If you want a quick overview of this week’s dining reviews in Salt Lake City, head on over to Gastronomic Salt Lake City (no affiliation to us here at ASKSLC). In five minutes you will have an overview of what reviewers are saying about some of the best (and worst) restaurants in the city. You may even find that special place you want to head to this weekend.

This week includes:

• Cafe Trang
• Bohemian Brewery
• Left Fork Grill
• Market Street Grill
• Acme Burger Company

Definitely recommended reading!!

Step into the Bohemian Brewery’s log-cabin style restaurant, and you make think you’ve entered Willy Wonka’s version of Oktoberfest; a big boar’s head hangs on the wall, a huge fireplace sits in the dining room, and beer steins are as large as milk jugs. While the decor may be a bit over the top, the food satisfies, the wait staff is friendly, and it all works together to provide a great experience.

The Bohemian brewery got its start in 2002, just before the Olympics. It offers a varied menu focusing on Central European staples such as brats, roast pork, and schnitzel with a touch of bar food thrown in for good measure.

Food

We have been to the Bohemian 3 or 4 times and on the latest visit we mainly stayed with items authentic to the restaurant’s Czech/German roots. However, we decided to start with standard bar fair; beginning with the VERY LARGE Brew Master’s Basket (everything seems bigger here). The basket included calamari, garlic fries, bread, and roasted garlic bulbs. The calamari and fries were good but generally what you would expect from a bar and grill. The roasted garlic bulb, though, was a delicious surprise. One of my dining companions commented that it was better than what he’s had at La Caille (that’s not saying as much as it used to, but the bulb was very good). It had great flavor and a consistency that typically comes from an upscale restaurant. If you want to keep the troops happy until dinner arrives, the basket is a good choice.

Our main courses included the Pierogies & Bratwurst, Bavarian Brats & Mashed Potatoes, and the Chicken Paprikash with Spätzle. These were the most perfect combination of comfort foods I have tasted at a restaurant. The brats were cooked perfectly, with a slight hint of spice. The pierogies, which are dumplings filled with potatoes, were completely satisfying . The Chicken Paprikash, which has a sour cream and paprika sauce, defines comforting. You expect the orange paprika sauce to be overly rich and spicy, but instead it perfectly compliments the chicken breast. The sauce wraps the chicken like a blanket and provides a soft and silky texture to the meat. It was served with spätzle, which I had never tasted before. It reminded me of eating a heartier form of scrambled eggs (with a little more consistency). The spätzle’s had a flavor that was subtle but tasty and turned out to be very filling.

The most surprising aspect of the Bohemian Brewery was how well the parts of a dish complimented each other. The pierogies and mashed potatoes completed the brats. The spätzle matched well with paprika sauce and chicken. I could tell a great deal of thought has been put into each of the dishes in order to make complete meals. You don’t often find this level of pairing at an upscale restaurant, let alone a brewery.

Drinks

The Bohemian Brewery specializes, of course, in beer. They offer four beers, a Czech Pilsner, a Viennese, a Wheat, and Cherny Bock. We tried all of them expect the bock and were happy with each of them. I probably like Squatter’s beer a little better, but you might have different tastes. I would recommend that you try a few (if you drink beer) because you’ll probably find one you like. I am particularly fond of the Viennese which is a little darker than an ale and slightly malty.

The wine list leaves a lot to be desired. There’s nothing too interesting to try, but this is a brewery, so that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Ambiance & Service

This is a fun, vibrant restaurant. On the Saturday we visited, it was packed from floor to rafters with patrons. The taxidermied animals and log cabin walls tend to make the restaurant feel slightly cheesy but at least it’s interesting. The wait staff was constantly scurrying to keep up with the crowd but was attentive to our table. Our waitress was able to provide accurate descriptions of the food and provided great suggestions.

