Downtown theatre dining deserves a standing ovation

With the new George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater performances getting rave reviews and the ballet and opera season in full swing at The Capitol Theatre, arts lovers will be swarming downtown on a more regular basis and looking for sustenance before each show.

In addition to solid nearby favorites such as Bambara, Martine Café, Siegfried’s and Caffé Molise—and a dining deal at Current for theater goers—two newcomers have recently hit the dining scene right on the Main Street block.

Encore Bistro

Located inside the Eccles Theater itself, Encore Bistro dishes up breakfast and lunch to the public on weekdays plus a special three-course dinner menu on performance nights.

Run by Cuisine Unlimited and Executive Chef Stacey Rosati, Encore Bistro features a variety of theatrically themed menu items made with fresh ingredients. Signature morning offerings include the Encore waffle sandwich with house-made chicken sausage and Utah cheddar cheese or the Carnegie breakfast wrap and are served from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Lunch caters to those looking for fresh and quick options like the east end salad highlighting napa and green cabbage, toasted almonds, grilled chicken and crispy wonton skins tossed with a ginger-soy vinaigrette or the Thai chicken wrap with toasted coconut and red curry coconut sauce in a spinach wrap.

Performance dinners will also be creatively customized to match the running show. Additionally, theater patrons will be able to enjoy beer and wine throughout the theater via Cuisine Unlimited theater concessions. And with the recent addition of the Zion ceiling in the Bistro, lunch diners can as well.

Mollie & Ollie

Just down the block a few steps is also Mollie & Ollie. This fast-casual, health-focused concept is a great place to stop for a pre-show dinner or dessert to cap off the evening.

Patrons can pick from pre-designed stir fries, noodle bowls, salads and wraps or build their own from several screens of vegetable and protein choices. Breakfast items are available as well.

Best of all, Mollie & Ollie serves all local beers and wine to go along with your meal or nightcap.

Wines by the glass ($8): 

• aCRISP Chardonnay
• Garnet Pinot Noir

Wine by the bottle: 

• Luna Pinot Grigio ($32)
• Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc ($32)
• FVine Vinho Verde ($24)
• Elk Cove Rose ($42)
• Silver Ridge Cabernet ($32)
• Primarius Pinot Noir ($39)

Draft beer ($5):

• Squatters Full Suspension IPA
• Wasatch Brewery Apricot Hefeweizen

Bottled beer:

• Squatters Hop Rising Double IPA ($6)
• Epic Brewing Spiral Jetty (pint) IPA ($8)

 

Current Fish & Oyster

If that isn’t enough, Current Fish & Oyster is doing dining deals both before and after theater performances this season.

A special pre-performance, three-course dinner is offered from 4 to 7 p.m. on show nights for $35 per person and features a chef’s choice appetizer, entrée and dessert.

After you attend the performance, save your tickets stubs for an extra treat. Present your used Broadway Theater ticket stub to Current on Saturday or Sunday and get a buy one, get one free brunch. (Which I recently wrote about here.)

279 East 300 South, SLC, Utah 84111

801-326-FISH (3474)