(Cafe Madrid)
Café Madrid’s Todd McAfee lives and breathes Spanish cuisine at his restaurant. Gabriella, his Spanish-born wife and creative collaborator, grew up in the restaurant business. Her talents were sought after and led her to a prominent position.
“My wife was the first female to ever serve in the (Spanish) presidential palace,” Todd boasts.
This distinction is significant because it’s traditionally a man's role. When Gabriella came to the United States, Todd says she brought that same passion, warmth, and European service to her approach to hospitality.
“Everybody is taking care of all the tables,” he explains. “There's a very good chance you're going to have two, three, or four different servers come to your table in different capacities, dropping off your tapas, refilling your wine, bringing you more fresh bread— whatever it might be.”
Put simply, it’s all about attention to detail at Café Madrid. Todd says Gabriella takes pride in delivering what he calls “perfection,” from the ambiance to the food presentation. The duo must be doing something right because they’ve cultivated a global community over their two decades in business. They’ve become friendly with many guests from around the world.
As for what to order, Todd recommends the Duroc pork.
“It’s a very prized breed of pork here in America,” he says. “It’s well-marbled, juicy, and tender. It's one of the best porks.”
(Cafe Molise)
At Caffé Molise, the richness of Italy’s Molise region comes alive with every bite. It doesn’t get much more authentically Italian than this Salt Lake City establishment.
“We source our ingredients from local farmers and grow our own produce,” says owner Fred Moesinger. “In addition to our excellent cuisine, we have an amazing wine list and drinks menu. Many of our wines are sourced by our sommelier and are highly allocated and not otherwise available in the Utah market.”
Fred says many of the recipes were passed down from his former partner’s family, and you can taste the difference. The menu is fresh and inspired — Fred and his team love to dream up new concepts.
“We're always trying new things and innovating in the kitchen,” he says. “From our house-made pasta to new cuts of meat to fresh fish, we encourage our staff to get creative. This year, in addition to growing our own heirloom tomatoes, we're also growing Italian peppers. We've got Diavolicchio, Calabrian, and Marconis that we feature in our daily specials.”
However, you can never go wrong with a classic pasta to satisfy the body and soul. The house-made gnocchi, pappardelle, and fettuccine are his favorites. For those looking for a protein-centric dish, he recommends the Pollo alla Gratella — a marinated grilled chicken breast served on pasta (or potatoes) in a creamy sauce.
(The Bruce)
Salt Lake’s The Bruce offers an invitation to experience authentic Scottish traditions and modern twists.
“We’re dedicated to using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create classic Scottish dishes and offer plenty of gluten-free options to make everyone feel welcome,” says owner Tali Bruce. “What really sets us apart, though, is our vibrant atmosphere. As a full-service sports pub, we broadcast every major sports event and UFC fight, making us a go-to spot for fans.”
Sports fan or not, you’re in for a great time here. The only Scottish Bar in Salt Lake, the Bruce is dedicated to the memory of Tali’s late husband William Bruce who was a direct descendant of Robert the Bruce, the King of Scotland from 1306 to 1329.
Tali and her team have worked hard to create a place where guests can unwind and enjoy good company. The pub’s ambiance reflects William’s commitment to outstanding service and hospitality.
Of course, the fare is the centerpiece of the experience. Tali recommends dishes like Cullen Skink or Scotch Eggs because they bring Scotland's rich culinary history to life. In her words, “It’s more than just food — it’s about sharing a piece of cultural heritage.”
“Durac is well-marbled, juicy, tender and one of the best pork cuts.”
“We're always trying new things and innovating in the kitchen.”
“We’re dedicated to using fresh, high-quality ingredients to create classic Scottish dishes and offer plenty of gluten-free options to make everyone feel welcome.”