Bodega
331 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT, 84111
Bodega Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Salt Lake City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
331 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111 - Phone (801) 532-4042
- Website https://www.bodega331.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Courtney F.
This place was really cool and the food was very good. Went with a group of people so we did family style and were able to try many things on the menu. Everything was really good but a few things were noteworthy & absolutely delicious "must try's" on the menu: the beer cheese plate, the scallop fritters, the duck nuggets, the beer chicken, and the paella. Aside from the food, the fact that this Bodega place is really a front to hide the gem of a restaurant called The Rest is awesome. Was really cool to go in to Bodega and end up thru a secret doorway that leads to a completely different place and with a speakeasy vibe that's underground. Recommend checking this place out whether you live in SLC or are just visiting SLC (like I was).
(4)Caryn A.
As soon as I saw this place on the SLC dine o round menu I knew I had to come. I had been here once before but I was tired from work and not really willing to put lots of cash on the table for drinks and food. I found someone just as eager as me to go. We dressed up in nice clothes. I made sure I had a huge appetite. The front store was all remodelled, their shop gone, I was relieved to find out they still sold cigarettes. They said they got rid of their candy cause most people would rather have alcohol. I joked that alcohol is candy for adults. This place puts you into a cool mood. The vibe is very underground, you go through a hallway and stairs to get to the actual resturaunt. It is dimly lit with stuffed animals hanging on the walls, interesting art, pictures of ancestors, old books and records all over the place. We had a reservation, my friend made it. While I didn't think it would be necessary it was and I was grateful he did. We ordered our drinks (all of their mixed drinks are amazing) and walked around a bit to check things out. We ordered the dine around menu. First: duck jerky that had been cured for 72 hours. OH MY GOD. So good. Second: A pastrami sandwich with what seemed like homemade potato chips and pickles. The sandwich was absolutely incredible. Not only that but the pickles were spicy and the chips melted in your mouth. Third: dessert pastries. I got a 9% stout to go with it and it finished it up nicely. It was a steal, $15 bucks for the dine o round plus whatever drinks we got. This is going on until 09/28 in SLC so there is still time. Even their bathroom is hard to find and incredibly interesting with amazing lotion after you wash your hands. If you want to impress a date or just have great conversation + amazing food with a friend in a place that is completely unique I really recommend. Oh! How could I forget. The service was impeccable, I never even ran out of water!
(5)Drew D.
So the downstairs area dies have a New York feel. If you're familiar with little bird it's very similar but less classy. Didn't get any food but had a super gingery Moscow mule. Too much really but it worked . I can see how this works in salt lake . The name is kinda dumb and I didn't get a copper mug . Just ain't right
(3)Annie P.
Afterwork cocktails and quick snack! Bodega was so worth the wait and I am so happy for the impromptu after work visit! Service was spot on - well Bodega is tiny but still amazing! We savored the Moab Brewery "El Especial" draft which was really good! And for snacks we had the chorizo croquettes $5 bucks, the Queso fundido $5, and the fish tacos $5!!! Everything was amazing! can't wait to go back and try The Rest :)
(4)HD N.
Ok, so the speak easy part depends on the night I was told, there was nothing available but the tiny bar and counter upstairs when I went. It is low key with some state brews for cheap. Can be chill, but can also be too "chill" hipster central. So if it is your crowd, you can have fun, if not you might want to try something different. But mind you I am not review the downstairs speakeasy part ... Because it was not there ...
(3)Deano G.
Cool spot, great idea, fantastic decor, average service, decent food.... But it just didn't work for me. My girlfriend (aka better half) surprised me by finding this place (The Rest, not bodega) before I did and took me one night last weekend. I loved the idea and the place itself, but again, it just didn't work for me. The service was extremely average and possibly overrated. The (PBR) beer can chicken was good but lacked seasoning, the crab cakes were cold and again, average... So average that we skipped dessert. (And you might want to put salt & pepper on the tables for the guests who would like to season their food... Just a suggestion) The ambiance and decor was spot on. Well decorated, dark, and a cool vibe, but unfortunately that was about it. Will I go back you ask? If someone else takes me... Maybe. But would I make reservation and go myself? Most likely not. Sorry guys. It wasn't that good. Oh, and another suggestion for the owners/management, Stock up on call brand liquors... Not everyone likes bullet whiskey.
(3)Ron B.
The idea of The Rest is great. Everything else is less than stellar. I made reservations but still ended up with a 45 minute wait. The so called "library" waiting area was no than a coffee table with a few books on the wall. Service was the best part about the restaraunt. The beer can chicken wasn't even as good as I make at home. I heard a lot of things about the cocktails and jalepeno cornbread, but we never received the cornbread and the drinks are better at your local bar.
(2)Connor B.
Classic restaurant abusing the fact that they are in Utah to act like they are something special. Creating unexciting menus, drastically changing prices without notice, and disengaged service leaves one with much to be desired. Get over yourselves! This place wouldn't fly in a real city.
(1)Eian N.
A great unique dinning experience in Salt Lake. The food was great and so were the drinks. Plan on spending some quality time here and turn your phones off and just enjoy the company.
(4)Brandon V.
I will NOT be coming back to this establishment any time soon. The people they call "management" lack the basic personal skills necessary to execute daily operations within a bar. Besides the fact that they have a tendency to shun folks who dont match their desired consumer profile, they are downright boorish and impertinent in doing so. On the bright side, once you make it past the crabby tools upstairs, the bartenders downstairs are knowledgeable and more than willing to aid in finding the perfect drink for you.
(1)Buck W.
From the entrance to the exit what a well thought out and clever play on a place there but not really. It's as if you have to ask and know a secret hand shake to get to the inner sanctum. Once there it is an experience, from the classic vinyl records playing to the feel of a secret underground bootleggers paradise, the decor is perfect for the atmosphere. small and exclusive intimate but open. Now to the food, as the chief so eloquently described "it's trashy but classy." The pickled onion rings are just tangy enough for you to want more, the beer can chicken deserves a blue ribbon and it is placed inside that chicken every time, PBR. The "duck nuggets" great, the ceviche light, tasty, and filling, the lamb shank tender and served with cornbread and dr pepper black beans just tasty. I have tried most of the menu and have not found any flaws. Also with there knowledgable staff they can make and suggest any cocktail to accompany your trashy but classy course. You have to experience this place period.
(5)Sam S.
Although I had heard about Bodega from several people, all I had been told was how bad the service was. Not one person described what the place was like, so I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that it is a complete assault on all of the senses (in a good way). In a city filled with cookie cutter eateries and pubs, it's refreshing to see a business put so much thought and creativity into creating a unique dining experience. On the surface [there's a pun here], Bodega seems to be exactly what its name describes (in Spanish, the name refers to a small neighborhood shop that sells everyday items such as sundries, newspapers, and beer). Look closely and you'll see that their cheeky attitude has been distilled all the way down to the products that they sell behind the counter. However, once you pass beyond the convenience store facade, you'll be transported to an alternate speakeasy universe in the depths below. If I were forced to describe the ambiance, I would call it "taxidermy chic". Everything has a vintage feel to it, even the modern music that you hear throughout the venue is played from vinyl records on an old turntable. The provocative artistic pieces on display are reason alone to come experience Bodega. We started our meal with some lovely cocktails whose names escape me. Unfortunately, they weren't serving a full menu when we were there, but we enjoyed several rounds of tantalizing and delicious taps-style plates. The chicken wings were a vibrant orange color and were [literally] finger licking good. Don't miss out on the fried cheese curds, they were to me what power pellets are to Pac Man. Our servers were pleasant, with a hint of attitude. This might be off-putting to the diner that is accustomed to the overly zealous TGI Fridays staff that acts like your BFF while they try to upsell you on the Extreme Salad Shooters appetizer. Upon leaving, we were confronted by the manager or owner, who accused one of us of stealing an item from the art on display (which she had not). That wasn't the best way to end our experience, hence the missing star from my review. Bodega is way too cool to be in Utah, and they know it. If you expect ass-kissing, go to Chili's. If you want a singular dining experience and you can put up with some smugness from the staff, you'll enjoy this underground gem.
(4)Blair S.
I think this is met second review of Bodega. I'm too lazy to look back and check. Either way, this experience was better than the last (which was still pretty good). Went here for my birthday dinner, and to be honest I was expecting to be happy but underwhelmed with the all-too-familiar tapas and craft cocktail formula that is running rampant everywhere now. But, what my wife and I were greeted with was a server who was on point, and a prix fixe menu that was compulsory for people who make reservations. NOT a bad thing at all. I was just unaware. Upon inquiring, it looks like they do this for thursday, friday, saturday menus. And monday, tuesday, wednesday is the standard tapas menu with mainly apps. The waiter informed me that even though it is "understood" that the prix fixe menu was what you would get for a reservation, they would make any changes necessary to make a customer happy who simply does not find and option on the prix fixe menu that is enticing. I find it hard to believe someone wouldn't, given what I saw. Also, the menu is a weekly menu, as the chef(s) and managers can plan accordingly based on reservations made on how much to purchase. Seems smart to me. They seem to keep it fresh but also cost-effective using this formula. I appreciate that a lot. We had some fried duck confit balls for appetizers, I had the pork tenderloin for dinner which had a grouping of peppercorn mustard and some sort of savory creme fraiche that was perfect for the dish, in addition to a homemade sauerkraut which despite me hating sauerkraut, was a solid bonus to the meal and worked perfectly. This was the type of sauerkraut that made me want to go back in time and smack my mom for presenting me with some sorry pre-canned dog-pile version of sauerkraut that made me resist eating it for 25 years. Thank you Bodega for fixing my unreasonable perspective on that. Desert: Beignets stuffed with blackberry goodness. A great final touch. Total for the menu was $40, reasonable if you ask me. Figure normal place would be $10 for an app, $20 for a entree, and maybe $7 for a desert, this price tag does not leave me confused at all. I got more than what I paid for. Cocktails were good as usual. But I was even more stoked to see one of my favorite german beers Bitburger make its way onto the menu. Think of a german Budweiser. Err... maybe that sounds ridiculous. But you get the point. Nothing fancy. Just try one. How about this, it is the german PBR. Ok, that make sense now?
(4)Guinevere S.
"The Rest" awesome little tucked away place below the Bodega. We had the beer canned chicken for 2. Also the seafood dish. Both were really good. The cocktails are great with fresh ingredients with classy service.
(5)Jessica M.
Things to love: Delicious cocktails. Fried cheese curds (so good), friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere. Overall, I love it. Questionable: Attractive uber-hipster dream girl stationed near the dj as some kind of decoration. If you like decorative women, this would be right for you. This only happened 1 out of 4 times I have been there so who knows if it will happen again.
(5)Monica T.
Let's talk about the supposedly super secret restaurant situated in the basement of this convenience store. I can't tell you much about Bodega itself, because I was just there for a minute to be handed a key to The Rest (the previously mentioned super secret restaurant) by some guy with a hipster mustache. It was the first of many hipster mustaches that night. So we get the key, open the door, and go down the stairs. The interior of The Rest looks about like you'd expect: dim with lots of dark wood. So many Edison bulbs. There was a record player with all the appropriate vinyl around it (Miles, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, etc.) One of the walls has a whole bunch of dead animal heads on it. I can see why the vegetarians are pissed. Our appropriately hipster hostess took our key and directed us to a small table in the corner. Our very enthusiastic waiter (who of course had a mustache) brought us water and menus and directed us to some of the highlights of the menu. In lieu of one of the $11 cocktails (which did look tasty, BTW), we went with a bottle of the "cheap" white wine. (No names here, just cheap, decent, or good.) It was a delightful Australian viognier, so cheap does not mean uninteresting. The menu was way more comfort food oriented than I was expecting, though I'm not sure what I was expecting. Vegetarians, if you weren't already scared away by the dead animals on the wall, you should stay away because there are no options for you here. For our appetizer, we went with the meat loaf, which were were told would be served cold. I was a bit skeptical, but my husband hearts meat loaf, so I was willing to try it. This was probably the best dish of the night. When cold, the meat loaf had kind of a pate flavor, and it was served with a very interesting homemade ketchup: chunky and kind of spicy. There was also a delicious mustard sauce. Jalapeno cornbread came out at the same time, which was moist and tasty, but not at all spicy. I got the shepherd's pie for my main course, which was a generous portion served in a metal bowl. Rich mashed potatoes, well seasoned ground lamb, a bit of kale. It was all very nice. Lots of black pepper on top of the cheesy crust, which I loved. If you don't love black pepper as much as I do it might be a bit much for you. My husband got The 36, which is a tasty reuben served with well done waffle cut potato chips. It was very well done (but not quite as good as some of the killer delis in town, who also don't charge $16 for the sandwich). We left the restaurant very full, no room for blueberry beignets. Service was very good, but it's definitely a slower meal. Don't head here if you're in a hurry because it takes awhile for the food to arrive. We loved the variety of music coming from the record player (Beastie Boys, Black Keys, Billie Holliday, Ralph Stanley, Prince, and some underground hip-hop I didn't recognize). The prices are high, yes, and maybe the whole thing is a bit pretentious. That being said, I had a great time and I'll definitely back. I hope this doesn't make me a hipster.
(4)Denise S.
This place is unlike any other! Bodega is a bar worth seeing! Upstairs it's a dive type bar with its vintage playboy table tops and beer selection. It's once you are downstairs that you truly see it for what it is. The bar downstairs is lovely! With it's record player, library, and high ceilings it's as though you've stepped into another life. The small bites are delicious and the drinks are great! It's definitely a hidden gem in SLC!
(5)Kris B.
First speakeasy type place I have been to in SLC - well done. Look through the tagged-up glass into what looks like a basic convenience store, give your reservation information, receive your key and walk down into a dimly-lit interestingly decorated restaurant. Really appreciate the booth setup, rather than sitting elbow-to-elbow with other patrons. Here's the laundry list of items we shared with some tips at the end - pickled onion rings, cheddar bacon fries, jalapeno cornbread, Kraft dinner (pasta, seared tuna, peas, cream sauce), smoked trout (with shaved cauliflower, capers, and raisins), lamb shepherds pie, blueberry beignets. Onion ring batter was some of the best I have had. The meat pie's kale chips are a really nice touch. The trout had too many raisins, but then again, I don't like raisins. Drinks were too sweet for my taste, but go for the folklore if you are into old-fashioneds. Party room in the back for larger parties (I think). Love the atmosphere, service, and the food. Not sure if the short menu changes seasonally, but really hope it does, as we will be coming here often.
(4)Tom v.
Prides itself as being the coolest spot in SLC. Beyond RUDE service and the crappiest management team that thinks you qualify to run a bar if you have tattoos, a waxed mustache and plugs. Maybe in Kansas? The marketing consists of jamming everyone into a storefront 10 by 10 upstairs to make the place look busy while the downstairs is supposedly "filled to capacity" yet it's absolutely a ghostown LOL! I feel sorry for the bartenders downstairs because they actually know their craft and make great drinks for the five people that you will find there. My suggestion is to skip it, even in a town with few options.
(1)Nathan M.
There are some great things and some bad things. I love the decor of both establishments. Both have their own theme and are done well. Hats off. I love the heads on the wall and the dictionary pages for wall paper in the bathroom. I commonly visit the bodega for its cheap drinks, nice social atmosphere, and eclectic bar snacks. I have been to the rest once but probably wont return. I was disappointed that I could not get the cheap whiskey special that I saw walking in upstairs. The other drinks were great but many were priced around $10 for a tiny cocktail. The beer butt chicken tasted like it had been brined for days and was too salty to eat. The other food was good but I didn't feel like it was equal to the price point that they were charging. Great service and atmosphere in both places, unfortunately our first experience with the food was not good enough to return.
(3)Candace V.
This place was a total joke! What a disappointment! The management was EXTREMELY rude and judgmental. I watched a group of Out of towner's walk in and be turned away because their "look" didn't match the hipster image they were trying to portray! As a visitor myself I saw this and immediately walked out because I had already been inside and saw that there was no one downstairs. Seems like the place cares less about business and more about having a playground for the managers and their friends. I will never be back!
(1)Andrew S.
