Let’s crack some eggs and break some news: Curry Up Now and Mortar and Pestle are no more. The national chain that took over Cedars of Lebanon and served Indian fast casual populated the space for just two years. We’ll miss their tikka masala but are VERY excited to have locally-owned Laziz spread its wings into downtown. Kafta Burgers all around! The plan is to open in mid-September… and look for that adorable tiny bar in the back to be updated and renamed Back Door. Hey, don’t overthink it!

Across the street, a new owner is remodeling what was Cancun Cafe and is planning a Mexican restaurant featuring pescados y mariscos. Mexican del mar is a category missing in downtown, so bring on the ceviche, we’re ready!

Further down 200 comes a very intriguing new restaurant from the Bon Patt Group (owners of Chrisopher’s Prime, Fat Jack’s, and Toro Rasa). Homecoming Southern Kitchen & Bar will occupy the old Olive Garden–a very desirable space kitty corner to Hyatt Regency, which will open next month. A neon sign is up and a menu isonline, but judging by the steel framing, they have several months to go before we get to taste a Pulled Pork Melt, slicing into Prime Rib, or sample the Fried Fish Plate with hushpuppies. Oh Momma! 

We love this next story a latte. Grinding it out in the grounds of the Axis Building, Cupla Coffee is moving east of the aforementioned Homecoming! We’ve bean going for a Cupla years, espresso-ly for the lox, egg and cheese croissant, and of course those signature drinks. 

Speaking of Hyatt Regency, the new convention hotel is a gorgeous addition to the skyline. We love the renderings for the soaring, modern Lobby Bar, but even more alluring is the Catalan-influenced restaurant, Mar | Muntanya (sea and mountain). Located on the 6th floor with an outdoor terrace, it is helmed by Chef Tyson Peterson, formerly at the acclaimed Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant inside St. Regis, Deer Valley.  He recently told us to expect the menu to feature elk tenderloin, suckling pig, and the highest quality oysters. To wash it down and truly imbibe the Spanish flavors, Chef is working on a stupendous selection of sangrias as well as a gin-heavy craft cocktail menu (apparently Spaniards love gin, who knew?)

Finally, this writer recently moved into the Westgate Lofts on 200 South and what would you know? Maxwell’s Little Bar (21+) has opened directly below us, next to Vosen’s German Bakery. (We’re doomed). The adorable postage stamp space fits 30 people and offers all those beloved recipes you loved at the Main Street location. They even have a walk-up for slices! See you there soon. 

ON THE STREET 

The other day Pago on Main had a ½ hour wait for lunch. Sad face, right? But in this case, we’re happy for them–having a busy lunch service downtown means people are returning to their offices–and that is great news for the urban core’s retail and F&B outlets.

As the kids say, “this is going to be Gucci…”
West Quarter is the massive development on the block of Royal Wood Office Plaza (btw, even when new, there was nothing royal about it). Construction is happening in phases, but eventually there will be residential, retail, restaurants, and in October, the first tower to open will be Le Méridien. Kitty-corner from Vivint Arena, this upscale, design-focused international hotel brand will bring 144 guestrooms and Adelaide Restaurant and Bar, a farm-to-table concept. Our eyes lit up like Christmas morning when–near the end of the press release–these two magical words appeared: rooftop bar. 

Our hearts just grew three sizes! Now you have our full attention. 

Rooftop bars are sexy, they cultivate cool vibes. Do you know how often conventioneers ask where they can find a rooftop bar?! Oh… wait, press release, what now? You buried the lede? Now there are not one, but two rooftop bars at West Quarter!!! Another lounge will be perched atop Element, a longer-stay hotel brand from Westin. 

Journey with us, drink in hand (Grey Goose up a little dirty, three blue-cheese stuffed olives) as we watch the sun dip below the Great Salt Lake from the outdoor garden on the 13th floor. Email us if you’d like to be invited, we’ve already set a Google calendar alert.