Recommendation

I have enjoyed each of my trips to the Bohemian, but this last trip was the best. Previously I ordered burgers which were fine, but the authentic European food made this visit. I would recommend the restaurant to anyone looking for comfort food, wants a hearty meal after skiing, or desires above average bar food.
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Tip #1: Don’t ask the waitress for a “big beer.” She may bring you the Manly which is served in the largest mug I have ever seen, unless of course you want that big of a beer.

Tip #2: Weekends are busy. Get there before 6:30 or after 8:00 if you don’t want to wait very long.

Bohemian Brewery
94 E 7200 S, Midvale, UT
(801) 566-5474

I was at the liquor store in Sugar House, trying to find a new wine, when I came across The Gallo Twin Valley Hearty Burgundy. I couldn’t resist, as it was only $3.95. It reminded me of heading to Trader Joe’s in California, where I could find a decent bottle for a few bucks. So what do you get in Utah for $3.95?

A headache.

This wine had rated an 84 with one of the enthusiast magazines, which classifies it as a GOOD wine. I am not sure where that came from, but it was a drinkable wine. It tasted a lot like many of the boxed wines I have tried but maybe not quite as good. Very little fruit was apparent but there weren’t any tannins either (that dry puckering sensation you get on some red wines). It was very, very, very soft.

I had about two glasses of wine and left the rest. But the wine didn’t leave me.

The next morning I awoke to the worst headache, much like you got from Boone’s Strawberry Hill when you were 16. I suppose that isn’t surprising since this probably costs less than Strawberry Hill.

The experience re-affirmed the most important lesson about Salt Lake City Wine.

#1… Always go to one of the Wine stores
#2… If you want something cheap ($6-$7), buy a red wine from Spain

Curry in a Hurry has two locations in Salt Lake City, one near downtown and the other near 20th & State. Tonight I tried the latter and it offered decent Indian food.

Upon walking into the small restaurant you will want to look at the menu board which will outline the Indian (mostly curries with various meats and vegetables) and Pakistani (wraps, etc.) food available. There are probably about 10 basic menu items to choose from. Each of these is served immediately from metal containers in front of you, so you receive your food faster than if you were at McDonald’s.

Food

A basic curry costs about $6 and comes with rice. For about $9 you get a combo which comes with your curry, rice, sliced pita bread (no naan, very disappointing!!!!) and a vegetable. I tried the chicken curry and had potatoes for my vegetable. The chicken in the curry was excellent. Each bite of chicken tasted very spicy and the herbs danced on my tongue. The sauce by itself with the rice was so-so. It didn’t have as much flavor as I expected. The rice was a little mashed, but since it was near closing time at 7PM, it wasn’t surprising. The potatoes had a nice flavor, similar to the sauce, but weren’t anything special.

The curry wasn’t as good as the ones I have tasted at Bombay House or Tandoor. Of course, it’s 40% cheaper too. To be fair, you do get more food at Bombay House, where they serve the entree family style. Curry in a Hurry provides a single serving, really best enjoyed at lunch.

Ambiance

Much like the food, the decor is sparse. There are a few tables and a bar that runs along the window. The space is pretty tight and wouldn’t hold more than 10-15 people. Again, it would be great for lunch but not well suited for that first date (unless you needed to get your food in two minutes).

Recommendation

We’ll head back to Curry in a Hurry. It was decent food at the right price. My wife and I could try two dishes for $12. If you need a quick place to get lunch or to satisfy your Indian food craving, you may want to give it a try.

Curry in a Hurry
2020 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 322-2044

210 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 323-7030

Five miles up Emigration Canyon, and about two miles farther than Ruth’s Diner, lies a small roadside restaurant called The Sun & Moon Cafe. Walking up to the restaurant one would gather that it is much like Ruth’s Diner with simple but (hopefully) delicious food. However, Sun & Moon tries to be a little more by offering both a basic brunch and an upscale dinner. We hear that they do a great job with the brunch, but unfortunately the same can’t be said for their evening service (at least on the nights we’ve been there). It’s like day and night.

