Michele StuevenThe dining scene in Southern Utah rivals the popularity and diversity of its filming locations. Here’s a taste of what we found on our film buff’s tour of the Beehive State.
The star chef of the region, Shon Foster, has made his mark across the southern part of the state with Sego in Kanab, the world-famous basecamp for adventure seekers and nature lovers and at The Advenire in St. George.
A native of Kanab, Foster takes a thoughtful approach to food, blending contemporary cuisine with local traditions. Foster served as executive chef at Amangiri, named one of “America’s Best Hotels for Foodies” by Travel & Leisure in January 2013. Amangiri is a boutique resort tucked into the canyons of Southern Utah at Canyon Point, near the Arizona border, and a member of Aman Resorts, a collection of luxury resorts worldwide.
At Sego located in the Canyons Boutique Hotel, it’s not unusual to run into locals like actor Owen Wilson or his brother Luke who co-stars in Horizon: An American Saga. The seasonal menu includes items like duck lo mein, bone-in prime rib, and a list of plant-based options like foraged mushrooms, wok-tossed broccoli, and elote fritters. The lively cocktail program includes drinks made with local Utah gin and vodka.
Duck Lo Mein at Sego (Michele Stueven)
At the Advenire Hotel, Foster showcases a variety of small plates and starters paired with signature shareable entrees sourced from local and regional farmers and artisans and responsibly sourced fish and seafood. The wood-fired biscuits are stars on the menu, either on a fried chicken sandwich or with house-made berry jam.
The Smoke Wagon Saloon at the Once Upon a Time in America Museum will open in the first week of August, located upstairs from the new museum stuffed with Hollywood memorabilia, a vast collection of Hollywood Western autographs and artifacts plus an entire hall dedicated to filming in Southern Utah with dozens of original movie posters and signed photos.
Step back in time to the Kanab Pharmacy Soda Fountain, which is a pharmacy first and a soda fountain second. There’s a refreshing line of regular and ice cream sodas like cherry limeade as well as pizza, sandwiches, milkshakes and sundaes.
Right in the center of Kanab, the Wild West-themed Iron Horse serves burgers, steaks, salads, barbecue ribs and chicken as well as the best tender house-smoked brisket around. The indoor/outdoor restaurant and grill also features live music on Saturdays and some of the best onion rings in the West.
Kanab Pharmacy Soda Fountain (Michele Stueven)
The Stars & S’mores evening with Adventure Tour Company at the Kanab Movie Fort is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tour the private canyon and destination of the old movie fort, a location where more than 35 movies have been filmed. The fort was used for the filming of many movies like The Apple Dumpling Gang and the most recent HBO’s second season of Westworld was filmed here. Roast giant marshmallows around a roaring fire as you gaze at stars, constellations and satellites with stories from local native Kanabian oldtimers. You can also feast on hot dogs, and tinfoil or Dutch oven dinners.
The Wild Thyme Cafe at the mouth of Zion National Park in the town of Springdale features local Southwestern flavors like the elk burger topped with hatch chili cheese. Meals are created in small batches in a scratch kitchen, using ingredients from the on-site organic gardens located on the sprawling Trees Ranch, where the restaurant is located. Don’t be surprised if you see Kevin Coster hanging up his hat, as he is shooting Horizon: An American Saga nearby.
Cliffside Restaurant, perched directly on the cliff of the newly renovated Inn On The Cliff, overlooks the city of St. George and offers a dramatic panoramic view of the valley. The upscale menu includes seared Idaho red trout with pesto couscous pearls and dried cranberry mostarda as well as hand-pulled mozzarella crostini and a selection of prime steaks. The real showstopper is dessert – a root beer float prepared tableside.
Kanab Movie Fort and Stars & S’mores Experience (Michele Stueven)
The Painted Pony is tucked away in the tower building of Ancestor Square in historic downtown St. George, a cozy and romantic spot dotted with contemporary Southwestern art. Homage is paid to the Beehive State with honey-themed cocktails and honey-glazed salmon and wine-poached pears for dessert. Crisp and fun lunch options include a deliciously fresh Green Goddess Salad with roasted poblano hummus, feta, avocado, kalamata olives, potato, a perfect seven-minute egg, over greens, topped with a seeded cracker.
Get to the Farmstead bakery in the heart of downtown St. George early, before the line gets too long. A local favorite, the patisserie’s “passion through pastry” is clear with an incredible selection of baked goods that include a variety of croissants, cookies, bread and pies baked daily onsite as well as salads and sandwiches.
Green Goddess salad at the Painted Pony (Michele Stueven)
Custard-filled croissants at Farmstead (Michele Stueven)