Bodega and The Rest

A speakeasy in SLC? Yes, please! We came across this gem in a search for top restaurants and bars in downtown and were not at all disappointed. Don't be fooled when you walk up! This unassuming little "Bodega" is so much more than what meets the eye on the surface. The gent that greeted us at the front must have sensed our confusion and asked if we were here for the Bodega or "the rest." He proceeded to take us down a staircase and through an unmarked door, which opened to a beautiful, lodge-style bar. It reminded us of something out of Hemingway. You may be thinking places like this surely don't have great food, but you're wrong. We were absolutely blown away by the pork shoulder. It was flavorful and tender and the chicken bun was amazing. But the drinks. Oh, the cocktails! The Oaxacan Old Fashioned was superior, but the absinthe fountain was so unique, delicious, and...shall I say, beautiful? Really. It was more of an experience than I would expect a cocktail to be. The service was superior as well. Worth noting we visited on a random Wednesday evening and it still had quite a bit of open seating. I can't imagine this place isn't packed on the weekend because it's THAT good.

Great atmosphere! A local told us about this place and I am so glad we checked it out. Amazing service and great drinks!

I had a crumby experience a couple of years ago, but finally decided to try again. Boy oh boy do I yearn for the days of that bad experience. I am just confused - like what’s the point of a restaurant making their patrons feel so unwelcome? I’ve never been to a place where you arrive on time for your reservation, order a menu item, go at the pace of the kitchen, eat your meal then request dessert only to be told you don’t have time for dessert you need to leave they need turn the table. Throw in the fact that it was over ten minutes from being seated to seeing our waiter, my confusion is only compounded. I couldn’t help but look around at 6:30 on a Saturday night and see all but two tables empty and think how weird the whole thing was. Even if they were expecting a reservation rush - treating your guests poorly - they won’t return, those reservations will dry up. Then upon being rushed out and seeing the upstairs bar almost empty as well I guess we weren’t the only people who decided not to come back. The thing that blows my mind the most, we ordered our beer can chicken. Something we have ordered every time we went. It always came with potatoes and asparagus. This time, only the chicken came out. No sides. Who is making a meal of just chicken - you think if this changed the waiter would have asked if we wanted sides, but no, it was assumed we just wanted a plate of chicken, again, who just has chicken with no sides? We expressed our disappointment but said we wanted to order sides — but as mentioned above, I guess there was no time because the waiter just apologized that we were confused told us to look at the menu for what sides we could order — disappeared for ten minutes then came back with the check. What kind of experience is that? I guess they think we should just feel privileged to sit in their empty restaurant and be happy to be treated like fools. Like I know it’s not a going to move the needle for them but we were more than willing to now order two sides, coffees and a dessert. That’s only a couple of bucks but it’s still money in the till, but being rushed out we did not get to spend that money at the restaurant and now have no plans to return. Just feels short sighted to treat people like that. A street with no parking, half the businesses burned down and under construction and dodging homeless folks you think would put more of a premium on people wanting to come back — what do I know though.

We reserved the library room for 20 people and it was perfect!! Enough room, good noise level, away from everyone else and the waitress, Lexi was fantastic.

ITS SO FREAKING COOL!! I truly appreciated the decor in the Rest being a Coloradan! We walked into Bodega and asked for the Rest. We had to wait about 15 min then we're escorted downstairs. It was really cool and this place was a great stop. Definitely worth checking out! The cozy, warm ambiance in the Rest was very refreshing from crowded loud bars. We got the whiskey flight, and the bartender also made me an "allergy friendly" drink. I told our waitress the kind of things I liked and the bartender made a surprise, super cool and loved that they paid attention! The food was good as well. Not a huge meal but its good for snacking on something classy with a drink.

This place looks absolutely amazing. I love the contrast between the almost tacky Bodega and the perfectly warm delicately decorated The Rest. Our host was super friendly and took great care of us. Such a nice vibe there, with great music coming from the vinyl player all evening. Only downside was that the menu legend suggested vegan options but there were none. One or two appetizers could be modified by removing cheese, but there was just one entree that was vegetarian only. Food was outstanding and looked absolutely fabulous the way it was served. High quality and very tasty. Cocktails (also non-alcoholic) were interesting and very pretty as well. Real nice experience of a classy speakeasy.

