Zest Kitchen & Bar, Salt Lake City

As a treat to myself, I went to Zest Kitchen & Bar in Salt Lake City before heading home from this trip. Located downtown, I quickly located a parking space and headed inside. I was super early on a Wednesday night so the place was pretty quiet. I loved the feel of it even though there weren't many people there. It's a quaint place with a bar at the entrance and plenty of seating. The entrance is constructed of stone and the bright, brown glossy tables had silver chairs to complement them.

The menu is a simple one. I was not hungry enough to get an appetizer, but I thought an alcoholic drink would be nice. I ordered the High Zest Whiskey Sour, which is kombucha mixed with whiskey. When the server asked what I thought, I said it tasted like kombucha without whiskey. He proceeded to ask if I'd been to SLC before, then reminded me of how little alcohol they are allowed to put in drinks. Ugh. It must suck to go drinking in SLC!

For my entree, I got the Baked Zuc & Cheese. This dish was incredible. Made with zucchini noodles tossed in winter squash marinara with tomatoes and scallions, topped with cashew cream and baked through and through. I couldn't believe how good it was. This was a winner.

For dessert, I was informed that all of the desserts were vegan (the menu is vegetarian). Win again! I got the salted caramel chocolate hazelnut torte and it was amazeballs. We are talking a salted chocolate torte with hazelnuts in a cashew-based caramel sauce. It was so good.

All in all, the service was excellent, the food was amazing, and the price of the entree at $12 and dessert at $7 were just right. This is one of my two favorite restaurants in Salt Lake City. I can't wait to return!

Zest Kitchen & Bar
275 S. 200 W.
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 433-0589