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Last month, The Salt Lake Tribune shared the story of pandemic-safe dining globes at Cafe Galleria in Midway. Since then, we’ve discovered more restaurants with creative outdoor dining structures.
Log Haven has installed a large tentlike structure, called the Winter Conservatory, over its existing outdoor patio. Fresh air is brought in through floor heater vents.
Ruth’s Diner has heated greenhouses over its patio tables — complete with twinkling lights. Seating is first come, first served.
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Similar to Cafe Galleria, Stein Eriksen Lodge has installed four Alpenglobes for its self-contained deck dining experience. If you’re not staying at the lodge, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can make advance reservations.
The outdoor igloos at Wasatch Brewery in Salt Lake City and Park City have festive lights, heaters, blankets, air purifiers and enough room for eight people. By reservation only: party@wasatchbeers.com or 801-328-2329 ext. 1238.
The air flows freely under the new heated pergola outside Caputo’s Market on 1500 South and 1500 East. And the downtown location is opening its large garage doors, making it an outdoor patio inside. Owner Matt Caputo says it’s BYOB — bring your own blanket.
Pallet closes indefinitely
Salt Lake City’s Pallet restaurant has closed for the foreseeable future, chef and co-owner Buzz Willey announced on social media.
Dec. 5 was the last day of business at the downtown eatery, which opened in 2012 at 237 S. 400 West.
Due to the pandemic, he said, “we can no longer sustain a viable level of business.”
Willey paid a tribute to his Pallet employees “for making my dreams come true” and thanked guests for their support. He also asked Utah diners to help restaurants that are staying open.
“Please continue to support our friends in the local industry,” he said. “There are so many talented and creative businesses that need you.”
New Cottonwood Heights distillery
Cottonwood Heights is now home to a modern-day distillery.
On Tuesday, Eight Settlers Distillery and Restaurant opened at 7321 S. Canyon Centre Parkway.
As the name suggests, it’s both a production facility and restaurant, and is initially serving dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Expanded hours for lunch will be coming in the future.
Owners Katia and Radu Dugala launched the distillery with three small-batch spirits: Ragtime, a blended American whiskey; Devil’s Gate, a bourbon whiskey; and Butler, a grain vodka.
They hired Eric Miller, the former chef at Sundance Mountain Resort, to oversee the kitchen. He has created a gourmet menu with appetizers, soups, salads, braised meat and vegetarian entrees.
The Dugalas named the project after the eight families who, in the mid-1800s, settled between Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, an area rich with water, timber, minerals and granite.
More fried chicken
Utah’s fried chicken frenzy continues as the growing Super Chix chain announced recently that it will open new stores in Riverton, Spanish Fork and St. George in early 2021.
The fast-casual restaurant specializes in chicken sandwiches, tenders and hand-cut fries. It opened its first Utah location in American Fork in February. It was the first Super Chix located outside of Texas and Alabama.
Salt Box Eatery opens
Seth Adams, the chef-owner of Riverhorse on Main and Provision, recently opened a third Park City eatery.
Salt Box Eatery and Catering is located in the former Good Karma space at 1792 Prospector Ave. and will be the home base for Riverhorse Hospitality’s catering services.
It also will be open to the public and “will fill a need for locals, visitors and small businesses in the Prospector neighborhood by offering grab-and-go items at a comfortable price point.”
The menu includes coffee, espresso, fresh juices, pastries, housemade breakfast burritos, sandwiches, wraps, soups and paninis.
It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Indoor seating is limited, but there will be an outdoor patio in the summer months.
Follow @kathystephenson