Patios, Pancakes and Pastries
By Corinne Humphrey
Nothing sets the tone for summer better than languorous outdoor brunches, where the clink of glasses mingles with birdsong and laughter. For some serious terrace time, try these Salt Lake City hot spots.
At Avenues Bistro on Third, eggs are so fresh, you can hear the chickens clucking from their coop next door. Th e pleasant side patio, surrounded by vegetable gardens and fruit trees, is an idyllic spot to enjoy Trout Benedict, Octopus & Grits, or the more traditional Lulu’s Huevos or Bistro Burger. For a lighter bite, choose from flaky croissants, tomato basil tarts and other delights from the Bistro’s Back Alley Pastries.
Café Trio’s weekend brunch menu sticks close to its Mediterranean roots with breakfast pizza, brunch paninis, and Eggs Italiano, but they also off er popular staples like French Toast and Salmon Hash and Eggs. Lush flower boxes encircle the shaded terrace, and overhead misters keep diners cool on hot summer days.
The Dodo has been a Salt Lake institution for more than 30 years, but its current location across from Sugarhouse Park makes it a great place to work up an appetite for award-winning desserts and pastries. In addition to a classic morning menu, this neighborhood bistro serves up daily specials and surprises like Stacked Polenta and Crab Eggs Benedict. Enjoy the patio with a view of the park.
The Oasis Café offers a peaceful respite from a hectic world. Like a true sanctuary, it’s a place where people are fed, whether they are hungry for food, relaxation or friendship. Popular dishes include German Buttermilk Pancakes, the Vegetable/Potato Hash and Eggs, or the Breakfast Burrito with Salmon Chorizo. Choose a spot near the fountain on the flower-laden patio or in the covered breezeway.
Ruth’s Diner is marking its 86th anniversary this year, making it the second-oldest restaurant in Utah. Its Emigration Canyon location is a popular refueling point for bikers, hikers and Sunday drivers. Known for classic diner fare like Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs, Cinnamon Roll French Toast and their famous Mile-High Biscuits and Country Gravy, they also serve lighter items like quiche and omelettes.
Fresh, local, creative eats is what you’ll find daily at Roots Café, from the house-made veggie sausage, and seasonally inspired pancakes, to the Mediterranean Omelet with spinach, sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and local feta cheese. Savor fresh juices, gourmet coffees, teas or house-made Rosemary Limeade on a pretty patio in Millcreek.
Saturday and Sunday brunch on the patio, complete with beignets, La Caille is a tradition not to be missed. Fresh air, the calls of peacocks, bubbling fountains in beautiful gardens and, of course, gorgeous food completes the perfect summer weekend.
Be a part of the “Brunch Bunch” and get your mornings off to a great start this summer!