Wow! Went to The Rest speakeasy, and it felt like we were going back in time to a secluded secret club downstairs that no one knows about. The ambiance is by far the selling point to this place. The whiskey flight is awesome and can be customized as they make their own bitters. Definitely some of the best we'll crafted cocktails around! The food. Whew, everything was delicious with such unique flavors. We couldn't decide on appetizers, so we ordered a charcuterie board and a few things that all popped to life with every bite. The carrots were amazing! Then, the service was out of this world. So informative and friendly. Loved our time here as it made for the most romantic date night.

Absolutely amazing! I brought my husband here for his birthday. Worth every penny, and we will most definitely be coming back. Service was perfect. Food was to die for.

A definite MUST to check out if you're in SLC! I've been to my fair share of speakeasies and The Rest is certainly a gem with very unique vibes. It's downstairs from the main restaurant Bodega in the basement with taxidermy on the walls, funky music and a very immaculately stocked bar where you can watch your highly aesthetic drink prepared inches away from you. There are usually 2-3 bartenders who work incredibly fast - it's fun watching them tag team your order for peak efficiency. We had already eaten a suboptimally filling dinner elsewhere so were just looking for light bites and dessert/drinks to supplement, so my bf and I split the Mafaldine. Thinking that the highlight was their cocktails, I was absolutely blown away by the quality of the food. The Mafaldine is one of my favorite pasta dishes to date, prepared in a creamy and incredibly addictive miso sherry coconut sauce with chili crisps that was absolutely to die for~ After the first few bites, I instantly regretted not having dinner here and had to fight the urge to go for a full second meal. Other intriguing highlights from the menu that I would try if I came back are the swordfish skewers and beer can chicken (a whole thing that must be ordered in advance prior to showing up). The Fruit Punch dessert was almost too pretty to eat and very intricately arranged with a multitude of contrasting textures- a passion fruit-coconut panna cotta base topped with kiwi bits, persimmon preserve and pineapple brulee ice cream - totally up my alley as a fruity dessert girlie and just as divine as it sounds!! Don't get me wrong, the cocktails are delicious and their fall rotation is full of yummy cinnamon-fruity options -- the Gold Dust Woman is super yummy if you're a rum girlie like me, but seriously don't sleep on the food here!! Highly recommend Bodega & the Rest for an intimate date night or to take anyone you wanna impress. We didn't have any issues getting in on a Thursday night, but even at 6pm it was already pretty near capacity so consider making reservations in advance online.

Bodega in Salt Lake City was my favorite thing in Salt Lake City. The speakeasy vibe is on point--downstairs, dark, and full of character with taxidermy on the walls. The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, perfect for a night out with friends or a date. The cocktails are top-notch, with creative and delicious mixes. If you're looking for a cool, unique place with fantastic drinks and an unforgettable vibe, Bodega The Rest is the place to go.

Super cool speakeasy with true speakeasy vibes. Cocktails were definitely creative and the bartenders were knowledgeable. Wish they had a bit more variety in food.

I only stayed on the top floor but this place had a lot of character and even though it was cramped, I liked the atmosphere a lot. The bartenders were great as well; they didn't have my drink of choice on the floor so they went down to the back to retrieve one for me. I wish more bars would put in that same effort!

We had a great time when we popped in here for a drink before dinner. We only stayed upstairs in the bodega, but it was a lot of fun to watch the people come and go and get very confused over the speakeasy. The menu upstairs is basically hot dogs and limited beer and liquor/mixer combos. It was fun to people watch, joke around with our group and the bartender and check out the eclectic decor. Next time, we will make a res for the Rest and check it out.

I like to visit this tight and small bar to start off my night. Beware.. it is cheap tequila and beer for a budget friendly experience but there are more quality options. They recently added a tomato beer drink called Bodega-da. Which I do recommend! FYI--In order to have access to the speakeasy, you must get on the list. Didn't make it in this last time because it took too long and our group was ready for the next adventure... perhaps they were trying to make it more exclusive.. but it seemed uncoordinated and poor managed.

**This review is for the The Rest, the speakeasy inside the Bodega. Make sure to make a reservation! Went for a later dinner/drinks - they had a fun cocktail menu and a smaller but tasty food menu. For three, we got charcuterie (the size that serves 1), a very creamy pasta and three cocktails. Everything was delicious and staff were friendly! Note that there is a staircase to go down to the speakeasy, it's a darker lit room, and it's on a busier Main Street so parking may be limited!

