BIT AND SPUR: IVY LEAGUER WHO CAME TO UTAH TO SKI WAS ENCHANTED BY RED ROCK COUNTRY AND NOW LURES TOURISTS WITH HIS MUST-STOP MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN SPRINGDALELogan Hebner qualifies as an enigma.
New Jersey-born and Vassar-educated, Hebner escaped East Coast density to discover the rocks of Zion National Park.The discovery was accidental. The Ivy-Leaguer came West to discover rocks covered by ample snowfall. He was a skier at heart.
But an off-season adventure into the canyons of southern Utah redirected his establishment escape.
"Once I experienced the thrill of exploring the red rock of Zion, the snow lost its appeal," Hebner explained.
The next adventure included finding work in the park bedroom community of Springdale.
With Eastern connections, he purchased a dilapidated building and restored it piece by piece. That was nine years ago.
With the acquisition of San Francisco-trained, Hurricane-native chef, Michael Perry, and manager, Joe Jennings, the Bit and Spur has evolved into a must-stop Mexican restaurant.
Perry's innovative cooking style has been recognized nationwide.
In fact, admitted Hebner, "We're really better known in Los Angeles and New York than we are here at home. We get a huge tourist trade from both coasts and they spread the word."
Perry, too, does his homework.
According to Jennings, "Michael studies and reads cookbooks and magazines all the time. He's never worked in such an unstructured environment, so he explores all kinds of possibilities in the kitchen."
The Bit and Spur doesn't limit itself solely to kitchen explorations.
Weekends at the restaurant bring a series of musical and comedy performances.
Hebner invites his performing friends, and they, in turn, invite their friends, until the entertainment agendas are complete.
Hebner, a participant in the Russian InterPeace Walk, even invited a touring Russian musical group to perform locally.
"They come to visit the park, then entertain for us," Hebner explained.
The diverse collection of performers expanded the reputation of the Bit and Spur. Now recognized as a "think-tank" location of social and environmental issues, the restaurant plays host to myriad stimulating discussions over dinner.
To Hebner, the Bit and Spur is much more than a restaurant. "I'd be bored to death with a restaurant," he said. "but I love being here with the people."
And when things get a little slow in town, Hebner packs his bag to go off in support of another social cause.
Simply his way of getting more folks to stop weekends in Springdale.
*****
Recipes listed:
Pollo Fresca
Arros Verde (Green Rice)
Chocolate Truffle Cake