Shallow Shaft Restaurant

Good food in a cozy mountain location, at prices that reflect its proximity to the ski resorts. We've been going to the Shallow Shaft regularly for several years. Most recently (2016), the food was quite good, though perhaps not as outstanding this visit as in previous years. We found our waiter to have an oddly off-putting attitude, though - as if we were imposing by asking for our order, etc. I assume that's just a one-off experience; the other waitstaff seemed normal. We went with the wine selection recommended by our waiter, and I was quite pleased - a mellow Italian Cabernet that really worked with the meal.

The Shallow Shaft we love is back! We have been regular customers and were disappointed after a meal we had back in January. Decided to give it another chance after finding out they had hired a new chef. Happy to report that they are back to serving the best food in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Had an excellent dinner last night (3/6/18) and wonderful service!

If you're hungry this is not the place. Very expensive and not much food. What you get will be good but you'll need to hit another place after to satisfy hunger. 3oz of meat = $58

Don’t usually write reviews. But Shallow Shaft used to be one of our favorites and to see a great restaurant, with an interesting and diverse menu including game, excellent service and great pizza fall of the cliff is discouraging. Something has gone catastrophically wrong with a beloved old favorite. The menu is extremely limited: no game, no pizza, literally nothing interesting was. The menu could be found in any ordinary roadside quick stop. The service was extremely slow, especially when sitting on hard chairs after a long day skiing. Our food, the chicken and the steak, was tough and cold and minimal. I had a few chopped sweet potatoes under my steak and a dash of green sauce (possibly chimichura). And that was it. And when bread and fries are separate up charges, you know a restaurant in the US is on hard times. We have eaten at the Shallow Shaft for at least 25 years. It’s a shame to see this pale imitation of a valued original.

This restaurant was mentioned to us by our driver Gates, who drove us from the airport to Snowbird who said Shallow Shaft is "an experience." So what was our experience: 1) no atmosphere 2) poor quality of food 3) wine selection (and I like Spanish wine - only one Rioja and one Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain - not much to choose from). Now let me elaborate: 1) the interior of a restaurant is outdated with seriously outdated lighting. Overall, it is reminiscent of an old diner in the middle of nowhere. Cheap carpet floor makes the impression of a motel. 2) food (and in my case 'rack of lamb' priced at $44) came out totally burned (I ordered it well done). When I sent it back to the kitchen - burned food came back even worse. Staff was pleasant and friendly. I would not recommend this place at all. At all.

Went here with a large party and we were able to order lots of different dishes from the menu and share with each other. EVERY SINGLE DISH was excellent. Can't wait for my next visit. Yum! Really cozy vibe too.

One of the best dining experiences in Utah. Highly recommend. The service was impeccable, Holly made us feel like we were in a 5-star restaurant with white glove service. Our entrees were so delicious and the desserts were PHENOMENAL!!!

Great staff @ stinky old grandpas' garage on a perch up 30 feet in the air (great, great grandpa?) My date was appalled by the shower "curtain" next to her, and the extremelely very old smells from the very old dry moldy type wooden stuff that has been on the walls since - god's angels know when? Opened in 1954? Well, maybe the 70's was the last "renovation" - So to make a trip with a streatch limo worth it, we ate 2 appetizers, the rizoto was respectable, though plated with 2 carrots on top (uh?) and the crab cakes looked "good" on the plate, but were salty, typical average... We got 2 desserts, the Creme' brulee, which was the best EVER ! all the layers were perfect ! The Coffee icecream on top of bread pudding dessert was very average. Take all the good stuff off the walls, and repaint, so that nasty old stank goes away... Fix the stairs, and lighting. My date thought she was in Mormon hell. I tried to make the best of it... Great staff! You know a place is great & excited, when people are laughing and having a good time. Not here, very sullen...boring in fact, even on Valentines Day. There is an aire of false pride here, that is discomforting too. The prices are somewhat high, but being 12 miles up the canyon is the real pleasure.