With a relatively short summer and autumn in the Wasatch Back, everyone wants to be outdoors in the sunshine as much as possible. Some of the best things about fair-weather seasons in the Park City area are the farm dinners, outdoor dining events and amazing patios. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun set over a gourmet dinner, but it’s even better when the food is fresh from a nearby farm.
The Lodge at Blue Sky
Each month, from June through September, Gracie’s Farm at The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Collection hosts al fresco farm dinners. Gracie’s Farm produces delicious ingredients for both the lodge and guests at Gracie’s Farm Seasonal Dinner Series, where guests enjoy an al fresco dinner with a seasonal ingredient featured each month. The season opens with a spring vegetables theme on June 25, followed by garlic on July 23, tomatoes on August 27, and harvest dinners on September 10 and 11. Each of the four or five courses will include the featured ingredient of the evening, including the signature cocktail and dessert.
The intimate dinners seat just a few dozen patrons and begin with a cocktail hour. When booking a reservation, there is an option to choose a wine or cocktail pairing for each course. “FarmHer” Lynsey Gammon and Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez open dinner with an introduction, and each course is served by the skilled catering team. As the sun sets, the fairy lights come on, and the dessert course is enjoyed under the stars.
The farm also hosts a Guest Chef Series that includes two renowned local chefs who will bring their farm-to-table cooking skills to Wanship: High West Distillery’s Executive Chef Jordan Harvey on July 12 and Tupelo Executive Chef and Co-owner Matt Harris on August 2.
Another unique outdoor dining opportunity through The Lodge at Blue Sky is the WildKitchen Series. Designed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, WildKitchen is a live fire culinary concept based on his WildTable, a one-of-a-kind, live-fire cooking unit where chefs grill, smoke and roast while guests are seated around the table.
Set in a luxurious safari tent in a high alpine field, the intimate event seats just 24 guests. This unique experience is accessible via the resort’s 4×4 vehicles or a guided hiking excursion. The Chefs on Fire series brings award-winning guest chefs from around the country to WildTable for several dates between May 23 and October 10.
Deer Valley Resort
In recent years, Deer Valley has ramped up its culinary offerings under the guidance of Executive Chef Peter Menteer. Two offerings in particular take advantage of the summer and fall windows for outdoor dining.
The Fire and Flavor Festival debuted last year and celebrates the art of live-fire cooking. The success of the three-day weekend led to expanding into five weekends from July 11 to August 9, with different chefs cooking on the lawn of Silver Lake Lodge. Among the featured chefs are Sarah Glover, an Australian chef and author known for her outdoor cooking style; the local chefs of Matilda crafting pizzas on Gozney pizza ovens; and Ryan Arensdorf, executive chef, pitmaster and owner of KC Que. Each weekend features live music, local Utah breweries and a la carte food offerings, as well as $25 entrees.
Taste of Luxury brings world-renowned guest chefs to venues around Deer Valley Resort. For example, local chef Clement Gelas of Courchevel and Talisker Club served a six-course dinner on the deck of Deer Valley Cafe last summer. Watch for details about this year’s options.
Savor the Summit
One of Park City’s standout summer evenings typically happens on the last Saturday in June. Billed as “Utah’s largest outdoor dinner party,” Savor the Summit on June 27 will bring dozens of Main Street restaurants together to serve guests on one long table down Main Street.
Savor the Summit started as part of Park City Jazz Festival in 2006. At that time, six restaurants participated. Today, dozens of restaurants serve about 2,500 guests. Each participating restaurant has a prix fixe menu, and options range from casual classics like Flanagan’s on Main and The Eating Establishment to fine dining favorites, including Riverhorse on Main and Firewood.
While the event is organized by the Park City Area Restaurant Association, reservations are handled by each restaurant. Likewise, all revenue goes back to the dining establishments.
Buy Fresh Local Ingredients
Want to have your own farm-to-table dinner? Stock up at these summer farmers’ markets.
Park City Farmer’s Market takes place on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the parking lot next to the First Time chairlift at Park City Mountain Resort.
Heber Market on Main takes over Heber City Park on Thursday evenings (June 4-August 20), with live music and food and craft vendors from 5-9 p.m.
Midway Farmers Market takes place on Midway Town Square on Saturdays from June 6-October 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Pull Up a Patio Chair
The activated patios that start popping up all over Main Street are a sure sign of summer. Whether you’re into people watching or enjoying the surrounding mountains while savoring a great meal, these are some of the best outdoor spaces in Park City.
Butcher’s Chop House has one of the best patios in Old Town. It sits right under Town Lift, so you really get that ski-town feel, even in summer. The appetizer menu is delicious and pairs well with a cold beverage on a warm summer day.
Grappa has three patios adjacent to their restaurant on Upper Main Street. The lushly landscaped decks provide a dining in the woods feel instead of being only steps from the bustle of Main Street.
The St. Regis Deer Valley’s Fire Garden at The Terrace Cafe is hard to beat. Your visit begins with a scenic funicular ride to the resort and excellent views of Deer Valley. The Summer Sunday Brunch is worth the splurge or come in late afternoon for the daily champagne sabering.
At the corner of Main Street and Heber Avenue, Courchevel is perfectly positioned for people watching. Enjoy delicious French cuisine in the heart of Old Town, watching the sun go down behind Park City Mountain.
For a family-friendly outdoor dining option, the lawn at Blind Dog is perfect. Kids have lots of room to run around the grassy area, while adults enjoy seafood and sushi, often accompanied by live music.
The Lakehouse at Deer Creek is the only waterfront dining spot around. Their menu is outstanding, rivaled only by the sunset view from their deck overlooking Deer Creek Reservoir.
Le Depot Brasserie and Union Patisserie occupy a key corner on Main Street at the historic train depot and share a large patio. If you are craving French cuisine or a top-notch pastry with a side of people watching, add these to your outdoor dining list.
