Proper Pub and Proper Burger – In March I wrote a brief preview of these two new operations for Utah Stories. Shortly after that I also attended a soft opening to kick the tires as it were. Thankfully none fell off and there was beer, good beer.

The pub side of things looks to have a solid foundation. For the time being the tavern license only allows 4% brews, but expect that to change fast. In the interim, stop by the pub and enjoy their 4% compliant brews, play some classic skeeball and get ready for your new brewery district. Worth noting is that samples are 50c a pop and you can order up the whole array of brew on tap, in one delicious line.

The burger side of the operation seems to have legs too. Caveat emptor, be aware that the burgers are on the thinner side; a double certainly isn’t unreasonable and frankly, I wouldn’t feel overly uncouth at ordering a triple. You can find the full menu over at SLC Menu – there’s something for everyone, including a full liquor license, so you can sample Proper Brewing Co’s full strength beer, plus wine and cocktails too.

Here are some snaps from a couple of visits:

865 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 906-8604

www.properburgerslc.com

Amour Spreads – I first spotted this one over on the wonderful SLCeats website who noted, “My friends over at Amour Spreads are turning the front part of their jam kitchen into a cafe! Amber Billingsley will be turning out amazing pastries and gelato, and they’ll be featuring seasonal small plates. Give their new cafe page a Like to stay up to speed with their progress!”

If you’ve sampled Billingsley’s work before, or have any serious interest in calories – you’ll know this is a pretty big deal. One to keep an eye on for sure.

Este Deli – There’s a great photo essay over at City Home Collective on this new sandwich spot, at 1700 S. and Main. The menu reads reassuringly solid with little to no nonsense and frippery; there’s nary a hint of kale or compressed whatnots. Just hot and cold sandwiches, from the original folks behind Este Pizza, I anticipate quality is going to be decent.

1702 S Main St, South Salt Lake, UT 84115

(801) 487-3354

http://www.yelp.com/biz/este-deli-south-salt-lake

crEATe Donuts – “Desserts have evolved”, begins the website spiel. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably imagining some terminator-esque apocalyptic nightmare right now; cronuts running amok, laying siege to sleepy suburbs.

Thankfully, the evolution here isn’t maniacal-sentience, but the ability to build your own bespoke work of equal sugary madness. Donuts, croissant donuts, crepes, gelato, cookies and more – all ready for you to unwield your creative genius with an array of glazes, fillings, toppings and more.

9305 S Village Shop Dr. Sandy, UT 84094

(801) 790-2738

www.createdonut.com

Even Stevens Ogden * – This local chain of sandwich makers slash all round good guys are now open in Ogden. Now four locations strong, Even Stevens has donated over 350,000 sandwiches to the Utah community, that’s real genuine impact and even if you’re a cold hearted misanthrope – damned good sandwiches.

Brand Director Jamie Coates told me, “Ogden is our ideal city. The resurgence of pride in the historic district, passion for recreation and local love is simply infectious. Ogden was built by a railroad ethic of spirited labor and progress, and we believe that is still very much alive. By serving craft food, supporting local causes and celebrating this unique and growing place – Even Stevens Sandwiches is honored to nail our stake in the ground and take part in it.”

Bonus points: they have shuffleboard to go with the sandwiches and beer at the Ogden location.

2214 Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah

(385) 333-4194

https://www.facebook.com/evenstevensogden

HSL – After a brief hiatus, I’m bouncing around with glee to see one of my favorite chefs return to the SLC dining landscape, Craig Gerome.

Gerome joins Briar Handly as the chef de cuisine at the new Handle Salt Lake, which moves into the space left vacant by the departed Vinto. Joining Handly and Gerome is the incredibly talented Alexa Norlin as pastry chef; rounding out the roster is Tim Smith formerly of Pallet. The quartet promises to not just knock it out of the park, but into a whole different sport (/end hyperbole). Norlin made waves with her desserts at former home Current Fish and Oyster, and Handly’s Park City Handle has received virtually nothing but gushing praise.

Of the SLC offshoot, Handly says, “We want our customers to know that HSL will embrace the same level of service and creativity of Handle, but HSL will be an entirely new experience,” says Chef Briar Handly. “We are thrilled and humbled to be a part of Salt Lake’s thriving culinary atmosphere.” One definitely to keep a beady eye on.

Our sister the site, The Utah Review, also has a little more detail on HSL today too.

418 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 539-9999

www.hslrestaurant.com

Padelis Street Greek – Another build your own concept – this time with a Grecian twist. The menu asks you to “start it, fill it, sauce it and then, finish it”. Presumably eat it is the assumed fifth step.