Food

We’ve been to Sun & Moon a number of times for dinner. We typically visit on Thursday nights and have appetizers and burgers. We were drawn to the restaurant because it’s low-key, locally owned, and unusual (they also had 20% off on Thursday “Locals” nights). On those nights the burgers were average, tasting a lot like Costco Angus burgers and the appetizers were above average (the chicken quesadillas are good). This time we decided to go on a weekend night and order from the upscale, special entree menu.

We started with the Goat Cheese and Chorizo Quesadilla and our first few bites were delicious. The goat cheese was smooth and rich, while the chorizo sausage added nice spice to the dish. It would be delightful with a glass of white or red wine. Unfortunately, less than 60 seconds after the quesadilla was delivered, our waitress brought our main course. This was a complete disaster. We were left to decide do we let our main meals get cold or stop eating the delicious appetizer. We decided to move on and try not to let this annoying mistake cloud our judgment.

My wife had the Ono, which is a white fish that was served with rice and vegetables. It was bland and unmemorable. As she stated, she could have made the same or better dish at home. That’s saying something when her specialty is pancakes. The rice had no flavor, leaving the steamed vegetables to be the highlight of her dinner.

I dined on the Blackened Pork Tenderloin. It had a honey and riesling reduction sauce that was delicious. It was both sweet and spicy. Unfortunately it was also extra-crispy; so much so that it felt like it was cutting the inside of my mouth when I took a bite. The inside of the pork wasn’t much better as it was incredibly dry. A more resourceful and demanding diner would have sent their food back, but we would have had to go back into the kitchen to get our server’s attention. Instead, I cut away the crispy edges and dined on the dry center of the meat. It’s not the way you expect your $19 Pork Tenderloin to be enjoyed. The highlight of my meal was the rosemary potato gratin. Not that it made up for my “pork crispy,” but it was edible.

Drinks

Sun & Moon’s beer list is smart and interesting. While it doesn’t rival the Bayou’s selection, it does have over twenty beers, with many pilsners and wheat beers from Europe. We would recommend skipping the familiar local micro brews and trying the Ayinger wheat beer from Bavaria. It is delicious.

We didn’t have wine this evening but have before. On many Thursday nights Sun & Moon offers a wine-flight tasting of 3 or 5 wines and has a wine expert at the restaurant to explain each wine. It’s a nice way to try wines you might otherwise not taste. In general, though, the wine list seems pretty comparable to what you find elsewhere in the city. If you wanted a glass, you would likely find something to meet your needs.

Service

We have had the same waitress each time we’ve been to the restaurant. While she has never been overly friendly, this evening was a new low. We had a total of five interactions with her during our meal: ordering, delivery of beer, delivery of appetizer, delivery of main course, and delivery of check. She never checked on our meal or asked if we wanted another beer. I was parched after that cracker-like tenderloin. She only had one other table and could  be seen chatting and laughing with the cook in the kitchen.

In general there was a complete lack of attention to detail. No plates were delivered with our appetizer, forcing us to eat off the appetizer plate. The meal was delivered so quickly after our appetizer, that I’m surprised the server took two trips. And did I mention that we were parched? When we were ready to pay, we couldn’t even find her to give her our credit card, and this place is small.We have not had this bad of service in over a decade, and when a main course goes for $20, you expect more. When a main course goes for even $5, you would expect more than we received this night.

Ambiance

The renovations to the restaurant, especially the paint, have updated the feel of the restaurant. It looks very crisp and inviting. Local artists’ efforts decorate the walls, and if you like a certain work, it can be purchased. This evening they had live music, which was a welcome change from many SLC restaurants. However, the music was very loud which made conversation difficult.

Recommendation

The moon should set on Sun & Moon. While we haven’t tried breakfast, people say it’s delicious. We can’t say the same for dinner. The food didn’t live up to its price tag. The service was horrible. We won’t go back and would recommend that you save your money. If you do go, try the quesadillas (chicken or goat cheese) and a German beer (if you drink). As they say, if you don’t expect too much, you might not be let down (sincere apologies to the Gin Blossoms).

Tip #1: While our dinner trips have rated from average to horrendous, their breakfast sounds better. Check out this review of breakfast on the Salt Lake Tribune.