Speaking of ascending, Pulp on Gallivan Avenue has permanently closed. Wait, no, they are launching a new concept,  Ascent Kitchen. It isn’t all about us, but this is a two minute walk from our office, so we’re happy this lively little space with great service will return. We spy an expanded menu with very yummy-looking Orange Kitchen, Thai Peanut Chicken Salad, and more. 

Oh Village Baker, how we miss your Meatball Sandwich. The space in the handsome 111 Building will soon be the new home of ALPHA Coffee. Sounds macho. Can’t wait. 

Next door, City Creek Center has set a date for The Capital Grille of March 25th to open this emporium of steak! Owned by Darden Restaurants, we hope this opens the door for more of their platforms to our market, including Seasons 52, Eddie V’s, and Yard House. 

Eva’s Bakery has expanded  into McKay Diamond & Jewelry. (Don't worry McKay, moved .01 miles to Regent Street. Even better: Eva’s plans to keep and refurbish the iconic neon sign).The new space will serve the grab-and-go crowd with faster coffee service, and rumor has it that ice cream is on its way!  

Have you been to the Winter Market at The Gateway? From 10-2 every Saturday, this bustling community experience is a healthy, wholesome way to start your weekend. Aziza, owned by Menna Rashwan, is new to the market and her Egyptian desserts, including kunafa cups and baklava are insanely good… we almost don’t want to let this secret out of the bag. For real. 

We can be frank about this: we welcome the triumphant return of J.Dawgs to downtown! Get your buns moving to their new location in City Creek, facing Temple Square in the Kirton McConkie building. This is a real weiner! On these chili days, we relish their reemergence downtown. We’re going to ketchup with them soon and often!

Temperatures are not the only thing rising in downtown this summer. With a slew of new projects on the horizon, downtown Salt Lake’s skyline continues to rise with these high profile buildings.

Convention Center Hotel

One of downtown’s most highly anticipated projects, the Convention Center Hotel (200 S. West Temple), is slated to break ground later this year and will add to the city skyline when it opens in 2022. “The 27-story hotel will feature over 700 rooms, approximately 62,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant, lobby bar and lounge, fitness and pool deck with event terrace,” according to Salt Lake County Deputy Mayor Erin Litvack. A hotel operator will be announced later this year.

With a direct connection from the hotel lobby to the Salt Palace Convention Center pre-function and exhibit hall spaces, the combination of the hotel and the Salt Palace public spaces will create an opportunity for synergistic relationships. This new activated shared space at the ground level is intended to be an extension of the urban environment and a place to meet and interact. “A hotel at the convention center has been something the area has needed for a long time,” said Litvack. “We believe and know from our convention and meeting planners that we’ve been marketing to for years that this has been one of the missing pieces of the puzzle for them to choose our destination for their convention.”

The hotel will be a boon to local businesses, bars, restaurants and contribute to the overall vibrancy of our city. With the addition of this hotel and other planned full-service hotels in the vicinity, downtown is poised to attract more high-spend meetings and convention visitors. “This project strengthens the Salt Lake product offering for meetings, conventions and tourism,” says Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer. “The hotel investment will continue to ripple through the city encouraging additional investment in hospitality and other businesses that are an amenity to all and that will enhance the local property and sales tax base.”

Salt Lake County officials are working with Atlanta based Portman Holdings (portmanholdings.com) to design and develop the hotel in partnership with St. George based development firm DDRM (ddrmcompanies.com). The proposed site is located at the southeast plaza corner of the Salt Palace Convention Center.

95 State at City Creek

Downtown’s next office tower, 95 State at City Creek (95 S State St) is gearing up to be the third-tallest building in Utah. Towering at 393 feet, 95 State will occupy the northeast corner of the intersection of 100 S. and State Street, directly west of Harmons grocery store.

