar (155 E. 200 South), dubbed by its owners as “a love letter to the beer of the world.”

The third in Edison’s Second South tavern trifecta is Johnny’s on Second (165 E. 200 South), a gratefully divey, come-as-you-are bar where you can get a beer and a shot for $4. Just the place to spend an afternoon sitting on the sidewalk patio sipping a cold one or inside watching the game and shooting pool.  

Though the dinner offerings are fantastic, where Copper Common (corner of Broadway and Edison) shines is as one of downtown’s most inviting places to meet up with friends. Cozy up in one of the intimate booths inside or sit outside on the patio, verdantly festooned with potted herbs, flowers and lush plants. Not-to-be-missed events at Copper Common include Taco Tuesdays ($6 margaritas) and the no-cover Copper C’mon patio concert series on Friday and Saturday nights.  

It’s hard to grasp the character and sense of place that little, hole-in-wall bars bring to a locale. But that indescribable appeal is just what you’ll find inside the chic and cozy Mortar & Pestle (152 E. 200 South). With the same ownership as Curry Up Now, much of the signature cocktails menu is Indian-inspired and all are made with fresh ingredients and housemade syrups. 

Shops

In a world where digital music is king and record stores are an endangered species, somehow  Diabolical Records (238 S. Edison) has managed to thrive, thanks in large part to its curated selection of indie music on vinyl and tape. Watch for the store’s free weekly concerts with local and touring bands to return in September 2021.

Anchoring the edgy street ambiance endemic on Edison is Fice Gallery & Boutique (160 E. 200 South), stockists of a huge selection of hard-to-find sneakers and artist-driven t-shirts and hoodies. Fice has also built a brand on hosting community-building events, like the monthlong art sale it held in February to mark Black History month and benefit Hoods in the Woods.

Russian immigrant William Gallenson founded Gallenson’s Gun Shop (166 E. 200 South) as a tailor shop on the nearby Regent Street in 1916. Nine years later he changed his business model from men’s clothing to guns and ammo. After a series of moves throughout the downtown area, Gallenson’s landed on Edison in 1990, where it remains Utah oldest firearms dealer.       

Tattoo Parlors

Named for the term of endearment owner Taylor Millet’s mother gave him as a child, Sailor Taylor Tattoo (215 S. Edison St) has been a defining presence on Edison since it opened in 2015. In addition to one of Salt Lake’s most revered sources for fine art-quality tattoos, Sailor Taylor also offers original jewelry, art pieces and piercing within its rococo-style parlor. (Fun fact: The red light next to Sailor Taylor’s door is an artifact from the year Millet ran a speakeasy out of his tattoo parlor—open, when the light was on, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.)    

Formerly Cathedral Tattoo, Edison’s Mercy Tattoo (180 S. 200 East), is a definitively hip tattoo parlor employing a staff or young and up-and-coming artists who specialize in American traditional, Japanese Traditional and fine-line tattooing. 

Living

Though many of the buildings on Edison and its environs house living spaces above the street-level businesses, theRandi (218 S. 200 East), when completed later this year, will be Edison’s first luxury-level apartment building. The 61 for-rent condos there range from one to three bedrooms within 478 to 2,208 square feet.