This was my first year attending the Eat Drink SLC event and it won’t be my last! An event filled with local restaurants offering seasonal small bites, 80+ wines from around the world, including numerous boutique and family-owned wineries, all the while enjoying the ambiance of the evening with live music while walking the beautiful grounds at the Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Eat Drink SLC began just four years ago and has sold out every single year. This isn’t just an event for locals to nibble and sip on unique foods and wines but it also has a purpose. All proceeds benefit local non-profits that strengthen our community, bringing awareness to those in need and highlighting our art and culinary scene. Eat Drink SLC has raised over $45,000 for worthy causes such as Comunidades Unidas, Race Swami, Tracy Aviary, SB Dance and Neighborhood House.
Cucina Wine Bar-Tuna Poke, Guajillo Chile, Mango, Avocado, Sesame & Wonton. I definitely plan to get into this restaurant asap to enjoy other menu options.
Blended Table-Utah Corn & Heirloom Tomato Salad with Smokey Mary’s Chicken served on Bruschetta. So damn good! Seriously, why haven’t I discovered this place before now??!
Fire and Slice Wood Fire Pizza-Oven baked Herbed Goat Cheese with Rosemary Parmesan Flatbread. Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Red Sauce & Rosemary Olive Oil. Keeping them in mind for my next catering event!
Lake Effect-Smoked Pork Tostadas, Corn Salad, Radish, Cotija, and Cilantro. Need I say more?
Café Niche-Shrimp & Grits—Grilled Shrimp, Creamy Jalapeno Polenta, Seared Shrimp & Candied Bacon. I could have easily had this all night long!
Manoli’s-Whipped Red Chile Feta Spread, Crostini and Seasonal Pickles. This is also one of the restaurants on my radar, I want to go visit very soon!
Stanza-Cantaloupe & Caramelized Watermelon Bruschetta, Mint Chevre, Prosciutto Mini Tarlets with Pomegranate, Caramel, Solstice Madagascar Chocolate Ganache. Favorite restaurant of the night!
Libations;
Think Global Wines-If you live in Utah, both these wines can be special ordered through the DABC website under Online Services. Envidiacochina Albarino, Rias Baixas 2016-Favorite white of the night! Light, refreshing, high acidity, citrus and mineral notes. $26.69 El Pedrosal Ribera del Duero 2015-Great complexity on the nose and palate. Cherry, spice, earthy, and chocolate. Smooth tannins, very balanced wine beginning to end. $22.99
Piattelli Vineyards– Premium Malbec, Mendoza 2015-Big tannins, aromas of blueberry, stone, baking spices and a pepper finish. Utah peeps, you can special order this one for $14.99 Trinita Grand Reserve, Mendoza 2014-BIG in every way! Loved this red. Great Bordeaux style blend. Blackberry, vanilla and chocolate. No need to special order this one, available at liquor/wine stores for $24.99. I will be running out to get this one tomorrow!
Terrestoria Wine Imports-loved the red wines I tasted here! Apologize for not taking better notes on these ones. Extraordinary red wines with unique character and complexity due to the volcanic soil they come from.
A few honorable mentions of the night; Laurent Perrier Brut, Champagne (available at the liquor/wine store for $48.99). Mira Winery; really enjoyed their 2014 Napa Valley Syrah ($45.13) and the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($49.51). Both available at the liquor/wine store.
And last but not least, some of my favorite Rosés of the night: Adelsheim Rosé, Willamette Valley 2017 $16.99 Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé, Champagne $90.95 Piattelli Rosé of Malbec, Mendoaza 2017 $16.99
I’m already looking forward to celebrating with Eat Drink SLC next year. Bravo for putting on such a phenomenal event. I’ll see you then, cheers!
~B