Powder Power!

It was a little late in getting here this year, but the Powder has fallen...tons and tons of the fluffy white stuff has arrived to stay!

All the ski and snowboard enthusiasts are extremely happy with the beautiful stuff that has come down  and piled up on the mountains from the North to the South of the State of Utah.

Now, I don't ski, but I do snowshoe, and even I was glad to finally see the snow arrive.  We had an amazing White Christmas holiday, and the powder has been amazing for all those athletic snow bunnies!

This past week my son and a friend flew in from the Atlanta area and stayed in Park City.  So yesterday we went up and shared some of the snow on the other side of the mountain in Park City.  Park City is an amazing little town with so much to offer.  There are all kinds of beautiful housing options from the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort, to little condos to amazing houses to rent.  The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and we had a great time enjoying all Park City has to offer.

Hubby and I don't ski and I wasn't quite up to snow shoeing yesterday, so while the kids and grandkids took to the slopes, we hunkered down next to the fire in the St. Regis.  They have a lovely setup with tons of windows where you can watch the skiers coming down the slopes.  The St. Regis Bar has great ambience, and really great food and drinks.  They make four different kinds of Bloody Mary drinks, my favorite being the 7452 being my favorite!

This is an amazing concoction topped with a Wasabi/Celery foam that is absolutely delicious all by itself!  Ty far the most flavorful Bloody Mary I have ever had!

My hubby had another selection from the Bloody Mary line and was equally pleased with the great flavor.  The drinks were served with a popcorn coated with rosemary which was absolutely delicious. I'm thinking when I make popcorn at home from now on it will include rosemary!

Next we ordered a couple appetizers...mine was a delicious Tuna Tartare...again, I was impressed.  I am VERY particular about most foods, and this was definitely way above average in taste and beauty.  The very finely shaved Radish atop the carefully cubed tuna and avocado were topped with a gingery vinaigrette that was superior.

My hubby ordered a Truffle Pizza which was also quite delicious.


The views from the bar are amazing and the time passed quickly as we enjoyed our food, libations and the skiers coming down the hill.  The kids and grandkids reported that the slopes were amazing as well and there were some spectacular views and added attractions on the mountainside.
One of which was this amazing Ice Castle.

There is definitely a lot to do in Park City, home of the 2002 Winter Olympics where it was home to the Nordic jumping and sliding sports of Luge, Bobsled and Skeleton.  By the way it is now open year around and has all kinds of wonderful features from a museum, zip lines and summer training jumps and more.  It is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year.

We decided to have dinner downtown in Park City where there are so many options it is hard to decide exactly where to go. But, after receiving rave recommendations we ended the day at Grappa, and amazing Italian (not your typical Americanized Italian) restaurant.
 The ambience is absolutely wonderful in this three story brick building nestled at the top of Historic Main Street.  The inside has been restored to replicate a rustic Italian country farmhouse, with rough hewn wooden beams, brick walls and a grapevine motif.  Grappa is known for elegant presentation, attention to detail and fine service.  We were impressed with all.  We had a party of eight and shared such wonderful delights as crispy pork belly

roasted apples • caramelized brussels sprouts • amarena cherry • pecorino cheese

calamari fritti

marinara • lemon aioli

 fondue

imported emmentaler, raclette and provolone • roasted garlic • traditional accompaniment

roasted beet + housemade lemon-chevre ricotta

toasted pistachios • curly endive • warm honey

grappa’s classic grapes and gorgonzola

sweet red grapes • roasted walnuts • gorgonzola • red wine vinaigrette

bolognese bianca

house made tagliatelle • roasted mushrooms • rich lamb and pork ragu

pan seared diver scallops

parsnips • pancetta • roasted tomato and pepper ragu • toasted garlic • chive

grilled pork chop

butternut squash ravioli • braised greens • pancetta •

cherry walnut gremolata • marsala sage jus

 horseradish encrusted salmon

caramelized meyer lemon • braised fennel • arugula

pan seared whole branzino

roasted cauliflower • fennel butter • romesco • marcona almonds

roman style chicken

herb grilled organic chicken • parmesan mashed potatoes •

broccolini • roasted tomato and red pepper ragù

Tira Mi Su

Espresso soaked genoise, rum flavored

mascarpone, cocoa nib brittle.

I know it looks like I have placed the ENTIRE menu here, but believe me there is more!  Each and every one of the above listed creations was executed perfectly, presented beautifully and served promptly.  This was absolutely the best Italian food I have had in Utah...perhaps in the Country!  We will be going back for more!

All in all we had a marvelous time in Park City at the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort and at Grappa! Can't wait to visit again soon.  Utah is amazing!

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

LINDA