The Metropolitan will be open for lunch

The Metropolitan, a bona fide gem of fine dining in Salt Lake City for the last 13 years, will be open for lunch, starting Friday, Sept. 12, coinciding with the beginning of the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance’s annual Fall Dine O’ Round.

The restaurant at 173 West Broadway (300 South) will be open for lunch every weekday between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Among the business-friendly amenities included will be free Wi-Fi service and the guaranteed promise of one-hour service for those who require it.

True to its eclectic take on new American cuisine, the restaurant will offer a streamlined yet worthwhile menu for lunch. Among the entrees (priced between $11 and $13) will be lamb meatballs with pappardelle, peas, mint, and butter sauce; grilled shrimp with young coconut pilaf, tamarind, red beans; chicken pot pie with seasonal vegetables, and sage béchamel, and pizza with fig jam, prosciutto, and brie.

Sandwiches (priced between $9 and $14) include pulled short rib, mushroom panini, a turkey-bacon-smoked gouda club, and the restaurants handmade burger. A nice array of soups, salads, salads, appetizers, and desserts (with all between $6 and $12) round out the menu.

As part of the Dine O’Round promotion which runs through Sept. 27, the Metropolitan will offer a two-course lunch deal at just $10.

And, for those looking for a taste on the restaurant’s to-go menu, the Metropolitan chefs are offering The Met Lunch To Go at just $12, which includes the daily special salad and sandwich.

Karen Olson is the restaurant’s managing partner. The culinary team is led by Jed Banta, Chris Durfee, Justin Shifflett and Chad Horton.

Owners of The Atlantic Cafe and Market to open Hemingway Cafe in the City Library

The library is about to get a major boost in excellent food offerings when the owners of The Atlantic Cafe and Market on Main Street will open this month a second location in the City Library’s main level. The deli will be called Hemingway Café, featuring a slimmed down menu of the sandwiches, salads, and other offerings found at their main location.

Bako and Anka Miroslav, the owners of the Atlantic Café originally from Croatia, have been solidly outstanding personalities on the city’s downtown restaurant scene. The restaurant always has exemplified that relaxed ambience of small European cafes. And, their food represents the best of Mediterranean and southern European flavors — including shish kabobs, beef, cevap sausages, fresh sauces, olives, and cheeses. For breakfast, their omelets are among the fluffiest available in any downtown venue.

The Atlantic is located at 325 South Main Street.

La Hacienda is fire roasting peppers

Looking to get a bushel of roasted Hatch, New Mexico chilis this month? La Hacienda, at 1248 South Redwood Road, is fully licensed to roast peppers with its gas-fueled roaster on the premises. The price is extraordinarily reasonable as well.

Hands down, at outstanding prices, La Hacienda offers incredibly good food as well. Their tamales, carnitas, burritos, menudo, ribs, and everything else are consistently excellent, based on numerous personal experiences. My personal favorites include shrimp ceviche, oysters, whole fried fish, and a seafood cocktail with a homemade sauce that always is first rate. Throw in some libations from their full offering of beer, liquor and tequila, and you will enjoy one of the best priced Mexican meals available anywhere in the metropolitan Salt Lake area. Personally, I rank La Hacienda with the equally outstanding Red Iguana.

For more information, call 801-973-0738.