Here are capsulized versions of recommended restaurants reviewed by Al Church, Deseret News Dining Out columnist:
La Pinata, 2 Main St. (7720 S. 700 West) Midvale. 568-1590. An unassuming Mexican eatery that specializes in mild green salsa and sauces, wonderful homemade tamales, black bean chili and other moderately seasoned specialties. * * *Joe Morley's Smoked Beef Barbecue, 669 E. Center, Midvale. 255-8928. Cherrywood-smoked meats including some of the best beef brisket around town are served along with barbecue sauces, cole slaw, steamed onions and all the fixin's. Wonderful clam chowder, a great homemade mud pie along with huge fountain drinks round out the menu. * * * 1/2
Helen's Restaurant and Garden Cafe, 6055 S. 900 East. 265-0205. This charming cottage restaurant features both the simple peasant and sophisticated cosmopolitan fare of Czechoslovakia. From noodles with mild mushrooms to chicken with paprika and cream along with roladen and sauerbraten, Helen's reflects a welcome addition of a time-honored cuisine. * * * *
Giovanni's, Big Cottonwood Canyon. 364-4484. Italian specialties with creative flair served in an intimate and leisurely paced setting. Executive chef Norm Runyan's experience assures quality and consistency. * * * * *
Lakeside Cottage, 3761 S. Charleston Road, Highway 113, Charleston. 654-3456. Homestyle cooking and hospitality in a pastoral setting. The Yankee pot roast, "honey stung" fried chicken and key lime pie with chocolate fudge are worth the trip. * * * *
China's Delight Restaurant, 60 W. 500 South, 322-3112. Generous portions of Vietnamese and Chinese specialties are served in this cleanly appointed downtown restaurant. * * *
Gourmandie's Restaurant and Patisserie, 250 S. 300 East. 328-9022. A brightly lit and well-tended full-service restaurant where the cornucopia of sweet desserts and pastries overshadows a rather ordinary selection of sandwiches and dinner items. A nice place to have a late night treat; close to downtown. * * *
Heide's, 925 E. 12400 South, Draper. 572-6927. A charming little German restaurant in a quaint small town, unspoiled by suburban sprawl. A full range of continental dishes, with specialties like roladen, schnitzel and homemade German chocolate cake are more in keeping with the atmosphere. * * * 1/2
McGuires, 531 N. Bluff, St. George. 628-4066. This cozy eatery serves Italian and seafood specialties, along with steak, amidst decor accentuated with golf clubs in a place once occupied by a French restaurant. It's as eclectic as southern Utah's growing dining choices. * * *
Basila's Greek Cafe, 2 West St. George Blvd., St. George. 673-7671. From the flaming cheese appetizer to the wonderfully seasoned egg lemon rosemary soup, this small, colorful restaurant serves delectable Greek specialties. Nice touches are apparent everywhere, including the decor and attentive service. * * * *
Cuisine Unlimited, 4041 S. 700 East, 268-2332. A little bit of New York with a hefty portion of creativity and careful attention to the essentials. From rich chopped liver to specialty salads and sandwiches, this modest eatery (and considerably larger catering operation) is a brilliant light on what is often an uninspired dining out scene. * * * * 1/2
Cafe Pacific, 999 S. Main (Clarion Hotel), 364-5253. One of Salt Lake's more creative and pleasing eateries returns after a few-year hiatus in California. Seafood and continental specialties with an Oriental touch. * * * *
Chop Suey Luey's, 1328 E. 200 South, 581-1155. While mostly take out with a small dining area, lovers of Chinese cuisine should not be put off by either the size or punster's name. The food is fresh, flavorful and skillfully prepared. Free delivery. * * * 1/2
Dionysus, 369 S. 400 East, 355-6688. Greek cuisines simple and fresh specialties are served in ample portions with moderate prices. Roasted marinated pork, dolmanthes, mousaka are just some of the specialties of this informal restaurant. * * * 1/2
Chowmeinia, 4835 Highland Drive (Cottonwood Mall), 278-1881. Flair and style are reflected in the decor of this cousin to Charley Chow's. A bounty of dim sum (Chinese brunch treats) are the heartbeat of this inventive restaurant's menu. * * * 1/2
Mekong Cafe, 7725 S. State, Midvale. 566-5747. Thai food with just enough of the zip and color to please aficianados and introduce novices to this unique cuisine. * * * 1/2
Hotrod Hundley's Restaurant, 6121 S. Highland Drive, 277-7776. A sport celebrity restaurant that delivers up plenty of sporty atmosphere and all-American cuisine, including hamburgers, sandwiches, hot entrees and appetizers named after some of America's popular basketball, baseball and golf heroes. * * * 1/2
Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant, 2160 S. 700 East, 487-8036. Literally translated as "my little house," this colorful eatery serves up generous portions of Mexican specialties. Distinctive sauces are the highlights of each dish. * * *
Marco Polo, 4835 S. Highland Drive (west-side entrance to Cottonwood Mall), 272-8899. Named after the famous Venetian adventurer who inspired other explorers to travel to the Far East, this Italian restaurant offers a multitude of veal, chicken, seafood and pasta dishes with a variety of sauces from marinara to herb wine. The expert kitchen staff first established its reputation at the first Two Guys from Italy outlet in Sugar House years ago. * * * *
