The Salt Lake City Weekly just released their 2009 Dining Guide featuring a round-up of Utah’s Top 100 restaurants, with almost 20% of them located in Park City. City Weekly writer Ted Scheffler has put together an amazing list of restaurants to try, many of my personal favorites, and many that I can’t wait to check out.

So without further ado, here is the list of Park City restaurants that made the Top 100 Utah Restaurant Round-Up:

350 Main New American Brasserie
The menu at 350 Main New American brasserie showcases chef Michael LeClerc’s contemporary flair for seafood and beyond. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, LeClerc worked in Geneva, Thailand, Maui, Deer Valley, New York City and most notably in Paris at Joel Robuchon’s Jamin kitchen before settling down at 350 Main. With dishes like Calypso seafood nage, ono-ono (Pacific ono served two ways), Pacific sea bass with wasabi mashers, and his scrumptious tower of ahi and hamachi, this is a seafood lover’s heaven. But carnivores won’t be disappointed, either: Try the black pepper-crusted venison medallions, duck confit or steak frites that would make Robuchon proud. For the health conscious, 350 also offers their vitamin- and antioxidant-rich/low fat and calorie “Sante” menu.
350 Main St., Park City, 435-649-3140, 350Main.com

Blind Dog Grill & Sushi
In warm weather, the cozy patio in back of Blind Dog Grill & Sushi is the place to be. Two restaurants in one, really, Blind Dog restaurant specializes in scrumptious cooked fish and seafood while Blind Dog Sushi’s forte is, well, sushi. The Blind Dog crabcake is rightfully renowned, served with sauce Louis and frazzled leeks. But equally delectable is the Derrick’s slow-smoked Boston butt, the fried whole pompano, and the seared cobia with black beans and rice. And, of course, Penny’s signature “Dreamloaf” is a perennial favorite at the Blind Dog. On the sushi side, specialties like the Japanese “Bagel,” the Rigger and the Prozac roll really rock, as does The Blind Dog’s extensive wine list. Meanwhile, over at the bar, you’ll always find a gaggle of Park City locals.
1781 Sidewinder Drive, Park City, 435-655-0800, BlindDogGrill.com

Chez Betty
Park City’s Chez Betty restaurant is now in its 16th year. Brothers Tom Bell and Jerry Garcia have operated it since 1996, after taking it over from the previous owners. Over the years, we’ve seen Chez Betty grow and mature. It was one of Utah’s first restaurants to showcase fusion cooking and pan-Asian flavors in combination with the rustic, mountain cuisine befitting a ski town. Many people think of Chez Betty as a “destination” restaurant, but locals know better. The prices at Chez Betty are lower than at many of the town’s higher-end eateries, the restaurant itself is warm and comfy, and the seasoned staffers know most of their repeat customers by name. Plus, there’s free and easy parking at Chez Betty, which is located in the Copper Bottom Inn. This is a restaurant with heart and soul.
1637 Short Line Drive, Park City, 435-649-8181, ChezBetty.com

Chimayo
At Chimayo, Southwestern flavors merge with French-American culinary techniques to create unique offerings such as the London broil of elk, cazuela de striped bass, green pipian-seared trout, Kobe beef and Gulf shrimp kebabs, and the visually spectacular crown roast of barbecued spareribs with chipotle-pineapple glaze. And if you’re looking for the best Margarita in town, look to the award-winning Chimayo Margarita. Chimayo was the second of restaurateur Bill White’s dining empire, which also includes Grappa, Wahso, Windy Ridge Café & Bakery and Ghidotti’s. Today, it’s one of the toughest tickets in town to book during ski season and especially during the Sundance Film Festival.
368 Main, Park City, 435-649-6222, ChimayoRestaurant.com