This is a very nice speakeasy. We attended on a Wednesday evening for drinks and ordered: Non alcoholic: We Down undah Alcoholic: Porcelain doll, Old fashioned flight, bartender surprise drink Everyone enjoyed the old fashioned flights, and loved the recommendations of waiter/bartender. There are lots of bitters to choose from, which we were surprised and a bit overwhelmed by. My friend who ordered the porcelain doll enjoyed it, and asked for a custom drink which she also really enjoyed. The non alcoholic beverage was good. We didn't have any food this time but everything smelled great and we would come back on a special occasion to try something.

This is one of my favorite spots downtown!! I love all the decor, the vibe, the dark lighting. I love grabbing a few drinks and an appetizer before or after going to dinner nearby. I have a friend that visits often from San Diego and this spot has become our tradition and we love it!!! I wish there were more secret spots like this in Utah. It's my favorite!!

The best part of Bodega is their underground secret, The Rest. I'm fairly certain reservations are required. The scallops, the wagu beef, the zucchini slices.... All Of our choices were phenomenal. Even reading their menu makes you feel like you've stepped back in time to a hidden 1920's speakeasy. Bonus life hack: you can purchase their in-house crafted bitters to take a bit of this experience home with you.

I was in town for a conference and wanted to check out SLCs speakeasy/ bar scene. A quick Google search had Bodega & The Rest pop up right around the corner from my hotel! Stopped by ~6pm on a Friday night and had no issues snagging a bar slot at The Rest. Got to chatting with the host who was super friendly and has lived in my hometown of Queens before! I loved the ambiance of an unassuming local bar feel up top coupled with a hidden underground woodsy cozy bar. Service was quick, drinks are tasty. Duck ravioli was plate licking good. Rhubarb beignets were the cherry on top. I'll definitely be back to try their beer can chicken if I'm ever in town with some friends!

We made a reservation for the speakeasy underneath the Bodega, called The Rest - and it was a real treat. You walk into the Bodega, which is its own spot for drinks and light food - and the bartender there will let you in a locked door and direct you down to the speakeasy - where you are met with a different host and a whole food and extensive drink menu. Dark, fun, great service. Good drinks, good food - and a very fun atmosphere - this is definitely worth checking out!

We stopped in here to have a drink while we waited for our table at the restaurant next door. We made it to the little bar where the bartender was the best. We had never been there before but asked what drinks were good, she gave some recommendations and then shared how she could change them to make them however we would prefer. It is a tiny place upstairs but cute. Definitely was pleasantly surprised for just popping in for a drink.

I'm from California visiting a friend and we had the best time here! I was a little unsure about it at first but Mason made my experience! He was so much fun without crossing lines of being unprofessional. I will be back before it's time to go home. I have a very large social media following and can't wait to share with my followers!

First time visiting here and I had a great experience. The wait staff were very friendly. We did have a reservation and never felt rushed. Setting was a bit darker and intimate. The cocktails were fun and tasty and lots of items on the menu looked great. Beer can chicken was something they are known. I really enjoyed the trout ! I can't wait to come back and try something new. They use seasonal ingredients and so I can't wait for summer !

Overall great ambiance, drinks and food. I would take my friends here for a low key hangout. They have amazing drinks and great bites. Recommend: Drinks, carrots, Salmon croquettes For drinks I had the "no surprise" and it was beautifully made. Carrots and salmon croquettes were surprisingly delicious. I am ordering those again when I come back. Not Recommend: grilled cauliflower, deep fried steak. Grilled cauliflower served hard and raw still. Very disappointed considering how nice everything else was cooked. The deep friend steak wasn't bad, but for the price it was cooked a bit chewy. Maybe deep fry and medium rare just don't go well together.

Wow, while it looks very small from the outside, there is a secret hidden downstairs below ground that allows for a lot more seating. Even on a Thursday night in February, it was packed. They checked her ID at the door, and you're able to either order drinks and food in the small or upstairs level, or have a wider selection of options downstairs. They do allow for walk-ins, but it could be up to an hour wait. For 3 of us, it was about a 45 minute wait so we put our name down and went elsewhere in the meantime. The cocktails are unique, and the bar food is solid. It's a really nice place to go to hang out.

