What to expect at Monte, Utah's first Michelin-starred restaurant
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Rabbit ravioli at Monte. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios
Utah foodies are champing at the bit for a table at Monte, the state's first Michelin star recipient.
Why it matters: Reservations are now hard to snag.
- Co-owner Karen Babío tells Axios a new booking popped up every minute in the hours following last Wednesday's announcement of the new American Southwest Guide.
The intrigue: Monte quickly made a name among committed gourmands — but many hometown diners hadn't heard of it.
- Its sign is barely visible from the industrial street where it hides inside a distillery.
What's inside: A no-expense-spared culinary retreat where vaulted ceilings, stained-glass windows and contemporary furnishings surround course after innovative course of perfectly matched flavors that taste surprising but feel like home.
- Chef Martín wants his meals to reflect Utah, Karen says; each one is at least 85% locally-sourced, according to our server.
Zoom in: His tasting menus change frequently; on Saturday, we traveled from an amuse bouche of a crunchy beet wafer with goat cheese and caviar, to a dessert of cauliflower gelato.
- In between, the high points: Heirloom tomato salad, rabbit ravioli with lemongrass sauce and a beefy bomb of wagyu served over truffle potato puree.
How it works: While making reservations, choose your menu — the 10-course "long" menu for $160 or the $120 short menu of eight courses.
- Wine pairings are $90 and well worth the splurge; every 2 oz. glass was better than I could have chosen.
- The short menu was more than enough to fill my tummy.
Pro tip: You may be tempted to make a meal of the butter, jam and paté served with the bread course. Exercise restraint.
The bottom line: If you have a chance to dine at Monte, bust open the piggy bank and take a bite that's making history.
