A popular Utah coffee roaster offers something new: Dinner service

This article is excerpted from the Utah Eats newsletter. To get the full newsletter every Wednesday, subscribe at sltrib.com/newsletters.

Hello, Eaters! The Publik name is somewhat of an institution in Salt Lake City, a small-batch craft coffee roaster with cafes in the 9th & 9th neighborhood, the Avenues, by the University of Utah and off West Temple.

So when I heard that Publik owner/founder Missy Greis and executive chef Jason Sanders had decided to serve a dinner menu at Publik Kitchen, at 931 E. 900 South, my ears immediately perked up. (By the way, the server shown waiting on the Salt Lake City movers and shakers in the photo at top, Zack Ingwersen, was also our server when we visited and did a great job.)

This is the first time that a Publik location has had a dinner service, Sanders said. Up until dinner hours started at the beginning of August, all the cafes would close by 6 p.m. Publik Kitchen, specifically, closed at 2:30 p.m. daily, after serving breakfast, brunch and lunch.

But now, Publik Kitchen reopens for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m., a change that Greis (pictured above) told me activates the new building two nights a week and gets good use out of the restaurant’s liquor license. And in the 9th & 9th neighborhood specifically, Greis said Publik stands out because it isn’t a bar like East Liberty Tap House, or a fine-dining restaurant like Pago.

“We’re a place where you can come and you can bring your children and have a cocktail, and we have food that is really elevated,” Greis said.

Not too elevated, though, according to Sanders. “I’m trying to make really good food that is approachable by anybody, and that doesn’t scare you away,” he said.

With a curated menu that features a couple of shared plates (I recommend the burrata, of course, pictured below), a couple of salads, two bowls and five mains, plus one dessert, it’s easy to decide on something to eat without getting overwhelmed. And everything my dining companion and I tried was delicious.

And that’s not to mention that with its two patios, Publik Kitchen is just a lovely place to enjoy dinner: Soak up that golden hour light on the south patio, or enjoy the fresh air and shade on the side patio, like we did.

To read more about my favorite dishes at Publik Kitchen, scroll down to the “Dish of the Week” section of this newsletter.

Live deliciously,

Kolbie

Food News

• This summer and continuing into September, Picnic Cafe, at 1329 S. 500 East in Salt Lake City, has been hosting dinner service with Proyecto Xilonen (@proyectoxilonen) and chef Jean Mendieta. Held every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30 to 9 p.m., these meals have featured Mesoamerican ingredients and a fresh, ever-changing menu. A full espresso bar, beer and wine are also available. No reservations are needed, but if you have a larger party, you can make a reservation by calling 801-467-2947. Picnic Cafe is also holding a series of workshops through November in conjunction with this dinner service; visit @picnicSLC on Instagram for details.

• Sept. 24 is the last of Cena Ristorante’s Wine & Dine Wednesdays, which have been relaxed meals held every Wednesday during September inside The Chateaux Deer Valley, at 7815 Royal Street East in Park City. The menu changes each week, and includes a special margherita pizza, appetizer and entree, all chosen by new executive chef Tobin Torrez. The meal is $64 per guest, or $32 per guest for food only.

Openings:

• Another business has opened in the new Milk Block development, called Dear Coco, at 428 E. 900 South, Suite 103 in Salt Lake City, according to an Instagram post. Dear Coco looks to be a cute gift boutique that also offers coffee and grab & go pastries.

• Dave’s Hot Chicken has just opened a new location in Logan at 1065 N. Main St., according to a news release. This chain is known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and has a location coming soon to Riverton, in addition to its existing locations in Orem and Sugar House.

• The Honey Baked Ham Company has opened a new location in Riverdale at 748 W. Riverdale Road, according to a news release. As the holidays come up (!!!), this spot would be a good one to keep in mind for an easy holiday meal.

Dish of the Week

When my dining companion and I went to dinner at Publik Kitchen last weekend, my favorite things were the pork chop — which comes with a zingy peach mostarda, asparagus and orzo alfredo — and the basque cheesecake.

The brined pork chop was really flavorful, especially with the peaches, but I couldn’t get over the creamy orzo. Sanders said they make that orzo to order, using just cream, parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic and shallots. I could’ve eaten a plate heaped with that orzo.

And then the cheesecake was so beautiful and simple, a decadently dense texture, offset with a mouthwatering blueberry compote. This dessert was just enough of a sweet note to end the meal on, but in no way overpowering.