After several years of living in Utah I had given up on cocktails. The Rest completed altered my opinion. I have had great cocktails in NYC, London, LA, San Francisco and Las Vegas. A few of those cost more entire check cost this evening. Ambience is incredible, inclusive and creative. Staff was stellar and recommended some options that blew my mind in their complexity and the food matched it in excellence and intention. Sadly we were just there for appetizers and drinks and left to go to another spot for dinner. That was a mistake, spent 2x as much and didn't even bother finishing our plates. Drinks and food was so sloppy and haphazard in comparison.

I'm all about bells and whistles but this seems to be extreme.. really neat set up for a speak easy. You walk in and the bartender greets you. The guys got the old fashions and said they were really good.. different bitter to choose from so that was cool.. the decorations were cool even before getting to the resteraunt area.. we went down a hall and down some stairs and met at the record player like we were told.. we were immediately greeted and took our seats. The place wasn't too loud and the old records playing were a nice touch.. the food- the appetizers were a bread service and a charcuterie board.. for the price they seemed a little light on content.. the bread wasn't enough for the six of us and the cheeses you wanted to eat more but didn't want someone in the party not getting any either.. I wanted more bread with the fabulous spread it came with.. our waitress was awesome she explained everything and was engaging.. only let the drinks go too low once! Ha my Coke Zero is important.. I got the chicky sand and it was fried but just seemed a little undercooked which is why the four stars.. with the light I couldn't tell but I survived to write the review so it wasn't too undercooked and may have been the way it was cooked that made it shiny.. it was delicious though so I can't complain too much. Will definately go back as I would love to bring my husband here! Very cool place!

Do you love eclectic? Amazing service? And delicious food? If so, book a reservation with Bodega + The Rest for you and your party. Decorated like a cigar ridden speakeasy, this non smoking restaurant is one of a kind; you simply cannot leave SLC before visiting. At the Bodega, I highly recommend bellying up to the bar and asking the bartender for their latest special. If you prefer the classic brew, they likely have that as well or something similar. After you and your party finish your drinks you'll be escorted below to "The Rest." When you reach the bottom of the staircase you are met with a dimly lit space, and a kind server ready to seat you and your party at a booth or the bar. If you didn't make a reservation, not to worry, they accept walk-ins (which the Bodega will notify you of availability ahead of time). Drinks and Food menu provide options for many with preferred taste options. I recommend reviewing the menu ahead of time (placing a reservation). My third time here and reservations are the best route whether you are seating a party of 2 or 4+. A fun time every time! 10/10 recommend.

GENERAL The QR code for their menu wasn't working when we visited and it was kind of hard to find on google. So here's the link incase this happens to anyone else: https://bodegaslc.com/therestfoodmenu Visited the Rest. Was looking for a speakeasy because I heard Utah was dry and had weird alcohol laws. This was the closest to a speakeasy that I could find where alcohol was served until midnight on a Friday. You can buy a cocktail, and a shot, but they have to have different types of alcohol base. The ambience was nice, dark, cozy, and artsy. FOOD The portions were bigger than I had expected. Mushroom Toast: The bread was really hard to cut, but the flavors were great! Had the right amount of acidic in the dressing to balance the savory mushrooms. (Rating: 4/5) Shrimp and Grits: It had a Thai fusion in it! Grits with a hint of coconut. (Rating: 5/5) Pan Seared Scallops: It was okay. Orange sauce was bland. I've had better scallop dishes. (Rating: 2/5) Hot Thai chicken: The chicken leg was so fat, I thought it was boneless. But there were bones. The chicken was crisped really well and was flavorful. The som tum (papaya salad) and cucumber side dishes that came with this was unremarkable. (Rating 4/5) DRINKS Honest John Old Fashioned Flight: You can pick three types of bitters. We chose cherry, coffee, and something citrus (I forget what it was). I liked the coffee one! Neutral about the rest. (Rating: 4/5) Borrowed Thyme: It was strong. You taste a lot of the gin, and thyme. Not that much of the banana. I was hoping it would have been a bit more sweet. It was okay. (Rating: 3/5)

Great place. Cheap drinks. Beer shot combos. Don't forget to check out the Rest. It's a speakeasy in the basement. If you know you know.

Walked in as a party of three to their speakeasy which is called The Rest. We only had drinks, no food. Everything was really good and service was amazing, but it was one of the only places I've seen $15+ cocktails in SLC so far. The bill comes close to LA and NYC prices. Ambiance in "The Library" of the speakeasy is dim and intimate.