The food in The Rest is very very good, but I think there are still some kinks to work out in the overall experience at Bodega. My group group had the chicken wings and the meat loaf as appetizers - both excellent - and I had the shepherds pie as my entree - it was pretty good. We also had cocktails with our dinner, each of which tasted great and was well presented. But. In my opinion EVERYTHING was overpriced. I understand that good food can be expensive, but for a restaurant that's meant to have this old-worldy / speak easy feel, it seems like it defeats the purpose to have a $16 appetizer which only serves 3 people. And like the appetizers, the cocktails were delicious, but couldn't have been more than 2 ounces of liquid and cost 11$. As far as the atmosphere goes, I feel like the space between The Rest and The Bodega proper should be a little darker so you feel like you're actually going somewhere hidden. I also think the music was a tad loud, although it was the best music selection of any restaurant I can remember. To sum things up: If you're in the mood for a unique experience and willing to spend $100+ for a high quality dinner for two, I'd definitely give this place a try. If you're the owner of Bodega, I love your food and have high hopes for your restaurant, I just think everything on the menu needs to come down by 3-4 dollars.
(4)Jeff O.
Kick ass little bar. Alas, the joint isn't vegan friendly as far as food goes. The drinks are a little pricy, but well worth it. The atmosphere and "speakeasy" vibe rocks and you can't argue with a joint that plays nothing but vinyl. This place would get 5 stars, but it only gets 4 until they expand their menu to include some/more vegetarian and vegan appetizers and entrees.
(4)Zach S.
I get it's trying to be cool. Shit, I'm trying to be cool too. Bodega is succeeding. The place is visually stimulating, the menu is stimulating, the beer list is interesting, the cocktails are exquisite in presentation and profile. A few friends and I stumbled in, were escorted to the quiet area in the back. We sat and chatted, had some coffee and cocktails. I had a Famous Grouse on the rocks--admittedly hard to fuck up--but they provided the perfect backdrop for such a drink. My friend had an old fashioned--easy to fuck up--and they did not. Starting with an ice cube only slightly smaller than the glass it came in, and surrounded by a really well balanced cocktail (with Buffalo Trace for the spirit). Lastly, we were met with friendly service throughout.
(5)Ili M.
Tonight we had such a great experience! I'm always hesitant to go anywhere unknown, but I'm glad I came across this gem. Servers were great! Cocktails were on point. Music was awesome! Love the decor and art. Greeted with a smile. I've been reading several comments below and this place is small. It's not a place to party. It's a place to relax and enjoy a couple drinks. I don't know how it is on the weekend, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are crazy busy. Love the menus too!
(5)R M.
Okay. So as we all know, this isn't a review for Bodega as much as it is for what it really is. Having said that... the atmosphere once you walk into Bodega is really awesome in itself. I wish we would have had time for a brew upstairs before being ushered on in our journey. The attire is well, um, hipster? Trendy? Don't feel the need to dress up but don't wear a sweatshirt either... think jeans and heels with a going out top for girls and pretty much anything wingtipped or chambrey for your dude. Mustache of epicness is a plus in this place. Arriving at our table we were more than impressed with the ambiance, records on the player, game heads on the walls and every darn adorable to a "T' server they could find in the SLC metro area. It was a visual feast! Our wait staff was MORE than attentive. Everyone who walked by asked if we were having a good time or if our drinks were to our liking. Which brings me to their cocktails. They are ON POINT! I mean spot on delicious. Their mixologist is the BEST I have encountered in this town so far! So much so, that I would come back time and time again just for drinks (which you can do if there is space). Our food... well, it was food. There was a pre-fixed menu, but it still had three or so choices in each catagory. The appetizers were great. The main course we should have chosen differently. The duck was so fatty, which I know is normal for duck, but it just fell a wee bit (not much) short. The desserts were delish and I wish I had saved room for more. All in all, it was worth every penny to this transplant who is used to finer dining and amazing cocktails. My next visit will be for cocktails and some beignets(sp)! FOR SURE!
(4)Mark W.
The Rest is a great idea. The food is creative (try the corn dogs), but over priced. The drinks are a welcomed addition to SLC, but they aren't the best cocktails in the city. Definitely a great start and into to this style bar. The atmosphere is really great. The classic record player, old photos and varied seating options fit just about every group and mood. The worst part of the entire experience is trying to make a reservation. You have to call, but then go to a web site and fill out an "application" then you might get a call back to actually make the reservation. Be warned: They have a hefty cancellation/no show fee. My second visit to the Rest began with the person on the phone being very aloof and making it sound like they were so incredibly busy that they will have to put up a folding table and chairs to squeeze us in for a few drinks. We got there and we were the only people in the entire place! I'm all for making this an exclusive place, but come on, don't treat potential customers poorly in an attempt to create the illusion of demand. I would give a 5 star if the reservation process was greatly improved and if the bartender was more like the craftsmen at Finca or Pallet.
(3)Kristine D.
The cocktails and appetizers are very good but main dishes are just ok. But a great place and the staff was wonderful.
(4)Mimi N.
No doubt the atmosphere was great, but nothing about the food really dazzled me. The chicken wings that everyone raves about are just chicken wings in tomato sauce. I went during the holidays, and they had a very creative egg nog, so the drinks were really good too. The hostess was great with refilling our waters--good on her because the glasses are tiny! Atmosphere - 4 Food - 2.5 Drinks - 3 High quality toilet paper in the bathroom saved this rating and pushed it to 4 stars for me...nothing but the best 2-ply at Bodega & The Rest!!!
(4)Kirk S.
Fantastic. Anyone with good taste will appreciate the attention to detail from the menu(s) to the decor.
(5)Bud H.
I really liked my experience here. Can this place get any funkier? Speakeasy style, in the basement, behind a locked door that you can't even see when you enter the "Bodega" upstairs. Really cool and unique, especially for SLC. We went early on a Saturday evening and got fairly lucky to be sat considering we didn't have reservations. Of course, we had to sit at the bar, but that was no big deal. First off, the space is really, really cool. The basement vibe, complete with bar, "library", dining room, safe door, etc., made for a really unique night out. The food was good too. We went with the house specialty - the honey roasted chicken on a can. It was very good. Moist, nicely flavored, with delicious skin. The potatoes and asparagus were both nicely cooked and tasty too. I'd say two of the hghlights were the starter dishes. We had the olive plate, which was a simple assortment of mild but flavorful olives, and the onion rings, which were pickled onions in a donut-like exterior. They were awesome. The menu is limited as far as entrees are concerned, but they've got a nice assortment of appetizers and drinks. All in all, I thought the food was good, the ambience was excellent (I loved the tunes on vinyl) and the prices were quite reasonable (much less than I was expecting).
(4)Travis B.
If you are looking for a nice spot to be a secret agent in a romantic tryst with foreign double agent exchanging secrets, all while listening to spinning vinyl then this is the place for you. I love the fact that they give you a key to a locked door and then you go down into the bowels of this humble city for your meal and drinks (oh god the drinks). We started with the cider and beignets, ALWAYS eat desert first that way you have room for the sweetest part. The cider was a warm fireplace on a snowy day. The beignets were crispt and filled with a creamed filling. (brilliant) and then the top was covered with semi sweet chocolate, bad move dude. Beignets are like pillows from heaven that are dusted with powdered sugar and love, to defile them with chocolate not only made the flavor layers too busy, but you actually managed to remove a little bit of goodness in the world. Every time you put chocolate on a beignet god kills a puppy...how many puppies have to die because of your arrogance, how many? The crab cakes were great more crab than cake and the smoked salmon that came with them was a great touch. For the onion rings let me first start with I do not like onions rings, I do not like them on a box and I do not like them with a fox. That being said I still ordered them and great googely moogely the pickled onion rings were freaking awesome. How has someone (and by someone I mean me) not thought of pickling the onions first. They were crispy and light and the onions weren't overpowering at all. We didn't try the entrees but we will go back and give an update. My only complaint was the service was a little slow, I know that there are only 2 waitress' but for the love of god there are like 6 tables. How about you stop by more than once every 45 minutes to see if I want another drink or maybe my check.
(3)Daniel M.
I really liked the atmosphere of this bar. It was very relaxed and a nice place to just hang out for a while. The drinks were a little on the pricey side but that's to be expected at any bar. I spent most of the time downstairs in the "library" which is where I'd recommend being because the upstairs was small and just not the same. If you haven't been here, check it out.
(4)Justin C.
Speakeasy's certainly seem popular right now (or maybe I'm just now hearing about them). Of course, a Salt Lake City speakeasy would have to serve food, which is a good thing in this case. I still have a hard time paying $10 for a mixed drink that will have 1.5 oz of alcohol in it, so I opted for an elephino IPA (never disappointing). The food selection was great. I had the lamb shepherd's pie...tried some pickled onion rings, a reuben...all delicious. The ambience is top-notch. Say what you will, it was pretty sweet to get a key and make our way down to an extravagant underground hallway packed with colonial paintings and taxidermy. The staff was diligently swapping out vinyl records all night. (Personally, I wouldn't fault them for hooking the speakers up to an iPhone on the sly.) This is an awesome addition to restaurants downtown - hope they do well.
(4)Natalya R.
A hipster place where I finally feel like I am in New York, scratch that in Williamsburg. They have the best food and drinks!
(5)Lexi S.
Have been wanting to check out Salt Lake's very own speakeasy for awhile. 6 of us thought we had a reservation for the library area on Saturday evening. We had a phone call confirming this reservation the night before. However, upon arrival, we learned that the library had been rented for a private party. Enter the fabulous and delightful owner(we didn't know this at the time). She was obviously annoyed at whomever took the reservation but treated us like gold. A cool mix of agitated and accommodating. She got us a table so that we could hang and have a few beverages and checked on us during our visit to another era. 5 stars for service alone! We had already eaten but ordered the popcorn and beignets. Both were tasty but the beignets were a standout. Cocktails were great... No idea what they were called but each intricate and unique. Music was stellar, only further punctuated by the record player emitting the tunes. Not sure the menu spoke to me but will be returning for snacks and drinks. I love supporting fabulous, local owners that are down to earth and passionate about what they do. Not to mention, this place is rad.
(4)Cindy G.
Love this place. Have been there several times. The staff is phenomenal, super friendly and accommodating. The beer cocktails are amazing. Can not wait to go back.
(5)Shannon J.
Very bad experience. I had been eyeing Bodega since last summer 2013. Visually stimulating and it looks like a good time. I was looking forward to the full Bodega experience for my birthday dinner with a group of friends. Setting up reservations for a party of 12-13 was a complete joke! I called to set up reservations and was told I needed to go online and set up reservations. Well the website does not function properly, I called back and was told the manager would call me back to set up reservations. Such a hassle! And apparently they have no large tables for parties. However, they did let me reserve the library room which very generous because she made a point to tell me" we normally rent this room out for 500 an hour" Ok, do we live in LA? Days later after making my reservation, I get a call from Bodega letting me know that they will not be serving a full dinner menu for my party...small plates/tapas style only. I accepted, but why was i not told this info. during the first conversation. Very small. The vibe and atmosphere is right on. Bathrooms were clean and classy. Classic record player, unique art. Food was excellent. we had the chicken wings, pickled shrimp, and garden toast. Cocktails were perfect. The service was just okay...very uppity attitude. After much food, drinks, and chatting. We were ready to venture out of the restaurant. We stopped and were admiring the art for sale by the entrance of the restaurant. The local artist was there introduce himself and told us more about his art. Amazing pieces!! Very cool dude. Well apparently the owner of the restaurant didn't like like my group hanging out by the art. My friend bought a piece of art and was putting in her bag when she was approach by the owner and was rudely asked if she paid for this like she was stealing. My friend said yes, I just paid him. Then she said " you'd be surprised" I also had another friend purchase art. The artist was clearly annoyed and it looked like he told her to back off. It amazes me that the owner would stereotype us for stealing art when we just paid $500 for our bill. I couldn't believe it. We went upstairs and were just about to leave when the artist and owner approaches us AGAIN. This time it was the owners poor attempt to apologize. She says to my friend "I'm sorry, how would of you liked me to me approach you" My friend tells her that the artist was clearly there with us..monitoring the his own art. She basically clench her teeth and walked away. The artist apologized up and down to us. She clearly is under a lot of stress, and i would understand why. Her business is probably going fail miserably. I will NEVER recommend The Rest at Bodega to anyone.
(1)Tyler M.
Asked to sit downstairs with a couple of friends. Was told basement was full and then every other group after was told they could sit down immediately. I guess Utah doesn't have to follow anti-discrimination laws. In visiting from Colorado and discussed with the treatment we have received.
(1)S. L.
Not sure what everyone is talking about, but the food is pretty good. Try the beer can chicken. Exceptional ambience, antiquated atmosphere. Fun for a work party.
(5)Miriam P.
Best tacos and fresh guac in town. I've only done lunch here and it's ideal since the price is cheap for lunch but it doesn't taste cheap! My favorite is the Asian chicken tacos. Ridic.
(4)Skylar W.
I love this joint. The staff is super nice, the cocktails are crafted really well, the food is great, and the atmosphere is amazing. The vibe here is super relaxing. It's not a place you want to visit if you plan to go bar hopping, because you won't want to leave once you get a cocktail and sit in the library. There's so much unique decor, that you'll always find something new no matter how many times you've been there. They've really done a great job making a unique place in Salt Lake that can be enjoyed by anyone.
(5)Whitney C.
This place is your true speakeasy! Bodega is literally the storefront for the restaurant called "The Rest". You'll have to do some research to find the phone number and make a reservation but it's worth it! The storefront is littered with graffiti and when you walk in you are greeted by a convience store with several items (like toothpaste and candy) that you would find at a gas station and can purchase. There is also a little bar with cheeto balls as the bar food and three beers on tap. You might go in and go "uh what is this doing on main st." but if you are there for a dinner at The Rest, you are about to enjoy something amazing. You'll have to tell the checker you have a reservation as they won't offer up information or ask and when your table is ready, they will give you a key and let you back to open up the door and walk to the basement. Upon entering the restaurant, you will have entered a whole new world. With vinyl on the sound system and dimly lit lights flickering among artwork and taxidermy, you are definitely not in Kansas anymore. The menu comes in a file folder and is filled with awesome cocktails and more. The portions are small and the menu is not totally high end with prices BUT don't go starving. DO go with an open mind and realize you are going for the experience as part of the price tag. That said, the food is delightful and is definitely worth it. There were two of us and we got two appetizers and one entree and that was perfect. The corn dogs and crab cakes are great! The duck entree threw us as it was plated rare but it was ok. We actually enjoyed the appetizers more than the entree. the food came out quickly and the service was nice. The only thing I am going to fault them for is trying to rush us out of there. The manager (i think) came up to clear our plates he asked us how things were and asked if we were going to get dessert. We were torn and frankly full and when he could tell we weren't wrapping it up, he offered to buy us dessert if we would eat it at teh bar because their 8:30 reservation was there (we sat down at 7:30). I totally understand having to keep on schedule and turn tables but an hour window is rushed, especially when you are paying upwards of $30 for an entree. It kind of put a downer on the otherwise great night but the beignets for dessert (they are apparently blueberry but I tasted only chocolate and pastry goodness) were good and it was a fun night out with my friend who was visiting for the night. I'd recommend this place for a fun night out with your girlfriends or your boyfriend but it's definitely a bit of a themey restaurant so go in with that type of attitude towards the experience.
(4)Chris T.
Prix Fixe menu now for our group of 7. $50.00 ppl. Average food and service. "Was she just filling in for the night" the whole key to go down to eat thing? Just step it up and let us in... $40.00 ppl for reservation holding. Really? Clean bathrooms. Drinks were creative. Probably wouldn't return.
(3)Cassie N.
Most eclectic and gothic speakeasy, yet. I love that this place is authentic - as authentic of a speakeasy as I've seen in bigger cities like Denver, San Francisco and New York City. The dioramas are fascinating, and it's always a great time sitting in the library and exploring the odd collection of books and knick-knacks. The menu is just a little too short - not normally a complain of mine. But it only took a couple visits to get through everything, and I haven't seen the menu change. Great drinks. Wine offerings (cheap, good and something else) are funny - a little humorous pressure not to get the crappiest wine on the menu. Food is solid and creative. Very cool experieince.
(4)Colin E.
The chefs and owners at Bodega need to learn how to properly salt their food. Everyone at our table commented on too much salt for all entrees. Drinks are expensive for 1.5 oz cocktails and there is no vegetarian option (which I think is a miss for SLC). Ambience is great, but I can't imagine Bodega will last long unless the food quality improves. Nice job on creating a unique experience for SLC, but make your food a priority if you want to be a serious restaurant instead of a "hipster hangout".
(2)Jessica G.
