I'm happy we got to spend Labor Day weekend in Utah! We spent most of our time salt bathing and catching sunsets in Bonneville, but we also ate at some great restaurants in Salt Lake City: The Copper Onion, Red Iguana and the Bambara (located in the Hotel Monaco where we stayed). Also if you visit, make sure to check out Bar X. From the outside it looks a little sketchy (think cheap strip club) but in the inside it has one of the coolest vibes around. If you're from SF, it sort of reminds me of the Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel, but filled with much cooler people. Very hip, fashionable and even had a live band! Definitely one of my new favorite spots to grab a drink and another on the list of places I wish was local. We'd heard some great things about Park City, but unfortunately didn't get to visit. Next time!
Bonneville Salt Flats
Forever on Vacation
The reason we flew to Salt Lake City was to be close enough to drive to the Bonneville Salt Flats. About an hour and a half west via I-80, the land begins to look like snow and the only thing reminding you it's not is the 93 degree weather. We mainly stayed off road in the middle of the dryer parts, right before the Rest Area exit. But if you drive down to the Speedway exit, you'll come across a beach-like area which is in fact the tracks where the speed races are held. I have never seen so much salt in my life. The water reflections make it a perfect backdrop for awesome picture taking and is no wonder why all those car commercials are filmed here.
The Red Iguana
Salt Lake City is a ghost town during Labor Day weekend so if you're looking to get away from all the madness and avoid the crowds, come here. Alex and I were surprised how empty the streets were. And aside the guests inside our hotel at the Monaco that's located right in the heart of downtown and the minimal tourists inside City Creek Center, a new outdoor shopping mall, it's a pretty quiet city with almost zero traffic. We thought that up until we decided to eat at the Red Iguana and it was then when we realized -- so this is where all the people in Salt Lake are! If you want the best Mexican food in Utah, look no further. I got a cheesy quesadilla, guacamole and Alex ordered the Gringas. Both were excellent, along with the killer strawberry margarita that I can already taste just thinking of it. And to top it off, we got lucky we didn't even have to wait in line! 5 stars hands down.