Sun & Moon Cafe
5205 Emigration Canyon, Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 583-8331

We stumbled on Baxter’s American Restaurant during its first week in operation. While that’s usually a recipe for disaster, the only mistake made by anyone was by me, not starting with the ceviche. This restaurant represents what Salt Lake City needs more of; a warm and cosy space, staffed by competent and friendly people, with basic but outstanding food.

At the Gateway

Baxter’s is located at the Gateway, in the old Union Pacific rail building, next to The Depot musical venue. It replaces the uneven Butterfly Restaurant, which evidently could no longer take the “meat-eating” scene and flew back to San Francisco. In its place sits a restaurant that describes its tomato soup as Comforting and its burger as “A Very Large Hamburger.” But don’t let their wit and basic comfort food fool you into thinking this is another T.G.I. Friday’s. If tomato soup isn’t your style, go for the Ceviche (more on that later). If you aren’t in the mood for the burger, try the Wine-Braised Lamb Shank. From what we tried and saw, you won’t be disappointed.

I have to admit that I looked at the menu online before arriving at the restaurant and I was worried. After you write enough reviews you start to ask yourself questions like, “how would I approach this menu.” At the top of menu sits a section called TO ORDER BEFORE YOU ORDER with items like pizza and onion rings. Next comes APPETIZERS with calamari, various salads, cheese, and soup. Then it moves into MAIN COURSES and SPECIALTIES. I just couldn’t imagine sitting down and ordering onion rings, followed by a salad, and then digging into Meat Loaf. It was a bit unusual and took me aback. Those fears were quelled when we sat down and my wife took one look at the menu and said “There are so many choices and they all look great.” I then realized my approach was completely wrong. Baxter’s is more akin to providing something for everyone; whether you want the burger or fillet, the pizza or ravioli you can find it.

The Food

We decided to skip the appetizers and head directly to the main course. That was a huge mistake. About 10 minutes after ordering, the table next to us received the ceviche appetizer. I thought it would be a simple bowl of seafood. In this case, it was large glass vessel filled with fresh scallops, fish, and calamari in a tomato-based sauce surround by pita chips. As the table’s waitress passed, we asked if that was the ceviche. With a big grin she said “yeah, it’s never too late.” Unfortunately for us, it was, as our main course was just delivered.

We soon forgot about the ceviche as we began to taste our Atlantic Salmon and Baby Back Ribs. The salmon had a tremendous but not overpowering pesto flavor. If you like pesto and fish, this is your dish. The fish was a little pink in the middle (which we were told about ahead of time). So, if you don’t trust that we can get fresh fish in Utah, you will want to ask for it cooked medium well. It was served with basic risotto which was prepared as it should be. The Baby Back ribs were fantastic as well. They were incredibly smokey, due in part to the Chipotle BBQ sauce. What made the ribs, though, was the mango chutney. The mango added a cool contrast to the relatively spicey ribs. The ribs were served with shoestring fries that they call haystack potatoes.

In general, the portions were on the small side, which I think is perfect. If I wanted to be stuffed, I would be at the Sizzler. That being said, we were left a little hungry and did what we rarely do… ordered dessert. I was leaning towards sharing a decadent chocolate dessert (chocolate ice cream, over a brownie, with chocolate sauce, and chocolate mousse). Fortunately my wife wanted to try the Cinnamon Sugar doughnuts. I am glad she did because it was the best dessert I have ever had. Two doughnuts, freshly fried and still steaming, appeared at our table. Two dipping sauces accompanied the fried delights: raspberry and chocolate. The raspberry sauce tasted like sweet, fresh raspberries. The chocolate sauce was dark chocolate and equally as wonderful. These weren’t my dad’s Krispy Kreme’s. Absolutely Fabulous.