We LOVED the speakeasy feel. They put a LOT of thought into the space. They also had some awesome pickled onion rings. However most of the menu needs significant work. We ordered quite a bit from their menu. The bbq popcorn (mixed reviews), the cold meatloaf (why?) , the fries (they were decent), and the roasted chicken (took too long to cook)...The biggest disappointment was their version of Mac and Cheese. It wasn't quite edible. I have huge hopes for this place though. They just need to put more thought into their menu. Also, they had awesome ice cubes in their cocktails, however they took up all the space and left little room for the actual cocktail which wasn't cool.
(3)Daela T.
Cheeky, clever, artful, fun. From the mysterious/mystical decor, music spinning on vinyl, to the winking menu of cocktails and food, a must-try at least once.
(4)Ron K.
Bodega/The Rest was a delightful experience. Heading in with high expectations is a sure path to disappointment but my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. The onion rings were outstanding and the beer can chicken was cooked to perfection. Great addition to an already outstanding lineup of SLC restaurants!
(5)Joseph D.
I'd consider more stars if the Gestapo would let us in. Walked in Wednesday night for some food and a drink and the guy seemed confused. He had to find the number to call downstairs to check availability. 30 minutes later, we walked to Cheers to You next door for a beer. Not a welcoming or friendly place.
(1)Kristen P.
I have been to Bodega twice now (both times without a reservation) and was very impressed with the whole experience. We went in thinking that there would be a long wait to get downstairs but were greeted by the very friendly owner Sara who took the time to talk with us about the restaurant and escort us down to the speakeasy. Our bartender was very sweet and made an awesome drink. Very impressed with the selection of spirits- especially since I am a big bourbon fan. Records make the place feel like home, the decor is very unique, and the drinks are well worth the price. I will definitely be back to try out the food because I have heard great things!
(5)Bill B.
Love the Rest----the cocktail bar in the basement with the library theme. Nicely designed space. They play vinyl records here and serve craft cocktails. Perfect for an intimate date.
(4)Lauren H.
The Bodega and the Rest certainly haven't forgotten that presentation is key. Just being there is a lot of fun, especially if you're going for the first time with someone who enjoys being elusive about where they're taking you. The atmosphere in the speakeasy, especially with the beverage safe and the library in back, is unique to Salt Lake. The food is good, but not spectacular, and is very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)Martha S.
Amazing build out (I am not usually one for taxidermy but here it works)!You don't feel like you're in S.L.C...It's a little escape from reality. Cocktails are great, food and service have been hit and miss the handful of times we have been. Beware, if you get seated at the bar the stools are extremely uncomfortable. Hopefully the food will continue to improve. The chicken drumsticks are great tasting but have been barely warm every time we have had them. The house made pastrami is great. Beer can chicken good but not great. The last time we went it took 2 failed email attempts (even though their system confirmed my inquiry both times and said someone would call to confirm) and numerous phone calls to get a reservation. In order to get a reservation you must fill out a form online, agree to a laundry list of rules and regulations, wait for a call back, and give a credit card...very off putting. Would not have been so persistent in getting a reservation had our house guests not already arranged for a sitter. As other reviewers have said they do need to expand their vegetarian food options. Hopefully they get their bar license soon so we can just go get a drink and enjoy the cool vibe without having to order food.
(3)Lisa S.
A little hesitant to write about this place because it's so great and unknown that I selfishly want to keep it to myself and my friends. What a trip! Funky little unassuming downtown-type store (for those times when you just need a can of Net Hairspray or a box of PopTarts). But don't be fooled by the lack of items stacked behind the counter for sale. Turn around and you'll see a very small beer bar. I don't know what the capacity is, but there were 10 of us in there and I'm pretty sure it was in violation of fire code! But, the very, very cool thing about Bodega is the secret downstairs bar that requires a reservation and a key to the door to get downstairs t the bar. I'd sure like to know more about this old building because the depth we plunged was mighty and the walls all the way down were old brick. Once you open the final door to this little treasure, there's a full bar on one side of the room and plenty of nice large tables on the other side. Towards the back is "the library" - a separate rooms with comfy chairs and settees that can be reserved for you and your friends. The walls are lined with old books and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable. The wait staff was awesome. They definitely like working in this "underground" atmosphere. While we didn't have dinner there, we did have some appetizers - the carmel popcorn was amazing as well as the french fries. We ended the night with Blueberry Beignets which were incredible! They have a great list of cocktails that we didn't try, but I definitely want to go back and check them out. Pricey...yeah, I guess; but probably not out of the ordinary for bars in Utah. The experience is totally worth it. Great atmosphere, you can hang as long as you want and not feel rushed. very cool. but shhhh....let's keep it a secret!
(5)Pano R.
It would've been 5 stars if we didn't wait 1 hour for our food. Everything else was amazing! Remember to make a reservation before you dine here. Food was delicious and different. Loved the ambience.
(4)Nicha K.
This place was amazing. From the conspiratory feel when you walk in past the "general store" facade to the lavish yet quirky decor that keeps your eyes searching for all the details to the interesting typewritten menus... I couldn't stop gushing about what a neat place it was. And then I met our bartender. I forget his name but he had fiery hair and the most laidback attitude as he made awesome suggestions and told us all about Utahns. His drink recommendations were on point and our group had a fabulous time. Would definitely come back if we are in SLC again!
(5)Sothary C.
What a nifty small spot. It is one of those places that a local would have to take you to. The ambiance was quite interesting and the service was cool, considering we only ordered tea.
(4)Grace H.
Probably one of the most classied-up hipster places I've been to ever. I imagine all the hipster kids who dress in expensive Urban Outfitters clothes but look like they got dressed in the dark would convene here for a weekly gathering to discuss their last Tumblr discoveries and how cool the Twilight Concert Series was before it became so mainstream. you walk in and immediately go downstairs to what feels like George Washington's library created offspring with Ponce D'Leon's liquor cabinet. It's dark and the walls are lined with bookshelves and old books. There are old wingback chairs strategically placed to look like one might read here, but the problem with that is that it's so dark down there, nobody would actually read there, because I could barely read the menu! Does that paint a good enough picture for you of Bodega? Mind you, Bodega is Spanish for wine cellar, so this name seems fitting for the way one has to walk down to get into the dark eating area and watering hole. Honestly though, the food here is great! I've sampled quite a bit of the menu. The pork belly tacos were great, and that is coming from someone who typically can't stand pork meat. The flavor isn't too porky, and there's no fat like I would have expected. The honey glazed beer can chicken is really great and juicy and the can of beer they use to cook it with has all the alcohol cooked out and I think that's what gives it the really juicy texture. Duck nuggets were surprisingly really good too. I had a few other things when I've been in, but I cannot remember what everything was. I can't complain about any of the food here. It's all been great. I had a drink her once back when I went through my phase of drinking. I honestly do not remember what the drink was, but I drank half of it, and while it was good, it was too strong for me. I had a sip of two other drinks that my friends had ordered, and everything was quite strong. It might be because they use more bourbons and I was more a vodka or rum drinker, but I would guess that Bodega probably does not follow the Utah liquor laws, so if you want a stronger drink hit them up!
(4)Ryan C.
Salt Lake City's Swanky Sweetspot! You'll walk in to the Bodega upstairs and grab a cocktail. You'll come down the stairs into The Rest for some incredibly delicious food! Tonight we enjoyed Beer Cheese, Pirogies, Pork Collar, Spare Ribs, French Onion soup and a variety of cocktails. I can't decide which part was best. Amazing food. Amazing and unique cocktails and incredible service. Certainly a great spot to check out. Enjoy!
(5)Tyra S.
We ordered the beer can chicken to share. It takes an hour to cook. They gave ours to the wrong table so ours took longer. They made it up with free beignets (yummy but nothing as good as New Orleans beignets) and such classy service. It was delicious food in a great atmosphere! The library in the back is so eclectic and fun. It's loud but romantic and would be a good date spot or a night out with a friend for good conversation.
(5)Kerry S.
Tasty drinks and amazing food. Fun friendly and PATIENT waitstaff. Went with a large group of friends for dinner and we were a bit obnoxious. They were more than accommodating. Duck Nuggets Duck Nuggets DUCK NUGGETS. They are incredible. Our table of 8 ordered at least 5 orders of them. Oh and pork belly. Just go. But if you want to eat on a weekend night, make a reservation. Oh also, the decor is SO COOL with lots of taxidermy and antiques and odd things.
(5)Hai-Yen D.
This is a hipster's paradise but food and drink were surprisingly great. My friend Stephanie and I came here for dinner and drinks and were informed of a 30 minute wait to get into the restaurant portion, so we ordered drinks at the one-man bar. I got the Gabacho [gin/lemon/borracho IPA/rosemary] and Stephanie got the Black Heart [pimm's no.1/lime/lemon/orange/blackberry/mint/cucumber/Âsprite] from the Bartender's Choice menu. My drink was smooth and exactly what I wanted. Stephanie's was the epitome of summer with the mulled fruits and fresh taste. We were informed that we would not be able to take our drinks with us to the Rest [food portion] so we had to quickly chug our drinks and close our bills. It would have been nice if we knew about this setup before ordering drinks to save time. The employee unlocked the door and led us down a dimly lit staircase with a giant moose head overlooking us. We were seated at the bar and had a chance to look around at the dim restaurant setup. The decor is speakeasy meets funeral wake meets cocktail lounge. The cocktail menu had no standout options. The wine selection is three-tiered for both red and white; our waiter was struggling to name them. Per the recommendation of the couple next to us as well as the waiter, we ordered the Pickled Onion Rings to split. They were phenomenal and we only wished it was a larger portion. We kept the Sriracha fry sauce for our entrees because it was too good to go to waste. I got the Rest Burger, which was surprisingly amazing with the great ingredient combination. Stephanie is vegetarian and got the Grilled Eggplant Reuben, which she said was also delicious. We both couldn't get enough of those waffle chips! Great food downstairs, tasty and fairly priced cocktails upstairs. Ignore the hipsters and focus on what you're consuming.
(4)Nina V.
From the moment you walk through the doors of the almost general or liquor store feeling, you instantly feel cool amongst the crowd of hipsters here. Though quite small with a large bar height table in the center to play cards against humanity and other card games with your friends, the upstairs level is more of a waiting area for the treasure cove below. Once your table is ready, you head downstairs to a small, dimly lit restaurant with a very quirky decor. Strings of Edison bulbs hang from the ceiling, while walls full of old, serious-looking portraits, and animal head trophies adorn the walls. The drinks are definitely the gems here - with Bodega making their specialty drinks featured on the menu. However, if you're a creature of habit and must absolutely stick to what you're used to, they can accommodate for that as well. You can even ask the bartender to put a spin on an old favorite.
(5)Peter B.
Hipster Nonsense. One and Done. Waste of time, money, effort.
(1)Annie L.
5 star experience, 3 star food. This place may look like an ordinary bodega but there's so much more beneath it. There's a restaurant that you need a special key (and reservation) to get into. The experience was very unique and the atmosphere was great but the food was nothing spectacular. Our group ordered the onion rings, chicken wings, orange duck, ramen crusted pork, chorizo corn dogs, lamb and beer pie, and the crab cakes. The tastiest items were the crab cakes, chicken wings, and the duck. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who hasn't dined at a speakeasy style restaurant or if I have guests in town but I probably won't go back just for the food.
(4)Rod S.
After dropping my wife and son's wife off to see Celtic Women, it was time to bond over drinks. The Rest was the first stop. Why is it that people get their undies in a twist and about wet themselves about how cool it is to have a "speakeasy" in SLC and then proceed to talk all about the food -- only giving a nod to the drinks? That's the bass ackward world that is Utah. Fortunately some places like this manage to thrive in a place with no drinking culture. I was here on a Tuesday evening. It was pleasantly full, but several seats were open at the end of the bar. After exchanging pleasantries with Michael (I hope I remembered his name correctly) and covering what I liked and that I was looking for something I couldn't make at home. We got past his first response of probably nothing. He had some rhubarb shrub he'd made hiding in the back. He made me a drink with Rye and the schrub and a couple other things. It was excellent and points out that there are places making drinks that can match the best in Portland and Lower Manhattan. I had him make up one of the drinks on the drink menu. Also very good. The food menu looked fantastic, but we were full from a big dinner before taking the girls to the show. So, no food. So -- fantastic drinks, full on eclectic atmosphere, and they play vinyl. It's the details that make the package, and this is it. The speakeasy is a gimmick, but at least they've stopped the whole special key thing. They just let you downstairs. It's like going down to a basement bar in a big city. It's not as cool an entrance as Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago, or as real speakeasyish (is that a word) as EO in SOHO, Manhattan, but anything that helps get the people in is good. Once a person is in, they will be sold on the drinks. So I asked why anyone would eat upstairs? The reality is it's probably LDS who are told to avoid the appearance of evil, so going down to the bar is bad. The bartender said it's the Yelpers who give bad reviews. Who knows it could be both.
(5)Daniel C.
Very cool spot! All my friends were talking about this place and how different it is from mainstream SLC. They were right. The top floor has its own cool feel to it. Its kind of a small drinking space that is open and feels easy to socialize. You put your name on the list, and then they eventually take you downstairs, which is an entirely different world. Feels like something out of NYC or an underground speakeasy. Awesome design and decor. Acoustics were surprisingly good. Totally a place for great food and creative drinks. I had the drink with tequila and ginger - it was fantastic. Would definitely return.
(4)Juliet C.
The cool experience receiving the key and unlocking the door and going down a flight of stairs into a dimly lit room with eclectic artwork was pretty cool. But if the food is mediocre, the review is still 3 stars. I came with a group of 6 and we were seated quickly. We ordered the wings, corn dogs, and crab cakes for appetizers- the pork belly wasn't available much to our disappointment. Of those three, I liked the wings the best. The appetizers overall were pretty good but the entrees were so .... bland! My bf and I had the lamb and beer pie which was just bland and overcooked. Our friends had the duck and pork and they weren't too happy with theirs either. The only plus about this place were the drinks. The drinks were classic craft cocktails and we could tell they were made with care. The next time we come back, it'll probably be only for these drinks.
(3)James T.
Came here for my friend's going away dinner, but I was running late from work. When I arrived in "the bar," I was extremely confused, since my friend said they were already there. It didn't take long to realize that there HAD to be another floor somewhere, because the ground floor (right when you walk in) was small, quaint, and had a simplistic seating design with the bartender and friend standing by... that and the fact that I didn't see my friends. After inquiring, he nodded to indicate there was indeed another area hidden from the public but before allowing me to pass, required ID. A quick check to verify my age led me to a door and the unknown on the other side. He looked me dead in the eyes and asked - "are you ready?" Nervous, I nodded slowly - what's on the other side of this, I wondered?! And when I stepped through - I knew I was in it - hipster paradise. I descended a flight of stairs into a dimly lit room, booth setup seats on the right, the bar to my left, and a cool chick waitress who got me a drink before I even found my friends and sat down! My friends were seated in a corner of the room, with a great spread of food and booze. Let's run down the list, yes? Scallop fritters ($7) - YES, scotch egg ($8), beer can chicken ($35) - OMG YES, chicken wings ($10) - YAYUH, duck nuggets ($8), shrimp and grits ($28), cornbread ($6), and our booze ... red rum ($11), cruel intentions ($10), cloak and dagger ($10), elijaj craig ($6), lagunitas IPA ($6), and beignet ($7) - running us about $175 among the 4 of us. Was it worth it? TOTALLY! Favorite dish you ask? Definitely the beer can chicken. Why? Moist on the inside (LEGIT) and crispy on the outside, this was an absolute must have for my second round to Bodega. All in all, great atmosphere, EXTREMELY on point service with our waitress (cool Asian chick with tatts), and quality food with top notch company. Ahh .. you have me reminiscing already Bodega. I'll be back soon. :)
(5)John Nielsen B.
Can't wait to come back and enjoy more!
(5)Jared L.
Amazing! A place that will totally surprise you. One of the coolest places I have eaten at. Mocktails were off the hook, and the food was excellent!
(5)Xinmiao L.
Server and bartender with great booze knowledge is always a win in my book! Couple girls decided to have a girls' night out at Bodega. The space is small so we tried to make a reservation but they will charge $40 if someone do not show up. The wait will be pretty long if you did not make reservation. The food and drinks from upstair is different than the one in the basement's. We were seated in the library. We love the vintage library look! The service was great. So I dislike booze because the taste and the smell. I only drink for socializing. My friend wanted to make a customized order, Duchess. The server was very knowledge and explained about the ingredients in the Duchess. Since they do not have Swedish Punch and Grey Early tea, they used substitutions to make the drink taste similar to the drink. It tasted great! I dislike alcohol because the taste and the smell but this one was very tasty and my friend liked it too! Server explained they have the best bartender working on that day. The food..I always remember the duck jerky the first. It is just a great complementary with your drink. Let's just stay that I had a good time!
