Seven Restaurants to Try in 2013: Guest Blogger

I've had the pleasure of personally knowing today's guest blogger for many years now. Kelli Nakagama with Random Acts of Kelliness, is a local blogger whose descriptive reviews of Utah's local restaurants, are quickly gaining her notoriety on the "foodie" scene. Kelli was a foodie before being a foodie was "cool".  Her descriptions, are nothing less than eloquent. Kelli shares with us some great hot spots for special occasion dining, that is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.

Notes from Kelli:--------------I love the way that food connects people and how memories are shared (and made) around a dining room table.  If you're anything like me, events and celebrations both big and small take place surrounded by food.  Family get-togethers, friend gatherings, dates--they all share the focus of food, connecting people one bite at a time.  Ok, cheesiness aside (no pun intended), where you celebrate makes a difference.  So where are the best restaurants around town for each of 2013's events and celebrations?Salt Lake City (and its surrounded areas, like Park City) has a ton of really great restaurants.  Some are good for groups, others favor a more fancy night out.  Below is a list of seven places to celebrate seven occasions through the year, with explanations why the restaurant fits the occasion and menu item that can't be missed.

1.Event:  Family Dinner Where:  Aristo's Greek Restaurant & Cafe http://www.aristosrestaurant.com/Why:  This spacious restaurant is comfortable but still intimate, with tables of every size to fit your group.  There are plenty of plates to share and a wide range of entrees to pique everyone's palate.  The wine list, while delicate, is inexpensive and easily approachable.  Order:  Don't skip the skordalia, a garlic-based dip that comes with freshly-made pita.  It's one of my favorite dishes in all of Salt Lake City.  Although a warning: it's not for the faint-at-garlic-heart; the menu describes it simply as "garlic, garlic and more garlic" and it's not an exaggeration.

Skordalia

2.

Event:  Couples DinnerWhere:  Finca http://fincaslc.com/Why:  This Spanish tapas restaurant is lively and friendly, with a menu that changes with the seasons.  The wine list has bottles (ranging from affordable to splurge-able) and wines by the glass, but don't forget to check out the cocktail menu, too.  Dishes are made to share and servers encourage diners to keep a menu at your table, so you can create a night as long as you want.  Order:  Lamb belly, it's like the bacon of your dreams (but even juicier), with pumpkin puree and cider-braised apples; and the Coca de Ajo, a garlic flat bread with ham, manchego cheese, onions and sherry (think of a pizza on steroids).

Lamb Belly and Flat Bread

3. Event:  Anniversary Where:  Forage  http://foragerestaurant.com/ Why:  This mind-blowing, all-night dinner is guaranteed to be memorable.  Chefs Viet Pham and Bowman Brown were named the Best New Chefs in 2011 by Food & Wine magazine and their expertise is obvious.  The restaurant exclusively serves a tasting menu of about 13 courses that changes nightly.  The miniature courses are incredibly creative and are sure to spark up a good conversation with your sweetheart. Order:  All decisions are out of your hands here, so sit back, relax and enjoy the culinary adventure that is Forage.

 The "Forage celery" is frozen celery root and horse radish sandwiches topped with arugulaElk heart with thyme, elderberry and beets

4. Event:  Sunday Brunch Where:  Pago  http://pagoslc.com/ Why:  This cozy restaurant is a perfect way to start a lazy Sunday.  Perk up your senses with a cup of coffee made table-side, then follow with a freshly-squeezed orange juice mimosa or house-made bloody mary.  The menu is small so you won't have too many dishes to decide between, but don't let it fool you: it won't be an easy decision to make with so many scrumptious-sounding options. Order:  The Chicken Hash, with pulled chicken, savory spices and a rich cream sauce.  Both your senses and your belly will be full all the way 'til dinner.

                                                                     Chicken Hash5.Event:  Dinner with Out-of-Town GuestsWhere:  The Farm at the Canyons http://www.canyonsresort.com/diningdetails.html%3Fdinid%3D10666Why:  Show off Utah's marvelous mountains with a drive up to The Canyons Resort.  The restaurant sits at the bottom of the ski lifts, so your guests can say they've been to one of the Olympic venues, and is decorated like a high-class cabin, complete with large windows to watch the sun set.Order:  The menu changes seasonally, so ask your server about his/her favorite dish du jour.  Rest assured that all the dishes arrive in a presentation that's as beautiful as the restaurant itself.

Rocky Mountain Lamb with chive-blossom cous-cous and lavender ricotta

6.Event:  Lunch with your GirlfriendsWhere:  Copper Onion  http://www.thecopperonion.com/Why:  The restaurant is cozy and laid back with tables small enough to share secrets without everyone hearing. The menu offers a variety of dish sizes, from light bites of cheese and shareable small plates to midsized sandwiches and large entrees.  The extensive wine list follows the trend with wines by the glass, quartino (about a third of a bottle) and full bottles.Order: The ricotta dumplings, rich balls of soft cheese with thyme and a kick of lemon.  Another one of my favorite Salt Lake dishes.

Copper Onion BurgerRicotta Dumplings

7.Event:  Burger CravingWhere:  Lucky 13  http://www.lucky13slc.com/Why:  Ok, so a burger craving isn't exactly an event, but if you're anything like me, I get on a kick for burgers every once in awhile.  This dive bar lacks a nice atmosphere and comfortable seats but makes up for it all with their burgers.  Their Spicy Candied Bacon Cajun Burger recently won the title for the World's Best Burger in a Travel Channel competition in Las Vegas and their other burgers are just as good.  Keep an eye on their specials; ostrich, kangaroo and elk burgers are frequently offered.Order: Anything with bacon.  Their house-smoked bacon is the best in Salt Lake City.  No matter what you order, add bacon to it (even their bloody marys can be ordered with a bacon garnish!).

Stink Bacon Cheese Burger

Of course, these restaurants are so good that you don't need to wait for a special occasion to try them out.  Grab a buddy or go alone (it's not as weird as you think) and go have a good meal!-----------------Thank you Kelli, for sharing your food knowledge with us! Be sure to check out Kelli's newly updated website @ randomactsofkelliness.com