This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Two cutting-edge chefs are starting another "pop up" restaurant in Salt Lake City this month.
Sushi chef Jonas Otsuji (a recent competitor on "Survivor") and culinary instructor Katie Weinner, (who was the head development chef for The Mist Project, another pop up restaurant) have launched SLC Alchemist.
The pair plans to offer a different 12-course tasting dinner once a month. The first event is Saturday, April 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. It will take place at the Fergusen Showroom, 2565 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City. It's an exclusive event with only 30 seats. Cost is $149 per person, not including tax, tip or wine. However, customers can BYOB.
Pop-up restaurants are a national trend that have been springing up over the past few years in cities all over the country. These temporary establishments go by all sorts of different names, everything from "underground" to "guerilla." But they all follow the here-today-and-gone tomorrow mentality
Last year, the trend started in Salt Lake City with the start of By Invitation Only. And earlier this year, The Mist Project increased the intrique. Now Weinner at Otsuji's are jumping in.
Both have impressive culinary resumes. Weinner graduated from the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver and worked at Plumpjack Café in Squaw Valley. She currently a culinary instructor at the Art Institute of Salt Lake City. Otsuji trained with Master Sushi Chef Kunio Jimbo and worked at Sushi Roku, the top-rated sushi bar in Las Vegas.