(5)Oscar A.
Bodega, aka The Rest, is an experience, to your eyes and tastebuds. I've been here a number of times and it's fun and unique each time, wether it's on a date, with friends, or to talk shop. Yes it might leave a bigger dent on the wallet but to me it's worth it. Unless you're just grabbing a quick beer upstairs, which can be fun but overcrowded on a weekend. Try their specially made Mexican beer. It's great. Downstairs is a whole different story. Design wise I love this place. I could hang out there forever. It's just funky and the food is too. Cocktails can be on the pricier side but it goes with the territory. Food wise it has been mostly a hit but once in awhile you get a miss. It's worth the try either way. I love the beer can chicken. If they still have it get it to share. Just keep in mind it takes about 45 mins but with the ambiance it goes quickly. I've had quite a few things here so it's hard to go down the list without writing a novel. Just order and try whatever sounds good and have fun. Sometimes your experience can fluctuate but it's usually memorable so I gave it 5 stars. I've noticed the service has gotten better each time. The booking online can be annoying. Especially because you have to give them a credit card to make reservations since they will charge you a fee per person if you cancel last minute. I think it's because they make everything to order and fresh so they are anticipating the crowd each night. You gotta try it if you've never been. I guarantee they'll be something worth the trip. Just enjoy.
(5)Kaisha M.
I kind of adore this place, it could very easily fall into a hipster nightmare but they walk the line between trendy and pretentious beautifully. The bartenders are fantastic and very knowledgeable; I adore a bartender that can recommend something I've never heard of and have it become a new favorite. The first time we went in we were having a really terrible night and it only got worse after we left - this stop was the highlight of a very shitty night. In hindsight, I realize that we should have just stayed here, and as a result we've added it to our Main Street Pub Crawlâ„¢... when we can get in that is. The wait can get long but sometimes, so you may need to plan ahead but if you have the time, this place is totally worth a stop. I haven't had the food here yet but I'll update this review after I've been able to try it.
(5)Raisa K.
I went with a friend months ago and have never come back. I feel like they spent too much energy on the decor and vibe of the place but much less on the food. From all the hype, I assumed the food would be delicious if not ok but it was just plain bad. They really need to switch up their menu soon or people will start to catch on that they are paying way too much for something sub-par.
(2)Kjersti G.
I am so glad downtown has a place like this! Modeled after the old speakeasies of the day, this place is entertaining while you drink! Everything has an old fashioned appeal that I and the young hipsters love! The place is dimly lit and relaxing, especially back in "the Library" where you can sit in upholstered chairs and check out the books that line the wall! Upstairs at night is a different story! Its tiny, and filled to near capacity with loud kids usually taking advantage of the boardgames, and a tiny bar in the corner to hold over thirsty patrons while they waited to be escorted downstairs. $25 for a bottle of champagne and an intimate evening with the BF was worth enduring the upstairs though. I'll be back often!
(4)Monica V.
On our quest to find a restaurant we both have never been to, James H. and I decided to try out Bodega. I had heard of the exclusiveness of the restaurant downstairs, so I decided to give them a call. I'm not sure if the number on Yelp is accurate, because it rang and rang with no answer. Luckily, I was able to make a reservation via Opentable.com . Upon arriving, I informed the gentleman working the tavern area that we had a reservation, and he showed us through a door that led downstairs after asking if we were ready. This simple question built up the excitement and anticipation as we walked down the empty staircase. The Rest has a full bar setup with ample stools as well as booths and tables along the south wall for a more intimate experience. There are older paintings and lots of animal heads that decorate the walls. Lighting is low and there was an eclectic mix of 80s, 90s, and some hip hop music playing in the background to really set the mood. I was really diggin' it. Never have I been to a place like this, and it was definitely unique. Since this is a cocktail bar, you must be 21+ to enter which I like. The handcrafted cocktails were excellent. I tried the After Dark, Pimm's Deluxe, Sir Barton, and my favorite was the Little Horse. You can definitely tell there was a lot of thought put into these drinks, and a level of finesse that you don't often see at other bars. For instance, the single rectangular block of ice put into the Little Horse was really different. As far as the food, I had higher expectations to be frank. The menu was interesting and there were several items I wanted to try, but my date and I settled on the Scallop Fritters and the Honey Glazed Beer Can Chicken which our waiter recommended as it is the most popular dish. The fritters consisted of too much batter and I could barely taste the actual scallops inside. It was an interesting idea, but maybe I just prefer my shellfish not fried. We were warned by our waiter that the chicken takes 45 minutes to cook, but I'm not sure it was worth the wait. Don't get me wrong, the presentation was great and it tasted good but I was expecting to be blown away and I wasn't. Some sections of the chicken were saltier than others and I didn't really taste much of a honey flavor like I thought I would. Overall, I'm a fan of The Rest. I like the ambiance, which made it appropriate for James H. to ask me if I'll go steady with him. ;) So if you're looking for a cool establishment with great service and delicious cocktails, this is your place.
(4)Sarah V.
This place is cool and a fun experience. The menu is limited and homestyle but is delicious and the cocktails are good value. We haven't been back for a while due to the deposit required for booking a table. I understand that it is a small restaurant and they probably need to confirm that people are actually going to turn up but it is too much of a hassle to pay such a steep deposit to book a table - particularly if you aren't 100% sure on the numbers in your group in advance.
(4)Angie L.
i have always walked by this place, but never knew what it was. we had a girls night here and i was so excited to go after reading all the positive reviews. we were a group of 6 and waited over an hour to be seated. we got to be in the library which was pretty cool. i love libraries, books, and comfy couches/chairs to lounge on. it was a bit dark to see the menu, but not a problem since everyone has a flashlight app on their smart phone. their menu is unique and is set up like a patient's medical file at a clinic. their food items and drinks change often is what we were told. we ordered a bunch of different items so we could try all of them. i got the cruel intentions drink and loved it! fellow yelpers, you guys are all absolutely right, the drinks here are amazing. the service was also excellent and we were well taken care of. i honestly didn't love any of our food, but i loved the atmosphere and drinks. i'd come back to try their other drinks and other food items once their menu changes. the only thing that threw me off is the restroom. we were wandering around the hall looking for the restroom, but finally figured out that it's a unisex bathroom. a double sink vanity in the middle and two restroom stalls on either side. the door is like a swinging saloon door so it wasn't as weird as i thought it would be (not enclosed and was open to the hallway).
(4)Siobhan F.
I did not partake in the offerings at Bodega, but I did skip it and headed straight down to the Rest for a few rounds of libations. The Rest had been on my SLC radar for quite awhile and it didn't take much convincing to get my friend to spend an evening with my there. You basically walk through Bodega and head towards the corner by the bar which leads you to a mostly unmarked door. The staff jokingly pretended not to know what I was talking about when I mentioned wanting to go downstairs, but once the funny business was over we quickly found a seat at the bar and the wonderful bartender Zade pretty much made our night. We decided to forgo the menu items and asked him to whip us up something special. I told him what I liked and he came up with a whiskey forward cocktail that I was all about. He made a flip for my friend which resembled a cappuccino, but all boozy instead which was quite delicious. We also decided to partake in some absinthe sipping and they even have brouilles-absinthes to properly pour you a glass via drippage. The fun didn't stop at absinthe, we got a side of duck confit croquettes and one more round of cocktails to finish up our visit. If you're looking for a fun and memorable bar/cocktail experience, definitely give the Rest a looksy, it's 100% worth a visit!
(5)Char R.
Very classy restaurant below the Bodega front is known as "The Rest". It's a speakeasy making the ambiance mysterious and enigmatic. Some inquisitive conversation pieces scattered throughout the joint. The food is decent, a little on the bland side and very simple. The two top dinner entrees would be the lamb shank and the beer can chicken. Appetizers were not impressive we ordered four due to being in a larger group. The ceviche didn't seem that fresh, was a tad fishy. The beercheese taste like portwine processed cheese I buy at Wal-Mart. The tomato caprese was disappointing due to unripe tomotoes and poor quality of cheese. The ambiance, art, music and drinks is fabulous. Food average. Fun for a night out on the town with friends.
(4)Missy P.
I've been to Bodega a few times for cocktails and a hot dog and have always liked it, but tonight I finally went to the Rest. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the decor, the vibe, the lighting and the vinyl spinning Police, Journey and Toto as I left.I was happy before I ate or drank a thing. I ordered the paella. It was pretty good but not great. Could have used a touch more spice. I was bummed it didn't have the crusty bottom (socarrat) like most paellas have. I ordered a dish that serves two but have leftovers and will attempt to get the crust then. We didn't order dessert but everyone I was with seemed happy with their food as well. Their cocktails are amazing. I ordered the Quick fix, a special with St Germain and Pisco and the Penny Lane with port and Apple Brandy. Both hand crafted, excellent ice cubes and stainless straws! I will be back again to try some more delicious cocktails and more of their menu. They have an intimate library where you could sit with a friend or two or even on a date and have an adult conversation! Go when you have time to relax with a small group and unplug from reality and just soak in what they have to offer.
(4)Becky G.
Atmosphere and rad factor were through the roof. Appetizers and drinks also pretty mind-blowing. The service was great. I highly recommend the Scotch Egg and cocktails. Was a bit disappointed in the seafood paella for it's bad mussels and lack of flair. Left a little too hungry for how much I paid for the whole meal, but whatever. The vibe was pretty killer.
(4)Lisa P.
What a unique little spot on main street. Two very different vibes upstairs and down. Hoping this place sticks around for a while because we need more places with character in downtown SLC. Lets start with upstairs. It used to be a tiny bodega that sold things like sodas and votive (prayer) candles. Extremely cute idea, but I guess they never actually sold anything because it's recently been renovated to be a small bar. $2 shots of beam, $3 jameson, some beers on tap, and a small but intreguing food menu that includes fish tacos and pickles eggs. Cannot beat the prices. Seating is somewhat plentiful for the space, a tiny VHS tv that plays Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Liar Liar, and the communial Playboy table has fun games like Citizens of Humanity and Jenga. Awesome, friendly service by the bartender Nicole. I could spend hours here, and we did. Now for The Rest. Loved the decor and atmosphere. Very dark, intimate, and almost creepy. Lots of portraits and animal heads on the walls. Service was decent - nothing to complain about but at the same time, also nothing to rave about like upstairs. She did her job well, but that was the extent of it. Lots of great, unique cocktails on the menu but they cost average $10 each. The drink specials upstairs do not apply downstairs, so you'll be paying double for your liquor. The food here was great except one major flaw. We ordered the beer can chicken and it was SO SO SO salty. Out of our table of four, only two could actually stomach all the salt while the other two opted out after one bite. We would have sent it back, but the darn thing takes 45 minutes to prepare and we didn't feel like waiting. On the other hand, the seafood paella and chicken wings were delicious, so I'm not going to let one salty chicken ruin my experience. Ended our dinner with the one dessert they offered - beignets with blackberrry jam and creme fraiche. Don't pass on the beignets. They were heavenly and I could have ate three more orders. Last but not least, bathrooms are impeccably clean. The dictionary wall paper is an idea i'm gonna steal :)
(5)Frank M.
I don't mind this place. My friends go and end up just hanging out upstairs instead of going downstairs because it's a little looser and a lot cheaper. But I wanted to check out downstairs. It's dark, cozy, and mostly feels like you're chilling in a house. I house where pretty waitresses bring you high end cocktails and delectable food. The service is great. They only allow the amount of people downstairs that still allows everyone to have a seat. So although it may be a popular joint, it never feels too crowded. I can say it seems they're trying a little hard to be very different and kitschy, but whatever, you're allowed to have personality. If you don't want to go downstairs and spend the money or wait, have a sip and some cheap tacos upstairs while staring at all the people walking by outside. It's pretty chill. No complaints here.
(5)Hoa T.
I'm a sucker for novelty, so when I caught wind of a speakeasy, it's automatically on my list of places to try. One credit card on the line and a reservation for three later, I was set to check out Bodega. The reservation was for 7PM on a Friday night. The upstair was pretty empty when we got there. My friends were a little confused when we were directed to the back, this adds to the fun of it. Making our way down the desserted partitioned hallway, we finally made it downstairs. There were booths on one side and the bar was on the other. The place reminded me a little of Bar-X in atmosphere except that it never got that crowded. What makes this better was the availability of food. Overall, I thought the food was pretty good. Unlike one of the reviews that I read here, the amount of seafood in the seafood paella was plenty. The paella was a little on the salty side but a few extra lemons helped with that. The beer can chicken was tender and very tasty. Both paella and beer can chicken took awhile to come out, so prepare to enjoy some conversations over some very delicious cocktails. We also ordered a couple of small plates as we waited for the main course. The duck nuggets were good, and the beer curd was interesting...my friend seems to like it. Upstairs and downstairs definitely got a lot busier as the night went on, a hipster crowd for sure. I would definitely come back.
(4)Piper H.
UGH. Get over yourselves. My husband and I decided to try Bodega on a Wed night. First impression of the bartender- BARF. not friendly at all. More like "what are you doing here?" Hardly anyone in there but a couple of Kim Kardashian wannabes and a homeless looking guy. So there was no way we wanted to stay in the bar so asked about eating. Yeah, we screamed NUBE and he made us feel totally unwelcome. He said he would let the restaurant know we were coming and had no reservation. So we head down to the sneaky restaurant and get the same too cool for school attitude from the bartender down there! What the..?? There was ONE occupied table and he made a big deal of checking the reservation ipad before seating us. The waiter was OK. He pointed out their special drink menu. But are you real..? a mescal spritz? Menu was dirty as well as very limited with really rich food. I'm not a fan of duck, picked onion rings or chorizo so was having a hard time thinking I could eat anything but wanted to be a trooper if my husband was game. The fish sounded good. After a couple of minutes looking at both the drink and food menus he looked at me and said "Want to go somewhere else?" Halleluja.. Good bye to this pretentious place. Had a great time at Eva's just up the street instead.
(1)Kyle K.
A review for "The Rest" -- the downstairs "speakeasy" side to Bodega.* Ambiance-- A. Hipster-meets-outdoorsman-meets-found-art-studio. The host's primary job, it seems, is to make sure the LPs keep spinning, and she did a fine job that night, switching from Marvin Gaye to Van Halen's 1984. You hardly ever hear a whole album anymore. Drinks. A-. Classic cocktails with a twist, incorporating quality spirits, interesting "flavorings" as they're called in Utah, and nice bitters. Perhaps master cocktail craftsman would say they're not quite balanced -- my drink of Scotch, Fernet, and black walnut bitters was very interesting, but very bitter, with only a bit of sour to offset it. But the prices are not crazy, and I felt like I did get an honest drink (even with Utah's limitations on the amount of alcohol per drink), so that says something about the mixologists. Service. B+. Our server was generally decent, regularly checking on us and refilling water glasses. Food was slow, but I think that was more the kitchen than the staff. Food. C to D. We made a reservation and were seated at one of the limited number of booths. Despite the reviews describing the fun apps and small bite bar food, we were only given a 3 course price fixed menu (with no prices... so I guess that's just a "fixed" menu?) Three choices for apps and entrees, two choices for dessert. I went with the chicken liver pate and the beef shortrib pie. The wife (a vegetarian) went for the fried green beans and a broccoli dish. We both had the beignets for desert. Everything ranged from underwhelming to bad. The pate was runny, and had the fatty flavor, but not a whole lot of anything else. It did come with some nice pickled onions -- probably the best thing we had all night. The green beans were panko fried, not super hot, and utterly unseasoned. They were accompanied with a lemon aoli that overpowered and clashed with whatever discernable green bean flavor there was. My pot pie was mediocre, with big chunks of meat, but really no gravy. The crust was only slightly better than a Swanson's pot pie from the store. It came with a side of potatoes, which were tasty, though not special. (Thank goodness it did, because otherwise the wife would have left hungry) My wife's entree was not really an entree at all, but rather a few pieces of roasted broccoli (a special kind; I've forgotten the name) over maybe two tablespoons full of grits. Underseasoned, lacking in any sauce, and barely an appetizer portion. Now small portions are OK if the food is bursting with flavor or you're eating many courses. Not the case here. Oh, and we had to wait at least 30 minutes between the time our appetizers were cleared and our mains arrived. Upselling drinks, maybe? The beignets were also just OK. They were advertised as brioche, but tasted like regualr dough to me. At least 2 of the 3 of mine were overfried. They were accompanied with creme anglaise, but once again less than a spoonful. And fried dough calls out for something creamy, but there simply wasn't enough sauce (or even powdered sugar) to go around. This doesn't sound like the worst dinner I've had, so why the two stars? Because at about 3 o'clock in the morning, I was awakened by an overly active lower digestive system. Something I ate certainly did not agree with my digestive system, and was massively and quickly evacuated. Despite the low rating, I would actually go back for the vinyl, the drinks, the possibility of the bar food, what sounded like good banter with the bartenders. Maybe they can earn back a star or two. *(Bodega itself, the upstairs part, is pretty cool -- cheap beers, free cheeseballs, good tunes. They used to serve tacos and other small bites, and they were tasty too. I'm not sure if that's still on the menu or not.)