City Creek Reserve Inc., the downtown Salt Lake City real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is responsible for several of Salt Lake’s largest real estate projects, including this new 25-story, high-rise tower. 95 State has been part of the plans for the three city blocks that make up the City Creek redevelopment project since it was still in the design phase. “It has been anticipated since day one of the master plan,” says Matt Baldwin, Director of Real Estate Development for City Creek Reserve, Inc. “It was just about finding the right building at the right time.”

The sweeping, curved and glassy design for 95 State has its roots in another City Creek Reserve building: 111 Main, which was designed by the same architectural firm, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (www.som.com). “Looking to differentiate from the mostly rectangular downtown skyline, 95 State has an organic shape, with rounded corners and slightly curved curtain walls,” adds Baldwin. “We are able to do this without compromising the efficiency of space for tenants.”

The project will use existing parking built previously in anticipation of the tower but will add an additional two levels of subgrade parking under the building. An airy, open lobby at ground level will greet guests with a 92-foot-long media wall, displaying Utah scenery and artwork. The fifth level houses an outdoor deck on the north side of the building where building occupants can eat lunch, hold meetings and enjoy some downtime. Large conference rooms supported by a catering kitchen and audio and video technology will provide tenants with a convenient space to meet when their own conference rooms are not large enough to handle meetings. A full fitness center rounds out the level-five floorplan.

“More and more office buildings, domestic and international, are being built with amenities similar to luxury multi-family housing,” says Baldwin. “The market is demanding that we take it to the next level at 95 State.”

In addition to the tower construction, a 39,000-square-foot meeting house will be built on the north side of the building and will be independently operated and accessed. A new pavilion will replace the current Social Hall Avenue entry to the existing east-west tunnel under State St that connects to City Creek. The tunnel will be redone as well, with an innovative design that will include a restaurant along with specialty retail stores. “3,500 people will be utilizing the tower, so we need resources to support them,” Baldwin explains. With businesses anticipating the new building, we have commitments to deliver the project by the fall of 2021.”

Liberty Sky

Liberty Sky (151 S. State St) a high-rise luxury rental lifestyle, is making its debut in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Located steps from shopping at City Creek Center and an easy walk to Harmons grocery store, the Eccles Theater and all of the best of downtown, Liberty Sky provides the views and the lifestyle of an amenity-rich high-rise with the convenience and flexibility of a luxury rental.

“This is an irreplaceable location to build Salt Lake’s first high-rise rental product,” said Dan Lofgren, president and CEO of Cowboy Partners (cowboyproperties.com) which has partnered with The Boyer Company (boyercompany.com) to develop this first-in-class community. With its soaring roof-line and bold and modern glass-and-concrete architecture, Liberty Sky will be 21 stories with 272 residential units, ranging from studios to large and open two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment offers a full menu of smart home features, open floor plans, modern kitchens, luxury baths and breathtaking 10-foot-tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

Amenities offered at Liberty Sky are as expansive as the views. The ground floor will include an impressive lobby, conference room, Wi-Fi café and guest hosting areas. Roof-top amenities include a swimming pool, hot tub, high-end fitness center, barbecue stations, viewing decks, entertainment room and E-gaming studio. Pet-friendly and bicycle-friendly amenities are part of the offerings, as well as on-site dry cleaning drop off and pick up and controlled building access. In every sense, Liberty Sky is establishing a whole new level of living in downtown Salt Lake City.

Upward Momentum:

Check out these developments that are on track to join downtown Salt Lake City’s skyline.


Union Station Hotel
400 W. South Temple
4-star Lifestyle Boutique Hotel
8 stories
Developer: The Athens Group (athensdevco.com)

Block 67
100 S. 300 West
Mixed-Use Residential/Hotel
Two 11-story buildings
Developer: The Ritchie Group (theritchiegroup.com)

255 S. State
Address: 255 S. State Street
Mixed-Use Residential
14 stories
Developer: Brinshore Development (brinshore.com)

Running a successful hotel, as you might guess, is no small thing. Inspiring and retaining team members; increasing sales and brand awareness; staying on the cutting edge of design, technology, and culinary trends; and giving back to the communities in which they operate are just a few of the challenges hotel managers tackle on a day-to-day basis. Here we introduce you to two downtown Salt Lake City hoteliers who make the complicated juggling act of running a hotel look easy.

