Why the owners of Hearth and Hill stayed put after historic Sugar House fire
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Hearth and Hill's dining room. Photo: Kim Bojórquez/Axios
Not even one of Salt Lake City's worst blazes could deter restaurateurs Brooks and David Kirchheimer from opening Hearth and Hill, their fourth restaurant.
State of play: A fire tore through The Residence at Sugar Alley in Sugar House on a late night in October 2022 as it was under construction. It burned for seven days, causing $59 million in damages.
- On the morning of the fire, the restaurant had received a highly coveted liquor license and building permit, according to Brooks.
- The Kirchheimers could have canceled their lease, but chose to stay and continue building.
Driving the news: More than two years later, the elevated, casual eatery is now open on the first floor of luxury, mixed-use development.
- It's the second Hearth and Hill after its original location debuted in Park City in 2018.
Between the lines: It's their second restaurant in Salt Lake City opening at a Lowe Property Group venue.
- They previously worked with the developer to build the upscale Urban Hill at The Post District. The restaurant's head chef, Nick Zocco, has been nominated for two James Beard Awards.
What they're saying: "It's surreal to finally see it come to life," Brooks said. "We're really proud to be a part of the Sugar House community."
- David acknowledged there are challenges when launching a restaurant in a new building, but emphasized the advantages of collaborating with the same developer.
Zoom in: Hearth and Hill features an open kitchen, a horseshoe-shaped bar accompanied by large TVs, and a menu with international flavors, ranging from Vietnamese to Mexican.
- Unlike Urban Hill, which Brooks describes as a "chef-driven restaurant," this one is "chef-inspired."Hearth and Hill is a "chef-inspired restaurant."
- A chef-driven restaurant can center around a chef's skills and tastes, while a chef-inspired eatery could be influenced by other factors.
What's next: The Kirchheimers are set to open their second Hill's Kitchen location which will be next door to Hearth and Hill this month.
Hours: Located at 2188 S. Highland Drive, Hearth and Hill is open 11am-9pm Monday-Friday and 10am-9pm on weekends.
- Reservations are available online.