We will be in Park city 5 days during Christmas week. We're a family of 4 (2 teens). I was wondering if reservations are necessary during that week, and how far in advance to make them. Also what time do restaruanrt tend to get busy?

Any restaurant recs would also be appreciated. We are looking for decent restaurants that aren't overly expensive (< $20 entree), primarily American, Italian and maybe Mexican or Japanese food (my son is a picky eater so nothing too exotic or fancy). Casual places are fine too. In general I'm not too crazy about the major chain restaurants.

We will have a car and are staying at the Radisson. We would also be interested in Salt Lake City dining as well or other locations near by that have good food, and maybe won't be as crowded as Park City.

Thanks much.

Hi M,

I live in Park City and people are always asking for restaurant recommendations. People's experiences and opinions of restaurants can vary hugely.

Yes, get your reservations in advance for Christmas, but not all restaurants take them, especially in the price range you are looking for. Like most ski areas, eat early or eat late, but if you try for 7pm, you'll wait a long time.

Check out parkcityinfo.com.

Any specific restaurants anyone can recommend. It doesn't have to be on the shuttle route because we will have a car. Is there any particular area besides Main st, that has several restaurants and easy parking?

One more question, do they allow smoking in UT restaurants?

ALso, if they allow smoking, do they have non-smoking areas. I don't like smokey places.

thanks.

Hi again M,

The Kimball Junction area, 7 mi. from Park City, has several restaurants:

Loco Lizard
Golden Schezwan (SP?)
Park City Pizza
Red Rock Brewery
Wingers

Of these, I would recommend the Red Rock.

The Prospector Square area has several restaurants too:

Windy Ridge
Blind Dog Saloon
The Grubsteak
and others

Reasonable on Main St.:

The Eating Establishment
Red Banjo Pizza
Burgie's
Wasatch Brewery

Very good and reasonable at PCMR base:

Baja Cantina

This should help. No reason to drive all the way down to SLC just for dinner.

It's been snowing a lot and the skiing is great. Have a wonderful visit!

Hi! We were in Park City in March and had a good meal at Cicero's. It's a reasonably priced Italian restaurant with good food. The night we went they were VERY busy though, and the service was lacking a bit. They have a bar (private club) downstairs in the basement where you can have a drink while you wait for your table. I think all restaurants are smoke-free, with the exception being private clubs.

Thanks.

I'm thinking the places not on the shuttle route, particularly not on Main St, may not be as crowded.

And I'm glad to hear restaurants are smoke-free!

On the right side of the fodors homepage is a list of Fodors Top Picks 2006 for restaurants. Wahso in Park City is one of only ten listed worldwide.

I second Windy Ridge, Wasatch Brewery, and Cantina Baja! In SLC Market Grill (or street??), the Brazilian Rodizzio place in a cool square (not great meat but good fun!

Wahso, Grappa, Chimayo, Windy Ridge, and another brand new one I can't remember the name of, are all owned by the same wonderful chef, Bill White. They are some of the very best and also $$$$$$$. Make your res now if you want to eat there during Christmas. His restaurants serve mostly very creative and sophisticated dishes, but you will find a few more typical (but wonderful) choices for picky kids.

I've found some website for these restaurants. So far a booked Grub Steakhouse and La Casita. I don't want anything too pricey or too fancy. It's just not worth it with my kids. Now I'm looking for a reasonable Italian that takes reservations. How is Buona Vita? Or Ghidotti's? It appears that lots of the cheaper places don't take reservations.

My thought is the day we get there, we'll wander around Main St. exploring and just wing it for dinner. After that I want reservations to be safe.

We will be there New Year's eve. We don't want to party it up that night, just want a normal dinner at around 6:30ish. Will it be tough find a place? Should we just eat at out hotel (Radisson)?

OMG! Don't eat your New Year's dinner at the Raddison! You'll be able to find something much better. As I mentioned and you have discovered, the less expensive places don't take reservations.

I have not been to Buona Vita yet myself (there are just too many good restaurants here), but I have heard it's good.

It's been dumping all day and the snow is light and deep. You're in for a treat.

We're planning an uneventful, early New Year's eve. We leave the next morning and don't want to to deal any kind of New Year's Eve hoopla.

Glad to hear it's snowing. I've only skiied east coast with the ice, so soft snow is going to be a treat.

I'm writing you from Park City. I'm currently enjoying my vacation week. My take on the food is that it is for the most part PRICEY. We're staying at Marriott's Mountainside (a timeshare resort) so we have a full kitchen and that's saved us. We've also found trekking over to Kimball to be helpful as the restaurants may be quaint on Main, but they're not cheap.

I also would NOT recommend Baja Cantina. Maybe it's just that I'm from California and Mexican restaurants there are good and plentiful, but I was pretty disappointed. It all started with the somewhat dirty establishment...then the "cold" chips, to the semi-clean plates. I just wouldn't recommend them. I'd pretty much stay away from all of the restaurants at resort center. None of them are appealing. A nice deli would make all the difference here.

Other than the restaurants this place is just amazing...this is my first stay in Park City and I am enjoying every minute. It doesn't hurt that there's been some serious snow for us

Enjoy your stay!!

dfdelacruz - Windy Ridge Cafe has a small deli/bakery - Check it out!

Thanks for all of your feedback. Keep it coming....

I really don't want to spend $25/entree. I'd like to keep it under $20. I've checked some of the menus on line, and Park City sure does have some pricey restaurants (and that's coming from someone who lives in NYC).

Hi MF,

Well it's a resort town! I've skied all over the western US and Canada and I don't think Park City is any more expensive than Vail, Aspen, Whister, etc.....

You might consider getting a condo and cooking in?

I'm not cooking on vacation. I cook all year round!

I actually looked into condos, but their cancellation policies were a big turnoff, and I like having a full breakfast included.

I live in NYC where things are pricey, but there are neighborhoods where you can get an excellent meal at a moderate price.

Granted I really don't want to eat at Ruby Tuesday's or fast food, but I was hoping not to spend $20+/entree. If the $20+ includes salad/beverage/entree, that would be ok.

I was just there this fall and didn't notice restaurants being pricey. I bet that it appears that way to you now because if a restaurant has a website with a posted menu it is likely to be more upscale. I thought there were a number of casual places to eat that didn't break the bank. But as Dayle said, "It is a resort town..."