Stuart Melling

As promised, it's time to kick off those end-of-year round-up folks. Get ready for a slew. Let's start by ripping the band-aid off - the bad news. In case you missed any of these during the year, here's the in memorial recap. Alibi Taking to Instagram, this cocktail-forward bar (pictured top) signed off, writing, “Alibi will...

Here's the last one of the year from me on what's opened over recent months in the state. You can look back over our archives here for a full list of 2025's restaurant and bar openings, or wait a week or two for the year-end wrap, where I aggregate every new opening of the year...

Looking to dine out over the coming festive season? Maybe enjoy a seasonal tipple? These are all of the current special menus I know of in Utah right now. The lists below round up Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve. The lists below only include specials. Many restaurants will be open with their...

No, you didn't read that wrong. Seemingly out of nowhere this morning, the following release dropped over on guide.michelin.com. As part of a regional expansion, under a new "Southwest" grouping, restaurants from Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona will shortly be under consideration from the famous food guide. Up for grabs, prestigious star ratings that...

You've probably noticed it's been a smidge quieter than normal around these parts. This time of the year, menu releases slow to a crawl, events are fewer and further between, and big openings are a rarity; frankly, restaurants are all in on the holiday season, and for good reason, there's money in them thar parties....

A Christmas Parlor - Back for '25 and probably the most successful yuletide pop-up of recent years, at least based on the fact that the reservation book is always solidly booked here. This year's look for the cozy cocktail bar tucked into the back of Flanker sees the recent country vibe adorned with a Christmas...

Wriggles This Milcreek spot recently signed off, writing on Facebook, "A Heartfelt Goodbye from Wriggles. After 25 wonderful years, Wriggles will be open for its final day on November 15, 2025. Serving this community — and so many of you from near and far — has been one of the greatest joys and honors of...

Bar licenses At this month's DABS meeting, commissioners heard from two business owners affected by the devastating Main Street fire of August. Frank Paulraj of London Belle confirmed plans to rebuild, citing 2027 as the likely return date. Jason LeCates of Bourbon Group reconfirmed the details you probably saw in this story; expect White Horse...

Ted Scheffler makes a trip to the excellent Kenny J's BBQ (South Jordan), one of the better 'Q spots to open in Utah over the past few years. You can read my thoughts on their solid BBQ in this story. Scheffler also stops in at Gary's Asian Bistro (Millcreek), and Sunday's Best (Post District). Also...

It's been three months now since an unprecedented inferno ripped through the heart of downtown Salt Lake's food and drink core - but the green shoots of a rebound are already starting to bloom. I stopped by the site of Bourbon Group's properties last week to check on the status of the rebuild, and the...