Wow. On my last night in SLC, a buddy of mine decided to show me his go-to spot and just WOW. Upstairs, at street level, you get the regular bar. Queue goes out the door but hey, great tequila prices. Downstairs is where the real magic happens though. The Rest is a speakeasy-style restaurant/cocktail bar and I have to strongly recommend date night over here but you HAVE to make a reservation. The food is good and the cocktails are adventurous but hit the spot. We ordered a strong selection of favorites and were impressed with all of them. Service and wait staff are extremely friendly and informative too. Come check them out - worth every penny!

A trip to the Salt Lake City area isn't complete without a stop at this speakeasy. The old school record player and LPs was fun along with the old timey decor. The bartenders will make a custom drink for you with ingredients that you tell them to use . The store front was neat that it sells drinks and not just a front but, If you have to use the bathroom, use the one in the bodega part and not the speakeasy part......

This little gem in the middle of town, was no disappointment. When you first walk up it doesn't seem like much at street level. Just a small little bar setup with a few tables on the patio and inside with sitting for maybe twenty or so people. The real experience starts when you make your way down to the basement. It's like you have been transported to prohibition era. The room is filled with dark wood and exposed red brick. We were sat at the bar were we were quickly greeted by CJ. Who would be our host for the evening. She was very helpful and quickly answered our questions and made suggestions, we ended up having the beer chicken and it's sides and a few cocktails CJ suggested. And everything was very well done. Thank you CJ for making it a memorable evening. We shall be back!

This was my second time coming to The Rest and I wanted to wait to review it until I tried one of their entrees. After eating here and having some drinks, I would definitely recommend this place just for the drinks and appetizer. Their mixed drinks are pricey but they are fantastic. Never too sweet and always refreshing and flavorful with high quality craft ingredients. The charcuterie board for 4 was the perfect size and had high quality ingredients as well, the honeycomb and goat cheese were our favorite! For my entree I had the scallop curry, and while it wasn't bad, it wasn't anything amazing either. Definitely on the bland side and missing something. Portion sizes here are also very small. My friends ordered the brisket, pork loin, and steak. Out of all our entrees the brisket was the best and most tender/flavorful. My overall recommendation is to come here for the gothic speakeasy aesthetic and have a drink and appetizer. Skip the entrees!

So good. Phenomenal food, stellar drinks, unique vibe, and cheap shots. My partner and I are often disappointed with the cost to quality ratio in SLC but everything about Bodega and below is well worth it.

Really cool place. Garlic in garlic bread was under cooked. Beer can chicken was incredible. Wish you could order bodega cocktails downstairs. Good for when you bring people into town.

Made reservations on OpenTable and they required a credit card be put on the reservation just in case we pulled a no call no show before 24 hours of the reservation. Also noted that there would be a $40 charge per person if one of the 3 people weren't able to make it. They take reservations pretty seriously! Anyway service was attentive and amazing the whole time. We had a difficult time deciding what to order as everything looked so amazing. The beer can chicken was succulent and tender, they brought it out before they cut it up and literally took a full hour to make that. We also had the deep fried NY steak, the charcuterie board with locally made ingredients. Also had the bread service which they made their own butter and even smoked one of them. The French onion sliders with brisket were super tender and flavorful. The only thing we found that kinda sucked were the beignets as there just wasn't enough sweetness to counter the dough. For sure will return as the place was exceptional!

Well, the underground part of bodega is super awesome really awesome atmosphere and vibe and the food is delicious as well as the drinks

When you walk in your first question is what are all the reviews taking about? Such a small place and then menu looks so simple. You might think you are in the wrong place but you would be wrong, you just need to ask to go downstairs. The upstairs bartender will pull out a key and open a grey industrial door and give you some directions. The Rest (aka the downstairs) is where it is at. Some of the best cocktails I have ever had. They make their own bitters and you can purchase them. The bartenders are very knowledgeable and have a great understanding on how to balance a crazy cocktail. Food is also top notch. It is a shame that the best food is hidden away downstairs. Nothing very fancy on the food end, simple ingredients that are married together to make excellence. I didn't have the brussel sprouts, but every order that came out (and it seemed like everyone ordered them but me) smelled perfect.