Brought to you by the folks behind the popular Greek Souvlaki much of the menu is immediately familiar, gyros and fries, spanakopita and dolmas, but there are a few trendy twists. Creamy sriracha sits alongside traditional tzatziki sauce, while a falafel bomb sounds like it might need a warning sticker. And if the ever popular build your own lark has started to wear you down into a babbling idiot – there’s always a range of preset classics.

30 East Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 322-1111

www.padelisstreetgreek.com

Publik Kitchen – Joining the growing Publik empire is this new 9th and 9th outpost. As well as a solid coffee selection you can also grab food from a full breakfast and lunch menu too – all created by chef Alicia Pacheco, formerly of Rye.

931 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

(385) 229-4205

www.publikcoffee.com

A reader notes that this restaurant may in fact now be closed. Suggestions please for the new home of the avocado…

Salsa Fresh – This new North-side eatery offers an eclectic mix of American (burgers, fish and chips), Mexican (tacos, carnitas), and various other South American dishes. Videos of the business and their approach can be found over on Yelp. Also, “home of the avocado” too according to their site – who knew.

2080 W N Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

(385) 229-4399

salsafresh.flavorplate.com

Sicilia Mia – A small, family owned and operated Italian restaurant by folks from Siciliy – just four years transplanted here in fact. For an in depth guide to this the new restaurant, hop on over to our sister site who recently reviewed Sicilia Mia in more detail.

4536 S Highland Dr. Millcreek, UT 84117

(801) 274-0223

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sicilia-mia-millcreek

Sono Sushi Express – A new Japanese option for the University neighborhood, with a strong focus on sushi. Bento boxes and tempura entrees are priced keenly (6.95-8.95) enough that nearby students should now have another relatively affordable option.

1318 East 200 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

(801) 582-2800

http://www.sonosushiexpress.com/home.html

Stanza – Now open in the former Faustina space is this brand spanking new Italian restaurant. I say former space, but the remarkable revamp is practically a completely new building. Designed by Luna Design Studios, the same company behind the restaurant group’s last effort – Current Fish and Oyster – it probably cost an unspeakable amount. Who cares, it’s eye popping stuff of the highest order.

And as you can see from the pictures above, expect the cuisine to be more than a match for all the razzmatazz. Which leads neatly to perhaps the most notable aspect about this new opening; the executive chef heading up the line is none other than Phelix Gardner – previously executive chef with the Pago group of restaurants.

Gardner’s menu looks set to embrace classic Italian with bags of Utah inspiration; and, most uncommonly for Utah, all the pasta is house made. Expect an elevated bar program alongside the cuisine, with the likes of Amy Eldredge and Jimmy Santangelo working their magic at the bar with items like amari, vermouth, grappa selections and featured house made classic Italian sodas.

454 E 300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

(801) 746-4446

www.stanzaslc.com

Sumoritto – Meanwhile, over in Taylorsville more godzilla sized maki rolls are making their mark. But wait there’s more, doubling down on fashionable fare, there’s also a selection of ramen noodle dishes. Rounding out the menu are some fairly routine apps, rice bowls and more drinks than you can shake a boba maker at. Despite my grinch-like suspicions of anything fad driven – the reviews seem gleefully positive enough.

1775 W 5400th S. Taylorsville, UT 84129

(801) 964-9898

www.eatsumorrito.com

Tea Bar – If instead you find yourself on the East side of town and want your boba fix stat, try our this new Taiwanese-styled tea house in Sugarhouse; in roughly same plaza as Spitz and SOMI.

Check out the menu snap above – in addition to the bubble tea, slushies and juices you’ll find a range of snackable small plates that sound downright delicious to me. If you manage to stagger past the alluring charms of Spitz (I’ve got a problem and little shame about it) and try the menu out, please let me know.

Update: A helpful reader responded to my please for info, and indeed confessed to spying Tea Bar while I was awaiting takeout from Spitz… see, it’s just not me. Said reader kindly offered the following advice:

It’s so refreshing to find actual Taiwanese street food in SLC – it’s en pointe. Flavors and offerings are traditional… the first whiff evoked memories of strolling down the famous night markets in the island nation.

Sounds like I (and probably you) need to break my Spitz obsession and try their neighbors.

1201 E Wilmington Ave, Ste 109, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

(385) 322-2120

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tea-bar-salt-lake-city

Zabb Noodles – Gone is the ramshackle ‘will it or won’t it fall on my head’, that was the New Ho Ho Gourmet on 33rd – in it’s place this Chinese restaurant. It’s not all noodling though as the name might imply. Alongside udon, pho, yakisoba and more you will also find several American-Chinese dishes such as orange chicken and beef broccoli.

168 E 3300th S, South Salt Lake, UT 84115

(385) 242-7605

https://www.facebook.com/Zabb-noodles-1645551259034243/

Gastronomic SLC is a proud local partner of Even Stevens. Go eat sandwiches and make a difference people.