Ghidotti’s Italian Restaurant
The newest of Park City restaurateur Bill White’s restaurants is, in some ways, his most impressive. It’s certainly the largest, with soaring ceilings, gigantic chandeliers and a lively ambiance. Named for his Italian grandmother, Ghidotti’s was originally conceived as a simple, checkered-tablecloth kind of place. Well, not so much. It’s gorgeous. And so is the food. Kick things off with clams Casino or Tuscan “bistecca” rosemary skewers, then launch into White’s signature shrimp scampi Florentine, and my personal favorite, the melt-in-the-mouth braised beef braciola in thick, rich, tomato sauce and served in the copper pan it was cooked in. The pork osso buco with winter squash is a favorite cold-weather entrée and, for down-home comfort food, try Mamma Ghidotti’s traditional spaghetti with meatballs. Wine manager Mike Brown’s well-selected list simply adds to the superb dining experience at Ghidotti’s.
6030 N. Market Street, Redstone Village, Park City, 435-658-0669, Ghidottis.com

The Glitretind
Deer Valley’s Mobile Five Star-rated Stein Eriksen Lodge is all about luxury, and dining at The Glitretind restaurant is no exception. From the bustling, award-winning, no-holds-barred brunch to intimate dinners in the dining room or on the deck, Glitretind meals are memorable, thanks to the efforts of talented executive chef Zane Holmquist. In combination with sommelier Kara Schwindt, pastry wunder-chef Raymond Lammers and a top-notch staff of seasoned servers, Holmquist orchestrates a symphony of flavors daily. His seared breast of quail with foie gras and plum compote is stunning, and the farm-raised striped bass with wasabi-yuzu “bubbles” is a fish lover’s dream. For the kids and kids-at-heart, there’s the yummy Utah dog, smothered with mac & cheese. And, with Stein’s 10,000-bottle wine cellar, you’re certain to find the perfect match to sip with your perfect meal.
Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, 435-645-6455, SteinLodge.com

Grappa Italian Cafe
This is the restaurant that began Bill White’s Park City restaurant empire. And, for many loyal customers, it’s still his best. Situated in a house at the top of Main Street in Old Town, diners compete for tables in the cozy, busy dining rooms and outside on the sprawling patios in summer. Calamari fritti is always a great place to start a meal, and the duck confit “Carbonara” can’t be beat. For veggie lovers, the tasty grilled eggplant and house-made smoked mozzarella “cannelloni” is terrific, while meat lovers might opt for northern Italian-style pan-seared venison with truffled Barolo herb jus. A superb Italian wine-studded list rounds out the wonderful Grappa experience. And, not surprisingly, Grappa also offers an extensive selection of grappa liqueurs.
151 Main, Park City, 435-645-0636, GrappaRestaurant.com

Jean Louis
Jean Louis Montecot’s eclectic cooking combines Asian, American, Mediterranean, North African and Latin flavors with impeccable French technique. Easily Utah’s most entertaining chef, Normandy-born Jean Louis Montecot worked in some of the world’s best restaurants, including New York City’s La Cote Basque, before landing in Utah. Belly up to the bar at Jean Louis for the assorted charcuterie, steak tartare or classic escargots and a good glass of wine. In the dining room, manager Regis Perret runs a tight ship, and the service is outstanding. The roasted rack of lamb is always a strong entree choice, as is Jean Louis’ trout almandine, the herb-roasted chicken and his Asian-style halibut, with miso and ginger broth and Asian noodles. The best thing, though, about restaurant Jean Louis is that Jean Louis himself is always there, ensuring an evening of enjoyable entertainment from Utah’s wackiest chef.
136 Heber Ave., Park City, 435-200-0260, JeanLouisRestaurant.com

