Has the downtown construction taken its toll on restaurants? As I was preparing to write about this fall's Downtown Dine O'Round, I got word that two of the participants recently closed — Cafe Pierpont and Panache Wine Bar.
Cafe Pierpont served Mexican cuisine for nearly 20 years under the ownership of Gastronomy Inc., best known for its Market Street eateries. Last year, it was sold along with its next-door neighbor, Baci, to the Latitude Restaurant Group — owners of the Mikado, Hapa Grill and Harry's restaurants.
As planned, Latitude turned the Baci space into a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. When I called Latitude's offices about Cafe Pierpont's closure, I was told it was due to declining sales and that the company is considering other options for that space.
Panache was on the second floor of the Wells Fargo Building, the spot occupied by Panini from 2003-2005. I was told that Panache will be open only for catering and parties now. It's a beautiful, elegant dining area, and I hope it will reopen as a restaurant in the future.
But hope springs eternal, as four restaurants that opened this year will be part of the Dine O'Round: Tin Angel Cafe at 365 W. 400 South; Broadway Bistro at the corner of 300 South and Main; Acme Burger Co. at 275 S. 200 West; and Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana at 260 S. 200 West.
Altogether, 34 restaurants are offering a fixed-price, three-course dinner for either $15 or $30 per person, beginning Friday through Sept. 30. Some will also offer a two-course lunch for $10. One person will win a dinner-for-two at each of the participating restaurants (each restaurant has entry forms).
New this year are discount tickets for the Utah Symphony and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company during the Dine O'Round. For information on this, as well as phone numbers, addresses and menus of the restaurants, check www.dineoround.com.
Keep in mind, the price doesn't include drinks, tips and tax; and it's only good for the Dine O'Round special. I'd call the restaurant ahead, or check its Web site, to find out if the special is something you'll enjoy. I'd also ask about reservations, as tables are often packed during the Dine O'Round.
The following restaurants will offer the $30 three-course dinner: Al Forno's Ristorante, Bambara, Benihana of Tokyo, Broadway Bistro, Caffe Molise, Faustina, Garden Cafe at the Grand America, High Rock Steak House, Market Street Grill, Market Street Oyster Bar, Martine, Melting Pot, Metropolitan, Mikado Downtown, New Yorker, Oasis Cafe, Spencer's for Steaks, Takashi, Thaifoon Taste of Asia, Tin Angel and Vienna Bistro.
The following restaurants will offer the $15 three-course dinner: Acme Burger Co., Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Buca di Beppo, Cannella's, Cedars of Lebanon, Christopher's Seafood and Steakhouse, The Garden Restaurant at Temple Square, Lamb's Grill Cafe, Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine, McGrath's Fish House, Sage's Cafe, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and Squatters Pub Brewery.
The following restaurants will offer the $10 two-course lunch: Al Forno's Ristorante, Faustina, Garden Cafe at the Grand America Hotel, High Rock Steak House, Market Street Grill, Market Street Oyster Bar, New Yorker, Tin Angel, Acme Burger Co., Cedars of Lebanon, Christopher's Seafood and Steakhouse, Spencer's for Steaks and Squatters Pub Brewery.
E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com