The Southern Plantation, 1465 S. State, 467-7737. This small carry-out place serves up large portions of tempting soul food, barbecued ribs and chicken, fried catfish, Southern fried chicken. Trimmin's include black-eyed peas, baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and fresh greens. And don't forget the sweet potato pie. * * * 1/2
Mediterranean Market and Deli, 3942 S. State, 266-2011. Freshly made Italian sausages, homemade pesto, imported cheese and cold cuts are combined into wonderful sandwiches or can be purchased separately, along with a plethora of imported goodies. * * * 1/2
East Sea Restaurant, 120 N. 900 West, 596-8963. Rose Park's first noteworthy Oriental restaurant that serves both Chinese and Vietnamese specialties. The Vietnamese hot egg rolls are especially good as are the favorite noodle dishes. * * * 1/2
The Mushroom Company, 1995 E. 3300 South. 487-9645. An eclectic and informal restaurant that offers vegetarian, Italian, Mexican and traditional American favorites such as omelettes and hot open-face sandwiches. Nice dessert list, too. * * *
La Calandria, 36 W. Center, Midvale. 566-4464. This unassuming eatery features the kind of Mexican specialties that should rekindle any Mexican food lover's taste buds as well as a sense of the "authentic." * * *
Litza's, two locations, 716 E. 400 South, 359-5352; 2878 W. 4700 South, West Valley City, 965-1010. Since 1965, Litza's has offered pizza lovers fresh, consistent and reasonably priced pizzas. Crisp salads, spaghetti, lasagna and calzones round out the modest but nicely prepared bill of fare. * * *
Mileti's Italian Restaurant, 412 S. Main, Park City. 649-8211. Italian pasta, mesquite grilled meats, and fresh salads underscored by the customary casualness of a resort town. Specialties include homemade breadsticks, herb butter, pesto sauces and nightly seafood dishes. * * * *
Bangkok Thai, 1400 S. Foothill Drive. 583-7840. This restaurant replicates the colorful and often zesty cuisine of Thailand, though diners can control the degree of spiciness. Appetizer specials, soups, stir fry, noodles and seafood dishes are among the special dishes seasoned with curries, lemon grass, basil, garlic and other special Thai spices. * * * *
Guadalahonky's, 136 E. 12000 South, Draper. 571-3838. A Mexican restaurant with a slightly irreverent name that serves traditional South-of-the-Border fare with a nice flair. The tamales, chicken fajitas, chimichangas and fresh tomato salsa were especially good. * * * 1/2
Uncle Sid's Restaurant, 2340 S. State, 485-5444. Informal and affordable breakfast (served all day), sandwiches and hot homestyle entrees like chicken fried steak, spaghetti, poached salmon, as well as homemade pies, are the mainstay of this comfortable eatery. Try the weekly prime rib special with Yorkshire pudding for an added treat. * * *
Sampan Chinese Restaurant, Plaza 721 (NW corner 700 East and 2100 South), 467-FOOD. A restaurant where modest size, uncluttered decor and colorful cuisine are in appetizing harmony. In addition to traditional Cantonese and Szechuan specialties, try some of the chef's suggestions, such as the strawberry chicken. The hot and sour soup is the best we've had. * * * *
Sushi of Asakusa, 321 S. Main, 364-7142. Simply the best sushi bar in the state that features a myriad of raw, smoked and steamed seafood. Several all-vegetable selections can be ordered as well. The regular menu has some wonderful choices, in addition to the traditional Japanese specialties, such as Korean barbecue, ishikari nabe (seafood chowder), and sashimi combinations. * * * * *
Viet-Hoa Cafe, 8475 S. State, Sandy. 255-4794. The colorful and flavorful cuisines of Vietnam and China are the specials of this nicely appointed restaurant. Fresh fish specials, grilled meats, and rice noodles are dishes worth considering from the lengthy menu. * * *
Ristorante della Fontana, 336 S. 400 East, 328-4243. One of Salt Lake's most consistent restaurants. Six-course meals feature a wonderful minestrone soup, palate pleasing salads and fresh fruit, and some pleasant though ordinary Italian entrees. Wonderful atmosphere in a turn-of-the-century church. * * * 1/2
Cannella's, 204 E. 500 South. 364-3843. Long a favorite spot for lunch, this little Italian eatery is now open for dinners on Thursday and Friday nights. Generous portions, reasonable prices and warm hospitality have earned Cannella's a well-deserved reputation. * * *
The Carriage Court Restaurant, 71 W. South Temple, 531-1000. In harmony with the comfortable modesty of the beautifully restored Inn at Temple Square, this elegant restaurant offers reasonably priced gourmet specialties. Seafood with tempting sauces are especially good. * * * *
La Dolce Vita, 61 North 100 East, Provo. 373-8482. Literally "the sweet life," this little Italian eatery takes its name from an old Fellini film. But the inexpensive homemade pasta and dessert specialties quickly erase any cinema noir aftertaste. Residents of Happy Valley and occasional visitors should appreciate this very good restaurant. * * * 1/2