Meet the Players:

Abby Murtagh, General Manager of Hilton Salt Lake City Center (255 S. West Temple St, Hilton.com), began her career in hospitality and catering even earlier than Opsahl, when she was just 14. Murtagh grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. She took her passion to the next level by launching her own successful catering company, Abigail’s Catering Service. It was then that the self-taught entrepreneur knew she had a future in the industry.

Murtagh earned a bachelor’s degree from The Cornell School of Hotel Administration with a concentration in Food and Beverage. Her hospitality path continued with leadership positions at Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company, Interstate, Kimpton and Hilton. Murtagh served as Resident Manager at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria New York before moving to Salt Lake. “As the leader of the Hilton Salt Lake City, I make it our priority to be the best we can be each and every day and make a difference to our guests, our team and our owners,” says Murtagh. “I offer the perspective of having lived in nine states and working with diverse cultures and environments.”

Entering his thirteenth year as General Manager of Salt Lake City Marriott City Center (220 S. State St, marriott.com), Doug Koob is well versed in the eclectic downtown hotel scene. The Kansas City, Missouri native graduated in business communications and then entered the hospitality world to work and travel with Marriott International. Sales and marketing positions took him to various parts of the U.S. and in 1994, he landed in Utah.

General manager was the next step for Koob, serving in this position at various properties around Salt Lake and Ogden. His current downtown location is in the heart of the city and that is one of the selling points for Koob and his hotel. “Downtown Salt Lake is clean, welcoming and has a very positive vibe for our guests,” says Koob. “It makes my job easier for guests to come back when the city sells itself.”

Standing Out from the Crowd

Hilton’s innovative approach to technology, amenities and service resonates at Murtagh’s property. The tech-savvy lobby welcomes guests and provides charging stations and the fastest Wi-Fi in the city. They offer the latest in hotel technology with the Digital Key and recently installed charging stations for electric vehicles. The pet-friendly 499-room hotel features 19 suites (the most of any hotel in the city) and flexible meeting space.

Murtagh’s passion for quality dining shines through at the hotel’s renowned steakhouse, Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops. The Best of State-awarded restaurant and winner of the 2017 and 2018 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence delivers contemporary and seasonal dishes, local produce and cheeses as well as cocktails, local craft beers and 497 labels of wine. Her favorite dish? The burrata salad and house-made watermelon sorbet.

Koob believes that the Marriott’s distinct location next to popular tourist attractions (City Creek, Temple Square and Gallivan Center) and the new downtown developments (the Eccles Theatre, Regent Street and the financial district) is what separates his hotel property from others. Weekend travelers looking to get away and see the sights find comfort in Marriott’s spacious guest rooms and La Bella Piastra, the hotel’s signature Italian restaurant. Weekdays bring in individual business travelers, giving them convenient access to downtown businesses. “Our hotel stays true to Marriott International’s vision of providing a distinctive property geared toward the business and leisure traveler,” Koob says.

One of downtown’s most highly anticipated projects, the Convention Center Hotel, is slated to break ground later this year and will add to the city skyline when it opens in 2022.

“The 28-story hotel will feature over 700 rooms, approximately 62,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant, lobby bar & lounge, fitness and pool deck with event terrace,” according to Salt Lake County Deputy Mayor Erin Litvack. A hotel operator will be announced later this year.

The Convention Center Hotel will be a boon to local businesses, bars, restaurants and contribute to the overall vibrancy of our city.