The Staff

Living in Salt Lake City, I have become accustomed to sub-par service. There is a clear lack of professional waiters and waitresses in the city. Even when spending $75 on a meal for two you are more likely to get a college student who is a part-time waiter than someone who has chosen it as their profession. While it is still early for Baxter’s, the service staff was great from entry to exit. The hostesses seemed genuinely pleased that we were there and we were seated promptly. Our waitress had tried every item on the menu, and when we inquired about her favorite dishes, she asked us intelligent questions about what we liked. My wife was leaning towards the halibut and our waitress asked if she liked fried fish, because if she did it was great, but if she was expecting grilled fish then she would be disappointed (and she would have been). That one question likely saved my wife’s dining experience. Our waitress then offered the salmon as an alternative and commented that it was one of the best items on the menu. The manager of restaurant later came over to check on how our meal turned out. He explained that they had only been open for 4 days, that this was a soft opening, and that they still had some kinks to work out. We replied that they were well on their way to having a great restaurant.

One other service moment was handled very well. The area where we were seated was initially freezing. We were about to mention something when the table next to us talked to their waitress. Within about 5 minutes the vents were adusted and the area became cozy warm. While it’s a little thing, we have had numerous experiences where we ask the waiter to fix something like the heat and they can’t figure out how to get it taken care of. In this case, it was handled perfectly.

The Decor

I have been searching the city looking for a restaurant that is both warm and cozy. Right now, Baxter’s is the place for me. Inside it may initially remind you of Bambara, but it is far more interesting. They have used earth tones on the walls to make the inside feel warm. The designer chose to use a huge number of lights in varying styles and shapes. In one ten by fifteen area there are probably twenty round light globes at various heights. On the walls, are interesting pieces of art (look for the martini class with the figure diving in); on the floor are unique tables, surrounded by comfy chairs interspersed between booths and tables; on the ceiling are metal sails. It reminds me of The Bar at the Pennisula Hotel in Chicago, and like Em’s near the capitol, this isn’t your typical Salt Lake City restaurant, which is a delight.

Conclusion

The doughnut dessert perfectly sums up the Baxter’s experience. It’s unusual but delicious. It doesn’t take itself too seriously but is consummately professional. Our entire experience from beginning to end was exceptional. Only open for a few days, it was a surprisingly good. They seem to have hired well and are executing. It will be interesting to see where they are in six months. I only hope they keep the same level of passion.

Update (2/1/08): A concerned reader wrote to tell us that our characterization of the menu having “something for everyone” was incorrect and that a vegetarian would have a tough time here. We reviewed the menu and the while there are a number of smaller dishes that would probably meet a vegetarian’s needs (salads, sides, etc.), there doesn’t appear to be a vegetarian main course as of this update. If you are concerned, you may want to check out the menu before you go.

Update 2 (2/1/08): Baxter’s has updated their website menu to reflect the current prices.

Tip #1: Our meal was great but the waitress also suggested wine-braised lamb (if you like wine), the ravioli, and the meatloaf (if you like herbs).
Tip #2: If you are going on a weekend valet your car. It’s only $5 and well worth not fighting the Gateway crowds.
Tip #3: It’s on the north-east end of the Gateway. Look for the large ‘The Depot’ sign and the door is 50 feet to the right.
Tip #4: Here is the menu (note: they have lowered many of the prices about $4 from what’s on the Internet menu).
Tip #5: On a weekend, you probably want a reservation.

Baxter’s American Restaurant
13 N 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 456-8999

Tonight we are trying something different. We are live blogging the tasting of a wine we recently bought at the wine store. It’s a 2005 Seghesio Zin (Red). We have been to the Segehsio Winery outside of Sonoma and it was a great experience. It will be nice to see how this $25 bottle of wine tastes.

6:00

I opened the bottle and the cork looks absolutely fabulous. The wine gives you a clue about any damage that has happened to the wine. The cork will be saturated with wine. You just want to make sure that the wine has not moved all the way up from the bottom of the cork to the top (i.e. there should be red on one end, not all the way to the other end). Heat/Cold/Dry/Wet can make the cork allow air in. If so, the wine moves to the top, which means the air may have got to the wine, and the wine may taste flat or like vinegar.