(2)James H.
My girlfriend and I went to Bodega tonight and very much enjoyed the atmosphere. The underground restaurant played a variety of music (including 80's saxophone music) throughout our 2 hour plus long dinner. After a couple of cocktails, we tried the fried scallops but neither of us would rate it very high. We ordered the beer can chicken for two as an entree and while it was better than the rotisserie chicken you might get at your local grocery store, it wasn't a game changer. Asparagus and potatoes are served with the chicken and while both were tasty, neither blew our minds. The real charm about Bodega is the unisex restrooms, variety in clientele, and friendly staff who invited us downstairs by asking "if we were ready?" We assume "ready" to experience the orgasm in your mouth food they claim to offer. And while neither of us climaxed tonight...I'm sure we will both during our next adventure.
(4)Dilan P.
The menu is not up to date. No vegan tacos anymore! Please update with accurate pricing
(1)Amber T.
I have mixed reviews about this place. I LOVE the Rest. I have eaten at the Rest many times - in fact Jamie is an amazing server and bartender, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is absolutely stunning. I would highly recommend the Rest. Bodega is also similarly fun with cheap drink options and a casual but hip atmosphere. The bartenders and doorman are generally friendly. I do have one gripe though - Bodega bartender, Tristan - what a JERK. Talk about atrocious service - he has never so much as given me a smile, never thanked me for my business or tips, all the while joking around with his friends at the bar. He even once lectured me about how I was never to tell a bartender how many drinks I've had. He wasn't even joking, I genuinely felt that he was attempting to make me feel bad, after I had explained that the reason I was only ordering one shot from him was because I had already had 3 drinks that evening, because he asked me why I was only ordering one shot. I don't even know you personally, the last thing I want on an evening out is to be made to feel bad for having a few drinks. I now always look in the window to see if Tristan is serving, and if he is, I don't go to bodega. Otherwise, great establishment.
(3)Shawn S.
I seriously don't know the last time I had this much fun at a bar or restaurant. Can't wait to come back! Oh ya - the food and drinks were great. Especially the drinks!
(5)Mari V.
The Rest was okay. The ambiance was beautiful, and I loved being there. Our bartender (didn't catch his name, red headed dude with a hair knot) was friendly and hilarious. The service was spotty...we got our orders way after people that arrived after us. The drinks were delicious, particularly the Basil Maiden. The duck nuggets were...interesting. Felt like I was eating masticated meat. The pork belly and the Philly rabe sammie were bomb though. Not sure if I'd go back to The Rest, but I do want to try the upstairs part.
(3)Allison O.
Ridiculously overpriced, even if the food and cocktails were phenomenal. $11 for a cocktail that is in a tiny glass with mostly ice. "Homemade" noodles that were not cooked, cheez whiz sauce and bar snacks that cost $4 for a handful. Had to go elsewhere to get fed and drinked. If I'm spending that much on a meal, it better be good. The idea is gimmicky. The hipsters will be thrilled. I was extremely disappointed.
(1)Lucy C.
The REST name comes from a half broken neon sign in the back of the Bodega that used to say RestRoom.... if you wink, produce a drivers license and ask for the key to the RestRoom they might show you downstairs to the groovy basement bar with bearded bar tenders, Thai Trannies as customers and a weird display of dead animals and knock knacks on the walls. Their wine list is intriguing. They advertise Cheap, Decent and Better at 6,7,8 a glass. The cocktails seem reasonable till you see the size of the tiny 1950s glasses. But overall an awesome find in the home of Big Love.
(4)Michelle K.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and drinks, and service. The atmosphere is eclectic but exciting, a lovely dimly lit dining area with funny (or creepy) period paintings hung from eye-level to ceiling in some areas. The lights were made of beautiful bulb fixtures. The animal head mounts were an interesting touch, and appeared to be of native Utah wildlife. I'm all for buying into the concept of secret-but-not-secret-cool-tavern. I loved the bonus library in the back, wished it was bigger so as to accommodate multiple groups. Alas the drawbacks of first-come first-serve. With regards to the food: The Cornbread is instantly my favorite cornbread ever (thought it's been awhile since I've had some in the South). I'm still craving it! It was not too dense and had fun chunks of corn in it. We got the Bacon Cheddar fries as well. I didn't have too much of this (too busy munching on other things) but they were well done fries with what looked like sour cream, bacon bits, and cheese. The decent portions made it a good appetizer to share among the table. The Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings had a lovely presentation but were somewhat impractical for a group. There were three very large wings (which our server graciously warned us about beforehand) with a lovely glaze covering them. We ended up giving a leg to each couple and cutting them up on our plate, but it would've been nicer to have a bunch of smaller chicken pieces to reduce the mess and make it easier to share (especially given the price point of the restaurant). My boyfriend found the glaze too sweet, but I thought it was a nice blend of sweet and sour. As for the main course, I got the shepard's pie and my boyfriend got The 36 (the rueben). I liked my dish but thought it was a bit overpriced. Great quality for sure, but when it comes down to it, it was a layer of mashed potatoes (wonderfully creamy) over a layer of kale (miraculously still yummy crunchy) over a layer of lamb crumbles (well-seasoned and tasty). The meal cost $16-18 (I can't recall exactly), but I think it would have been better priced at $12-14. My boyfriend really enjoyed his sandwich, but neither of us really cared for the pickles. As for the drinks: They were all very creative and well-made, and the ice was a fun twist on a usual cocktail. Unfortunately, I must agree with the other reviewers that the alcohol you're actually getting may not be worth the price. Service was incredible, amazing, the BEST SERVICE we have had ALL YEAR. (We tipped her accordingly.) We were initially apprehensive given that the place was staffed by hipsters (see all my rants about "hipster service," in which servers are too cool to actually do their jobs and can't be bothered by the customer's inferior coolness). However, the Asian girl with the tattoo sleeve is a definite keeper, as is the white brunette guy with the ponytail. The primary server was patient with us (we had a straggler and indecisive folks), very informative about the menu, and very accommodating! (More mustard? We got a dish of it. More butter for the cornbread? Another dish.) This is all despite the fact that the place was very busy. Our only complaint with regards to service would be that it took awhile for our plates to get cleared up, but that is understandable because we were sharing a bunch of appetizers and it may have been hard to see who was done with what. So definitely totally coming back on another special occasion.
(4)Sean F.
Be prepared to have your reservation not be honored for The Rest, even if you've had a confirmation call. After securing a reservation on a Friday night we were told upon arrival that the reservation had been cancelled (even though it hadnt) and that all they had was a name and no time or phone number (even though I was CALLED back to confirm). We were then told by the hostess we could sit at a small coffee table in the back... no thanks. Bottom line is I would not plan an evening around dining here as you could easily show up and not have a reservation, even if if was confirmed. There are plenty of other places in SLC that would be happy to have your business but this was not one of them.
(1)Sean M.
I cannot speak for the food or the table service, as we've sat at the bar both times we've been downstairs. Aweaome cocktails and even better bartenders. Really, really cool place to grab a drink.
(5)Joshua M.
Small. Soft light from edison bulbs. Records on the old school turntable hand picked by the bar tenders. Close quarters at the bar so you'll get to know your neighbor. You'll either love it or hate it. We had the wings and the fried pickles, both were excellent. If you want a cool place to sit down for awhile and don't mind enjoying the experience check this place out.
(4)Alice Y.
Yeah, so it's a total hipster thing. Speakeasy secret restaurant disguised by an unassuming upstairs bodega. The gimmick IS fun. Or maybe I'm just susceptible to that sort of thing. The food was pretty good- small menu, but with some interesting items. A friend got the rueben, which she tells me was amazing. My husband got the trout, and I'm pretty sure he liked it, because I only got one bite and then the whole thing was gone. All I remember from my bite was that it was tender and had an interesting seasoning to it... it's unfortunately been so long I don't remember more details. A whole bunch of us got the shepherd's pie- really filling and satisfying, but a bit too salty for my taste. As for the cocktails, being prego, I didn't get to imbibe. My friends did seem to like their cocktails quite a bit, but I have to agree that $11/per is steep for SLC. I did have the bartender make me a non-alcoholic drink though, and he/she made me something per some of my preferences which was quite delicious! It was like a cucumber mojito- not to sweet, since I had requested that. At any rate, I'm excited for what this place will bring SLC- what they are trying to do with food is creative and interesting, which is more than what I can say about many of my usual dining options. I do hope that they expand their menu or change things around seasonally.
(4)Jamie W.
I had a delightful time here last night! The drinks were perfect! The atmosphere was grand. The bartender was helpful but not overbearing. We were told it would be a few minute wait to go to the lower level and ended up talking with the owner. It was nice to chat with her and hear about some of the stories of the night. When seats opened up we went down and had a great time.
(5)Melissa S.
In my perspective, drinking and dining at Bodega/The Rest is reminiscent of some Sofia Coppola films, where the experience is aesthetically pleasing, however the overall execution leaves for some to be desired. Bodega itself is a very small beer tavern and convenience store that offers three different brews of beer on tap, and a modest supply of toiletries, candies, among other regular convenience store commodities. I had the El Borracho beer, which is pretty delicious brown ale that has a roasted caramel aroma, and a dry nutty finish. The Rest is a mysterious speakeasy restaurant situated below Bodega. The ambiance of the restaurant is part charming, part grandiloquent, and can be experienced by reservations only. Also, another thing to note in terms of reservations, upon arrival to the restaurant, you're not to be seated until every single person in your party has arrived, as they seemed quite insistent on only seating "complete parties". In any case, upon our party being complete and being granted a key to open the secret door to The Rest, we were seated in the library, since we had a larger party that exceeded the occupancy of the tables available. The library was a stylish room, furnished with 1920's style seating and tables, vintage books, painted portraits and other art nouveau-esque prints. Upon sitting, we were given room temperature water in pretty glasses and some time to look over the menu. To start off, I ordered the bacon cheddar fries, BBQ caramel popcorn, and the 55 Hope cocktail. The bacon cheddar fries were disappointingly sub-par, being soggy in texture, over-salted in taste, and really quite small in portion, regardless of it being a $6.00 appetizer. The BBQ caramel popcorn ($4) was served in a dainty, petite mason jar, and was smokey and sweet in flavor, and while it was pretty good to the palate, it probably would not be something I would order again. The beer, wine, and cocktail menu is fairly varied and pretty good in comparison to what other restaurants in the vicinity may offer, the 55 Hope cocktail, a concoction of gin, blackberry, lemon, and other things was quite fantastic, however, priced at $11.00, I would rather go to Bar X for an equally delicious, (and cheaper), if not better cocktail. For my entree, I ordered the braised lamb shepherd's pie with kale ($16), this came to me in a cast iron dish, and was delicious. The lamb was seasoned nicely, the kale had good texture, and the dish overall was savory and delectable. For dessert, we had the blueberry beignets (as this was the only dessert offered), and they were actually pretty amazing. Light, airy, rolled in cinnamon and powdered sugar, filled with a warm, sweet, blueberry compote, and served with a side of coffee cream mousse. This is a dessert I would actually come back for. I thought the price was fairly reasonable too. (Three beignets for $9) In summation, I reckon Bodega/The Rest to be a pretty decent establishment of palatable potential. However, I would like to note a few things, if you venture there with a friend that is vegetarian or vegan, they do not really offer many options/alternatives to accommodate that type of diet. Also, if you are dining with a larger group, your only seating options are at the bar or in the library. Additionally, while I found my dining experience there to be satisfactory, it seemed other people in my party were not quite as satisfied.
(3)Andrew D.
Unique for SLC, but a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep in mind that you are paying for the experience, not the food. Overall, worth trying once to see how it fits on you.
(3)Angie W.
After hearing great reviews about Bodega, a friend and I decided to try it out. We were shown downstairs where we entered "the rest," which at first felt like a cool little place. The bartender, however, made the experience a very uncomfortable, cold experience. As a couple of girls out having a couple of drinks, we were not planning on staying for very long and wanted to try another place as we had gone to a couple of other bars beforehand as well. He asked us if we were looking to "dive it up." He also called us out as we were finishing and leaving and complained about his tip after giving shoddy service and over priced drinks. We had all eyes on us and were obligated to give more money while the entire bar stared at us. He was disrespectful, rude and talked about us to other patrons as we were leaving. I will NEVER go back here, and will be letting people know about my experience. Shame on you- pony tailed bartender, and bad business for Bodega, because we probably would have had a good time had we stayed upstairs...
(1)Erin A.
As a born and raised salt lakean, I'm always on the look out for signs that our city is stepping into the 21st century. The rest is definitely one of those signs! The food was exciting and delicious and their cocktails actually tasted like they had alcohol in them (gasp!). The service could not have been better, walking the fine line of being friendly and attentive but not annoying and smarmy. And on top of it all (literally and figuratively) they have $2 tequila shots and $5 full strength beer. Welcome to the modern day slc!
(5)Richard G.
7 stars for creativity, execution and good old fashioned awesomeness. Yes, there are some things that need improvement. It's a brand new place, people. Save your pretentious comments for a place that's had a chance to work out the kinks at least. We had our share of hiccups during dinner, but it barely distracted from the fact that Bodega is doing something bravely awesome and doing it right. The cocktails are purely wonderful, the beer selection is great, the menu is promising. The art behind the bar is kick ass, the library made me swoon, and the restrooms are exactly the kind of fun experience that restaurant restrooms are supposed to provide. Go there! You'll love it and the prices are NOT that high. We got outta there after a huge dinner for 2 with cocktails for less than a $100. For awesome ambience, great music and friendly service, it's fairly priced.
(5)Ryan C.
Love it
(5)Angie W.
After hearing great reviews about Bodega, a friend and I decided to try it out. We were shown downstairs where we entered "the rest," which at first felt like a cool little place. The bartender, however, made the experience a very uncomfortable, cold experience. As a couple of girls out having a couple of drinks, we were not planning on staying for very long and wanted to try another place as we had gone to a couple of other bars beforehand as well. He asked us if we were looking to "dive it up." He also called us out as we were finishing and leaving and complained about his tip after giving shoddy service and over priced drinks. We had all eyes on us and were obligated to give more money while the entire bar stared at us. He was disrespectful, rude and talked about us to other patrons as we were leaving. I will NEVER go back here, and will be letting people know about my experience. Shame on you- pony tailed bartender, and bad business for Bodega, because we probably would have had a good time had we stayed upstairs...
(1)Erin A.
As a born and raised salt lakean, I'm always on the look out for signs that our city is stepping into the 21st century. The rest is definitely one of those signs! The food was exciting and delicious and their cocktails actually tasted like they had alcohol in them (gasp!). The service could not have been better, walking the fine line of being friendly and attentive but not annoying and smarmy. And on top of it all (literally and figuratively) they have $2 tequila shots and $5 full strength beer. Welcome to the modern day slc!
(5)Jamie W.
I had a delightful time here last night! The drinks were perfect! The atmosphere was grand. The bartender was helpful but not overbearing. We were told it would be a few minute wait to go to the lower level and ended up talking with the owner. It was nice to chat with her and hear about some of the stories of the night. When seats opened up we went down and had a great time.
(5)Richard G.
7 stars for creativity, execution and good old fashioned awesomeness. Yes, there are some things that need improvement. It's a brand new place, people. Save your pretentious comments for a place that's had a chance to work out the kinks at least. We had our share of hiccups during dinner, but it barely distracted from the fact that Bodega is doing something bravely awesome and doing it right. The cocktails are purely wonderful, the beer selection is great, the menu is promising. The art behind the bar is kick ass, the library made me swoon, and the restrooms are exactly the kind of fun experience that restaurant restrooms are supposed to provide. Go there! You'll love it and the prices are NOT that high. We got outta there after a huge dinner for 2 with cocktails for less than a $100. For awesome ambience, great music and friendly service, it's fairly priced.
