Imagine taking an eight- to 10-hour flight to Paris, then transferring to Courcheval, Zermatt or Chamonix via plane or train. You packed all the gear for hiking or skiing, and your bag came in just at the weight limit. You are invigorated by a luxurious bluebird day on the trails or slopes. By late afternoon, you’re ready to hit the après scene and have a delicious bite to eat and something to sip while admiring the mountains. Oh, wait… you can do all this in downtown Park City.

Le Depot Brasserie and Union Patisserie are among Park City’s newest restaurants, bringing the taste and feel of a European slope-side eatery to town. Whether it’s the art on the walls, authentic approach to the food or standout customer service, both offer a taste of France but at the corner of Main Street and Heber Avenue. The thoughtfully restored Union Pacific Train Depot offers a glimpse of days gone by and provides a classy-yet-comfortable place to dine. It’s heartwarming to see a buzz of activity in the historic structure that was built in 1886 and has sat vacant since Zoom restaurant closed in 2017.

“The menu is inspired by my time living and cooking in France,” explains Galen Zamarra, operator of Le Depot Brasserie and Union Patisserie. “I want it to be authentic French brasserie food — familiar dishes, uncommon dishes, food that I love. It is also important that we don’t gouge people with high prices and instead focus on quality and a lively atmosphere,” adds Zamarra, who received the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef of the Year award early in his career and has worked alongside some of France’s most decorated chefs. 

Le Depot Brasserie is open for après and dinner daily, lunch on weekdays and brunch on weekends. Indulge in classic steak frites or try out the fruits de mer (seafood towers and dishes). Make a point to check out the plat du jour for each day such as merguez d’agneau on Tuesdays and cassoulet on Thursdays. Top off dinner with a quintessential profiterole or mille-feuille, a digestif, or a cup of coffee or tea. 

An amazing transformation of the train station’s tack shed resulted in Union Patisserie, a Parisian-style cafe. Here you will find freshly roasted coffee, espresso drinks, homemade croissants and pastries, other sweet treats, hot breakfast items and grab-and-go lunches. It is the perfect spot for a morning meeting or a place to get cozy with a favorite someone or your laptop. If you’re getting ready to wind down for the day, plan to meet over a glass of wine or beer. Between the coffee, Champagne and pastries and the quaint European feel, Union has all you need for a productive work session, comfortable reading spot or low-key happy hour. 

“Union Patisserie at its core is a meeting place,” says Zamarra. “You can meet your friends or colleagues, meet over coffee or a quick lunch, and meet after work or school. It’s just easy and comfortable.” 

Le Depot and Union artfully combine the history of Park City with mountain town chic. For example, both the restaurant and patisserie feature stools and countertop details made with wood from the original train trestle. And the two eateries are connected by a large outdoor space. “We have brought to life the plaza again as so many locals missed that energy,” Zamarra says.

Stop by to see the amazing transformation and savor Zamarra’s and his culinary team’s modern approach to authentic French dining. ledepotpc.com; unionparkcity.com