Ski-Town Eats: Deer Valley

Visitors flock to this alpine ski resort for the Olympic-worthy slopes and upscale amenities, but the impressive variety of on-site grub secures Deer Valley's position as one of Utah's can't-miss locales.

By: Cameron Curtis

Photo By: Eric Schramm

Photo By: Adam Barker ©AdamBarkerPhotography

Photo By: Keri Bascetta

Photo By: Heidi Larsen

Welcome to Deer Valley

Just a 45-minute car or shuttle ride from the Salt Lake City Airport, Deer Valley has more than 2,000 acres of ski slopes. And after making their longest run (2.8 miles), you'll certainly have worked up an appetite for one of these prime in-town eats.

Breakfast: Snow Park Restaurant

Each day from 8 to 10:30 a.m. there's a breakfast buffet with freshly baked pastries and made-to-order entrees. Start light with housemade granola and low-fat yogurt, or Irish oatmeal with a drizzle of Vermont maple syrup. Or, for something that'll really stick to your ribs, opt for huevos rancheros or an omelet filled with house-smoked salmon.

Snow Park Restaurant

Lunch: Bald Mountain Pho

Combat winter chills after the slopes with a bowl of warming Vietnamese pho, for just $13.75. Diners can choose between beef and ginger-mushroom broth, then add sliced Wagyu beef or tofu and shiitake mushrooms with glass noodles. All of the bowls are served with toppings of bean sprouts, lime, Thai basil, sliced chiles and mint.

Bald Mountain Pho

Apres-Ski: The Brass Tag

If cheese is your thing, you'll be glad to learn thatThe Brass Tag at Deer Valley features a Meadowlark Double Cream Brie plate, which is served with foraged elderberry jelly, housemade whole-grain mustard and pickles. Other cheese options (and there are many) are curated by Belgian cheese maker Corinne Cornet-Coniglio, who is also the owner of Fromage Without Borders, which promotes gourmet cheese in the U.S. If cheese isn’t your thing, go for the freshly baked pretzels with dipping sauces, or the chocolate chip cookie skillet.

The Brass Tag

Sushi: Yama at Montage Deer Valley

Enjoy a California Roll with a view of the slopes at this sushi stop. Pair classic rolls with a sake from the restaurant's extensive selection, or try one of the signature rolls like the Wasatch, named after the mountain range and filled with shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, salmon, cucumber and avocado.

Yama at Montage Deer Valley

Dinner with Friends: Fireside Dining

With inspiration from the Alps, this restaurant serves four courses, all cooked in a stone fireplace. Specialty items like the warm raclette with new potatoes, pearl onions and cured meats are a transporting taste of Switzerland. The roasted leg of lamb is cooked slowly by the fire, brushed with seasonings and served with Dutch-oven delights like macaroni and cheese or onion bread pudding.

Fireside Dining

Tasting Menu: The Mariposa

A small-plates menu here means you can linger for hours next to one of the crackling fireplaces. And, with vegetarian specialties and gluten-free options, it won't matter if your date has dietary restrictions. Try the Niman Ranch Beef Short Rib with Pontack sauce, salsify parsnip puree, snap peas and baby carrots or the Grilled Ahi Fillet with abalone mushrooms and chevre-mashed Yukon gold potatoes.

The Mariposa at Deer Valley Resort

Splurge: J&G Grill

Located in the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort, this fine-dining spot features dishes from world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. A tasting menu will set you back $105 per person, but you can make a meal of the appetizers and sides alone. Go for the roasted rainbow carrots, beehive cheddar mac and cheese and crispy Brussels sprouts with chestnuts, speck and truffle honey.

J&G Grill

Sunday Brunch: Glitretind Restaurant

Located inside the 5-star Stein Eriksen Lodge, this cozy spot offers a Sunday brunch buffet that might have you skipping the slopes just to hunker down and sample it all. From omelets and waffles made to order to entrees like a grilled lamb T-bone, there's something for everyone. From May until mid-October, a local two- or three-piece band is on hand to set the mood.

Glitretind Restaurant

Distillery: High West Distillery & Saloon

With 12 distilleries, 15 wineries and 24 breweries, Utah isn't short on drinking holes. If the hard stuff is what you're after, check out High West Distillery & Saloon, located at the bottom of the Quittin' Time ski run in nearby Park City. It's the world's first and only ski-in gastro-distillery. The bar is made of reclaimed wood from the Great Salt Lake Trestle Bridge of 1904. Warm up with a cowboy coffee that features bourbon, sugar, Publik coffee and whipped cream. Or stick to classics like the Moscow Mule or Whiskey Sour.