With the addition of the Convention Center Hotel and other planned full-service hotels in the vicinity, downtown is poised to attract more high-spend meetings and convention visitors. “This project strengthens the Salt Lake product offering for meetings, conventions and tourism,” said Downtown Alliance Executive Director, Dee Brewer. “The hotel investment will continue to ripple through the city encouraging additional investment in hospitality and other businesses that are an amenity to all and that will enhance the local property and sales tax base.”

Salt Lake County officials are working with Atlanta based Portman Holdings to design and develop the hotel in partnership with St. George based development firm DDRM. The proposed site is located at the southeast plaza corner of the Salt Palace Convention Center. 

When is the last time you acted like a tourist in your own city? It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of day to day life, which can make you forget to explore where you live. Fortunately, you are not far from the perfect getaway - downtown Salt Lake! Now is the time to plan a downtown staycation for your friends or family and enjoy local attractions you may have overlooked, or taken for granted.

Girls Getaway

So you finally have a weekend free, and so do your friends...this calls for a girls getaway! Put your schedules on pause and grab that opportunity to head to Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City (15 West 200 South) for a staycation full of R & R, delectable bites and memorable fun.

This upscale boutique hotel sits in the heart of downtown and showcases modern decor, blissful bedding, animal-print robes and the finest Atelier Bloem bath and body amenities. Once the squad arrives, take advantage of this much-needed downtime with the ladies to unpack, order room service, catch up on life and plan your weekend adventures. After reveling in the fact that you pulled this retreat off, explore the hotel’s offerings. The hotel’s health-conscious perks include a high-performance 24-hour fitness center, yoga mats and custom-designed PUBLIC bikes for you to borrow. Guests can arrange to have spa services, including massages and facials, brought directly to their rooms.

Housed in the hotel’s historic Continental Bank lobby, Bambara serves seasonally inspired New American cuisine (think pan-roasted and grilled meats plus skillfully prepared seafood and game) and historic architecture. Friends looking to quench their thirst can enjoy hosted nightly wine receptions in the lobby or grab a specialty drink from the award-winning bar menu at The Vault. When it’s time to hit the town, let Salt City Cycle Cab take your crew around on an unforgettable pedicab adventure through downtown’s dining and entertainment district. Share tapas at Martine (22 East 100 South), make a toast to good friends and delectable gastropub fare at Gracie’s (326 South West Temple) or spice it up with Latin American street food at Taqueria27 (149 East 200 South). Remember to save some room for locally-crafted goodies at Last Course (115 South Regent Street) ice cream and dessert studio.

Polish the evening off with live music at The Depot (400 West South Temple), a Ballet West or Utah Opera performance at Capitol Theater (50 West 200 South) or an exciting Utah Jazz game or concert at Vivint Smart Home Arena (301 South Temple).

A girls weekend is incomplete without an escape to the spa or a shopping spree. Round up the ladies for a day of pampering and relaxing at Sanctuary Day Spa (42 South Rio Grande Street). Hot stone massages, spa facials, mani/pedi combos and designer haircuts and styles are just a sampling of what this full-service spa and salon offers. Window shopping is taken to the next level at City Creek Center (50 South Main Street). This retail experience is one of a kind, showcasing over 100 diverse stores and restaurants, including Nordstrom, Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Michael Kors and lululemon, all in a casual, pedestrian-friendly environment. Shop ‘til you drop and then head back to the hotel and reminisce about your weekend escapades.

Couples Retreat

Need a break with your honey but can't travel far? An escape to Hilton Salt Lake City Center (255 South West Temple) gives couples the opportunity to leave reality behind and reconnect, all in the comfort of your own town.