(5)Ryan C.
Love it
(5)Whitney C.
This place is your true speakeasy! Bodega is literally the storefront for the restaurant called "The Rest". You'll have to do some research to find the phone number and make a reservation but it's worth it! The storefront is littered with graffiti and when you walk in you are greeted by a convience store with several items (like toothpaste and candy) that you would find at a gas station and can purchase. There is also a little bar with cheeto balls as the bar food and three beers on tap. You might go in and go "uh what is this doing on main st." but if you are there for a dinner at The Rest, you are about to enjoy something amazing. You'll have to tell the checker you have a reservation as they won't offer up information or ask and when your table is ready, they will give you a key and let you back to open up the door and walk to the basement. Upon entering the restaurant, you will have entered a whole new world. With vinyl on the sound system and dimly lit lights flickering among artwork and taxidermy, you are definitely not in Kansas anymore. The menu comes in a file folder and is filled with awesome cocktails and more. The portions are small and the menu is not totally high end with prices BUT don't go starving. DO go with an open mind and realize you are going for the experience as part of the price tag. That said, the food is delightful and is definitely worth it. There were two of us and we got two appetizers and one entree and that was perfect. The corn dogs and crab cakes are great! The duck entree threw us as it was plated rare but it was ok. We actually enjoyed the appetizers more than the entree. the food came out quickly and the service was nice. The only thing I am going to fault them for is trying to rush us out of there. The manager (i think) came up to clear our plates he asked us how things were and asked if we were going to get dessert. We were torn and frankly full and when he could tell we weren't wrapping it up, he offered to buy us dessert if we would eat it at teh bar because their 8:30 reservation was there (we sat down at 7:30). I totally understand having to keep on schedule and turn tables but an hour window is rushed, especially when you are paying upwards of $30 for an entree. It kind of put a downer on the otherwise great night but the beignets for dessert (they are apparently blueberry but I tasted only chocolate and pastry goodness) were good and it was a fun night out with my friend who was visiting for the night. I'd recommend this place for a fun night out with your girlfriends or your boyfriend but it's definitely a bit of a themey restaurant so go in with that type of attitude towards the experience.
(4)Chris T.
Prix Fixe menu now for our group of 7. $50.00 ppl. Average food and service. "Was she just filling in for the night" the whole key to go down to eat thing? Just step it up and let us in... $40.00 ppl for reservation holding. Really? Clean bathrooms. Drinks were creative. Probably wouldn't return.
(3)Cassie N.
Most eclectic and gothic speakeasy, yet. I love that this place is authentic - as authentic of a speakeasy as I've seen in bigger cities like Denver, San Francisco and New York City. The dioramas are fascinating, and it's always a great time sitting in the library and exploring the odd collection of books and knick-knacks. The menu is just a little too short - not normally a complain of mine. But it only took a couple visits to get through everything, and I haven't seen the menu change. Great drinks. Wine offerings (cheap, good and something else) are funny - a little humorous pressure not to get the crappiest wine on the menu. Food is solid and creative. Very cool experieince.
(4)Colin E.
The chefs and owners at Bodega need to learn how to properly salt their food. Everyone at our table commented on too much salt for all entrees. Drinks are expensive for 1.5 oz cocktails and there is no vegetarian option (which I think is a miss for SLC). Ambience is great, but I can't imagine Bodega will last long unless the food quality improves. Nice job on creating a unique experience for SLC, but make your food a priority if you want to be a serious restaurant instead of a "hipster hangout".
(2)Jessica G.
We LOVED the speakeasy feel. They put a LOT of thought into the space. They also had some awesome pickled onion rings. However most of the menu needs significant work. We ordered quite a bit from their menu. The bbq popcorn (mixed reviews), the cold meatloaf (why?) , the fries (they were decent), and the roasted chicken (took too long to cook)...The biggest disappointment was their version of Mac and Cheese. It wasn't quite edible. I have huge hopes for this place though. They just need to put more thought into their menu. Also, they had awesome ice cubes in their cocktails, however they took up all the space and left little room for the actual cocktail which wasn't cool.
(3)Daela T.
Cheeky, clever, artful, fun. From the mysterious/mystical decor, music spinning on vinyl, to the winking menu of cocktails and food, a must-try at least once.
(4)Ron K.
Bodega/The Rest was a delightful experience. Heading in with high expectations is a sure path to disappointment but my wife and I were pleasantly surprised. The onion rings were outstanding and the beer can chicken was cooked to perfection. Great addition to an already outstanding lineup of SLC restaurants!
(5)Joseph D.
I'd consider more stars if the Gestapo would let us in. Walked in Wednesday night for some food and a drink and the guy seemed confused. He had to find the number to call downstairs to check availability. 30 minutes later, we walked to Cheers to You next door for a beer. Not a welcoming or friendly place.
(1)Kristen P.
I have been to Bodega twice now (both times without a reservation) and was very impressed with the whole experience. We went in thinking that there would be a long wait to get downstairs but were greeted by the very friendly owner Sara who took the time to talk with us about the restaurant and escort us down to the speakeasy. Our bartender was very sweet and made an awesome drink. Very impressed with the selection of spirits- especially since I am a big bourbon fan. Records make the place feel like home, the decor is very unique, and the drinks are well worth the price. I will definitely be back to try out the food because I have heard great things!
(5)Bill B.
Love the Rest----the cocktail bar in the basement with the library theme. Nicely designed space. They play vinyl records here and serve craft cocktails. Perfect for an intimate date.
(4)Lauren H.
The Bodega and the Rest certainly haven't forgotten that presentation is key. Just being there is a lot of fun, especially if you're going for the first time with someone who enjoys being elusive about where they're taking you. The atmosphere in the speakeasy, especially with the beverage safe and the library in back, is unique to Salt Lake. The food is good, but not spectacular, and is very reasonably priced for the quality.
(5)Martha S.
Amazing build out (I am not usually one for taxidermy but here it works)!You don't feel like you're in S.L.C...It's a little escape from reality. Cocktails are great, food and service have been hit and miss the handful of times we have been. Beware, if you get seated at the bar the stools are extremely uncomfortable. Hopefully the food will continue to improve. The chicken drumsticks are great tasting but have been barely warm every time we have had them. The house made pastrami is great. Beer can chicken good but not great. The last time we went it took 2 failed email attempts (even though their system confirmed my inquiry both times and said someone would call to confirm) and numerous phone calls to get a reservation. In order to get a reservation you must fill out a form online, agree to a laundry list of rules and regulations, wait for a call back, and give a credit card...very off putting. Would not have been so persistent in getting a reservation had our house guests not already arranged for a sitter. As other reviewers have said they do need to expand their vegetarian food options. Hopefully they get their bar license soon so we can just go get a drink and enjoy the cool vibe without having to order food.
(3)Lisa S.
A little hesitant to write about this place because it's so great and unknown that I selfishly want to keep it to myself and my friends. What a trip! Funky little unassuming downtown-type store (for those times when you just need a can of Net Hairspray or a box of PopTarts). But don't be fooled by the lack of items stacked behind the counter for sale. Turn around and you'll see a very small beer bar. I don't know what the capacity is, but there were 10 of us in there and I'm pretty sure it was in violation of fire code! But, the very, very cool thing about Bodega is the secret downstairs bar that requires a reservation and a key to the door to get downstairs t the bar. I'd sure like to know more about this old building because the depth we plunged was mighty and the walls all the way down were old brick. Once you open the final door to this little treasure, there's a full bar on one side of the room and plenty of nice large tables on the other side. Towards the back is "the library" - a separate rooms with comfy chairs and settees that can be reserved for you and your friends. The walls are lined with old books and the atmosphere is cozy and comfortable. The wait staff was awesome. They definitely like working in this "underground" atmosphere. While we didn't have dinner there, we did have some appetizers - the carmel popcorn was amazing as well as the french fries. We ended the night with Blueberry Beignets which were incredible! They have a great list of cocktails that we didn't try, but I definitely want to go back and check them out. Pricey...yeah, I guess; but probably not out of the ordinary for bars in Utah. The experience is totally worth it. Great atmosphere, you can hang as long as you want and not feel rushed. very cool. but shhhh....let's keep it a secret!
(5)Grace H.
Probably one of the most classied-up hipster places I've been to ever. I imagine all the hipster kids who dress in expensive Urban Outfitters clothes but look like they got dressed in the dark would convene here for a weekly gathering to discuss their last Tumblr discoveries and how cool the Twilight Concert Series was before it became so mainstream. you walk in and immediately go downstairs to what feels like George Washington's library created offspring with Ponce D'Leon's liquor cabinet. It's dark and the walls are lined with bookshelves and old books. There are old wingback chairs strategically placed to look like one might read here, but the problem with that is that it's so dark down there, nobody would actually read there, because I could barely read the menu! Does that paint a good enough picture for you of Bodega? Mind you, Bodega is Spanish for wine cellar, so this name seems fitting for the way one has to walk down to get into the dark eating area and watering hole. Honestly though, the food here is great! I've sampled quite a bit of the menu. The pork belly tacos were great, and that is coming from someone who typically can't stand pork meat. The flavor isn't too porky, and there's no fat like I would have expected. The honey glazed beer can chicken is really great and juicy and the can of beer they use to cook it with has all the alcohol cooked out and I think that's what gives it the really juicy texture. Duck nuggets were surprisingly really good too. I had a few other things when I've been in, but I cannot remember what everything was. I can't complain about any of the food here. It's all been great. I had a drink her once back when I went through my phase of drinking. I honestly do not remember what the drink was, but I drank half of it, and while it was good, it was too strong for me. I had a sip of two other drinks that my friends had ordered, and everything was quite strong. It might be because they use more bourbons and I was more a vodka or rum drinker, but I would guess that Bodega probably does not follow the Utah liquor laws, so if you want a stronger drink hit them up!
(4)Hai-Yen D.
This is a hipster's paradise but food and drink were surprisingly great. My friend Stephanie and I came here for dinner and drinks and were informed of a 30 minute wait to get into the restaurant portion, so we ordered drinks at the one-man bar. I got the Gabacho [gin/lemon/borracho IPA/rosemary] and Stephanie got the Black Heart [pimm's no.1/lime/lemon/orange/blackberry/mint/cucumber/Âsprite] from the Bartender's Choice menu. My drink was smooth and exactly what I wanted. Stephanie's was the epitome of summer with the mulled fruits and fresh taste. We were informed that we would not be able to take our drinks with us to the Rest [food portion] so we had to quickly chug our drinks and close our bills. It would have been nice if we knew about this setup before ordering drinks to save time. The employee unlocked the door and led us down a dimly lit staircase with a giant moose head overlooking us. We were seated at the bar and had a chance to look around at the dim restaurant setup. The decor is speakeasy meets funeral wake meets cocktail lounge. The cocktail menu had no standout options. The wine selection is three-tiered for both red and white; our waiter was struggling to name them. Per the recommendation of the couple next to us as well as the waiter, we ordered the Pickled Onion Rings to split. They were phenomenal and we only wished it was a larger portion. We kept the Sriracha fry sauce for our entrees because it was too good to go to waste. I got the Rest Burger, which was surprisingly amazing with the great ingredient combination. Stephanie is vegetarian and got the Grilled Eggplant Reuben, which she said was also delicious. We both couldn't get enough of those waffle chips! Great food downstairs, tasty and fairly priced cocktails upstairs. Ignore the hipsters and focus on what you're consuming.
(4)Nina V.
From the moment you walk through the doors of the almost general or liquor store feeling, you instantly feel cool amongst the crowd of hipsters here. Though quite small with a large bar height table in the center to play cards against humanity and other card games with your friends, the upstairs level is more of a waiting area for the treasure cove below. Once your table is ready, you head downstairs to a small, dimly lit restaurant with a very quirky decor. Strings of Edison bulbs hang from the ceiling, while walls full of old, serious-looking portraits, and animal head trophies adorn the walls. The drinks are definitely the gems here - with Bodega making their specialty drinks featured on the menu. However, if you're a creature of habit and must absolutely stick to what you're used to, they can accommodate for that as well. You can even ask the bartender to put a spin on an old favorite.
(5)Peter B.
Hipster Nonsense. One and Done. Waste of time, money, effort.
(1)Daniel C.
Very cool spot! All my friends were talking about this place and how different it is from mainstream SLC. They were right. The top floor has its own cool feel to it. Its kind of a small drinking space that is open and feels easy to socialize. You put your name on the list, and then they eventually take you downstairs, which is an entirely different world. Feels like something out of NYC or an underground speakeasy. Awesome design and decor. Acoustics were surprisingly good. Totally a place for great food and creative drinks. I had the drink with tequila and ginger - it was fantastic. Would definitely return.
(4)Rod S.
After dropping my wife and son's wife off to see Celtic Women, it was time to bond over drinks. The Rest was the first stop. Why is it that people get their undies in a twist and about wet themselves about how cool it is to have a "speakeasy" in SLC and then proceed to talk all about the food -- only giving a nod to the drinks? That's the bass ackward world that is Utah. Fortunately some places like this manage to thrive in a place with no drinking culture. I was here on a Tuesday evening. It was pleasantly full, but several seats were open at the end of the bar. After exchanging pleasantries with Michael (I hope I remembered his name correctly) and covering what I liked and that I was looking for something I couldn't make at home. We got past his first response of probably nothing. He had some rhubarb shrub he'd made hiding in the back. He made me a drink with Rye and the schrub and a couple other things. It was excellent and points out that there are places making drinks that can match the best in Portland and Lower Manhattan. I had him make up one of the drinks on the drink menu. Also very good. The food menu looked fantastic, but we were full from a big dinner before taking the girls to the show. So, no food. So -- fantastic drinks, full on eclectic atmosphere, and they play vinyl. It's the details that make the package, and this is it. The speakeasy is a gimmick, but at least they've stopped the whole special key thing. They just let you downstairs. It's like going down to a basement bar in a big city. It's not as cool an entrance as Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago, or as real speakeasyish (is that a word) as EO in SOHO, Manhattan, but anything that helps get the people in is good. Once a person is in, they will be sold on the drinks. So I asked why anyone would eat upstairs? The reality is it's probably LDS who are told to avoid the appearance of evil, so going down to the bar is bad. The bartender said it's the Yelpers who give bad reviews. Who knows it could be both.
(5)Raisa K.
I went with a friend months ago and have never come back. I feel like they spent too much energy on the decor and vibe of the place but much less on the food. From all the hype, I assumed the food would be delicious if not ok but it was just plain bad. They really need to switch up their menu soon or people will start to catch on that they are paying way too much for something sub-par.
(2)Kjersti G.
I am so glad downtown has a place like this! Modeled after the old speakeasies of the day, this place is entertaining while you drink! Everything has an old fashioned appeal that I and the young hipsters love! The place is dimly lit and relaxing, especially back in "the Library" where you can sit in upholstered chairs and check out the books that line the wall! Upstairs at night is a different story! Its tiny, and filled to near capacity with loud kids usually taking advantage of the boardgames, and a tiny bar in the corner to hold over thirsty patrons while they waited to be escorted downstairs. $25 for a bottle of champagne and an intimate evening with the BF was worth enduring the upstairs though. I'll be back often!
(4)HD N.
Ok, so the speak easy part depends on the night I was told, there was nothing available but the tiny bar and counter upstairs when I went. It is low key with some state brews for cheap. Can be chill, but can also be too "chill" hipster central. So if it is your crowd, you can have fun, if not you might want to try something different. But mind you I am not review the downstairs speakeasy part ... Because it was not there ...
(3)James T.