The Mariposa
It’s a bummer that one of Utah’s best restaurants is only open during the ski season. Marvelous things too often come in limited supply and vanish in the blink of an eye. Take the tasting menus at Mariposa, for instance. Executive chef Clark Norris has created two “small portion” tasting menus—one vegetarian, the other with meat and seafood—which serve as a survey of some of Mariposa’s best dishes. I hate using the “melt-in-your-mouth” food descriptor but it’s dead-on for describing Chef Norris’ exquisite sablefish Mariposa: delicate sablefish filet glazed with honey and tamari and bathed in a delightful fresh ginger sauce. Sautéed wild mushrooms and herbed quinoa with roasted cipollini onions, house-dried tomatoes and mushroom broth is a rich, earthy dish, yet somehow light on the palate. Add superb service and a top-notch wine list to all those good flavors and you’ve got a real ski-town winner.
Silver Lake Lodge, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, 435-645-6715, DeerValley.com/Dining

Mustang
After a long stint at The Riverhorse, owner/chef Bill Hufferd opened Park City’s Mustang, which really gives him the opportunity to strut his culinary stuff. Mustangs are wild and untethered. That pretty much describes this Mustang. Bold flavors meet with an equally bold décor at Mustang, a mix of modern art, interesting architecture and eclectic cuisine. The duck- and Jack-cheese-filled pasilla chile relleno at Mustang is an absolute must for a starter. On the entrée side of the menu, it’s hard to argue with grilled Honduran lobster topped with Texas ruby-red grapefruit salsa, although the Utah red trout in lemon-butter sauce is mighty appealing, too. When it comes time for dessert, just throw in the towel and order the “Double Black Diamond” flourless chocolate cake with chocolate Hagen-Dazs, Godiva chocolate sauce and chocolate espresso beans.
890 Main St., Park City, 435-658-3975, MustangParkCity.com

Reef’s Kitchen
Reef’s Kitchen, located in the Marriott Plaza district of Park City, is named for the chef/owner’s son, Reef—your first tip that Reef’s Kitchen is a family affair. Owner Asi Yoked’s wife also works there, his sister works there, and so do his parents on occasion. Well, the falafel is fantastic, and the babaghanouj is also great. But order a glass of wine or cardamom tea and carefully peruse the menu. In addition to kebabs, hummus and stuffed grape leaves are specialty dishes such as Moroccan salmon, couscous and Jerusalem shishlik (skewered, marinated leg of lamb)—I suppose you could call this Middle Eastern fusion cuisine. Sides of mejadarra and tabbouleh are terrific, and I suggest winding up your meal with sesame-spiked halva cookies or basbousa, a semolina coconut cake.
710 Main, Park City, 435-658-0323, ReefsKitchen.com

Royal Street Café
Located mid-mountain at Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Lodge, Royal Street Café is a perfect spot in summer, when the crowds thin out and one can enjoy a leisurely lunch on the sunny deck supplemented with fine wines and killer cocktails. The yellowfin tuna tartare appetizer is a terrific beginning to a meal and the renowned Deer Valley turkey chili is justifiably famous. While at Royal Street, consider taking the award-winning (Best Park City Cocktail) St. Germaine Elderflower cocktail for a spin. Hungry? The chipotle barbecue burger with Royal Street’s shoestring fries is a real whopper! And the best BLT I’ve ever had was the DVBLT (cherry chutney and Dijon-tarragon mayo make the difference). By all means, don’t think of escaping without sinking your teeth into Royal Street’s decadent ice cream sandwich.
Silver Lake Lodge, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, 435-645-6724, DeerValley.com

Seafood Buffet
During ski season when it’s open, Deer Valley’s Seafood Buffet can be a tough ticket, especially on weekends. So, phone early for reservations. Then pat yourself on the back for a job well done, because you’re about to encounter a truly decadent dining experience. This is not your father’s buffet. That is, not unless it included fresh sushi and sashimi, freshly shucked oysters, piles and piles of Tiger shrimp and Dungeness crab, house-smoked salmon, firecracker shrimp, steamed clams and mussels, calamari and herring in red-wine vinaigrette. And that’s just for starters. Pace yourself, because you don’t want to miss out on the glazed Muscovy duck breasts, succulent prime rib, yellowfin tuna with wasabi cream, sea bass in ginger sauce or any of the dozens of other dishes that make the Seafood Buffet a true smorgasbord for foodies. And don’t even get me started on the huge dessert selection. Eat till you can’t see your feet.
Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley Resort, Park City, 435-645-6632, DeerValley.com/dining

