By Amy Roberts
Sometimes, the perfect place to meet for drinks turns into the ideal place to stay and have dinner. And when the conversation flows as well as the wine, no one wants the evening to end. Here are five Park City restaurants where cocktail hour seamlessly dissolves into a delectable dinner.
Montage
Located in the prestigious Empire Pass area, Montage Deer Valley boasts jaw-dropping views, architecture, artwork and finishes—not to mention mouth-watering cuisine. Dining choices at Montage include the new Burgers & Bourbon, which features eight signature burgers and more than 100 whiskeys and bourbons from around the world, and Apex, the hotel’s more upscale dining option.
Apex features continental cuisine and locally grown produce, cheeses and meats. And the wine list practically requires its own passport—featuring wines from ski regions including France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand.
Burgers & Bourbon offers award-winning cocktails, like the Mountain Derby, winner of the Park City Cocktail Contest. After dinner, guests can compete at English darts, play a nostalgic arcade game or even go bowling at Daly’s Pub.
Glitretind at Stein Eriksen Lodge
Glitretind is Norwegian for “shiny mountain” but it might as well translate to “four-star dining and impeccable service” as well.
Located in the Stein Eriksen Lodge (Utah’s only Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond hotel), the Glitretind echoes elements of Norway’s traditional style—both in the food and the furnishings. It also pays homage to Norway’s most famous skier, and the hotel’s namesake, Stein Eriksen.
Award-winning Executive Chef Zane Holmquist changes the menu seasonally, always focusing on fresh, local and sustainable ingredients for his dishes. Family recipes passed down from his Swedish grandmother also dot the menu.
And if you’re not sure which bottle of wine to pair with your dinner, just ask the sommelier. With over 10,000 bottles on hand, no doubt there’s a perfect pairing in house. For an extra special evening, schedule a private wine seminar in the on-site cellar lead by one of the certified sommeliers.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Hotel Park City
If you’re hoping to add a little sizzle to your evening, dining at Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the way to go, because literally, the plates are sizzling. The restaurant’s USDA prime grade steaks are served piping hot, on a 500°F plate.
While Ruth Chris promises your dinner will be “the greatest steak you’ve ever had,” it might just be the best service you’ve ever had too, because the Park City steak house is rated #1 in the Western United States for guest satisfaction.
The restaurant is located inside the award-winning Hotel Park City, and those dining outside on the patio will enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, the 18-hole golf course and the hotel’s outdoor pool. In addition to a wide variety of succulent U.S. Prime steaks the menu also features gourmet seafood and New Orleans- inspired appetizers.
J&G Grill at The St Regis Deer Valley
You’ve heard the expression “Just getting there is half the fun,” and that’s certainly true at the J&G Grill, where a Swiss-crafted funicular transports guests over 550 feet up the mountainside to the hotel.
Upon arrival, you’ll notice an impressive 13,000 bottle wine vault, that is, if you can get past the picturesque views, ushered in through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Chef de Cuisine Shane Baird prepares innovative dishes with all ingredients sourced locally (except for the seafood). The summer menu is at once inspiring and delightful, and includes locals’ favorites like the beet Carpaccio with fresh ricotta and crystallized wasabi, black truffle pizza with Fontina cheese and a salted caramel sundae served with peanuts and candied popcorn.
Guests can opt to dine at the communal 24-person table, the “Chef’s Table” for 10, the private dining room, or outdoors on the magnificent Mountain Terrace.
Riverhorse On Main
If restaurants were like the Oscars, Riverhorse on Main would be an epic film that takes home Best Director, Best Picture and Best Actor. Nestled in the heart of historic Old Town, Riverhorse is one of just 152 restaurants in the world to have been named a Four-Star destination by Forbes, and one of only 800 in the world to receive a DiRoNA award for “Achievement of Distinction in Dining.” Other accolades include a AAA Four-Diamond rating.
Its ideal Main Street location, trendy urban vibe and Executive Chef Seth Adams’ menu which rotates based on seasonal and creative demands, ensures a fabulous dining experience. Standouts include the macadamia-nut-crusted Alaskan halibut and the trio of wild game featuring North American buffalo, venison chop and elk.
Indeed, these five restaurants are the perfect places to be when happy hour extends to an enchanted evening.