Came here for my friend's going away dinner, but I was running late from work. When I arrived in "the bar," I was extremely confused, since my friend said they were already there. It didn't take long to realize that there HAD to be another floor somewhere, because the ground floor (right when you walk in) was small, quaint, and had a simplistic seating design with the bartender and friend standing by... that and the fact that I didn't see my friends. After inquiring, he nodded to indicate there was indeed another area hidden from the public but before allowing me to pass, required ID. A quick check to verify my age led me to a door and the unknown on the other side. He looked me dead in the eyes and asked - "are you ready?" Nervous, I nodded slowly - what's on the other side of this, I wondered?! And when I stepped through - I knew I was in it - hipster paradise. I descended a flight of stairs into a dimly lit room, booth setup seats on the right, the bar to my left, and a cool chick waitress who got me a drink before I even found my friends and sat down! My friends were seated in a corner of the room, with a great spread of food and booze. Let's run down the list, yes? Scallop fritters ($7) - YES, scotch egg ($8), beer can chicken ($35) - OMG YES, chicken wings ($10) - YAYUH, duck nuggets ($8), shrimp and grits ($28), cornbread ($6), and our booze ... red rum ($11), cruel intentions ($10), cloak and dagger ($10), elijaj craig ($6), lagunitas IPA ($6), and beignet ($7) - running us about $175 among the 4 of us. Was it worth it? TOTALLY! Favorite dish you ask? Definitely the beer can chicken. Why? Moist on the inside (LEGIT) and crispy on the outside, this was an absolute must have for my second round to Bodega. All in all, great atmosphere, EXTREMELY on point service with our waitress (cool Asian chick with tatts), and quality food with top notch company. Ahh .. you have me reminiscing already Bodega. I'll be back soon. :)
(5)John Nielsen B.
Can't wait to come back and enjoy more!
(5)Jared L.
Amazing! A place that will totally surprise you. One of the coolest places I have eaten at. Mocktails were off the hook, and the food was excellent!
(5)Xinmiao L.
Server and bartender with great booze knowledge is always a win in my book! Couple girls decided to have a girls' night out at Bodega. The space is small so we tried to make a reservation but they will charge $40 if someone do not show up. The wait will be pretty long if you did not make reservation. The food and drinks from upstair is different than the one in the basement's. We were seated in the library. We love the vintage library look! The service was great. So I dislike booze because the taste and the smell. I only drink for socializing. My friend wanted to make a customized order, Duchess. The server was very knowledge and explained about the ingredients in the Duchess. Since they do not have Swedish Punch and Grey Early tea, they used substitutions to make the drink taste similar to the drink. It tasted great! I dislike alcohol because the taste and the smell but this one was very tasty and my friend liked it too! Server explained they have the best bartender working on that day. The food..I always remember the duck jerky the first. It is just a great complementary with your drink. Let's just stay that I had a good time!
(5)Oscar A.
Bodega, aka The Rest, is an experience, to your eyes and tastebuds. I've been here a number of times and it's fun and unique each time, wether it's on a date, with friends, or to talk shop. Yes it might leave a bigger dent on the wallet but to me it's worth it. Unless you're just grabbing a quick beer upstairs, which can be fun but overcrowded on a weekend. Try their specially made Mexican beer. It's great. Downstairs is a whole different story. Design wise I love this place. I could hang out there forever. It's just funky and the food is too. Cocktails can be on the pricier side but it goes with the territory. Food wise it has been mostly a hit but once in awhile you get a miss. It's worth the try either way. I love the beer can chicken. If they still have it get it to share. Just keep in mind it takes about 45 mins but with the ambiance it goes quickly. I've had quite a few things here so it's hard to go down the list without writing a novel. Just order and try whatever sounds good and have fun. Sometimes your experience can fluctuate but it's usually memorable so I gave it 5 stars. I've noticed the service has gotten better each time. The booking online can be annoying. Especially because you have to give them a credit card to make reservations since they will charge you a fee per person if you cancel last minute. I think it's because they make everything to order and fresh so they are anticipating the crowd each night. You gotta try it if you've never been. I guarantee they'll be something worth the trip. Just enjoy.
(5)Kaisha M.
I kind of adore this place, it could very easily fall into a hipster nightmare but they walk the line between trendy and pretentious beautifully. The bartenders are fantastic and very knowledgeable; I adore a bartender that can recommend something I've never heard of and have it become a new favorite. The first time we went in we were having a really terrible night and it only got worse after we left - this stop was the highlight of a very shitty night. In hindsight, I realize that we should have just stayed here, and as a result we've added it to our Main Street Pub Crawlâ„¢... when we can get in that is. The wait can get long but sometimes, so you may need to plan ahead but if you have the time, this place is totally worth a stop. I haven't had the food here yet but I'll update this review after I've been able to try it.
(5)Becky G.
Atmosphere and rad factor were through the roof. Appetizers and drinks also pretty mind-blowing. The service was great. I highly recommend the Scotch Egg and cocktails. Was a bit disappointed in the seafood paella for it's bad mussels and lack of flair. Left a little too hungry for how much I paid for the whole meal, but whatever. The vibe was pretty killer.
(4)Annie L.
5 star experience, 3 star food. This place may look like an ordinary bodega but there's so much more beneath it. There's a restaurant that you need a special key (and reservation) to get into. The experience was very unique and the atmosphere was great but the food was nothing spectacular. Our group ordered the onion rings, chicken wings, orange duck, ramen crusted pork, chorizo corn dogs, lamb and beer pie, and the crab cakes. The tastiest items were the crab cakes, chicken wings, and the duck. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who hasn't dined at a speakeasy style restaurant or if I have guests in town but I probably won't go back just for the food.
(4)Monica V.
On our quest to find a restaurant we both have never been to, James H. and I decided to try out Bodega. I had heard of the exclusiveness of the restaurant downstairs, so I decided to give them a call. I'm not sure if the number on Yelp is accurate, because it rang and rang with no answer. Luckily, I was able to make a reservation via Opentable.com . Upon arriving, I informed the gentleman working the tavern area that we had a reservation, and he showed us through a door that led downstairs after asking if we were ready. This simple question built up the excitement and anticipation as we walked down the empty staircase. The Rest has a full bar setup with ample stools as well as booths and tables along the south wall for a more intimate experience. There are older paintings and lots of animal heads that decorate the walls. Lighting is low and there was an eclectic mix of 80s, 90s, and some hip hop music playing in the background to really set the mood. I was really diggin' it. Never have I been to a place like this, and it was definitely unique. Since this is a cocktail bar, you must be 21+ to enter which I like. The handcrafted cocktails were excellent. I tried the After Dark, Pimm's Deluxe, Sir Barton, and my favorite was the Little Horse. You can definitely tell there was a lot of thought put into these drinks, and a level of finesse that you don't often see at other bars. For instance, the single rectangular block of ice put into the Little Horse was really different. As far as the food, I had higher expectations to be frank. The menu was interesting and there were several items I wanted to try, but my date and I settled on the Scallop Fritters and the Honey Glazed Beer Can Chicken which our waiter recommended as it is the most popular dish. The fritters consisted of too much batter and I could barely taste the actual scallops inside. It was an interesting idea, but maybe I just prefer my shellfish not fried. We were warned by our waiter that the chicken takes 45 minutes to cook, but I'm not sure it was worth the wait. Don't get me wrong, the presentation was great and it tasted good but I was expecting to be blown away and I wasn't. Some sections of the chicken were saltier than others and I didn't really taste much of a honey flavor like I thought I would. Overall, I'm a fan of The Rest. I like the ambiance, which made it appropriate for James H. to ask me if I'll go steady with him. ;) So if you're looking for a cool establishment with great service and delicious cocktails, this is your place.
(4)Sarah V.
This place is cool and a fun experience. The menu is limited and homestyle but is delicious and the cocktails are good value. We haven't been back for a while due to the deposit required for booking a table. I understand that it is a small restaurant and they probably need to confirm that people are actually going to turn up but it is too much of a hassle to pay such a steep deposit to book a table - particularly if you aren't 100% sure on the numbers in your group in advance.
(4)Angie L.
i have always walked by this place, but never knew what it was. we had a girls night here and i was so excited to go after reading all the positive reviews. we were a group of 6 and waited over an hour to be seated. we got to be in the library which was pretty cool. i love libraries, books, and comfy couches/chairs to lounge on. it was a bit dark to see the menu, but not a problem since everyone has a flashlight app on their smart phone. their menu is unique and is set up like a patient's medical file at a clinic. their food items and drinks change often is what we were told. we ordered a bunch of different items so we could try all of them. i got the cruel intentions drink and loved it! fellow yelpers, you guys are all absolutely right, the drinks here are amazing. the service was also excellent and we were well taken care of. i honestly didn't love any of our food, but i loved the atmosphere and drinks. i'd come back to try their other drinks and other food items once their menu changes. the only thing that threw me off is the restroom. we were wandering around the hall looking for the restroom, but finally figured out that it's a unisex bathroom. a double sink vanity in the middle and two restroom stalls on either side. the door is like a swinging saloon door so it wasn't as weird as i thought it would be (not enclosed and was open to the hallway).
(4)Siobhan F.
I did not partake in the offerings at Bodega, but I did skip it and headed straight down to the Rest for a few rounds of libations. The Rest had been on my SLC radar for quite awhile and it didn't take much convincing to get my friend to spend an evening with my there. You basically walk through Bodega and head towards the corner by the bar which leads you to a mostly unmarked door. The staff jokingly pretended not to know what I was talking about when I mentioned wanting to go downstairs, but once the funny business was over we quickly found a seat at the bar and the wonderful bartender Zade pretty much made our night. We decided to forgo the menu items and asked him to whip us up something special. I told him what I liked and he came up with a whiskey forward cocktail that I was all about. He made a flip for my friend which resembled a cappuccino, but all boozy instead which was quite delicious. We also decided to partake in some absinthe sipping and they even have brouilles-absinthes to properly pour you a glass via drippage. The fun didn't stop at absinthe, we got a side of duck confit croquettes and one more round of cocktails to finish up our visit. If you're looking for a fun and memorable bar/cocktail experience, definitely give the Rest a looksy, it's 100% worth a visit!
(5)Char R.
Very classy restaurant below the Bodega front is known as "The Rest". It's a speakeasy making the ambiance mysterious and enigmatic. Some inquisitive conversation pieces scattered throughout the joint. The food is decent, a little on the bland side and very simple. The two top dinner entrees would be the lamb shank and the beer can chicken. Appetizers were not impressive we ordered four due to being in a larger group. The ceviche didn't seem that fresh, was a tad fishy. The beercheese taste like portwine processed cheese I buy at Wal-Mart. The tomato caprese was disappointing due to unripe tomotoes and poor quality of cheese. The ambiance, art, music and drinks is fabulous. Food average. Fun for a night out on the town with friends.
(4)Juliet C.
The cool experience receiving the key and unlocking the door and going down a flight of stairs into a dimly lit room with eclectic artwork was pretty cool. But if the food is mediocre, the review is still 3 stars. I came with a group of 6 and we were seated quickly. We ordered the wings, corn dogs, and crab cakes for appetizers- the pork belly wasn't available much to our disappointment. Of those three, I liked the wings the best. The appetizers overall were pretty good but the entrees were so .... bland! My bf and I had the lamb and beer pie which was just bland and overcooked. Our friends had the duck and pork and they weren't too happy with theirs either. The only plus about this place were the drinks. The drinks were classic craft cocktails and we could tell they were made with care. The next time we come back, it'll probably be only for these drinks.
(3)Pano R.
It would've been 5 stars if we didn't wait 1 hour for our food. Everything else was amazing! Remember to make a reservation before you dine here. Food was delicious and different. Loved the ambience.
(4)Nicha K.
This place was amazing. From the conspiratory feel when you walk in past the "general store" facade to the lavish yet quirky decor that keeps your eyes searching for all the details to the interesting typewritten menus... I couldn't stop gushing about what a neat place it was. And then I met our bartender. I forget his name but he had fiery hair and the most laidback attitude as he made awesome suggestions and told us all about Utahns. His drink recommendations were on point and our group had a fabulous time. Would definitely come back if we are in SLC again!
(5)Sothary C.
What a nifty small spot. It is one of those places that a local would have to take you to. The ambiance was quite interesting and the service was cool, considering we only ordered tea.
(4)Missy P.
I've been to Bodega a few times for cocktails and a hot dog and have always liked it, but tonight I finally went to the Rest. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the decor, the vibe, the lighting and the vinyl spinning Police, Journey and Toto as I left.I was happy before I ate or drank a thing. I ordered the paella. It was pretty good but not great. Could have used a touch more spice. I was bummed it didn't have the crusty bottom (socarrat) like most paellas have. I ordered a dish that serves two but have leftovers and will attempt to get the crust then. We didn't order dessert but everyone I was with seemed happy with their food as well. Their cocktails are amazing. I ordered the Quick fix, a special with St Germain and Pisco and the Penny Lane with port and Apple Brandy. Both hand crafted, excellent ice cubes and stainless straws! I will be back again to try some more delicious cocktails and more of their menu. They have an intimate library where you could sit with a friend or two or even on a date and have an adult conversation! Go when you have time to relax with a small group and unplug from reality and just soak in what they have to offer.
(4)Lisa P.
What a unique little spot on main street. Two very different vibes upstairs and down. Hoping this place sticks around for a while because we need more places with character in downtown SLC. Lets start with upstairs. It used to be a tiny bodega that sold things like sodas and votive (prayer) candles. Extremely cute idea, but I guess they never actually sold anything because it's recently been renovated to be a small bar. $2 shots of beam, $3 jameson, some beers on tap, and a small but intreguing food menu that includes fish tacos and pickles eggs. Cannot beat the prices. Seating is somewhat plentiful for the space, a tiny VHS tv that plays Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Liar Liar, and the communial Playboy table has fun games like Citizens of Humanity and Jenga. Awesome, friendly service by the bartender Nicole. I could spend hours here, and we did. Now for The Rest. Loved the decor and atmosphere. Very dark, intimate, and almost creepy. Lots of portraits and animal heads on the walls. Service was decent - nothing to complain about but at the same time, also nothing to rave about like upstairs. She did her job well, but that was the extent of it. Lots of great, unique cocktails on the menu but they cost average $10 each. The drink specials upstairs do not apply downstairs, so you'll be paying double for your liquor. The food here was great except one major flaw. We ordered the beer can chicken and it was SO SO SO salty. Out of our table of four, only two could actually stomach all the salt while the other two opted out after one bite. We would have sent it back, but the darn thing takes 45 minutes to prepare and we didn't feel like waiting. On the other hand, the seafood paella and chicken wings were delicious, so I'm not going to let one salty chicken ruin my experience. Ended our dinner with the one dessert they offered - beignets with blackberrry jam and creme fraiche. Don't pass on the beignets. They were heavenly and I could have ate three more orders. Last but not least, bathrooms are impeccably clean. The dictionary wall paper is an idea i'm gonna steal :)
(5)Ryan C.
Salt Lake City's Swanky Sweetspot! You'll walk in to the Bodega upstairs and grab a cocktail. You'll come down the stairs into The Rest for some incredibly delicious food! Tonight we enjoyed Beer Cheese, Pirogies, Pork Collar, Spare Ribs, French Onion soup and a variety of cocktails. I can't decide which part was best. Amazing food. Amazing and unique cocktails and incredible service. Certainly a great spot to check out. Enjoy!
(5)Tyra S.
We ordered the beer can chicken to share. It takes an hour to cook. They gave ours to the wrong table so ours took longer. They made it up with free beignets (yummy but nothing as good as New Orleans beignets) and such classy service. It was delicious food in a great atmosphere! The library in the back is so eclectic and fun. It's loud but romantic and would be a good date spot or a night out with a friend for good conversation.
(5)Kerry S.
Tasty drinks and amazing food. Fun friendly and PATIENT waitstaff. Went with a large group of friends for dinner and we were a bit obnoxious. They were more than accommodating. Duck Nuggets Duck Nuggets DUCK NUGGETS. They are incredible. Our table of 8 ordered at least 5 orders of them. Oh and pork belly. Just go. But if you want to eat on a weekend night, make a reservation. Oh also, the decor is SO COOL with lots of taxidermy and antiques and odd things.
(5)Frank M.
I don't mind this place. My friends go and end up just hanging out upstairs instead of going downstairs because it's a little looser and a lot cheaper. But I wanted to check out downstairs. It's dark, cozy, and mostly feels like you're chilling in a house. I house where pretty waitresses bring you high end cocktails and delectable food. The service is great. They only allow the amount of people downstairs that still allows everyone to have a seat. So although it may be a popular joint, it never feels too crowded. I can say it seems they're trying a little hard to be very different and kitschy, but whatever, you're allowed to have personality. If you don't want to go downstairs and spend the money or wait, have a sip and some cheap tacos upstairs while staring at all the people walking by outside. It's pretty chill. No complaints here.
(5)Hoa T.