Shabu
“Freestyle Asian cuisine” is what Shabu owners and brothers Kevin and Robert Valaika call what they do at Shabu. At Shabu, there’s a lively bar scene where sushi and sake are consumed by happy patrons, and in the dining room, Shabu Shabu is a popular favorite, where you are the chef. Shabu shabu is sort of Asian-style fondue, where you dip ingredients (meat, seafood, veggies) from a bento box into an assortment of hot freshly made broths: Thai-coconut, vegetarian or dashi-mirin. Effectively, you cook your dinner yourself at your table, and it’s a fun way to dine, not to mention delicious. If you’d prefer to have chef Robert (formerly of Nobu) cook for you, try his freestyle sea bass, wok-seared diver scallops, coconut-crusted tofu, or moo shu duck. If you’re of adult age and so inclined, be sure to try one of Shabu’s signature saketinis.
333 Main, Park City, 435-645-SAKE, ShabuPC.com

Spruce
Located in the gorgeous Dakota Mountain Lodge at The Canyons resort, this is the “sister” restaurant to San Francisco’s Spruce. As with the California version, everything about Park City’s Spruce is first-class. A long white Carrera marble bar and Baccarat crystal chandeliers greet customers as they make their way to a dining room bordered with chocolate-colored mohair walls and faux ostrich-covered chairs. Chef Mark Sullivan’s menu features an extensive cheese and charcuterie selection (a good place to start), along with temptations such as his foie gras torchon with macerated and preserved nectarines, sweetbreads Lyonnais, honey-lacquered duck breast, olive oil-poached wild salmon, and grilled bavette steak. A superbly well-thought-out wine selection puts Spruce in a class of its own.
2100 Frostwood Drive, Park City, 435-647-5566, SprucePC.com

Squatters Pub Brewery
For 20 years now, Squatters has been making award-winning microbrews and satisfying hungry customers with an eclectic pub menu featuring dishes like muhammara, carnitas, tandoori chicken, ahi spring roll salad, and the bodacious King Canyon buffalo burger. Over the past two decades, much has changed at Squatters but not the commitment to good food, drink and service in tandem with a serious commitment to both the environment and the community. Owners Peter Cole and Jeff Polychronis, along with their employees, consider it a necessity, not a luxury, to do good deeds in their community. In the process, they’ve also won countless awards for their beers. So the success of Squatters does, I suppose, come down to good food, good beer and good people. What a concept.
147 West Broadway, Salt Lake City, 801-363-2739, Squatters.com

Wahso
The concept behind Wahso is Shanghai in the 1930s, all Art Deco and Victorian, with imported Asian screens, an ebony fireplace, private dining rooms reminiscent of Orient Express sleeper cars … in other words, an eye-popping restaurant filled with a collection of Asian artifacts from around the world. Amazingly, the food at Wahso manages to match the lofty ambiance. Make a light meal out of selections from the Asian tapas menu, such as ahi tuna and mango tartare or Mekong Delta-style mussels. More substantial entrees include shallot- and thyme-roasted scallops, South Indian “Batata Bhaji” chicken, and Korean barbecued salmon. Of course, a selection from Wahso’s incredible wine and drink list won’t hurt. Sip some top-shelf sake, a fun wine flight like “Gone Sideways,” or a signature cocktail such as the Green Tea Energizer. And, if you’re in the mood for romance, request the table known affectionately as “the love shack.”
577 Main, Park City, 435-615-0300, Wahso.com

This list of Park City Restaurants has been put together by Ted Scheffler of Salt Lake’s City Weekly. Please visit his entire Top 100 Utah Restaurant list here. What’s your favorite restaurant in Park City? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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