6:02
We then decanted the wine. Decanting is just a fancy name for pouring the wine into another container. We decant every wine, by the way. Decanting usually makes a $80 cabernet or $7 grenache taste better. If you don’t have a decanted, you can use a pitcher (glass is always good) or you can by a $10 decanter at Amazon. We use a decanter we bought at our favorite winery in Australia, Elderton.

6:30
I just sat down and had my first taste. Pizza is on its way, but I am starting without food. The nose on this wine is very toasty and it doesn’t smell like there is much fruit. That is surprising since this is a zinfadel, which are usually very fruity.

6:33
First taste is wonderful. The taste is as toasty as the nose. It has a strong black cherry taste. Right now there is a small taste of anise.

6:40
I need some food with this wine. It is too big (i.e. fills my mouth too much) to be drank alone. I have some swiss cheese which should help.

6:45
The cheese helped. The toasty/oakey flavor is still there but it’s not overpowering anymore. A nice boysenberry flavor is developing.

7:05
This wine has completely opened up. The oak has turned into an earthiness that is subtle but also provides structure. Hopefully this wine will last until the pizza is here.

7:16
Glass #2. Now getting a little spicier and chewier.

7:45
The wife is now home and about to try her first glass.

7:46
She comments very cherry and strawberry (editorial note: she prefers blackberry to cherry).

8:45
Bottle gone. Overall it was a nice bottle that changed over the couple of hours. It started off fairly toasty, and overwhelming, but then softened up nicely.  I would get the bottle again; however, my wife thought it was a bit cherry.  I would rate it as a B-.

Step into Em’s Restaurant and suddenly you feel like you are in a quaint neighborhood cafe in Chicago or New York — 10-12 tables in the main dining area, a bar running the length of the restaurant, and an eclectic collection of art on the wall. Em’s is a pretty seashell in an ocean of TGI Friday’s and Cheesecake Factories.

Food

We started with the seasonal flatbread, which was thin bread with a thick layer of smokey cheese and artichokes. We were extremely hungry and it was a great choice. It was large enough to feed three but was so tasty that my wife and I finished it. A small house salad came with the meal and wasn’t anything special but it was unexpected and did cleanse the pallet for our main courses. My wife had the butternut squash ravioli with pine nuts and dried cranberries. It was delicious, with huge amounts of flavor and the just the right amount of spice. It was undeniably the better of our two meals.

I went with the seared ahi tuna from the specials menu. It was described as seared ahi tuna with sticky rice and a wasabi based sauce. The ahi had been seared at some point but arrived frigid and the quality was suspect. The sauce was thick and rich but had no trace of wasabi. While the sauce wasn’t as expected, it was so tasty that I could have had just it and the rice. Two women in the table next to ours were having Em’s cater an event and they inquired about our meals. We gave them our opinion and asked about their experience. Lucky for us, they had tried a number of items from the menu. Their favorite was the stuffed pork tenderloin and their least favorite was the lamb.

Atmosphere

Em’s is cool. There is no doubt about it. Nestled in a neighborhood just west of the CAPITOL, it is in a non-descript building with the words CENTER STREET stamped in orange over the door. On the door, in small letters, is the word em’s. From the outside it looks like it could be a record store. The inside feels warm with dark wood chairs and white table cloths. Hip music, playing quietly, ads to the mood and makes you think you’ve wandered into a cafe in Bucktown. The art on the walls is quirky, with a Lichtenstein hanging adjacent to the bar and sets of drawings hanging on the other walls. The walls are definitely a conversation piece by themselves.

Service

We had a great experience with our server. She was very attentive and made sure each of our needs were met. When we were having conversations with our neighbors at the next table, she didn’t interrupt. She was perfect. That being said, we also wee able to eavesdrop on the server at the table next to ours try to explain why the lamb was so chewy and fatty. His explanation was that the lamb was from Morgan Valley and that free range lamb is supposed to be that way. That didn’t fly with the semi-professional chef who had asked him the question and she demanded to talk to Em’s chef. This brings us to Rule #1 in Salt Lake City dining: Rarely if ever believe a waiter in Salt Lake City. There seem to be very few people who treat being a waiter as their profession.