Conveniently located in the center of downtown, the 18-floor Hilton Salt Lake City Center boasts 19 luxury suites featuring king-size beds, plush linens, posh European bathtubs, separate sitting areas and breathtaking views of the city and surrounding mountains. Couples can make the most of their staycation and maximize time away with an early check-in or late check-out. If leaving Fido at home gets you down, pets are invited to stay at the hotel. A relaxing soak in the hotel’s hot tub or a refreshing swim in the heated indoor pool are sure to kickoff your getaway. Kick back in a chaise lounge on the seasonal sundeck (open May - Sept.) and feel the tension fade. If a workout is on the agenda, the fully-equipped fitness center caters to any fitness needs. Don't miss an intimate dinner for two at Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, the Best of State-awarded restaurant and winner of the 2017 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence. Located in the hotel, this Salt Lake City staple delivers contemporary and seasonal dishes, hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, local produce and cheeses as well as classically inspired cocktails, local craft beers and an award-winning wine list that has kept locals coming back for two decades.

Feeling adventurous? Hilton Salt Lake City Center’s downtown location is within walking distance to a plethora of ethnic eateries. Finca (327 West 200 South) serves Spanish tapas and dishes, Valter's Osteria (173 West Broadway) offers a taste of Tuscany and Takashi (18 West Market Street) creates rolls to make any sushi-lover swoon. Dinner and a show go hand-in-hand and there is no better place to find that combo than downtown. Catch a Broadway production or concert at the new Eccles Theater (131 South Main Street) or treat yourselves to a Utah Symphony performance at Abravanel Hall (123 West South Temple). If you’re looking for a laugh, Wiseguys at the Gateway (194 South 400 West) comedy club has you covered.

Try something new and take a cooking class at Harmons Grocery (135 East 100 South) and learn how to make your own romantic dinner! Fresh and local produce and products sold at The Downtown Farmers Market (350 West 300 South) during the summer and fall months will inspire your next culinary masterpiece. A relaxing stroll through The Gateway’s (400 West 100 South) open-air retail and dining district promises the downtime that you both deserve.

Family Escape

Planning a family vacation is not for the faint of heart (think pitstops, juggling the circuit of movies and snacks and enduring the chorus of “are we there yets?” echoing from the back seats). While getting out of town can be daunting, a family staycation at Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown (215 West South Temple) can be the answer to many of the typical traveling woes.

Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown is the perfect homebase for your family’s next retreat. Spacious, contemporary rooms and suites, outfitted with comfy beds and unique headboards that feature artwork by prominent pop artists, allow your clan to spread out and feel right at home. Even your four-legged family member is welcome at this pet-friendly destination. After settling in, vacation mode begins when you hit the indoor heated swimming pool. The kids are certain to burn some energy while parents soak in the adjoining hot tub and unwind in the onsite sauna. If you want to get your sweat on, check out the fully-equipped fitness center. Playing stirs up an appetite and feeding the brood is simple with the hotel’s onsite family dining options. In-room dining brings the goodies to you, offering an extensive menu including several kid-friendly bites. The hotel’s Copper Canyon Grill House & Tavern serves casual American-style fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pre-dinner and late-night drinks flow at the tavern and the in-house coffee shop has fresh brews to get you going in the morning.

With so many amenities offered at this hotel, it’s hard to find a reason to leave. However, if you want to venture out, family-friendly eateries are just outside the door. Try Bruges Waffles & Frites (336 West Broadway) for both sweet and savory lovers, grab a bite at Rich's Burgers-N-Grub (30 East Broadway), savor a home-style meal with a slice of history at The Lion House Pantry (63 East South Temple) or simply head over to City Creek Center where over 20 dining options satisfy any palate or pocketbook.

Be a tourist in your own backyard with the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to 13 of Salt Lake’s best attractions. This passport includes admission to Clark Planetarium’s (209 East 500 South) 3D IMAX and Dome Theatre, Discovery Gateway’s (444 West 100 South) hands-on children’s museum and The Leonardo’s (209 East 500 South) science and art exhibits, just to name a few. Buy your pass at visitsaltlake.com. It’s possible to get back to nature, even in the city. Feast your eyes on the gardens at the 35-acre Temple Square, take a hike in nearby City Creek Canyon or explore the downtown scene on a GREENbike.

No matter the reason for your staycation, you may find that you've been living in a tourist's paradise all along!