If you are looking for speakeasy that serves delicious cocktails and food for a hot date with your partner, this place is it! Once you walk in, it's set up to look like a shop but you can have cocktails there as well. We got there right when it opened at 5pm and asked if we could sit downstairs. My hubby and I sat at the bar which is our favorite place to sit to interact with the bartenders and get a live show of them making fabulous cocktails. We ordered 2-3 cocktails each. The G&T, Old Fashioned, and the Whiskey Sour's were all fantastic and all hands down our favorite cocktails in SLC! We also ordered the Charcuterie board which it says it serves 1 but plenty to split for 2 people. It was our favorite charcuterie board we have ever had! It's highly discouraging to take photos inside as it's a speakeasy but it's such a classy and intimate experiment, highly recommend! About our to Adam who made all of our cocktails and enjoyed learning more about the local spirits and other cocktails to choose from!

Great food, ambiance and service! I was in from out of town and this place on yelp. A couple of friends and I decided to check it out and were really impressed. I'll definitely be back!

Such a fun spot hidden away under BODEGA! It's great that you can make reservations online because it's a pretty small and intimate environment. The drinks are pricey but so delicious and carefully crafted! I tried the Maraquja cocktail and it was unlike anything I've ever had before. Unbelievably delicious and worth $17. For dinner we shared the maple glazed brussels sprouts and I had the espresso rubbed pork chop for my main course. The brussels sprouts were perfectly caramelized with a hint of smokiness from the bacon and sweetness from the butternut squash coulis. I was a little hesitant on the pork chop but I'm so glad I ordered it! The espresso added richness and texture that was balanced by the sweetness of the apple. The pork was not dry and was cooked to perfection! Highly recommend for a date or dinner with friends. It's a little more upscale but is a casual and comfortable ambiance.

Well disappointing night at The Rest. Super slow service and while the charcuterie was nice it took forever to get drinks. Our reservation was at 7pm and at 9:30 we were asking where the rest of the food was. The main area was not that busy but they had a big party in the back. I honestly think the server forgot to put in the order. I'm local and took an out of town friend. Too bad it wasn't good. Food was meh. Hamachi crudo cut thick and fried chicken sandwich just ok-not a lot of flavor. I'd been before and had a good experience. This was unfortunate. They did comp part of the meal but almost 3 hrs for 2 people. Crazy.

This is the second time we've gone here and they get two stars. Two stars for great service but the food is substandard. The charcuterie board was not bad but it wasn't anything to write home about. I ordered the duck breast and the skin wasn't rendered completely and then there was a chimichurri that was put on the crispy skin that made it soggy. My asparagus were mushy and the tips were burned. My husband ordered the steak and got a generous portion which was good and he liked his mashed potatoes. We remember having the same kind of Meh! attitude last time. And they want you to put a card on in case you cancel. Well we were hopeful that it would be better the second time around.

$3 tequila shots. What more can you ask for??? But seriously. Solid prices for shots. The bartenders are always nice. They usually have a good seasonal drink and some snacks you can purchase. If you come on a Friday after work, expect a large post-work crowd.

Absolutely brilliant. We've been to tons of speakeasies and a gazillion restaurants and this made our personal top 10. Don't waste your time in SLC anywhere else. The old fashioned with toffee in the "Rest" was killer.

Finally had an excuse to try this spot, and it is my new favorite spot if you're feelin spendy. The food was good, but it is the design/ambience that get 5 stars. When the host takes you down thru the basement and opens the door, the vibe changes immediately to a cozy, speak-easy atmosphere, you can almost smell the bourgeois emanating from the stuffed elk and Buffalo heads on the wall. Soft music plays from a record player that the bartender will flip or change every so often. The food was pretty good, but nothing crazy. We shared the sweet potato Gnocchi, which was good, but the pesto sauce was far too salty for me, good for a beer snack tho. The coffee Braised Short Rib was delicious, falling off the bone. Tasted just like a Korean dish I had grown up on - Galbi Jjim. The coffee is misleading, not a very distinguishable coffee taste but deep and rich. We also had the Beer Can Chicken, which was good, but didn't taste that much better/different than a store rotisserie chicken, not worth $40 and an hour wait in my opinion. I also loved the Plaid Fennel cocktail!

It is an amazing experience, and great food. Cocktails were fun and tasty, and everyone's food was delicious - highly recommend the brisket.