Wine

Em’s has a slightly different wine list than most other establishments in town, which is a nice change. We had a nice Markham Merlot. In general, though, the list isn’t spectacular and seems like wines from the the same wineries are being served year in and year out, instead of choosing the newest and best bottles. For instance, the Markham Merlot is listed as a 2002 on the menu and we were served a 2004. So, it seems as if they just keep the Markham, even though it’s better days are behind it. On the positive side, the wine markup is only about 2X, which is pretty good for a nice restaurant.

Dress

Em’s is a little funky and you definitely wouldn’t want to dine in a t-shirt. You would feel very out of place. Jeans and a sweater would be fine, as would slacks and a sport coat.

Conclusion

I really like Em’s and will go back again. The food, like most restaurants in SLC, is a little inconsistent (that’s why said it’s almost too good for SLC). However, the 3/4 of the food that was good, the great service, and the ambiance make up for it. Em’s is like few other places in Salt Lake City, and because of that, you should give it a try.

Tip: Make a reservation. We went on Wednesday and were seated at the last table in the main dining area. That’s where you want to be (the side area isn’t quite as cute). So, I would reserve early and ask for the main area.

Em’s Restaurant
271 Center St, Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 596-0566

I really wanted to like Tandoor Indian Grill. I love Indian food and am desperately trying to find another establishment to put into my dinner rotation. Overall the experience was OK, but it really didn’t compare to Bombay House.Tandoor is located in a strip mall on 3300 South at about 700 East. I have never really been a fan of upper-end, casual restaurants situated in strip malls. On my way to these restaurants, I am bound to drive by 3 Papa Johns, that look exactly the same. Unfortunately, that clouds my judgment.

Food

For this visit, we did take-out, and had Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Cilantro, and Plain Naan. The Chicken Tikka Masala has a read cream sauce, that in this case looked a lot like Hooters Wing Sauce. It was EXTREMELY orange. The taste was slightly spicy (we ordered medium but if you want any spice flavor, I would order hot), but not too creamy. When compared to Bombay House, this sauce was lighter tasting and much more runny. The main difference being that the Tandoor Indian Grill sauce isn’t quite as robust tasting as the Bombay House sauce. However, the dish did have a nice smokey flavor.The chicken cilantro had large dark-meat pieces of chicken and a cilantro/nut based sauce. The sauce had the appearance of the broth that comes out of a Chunky Vegetable Beef Soup can. The cilantro taste was light but nice. In general, though, the entree was fairly blah. My wife didn’t like it because it was predominantly dark meat. We definitely wouldn’t get it again.Unfortunately the Plain Naan was cold and a little brittle, so again I wouldn’t recommend it.In general, the food was OK. If my friends were going, I would probably go along. If I was planning the outing, we would go elsewhere. One note though, which may influence you. I am definitely not an Indian Food critic; however, Tandoor does seem like it would be a little more authentic Indian than Bombay House. I say this because the sauces are lighter and the flavors more nuanced. If you know Indian food, and you like the authentic variety, this might be the place for you.

Ambiance (or lack thereof)

As for ambiance, unfortunately, no one was there except for a mom and her son. It was a Wednesday night, so maybe weekends are better. The inside has a number of tables and booths along one side of the restaurant. However, other than the tables and chairs, the restaurant is sparse. The owner was very nice and asked if I would like something to drink while waiting for my meal. He would be the reason I would come I back.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, I am afraid that Tandoor is destined to go the way of Bombay Express, which inhabited the location previously. While the food seems more traditional than other Indian restaurants in town, I didn’t enjoy it as much. There is absolutely no ambiance, and in fact, Arby’s has more ambiance than Tandoor. For a restaurant that costs more than Bombay House ($10-$12 curries), it should be better.Tandoor Indian Grill733 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT(801) 486-4542