We were traveling through Salt Lake City from New England and after reading several glowing reviews we just had to visit. It was AWESOME. At first glance it's just a hip bar in downtown Salt Lake City, but if you make a reservation for dinner it's SO much more. We checked in with the host who unlocked a door at the back of the bar and escorted us down an ornate hallway and down into a dimly lit lounge that had leather booths and a really cozy intimate vibe. There was a record player playing music and a ton of records stacked around it that guests could pick from. It honestly felt like we were part of a secret underground club - fitting based on the history of Utah. The food and drinks were unique and DELICIOUS. When our beer can chicken came out we were drooling - the flavor was unreal. The warm potato salad was full of flavor and we even Googled if we could take the left overs to go on our flight home. LOL! The flavor didn't end there, we also ordered coffee and the classic beignets for dessert and they were delicious. So sweet and so warm. The staff was super friendly and attentive. Our server was Jonas- he was awesome and put up with my husbands dad jokes!! We also noticed that the restaurant thought of so many little details, like giving us a card that listed how to make the drink we ordered. The Rest is a definitely something you need to experience.

Used to be MUCH better.... I think they used to have a dress code and vetted their staff better. Steak was overdone and took forever to get another one, Used to be more upscale and a great place for a romantic dinner.... this time there were other patrons that were in shorts and worn out t-shirts.... Bring your standards back up and maybe we'll come back.... Until then, we'll take our date nights elsewhere....

Unfortunately the restaurant didn't live up to the hype. We had gotten a strong recommendation to come here as a "cool" place, and it definitely was. The ambiance was really cool, great vibe and decor. But the food and drink definitely didn't impress. First the good. The Bread Service is well worth it, delicious selection. The pork belly was also really good. Pork tenderloin was good too. A couple of the drinks were good; the Back Nine and the Parlay. The steak option, at $40, should have been perfection, but it was charred and tough all around the outside. The Thai hot chicken had a really thick fried crust that was more of an annoyance than a delicious part of the meal. My wife then asked for a bloody Mary martini, unfortunately they didn't have tomato juice so the waitress offered up her bartender's creativity to come up with something "inspired" by that drink. What came back was nothing close. It was a concoction of black pepper vodka, hot sauce, vermouth, and tasted more like a glass of Tabasco with a splash of vodka. We each took a sip to make sure she wasn't crazy, and even after we mentioned we couldn't drink it, magically the $16 charge still appeared on our bill. All in all, a cool place probably to come for some appetizers or just drinks, but it was overall a bit of a letdown. SLC needs cool places like this but the food needs to match for a truly great experience and this time it did not.

The Rest: get a dinner reservation if you can or show up early! Bar seating only for walk-ins. Loved the speakeasy vibe. Food was good, & the craft cocktails were fantastic.

Food is great. Service is trash. Classic snobbery with disregard for normal manners or service. It's ridiculous. The greeters, the waiters who are clueless and ack like they'd rather be anywhere else and that you're wasting their time, and the "security guards" or whatever they want to call them that are obnoxious. Perfect spot if you're a hipster looking to to make a basic "unique" first impression.

Stopped by for drinks only this time. Had the Old Fashion flight made with Honest John Orange clove, Coffee+Cherry, and Apricot bitters. Apricot wasn't my fave, but the other two were yum. Hubby had an Out of Mana--as expected with smoky flavor and good. Great place to go for a quiet and chill atmosphere with great cocktails.

Fun place to start the night and you cannot beat the $3 dollar tequila shots! Would recommend kinda small upstairs but still a great place to start

I'll be the first to admit-I'm a sucker for unique places and even more so for surprises. The Rest fits that bill perfectly. From the main/upstairs entrance off the street, you might be a little turned off. The place is tiny, doesn't have much to it and very rarely are there other people in there. But when you arrive and ask the host to go to The Rest (which you should have a reservation for), then the magic begins. There is a locked door that leads down a dimly lit staircase to the speakeasy below. The mood and ambience changes immediately and you are transported to another place. And you know that it's special. There are booths/tables as well as a bar. I enjoyed eating at a booth with a group of colleagues, although the bar would be fun for a more casual experience. This is not the place where you order a glass of wine or a beer. Sure, they have those things. But the bartender is amazing and you really ought to let him craft you up something delicious. Speaking of delicious, give yourself time to explore the food menu and order a meal. Since this is classified as a bar and not a restaurant (21+ required), you can just order a drink if you prefer. But you'd be missing out if you didn't order food as well. Everything that we ordered in our group was perfection. Remember, superb food takes time, so plan accordingly. The service here is top notch-your drink won't ever go dry and if you'd like a recommendation or two, your server will point you toward something great.