I'm a sucker for novelty, so when I caught wind of a speakeasy, it's automatically on my list of places to try. One credit card on the line and a reservation for three later, I was set to check out Bodega. The reservation was for 7PM on a Friday night. The upstair was pretty empty when we got there. My friends were a little confused when we were directed to the back, this adds to the fun of it. Making our way down the desserted partitioned hallway, we finally made it downstairs. There were booths on one side and the bar was on the other. The place reminded me a little of Bar-X in atmosphere except that it never got that crowded. What makes this better was the availability of food. Overall, I thought the food was pretty good. Unlike one of the reviews that I read here, the amount of seafood in the seafood paella was plenty. The paella was a little on the salty side but a few extra lemons helped with that. The beer can chicken was tender and very tasty. Both paella and beer can chicken took awhile to come out, so prepare to enjoy some conversations over some very delicious cocktails. We also ordered a couple of small plates as we waited for the main course. The duck nuggets were good, and the beer curd was interesting...my friend seems to like it. Upstairs and downstairs definitely got a lot busier as the night went on, a hipster crowd for sure. I would definitely come back.
(4)Piper H.
UGH. Get over yourselves. My husband and I decided to try Bodega on a Wed night. First impression of the bartender- BARF. not friendly at all. More like "what are you doing here?" Hardly anyone in there but a couple of Kim Kardashian wannabes and a homeless looking guy. So there was no way we wanted to stay in the bar so asked about eating. Yeah, we screamed NUBE and he made us feel totally unwelcome. He said he would let the restaurant know we were coming and had no reservation. So we head down to the sneaky restaurant and get the same too cool for school attitude from the bartender down there! What the..?? There was ONE occupied table and he made a big deal of checking the reservation ipad before seating us. The waiter was OK. He pointed out their special drink menu. But are you real..? a mescal spritz? Menu was dirty as well as very limited with really rich food. I'm not a fan of duck, picked onion rings or chorizo so was having a hard time thinking I could eat anything but wanted to be a trooper if my husband was game. The fish sounded good. After a couple of minutes looking at both the drink and food menus he looked at me and said "Want to go somewhere else?" Halleluja.. Good bye to this pretentious place. Had a great time at Eva's just up the street instead.
(1)Kyle K.
A review for "The Rest" -- the downstairs "speakeasy" side to Bodega.* Ambiance-- A. Hipster-meets-outdoorsman-meets-found-art-studio. The host's primary job, it seems, is to make sure the LPs keep spinning, and she did a fine job that night, switching from Marvin Gaye to Van Halen's 1984. You hardly ever hear a whole album anymore. Drinks. A-. Classic cocktails with a twist, incorporating quality spirits, interesting "flavorings" as they're called in Utah, and nice bitters. Perhaps master cocktail craftsman would say they're not quite balanced -- my drink of Scotch, Fernet, and black walnut bitters was very interesting, but very bitter, with only a bit of sour to offset it. But the prices are not crazy, and I felt like I did get an honest drink (even with Utah's limitations on the amount of alcohol per drink), so that says something about the mixologists. Service. B+. Our server was generally decent, regularly checking on us and refilling water glasses. Food was slow, but I think that was more the kitchen than the staff. Food. C to D. We made a reservation and were seated at one of the limited number of booths. Despite the reviews describing the fun apps and small bite bar food, we were only given a 3 course price fixed menu (with no prices... so I guess that's just a "fixed" menu?) Three choices for apps and entrees, two choices for dessert. I went with the chicken liver pate and the beef shortrib pie. The wife (a vegetarian) went for the fried green beans and a broccoli dish. We both had the beignets for desert. Everything ranged from underwhelming to bad. The pate was runny, and had the fatty flavor, but not a whole lot of anything else. It did come with some nice pickled onions -- probably the best thing we had all night. The green beans were panko fried, not super hot, and utterly unseasoned. They were accompanied with a lemon aoli that overpowered and clashed with whatever discernable green bean flavor there was. My pot pie was mediocre, with big chunks of meat, but really no gravy. The crust was only slightly better than a Swanson's pot pie from the store. It came with a side of potatoes, which were tasty, though not special. (Thank goodness it did, because otherwise the wife would have left hungry) My wife's entree was not really an entree at all, but rather a few pieces of roasted broccoli (a special kind; I've forgotten the name) over maybe two tablespoons full of grits. Underseasoned, lacking in any sauce, and barely an appetizer portion. Now small portions are OK if the food is bursting with flavor or you're eating many courses. Not the case here. Oh, and we had to wait at least 30 minutes between the time our appetizers were cleared and our mains arrived. Upselling drinks, maybe? The beignets were also just OK. They were advertised as brioche, but tasted like regualr dough to me. At least 2 of the 3 of mine were overfried. They were accompanied with creme anglaise, but once again less than a spoonful. And fried dough calls out for something creamy, but there simply wasn't enough sauce (or even powdered sugar) to go around. This doesn't sound like the worst dinner I've had, so why the two stars? Because at about 3 o'clock in the morning, I was awakened by an overly active lower digestive system. Something I ate certainly did not agree with my digestive system, and was massively and quickly evacuated. Despite the low rating, I would actually go back for the vinyl, the drinks, the possibility of the bar food, what sounded like good banter with the bartenders. Maybe they can earn back a star or two. *(Bodega itself, the upstairs part, is pretty cool -- cheap beers, free cheeseballs, good tunes. They used to serve tacos and other small bites, and they were tasty too. I'm not sure if that's still on the menu or not.)
(2)James H.
My girlfriend and I went to Bodega tonight and very much enjoyed the atmosphere. The underground restaurant played a variety of music (including 80's saxophone music) throughout our 2 hour plus long dinner. After a couple of cocktails, we tried the fried scallops but neither of us would rate it very high. We ordered the beer can chicken for two as an entree and while it was better than the rotisserie chicken you might get at your local grocery store, it wasn't a game changer. Asparagus and potatoes are served with the chicken and while both were tasty, neither blew our minds. The real charm about Bodega is the unisex restrooms, variety in clientele, and friendly staff who invited us downstairs by asking "if we were ready?" We assume "ready" to experience the orgasm in your mouth food they claim to offer. And while neither of us climaxed tonight...I'm sure we will both during our next adventure.
(4)Dilan P.
The menu is not up to date. No vegan tacos anymore! Please update with accurate pricing
(1)Amber T.
I have mixed reviews about this place. I LOVE the Rest. I have eaten at the Rest many times - in fact Jamie is an amazing server and bartender, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is absolutely stunning. I would highly recommend the Rest. Bodega is also similarly fun with cheap drink options and a casual but hip atmosphere. The bartenders and doorman are generally friendly. I do have one gripe though - Bodega bartender, Tristan - what a JERK. Talk about atrocious service - he has never so much as given me a smile, never thanked me for my business or tips, all the while joking around with his friends at the bar. He even once lectured me about how I was never to tell a bartender how many drinks I've had. He wasn't even joking, I genuinely felt that he was attempting to make me feel bad, after I had explained that the reason I was only ordering one shot from him was because I had already had 3 drinks that evening, because he asked me why I was only ordering one shot. I don't even know you personally, the last thing I want on an evening out is to be made to feel bad for having a few drinks. I now always look in the window to see if Tristan is serving, and if he is, I don't go to bodega. Otherwise, great establishment.
(3)Shawn S.
I seriously don't know the last time I had this much fun at a bar or restaurant. Can't wait to come back! Oh ya - the food and drinks were great. Especially the drinks!
(5)Mari V.
The Rest was okay. The ambiance was beautiful, and I loved being there. Our bartender (didn't catch his name, red headed dude with a hair knot) was friendly and hilarious. The service was spotty...we got our orders way after people that arrived after us. The drinks were delicious, particularly the Basil Maiden. The duck nuggets were...interesting. Felt like I was eating masticated meat. The pork belly and the Philly rabe sammie were bomb though. Not sure if I'd go back to The Rest, but I do want to try the upstairs part.
(3)Courtney F.
This place was really cool and the food was very good. Went with a group of people so we did family style and were able to try many things on the menu. Everything was really good but a few things were noteworthy & absolutely delicious "must try's" on the menu: the beer cheese plate, the scallop fritters, the duck nuggets, the beer chicken, and the paella. Aside from the food, the fact that this Bodega place is really a front to hide the gem of a restaurant called The Rest is awesome. Was really cool to go in to Bodega and end up thru a secret doorway that leads to a completely different place and with a speakeasy vibe that's underground. Recommend checking this place out whether you live in SLC or are just visiting SLC (like I was).
(4)Caryn A.
As soon as I saw this place on the SLC dine o round menu I knew I had to come. I had been here once before but I was tired from work and not really willing to put lots of cash on the table for drinks and food. I found someone just as eager as me to go. We dressed up in nice clothes. I made sure I had a huge appetite. The front store was all remodelled, their shop gone, I was relieved to find out they still sold cigarettes. They said they got rid of their candy cause most people would rather have alcohol. I joked that alcohol is candy for adults. This place puts you into a cool mood. The vibe is very underground, you go through a hallway and stairs to get to the actual resturaunt. It is dimly lit with stuffed animals hanging on the walls, interesting art, pictures of ancestors, old books and records all over the place. We had a reservation, my friend made it. While I didn't think it would be necessary it was and I was grateful he did. We ordered our drinks (all of their mixed drinks are amazing) and walked around a bit to check things out. We ordered the dine around menu. First: duck jerky that had been cured for 72 hours. OH MY GOD. So good. Second: A pastrami sandwich with what seemed like homemade potato chips and pickles. The sandwich was absolutely incredible. Not only that but the pickles were spicy and the chips melted in your mouth. Third: dessert pastries. I got a 9% stout to go with it and it finished it up nicely. It was a steal, $15 bucks for the dine o round plus whatever drinks we got. This is going on until 09/28 in SLC so there is still time. Even their bathroom is hard to find and incredibly interesting with amazing lotion after you wash your hands. If you want to impress a date or just have great conversation + amazing food with a friend in a place that is completely unique I really recommend. Oh! How could I forget. The service was impeccable, I never even ran out of water!
(5)Drew D.
So the downstairs area dies have a New York feel. If you're familiar with little bird it's very similar but less classy. Didn't get any food but had a super gingery Moscow mule. Too much really but it worked . I can see how this works in salt lake . The name is kinda dumb and I didn't get a copper mug . Just ain't right
(3)Annie P.
Afterwork cocktails and quick snack! Bodega was so worth the wait and I am so happy for the impromptu after work visit! Service was spot on - well Bodega is tiny but still amazing! We savored the Moab Brewery "El Especial" draft which was really good! And for snacks we had the chorizo croquettes $5 bucks, the Queso fundido $5, and the fish tacos $5!!! Everything was amazing! can't wait to go back and try The Rest :)
(4)Deano G.
Cool spot, great idea, fantastic decor, average service, decent food.... But it just didn't work for me. My girlfriend (aka better half) surprised me by finding this place (The Rest, not bodega) before I did and took me one night last weekend. I loved the idea and the place itself, but again, it just didn't work for me. The service was extremely average and possibly overrated. The (PBR) beer can chicken was good but lacked seasoning, the crab cakes were cold and again, average... So average that we skipped dessert. (And you might want to put salt & pepper on the tables for the guests who would like to season their food... Just a suggestion) The ambiance and decor was spot on. Well decorated, dark, and a cool vibe, but unfortunately that was about it. Will I go back you ask? If someone else takes me... Maybe. But would I make reservation and go myself? Most likely not. Sorry guys. It wasn't that good. Oh, and another suggestion for the owners/management, Stock up on call brand liquors... Not everyone likes bullet whiskey.
(3)Ron B.
The idea of The Rest is great. Everything else is less than stellar. I made reservations but still ended up with a 45 minute wait. The so called "library" waiting area was no than a coffee table with a few books on the wall. Service was the best part about the restaraunt. The beer can chicken wasn't even as good as I make at home. I heard a lot of things about the cocktails and jalepeno cornbread, but we never received the cornbread and the drinks are better at your local bar.
(2)Connor B.
Classic restaurant abusing the fact that they are in Utah to act like they are something special. Creating unexciting menus, drastically changing prices without notice, and disengaged service leaves one with much to be desired. Get over yourselves! This place wouldn't fly in a real city.
(1)Eian N.
A great unique dinning experience in Salt Lake. The food was great and so were the drinks. Plan on spending some quality time here and turn your phones off and just enjoy the company.
(4)Buck W.
From the entrance to the exit what a well thought out and clever play on a place there but not really. It's as if you have to ask and know a secret hand shake to get to the inner sanctum. Once there it is an experience, from the classic vinyl records playing to the feel of a secret underground bootleggers paradise, the decor is perfect for the atmosphere. small and exclusive intimate but open. Now to the food, as the chief so eloquently described "it's trashy but classy." The pickled onion rings are just tangy enough for you to want more, the beer can chicken deserves a blue ribbon and it is placed inside that chicken every time, PBR. The "duck nuggets" great, the ceviche light, tasty, and filling, the lamb shank tender and served with cornbread and dr pepper black beans just tasty. I have tried most of the menu and have not found any flaws. Also with there knowledgable staff they can make and suggest any cocktail to accompany your trashy but classy course. You have to experience this place period.
(5)Sam S.
Although I had heard about Bodega from several people, all I had been told was how bad the service was. Not one person described what the place was like, so I was very pleasantly surprised to discover that it is a complete assault on all of the senses (in a good way). In a city filled with cookie cutter eateries and pubs, it's refreshing to see a business put so much thought and creativity into creating a unique dining experience. On the surface [there's a pun here], Bodega seems to be exactly what its name describes (in Spanish, the name refers to a small neighborhood shop that sells everyday items such as sundries, newspapers, and beer). Look closely and you'll see that their cheeky attitude has been distilled all the way down to the products that they sell behind the counter. However, once you pass beyond the convenience store facade, you'll be transported to an alternate speakeasy universe in the depths below. If I were forced to describe the ambiance, I would call it "taxidermy chic". Everything has a vintage feel to it, even the modern music that you hear throughout the venue is played from vinyl records on an old turntable. The provocative artistic pieces on display are reason alone to come experience Bodega. We started our meal with some lovely cocktails whose names escape me. Unfortunately, they weren't serving a full menu when we were there, but we enjoyed several rounds of tantalizing and delicious taps-style plates. The chicken wings were a vibrant orange color and were [literally] finger licking good. Don't miss out on the fried cheese curds, they were to me what power pellets are to Pac Man. Our servers were pleasant, with a hint of attitude. This might be off-putting to the diner that is accustomed to the overly zealous TGI Fridays staff that acts like your BFF while they try to upsell you on the Extreme Salad Shooters appetizer. Upon leaving, we were confronted by the manager or owner, who accused one of us of stealing an item from the art on display (which she had not). That wasn't the best way to end our experience, hence the missing star from my review. Bodega is way too cool to be in Utah, and they know it. If you expect ass-kissing, go to Chili's. If you want a singular dining experience and you can put up with some smugness from the staff, you'll enjoy this underground gem.
(4)Blair S.
I think this is met second review of Bodega. I'm too lazy to look back and check. Either way, this experience was better than the last (which was still pretty good). Went here for my birthday dinner, and to be honest I was expecting to be happy but underwhelmed with the all-too-familiar tapas and craft cocktail formula that is running rampant everywhere now. But, what my wife and I were greeted with was a server who was on point, and a prix fixe menu that was compulsory for people who make reservations. NOT a bad thing at all. I was just unaware. Upon inquiring, it looks like they do this for thursday, friday, saturday menus. And monday, tuesday, wednesday is the standard tapas menu with mainly apps. The waiter informed me that even though it is "understood" that the prix fixe menu was what you would get for a reservation, they would make any changes necessary to make a customer happy who simply does not find and option on the prix fixe menu that is enticing. I find it hard to believe someone wouldn't, given what I saw. Also, the menu is a weekly menu, as the chef(s) and managers can plan accordingly based on reservations made on how much to purchase. Seems smart to me. They seem to keep it fresh but also cost-effective using this formula. I appreciate that a lot. We had some fried duck confit balls for appetizers, I had the pork tenderloin for dinner which had a grouping of peppercorn mustard and some sort of savory creme fraiche that was perfect for the dish, in addition to a homemade sauerkraut which despite me hating sauerkraut, was a solid bonus to the meal and worked perfectly. This was the type of sauerkraut that made me want to go back in time and smack my mom for presenting me with some sorry pre-canned dog-pile version of sauerkraut that made me resist eating it for 25 years. Thank you Bodega for fixing my unreasonable perspective on that. Desert: Beignets stuffed with blackberry goodness. A great final touch. Total for the menu was $40, reasonable if you ask me. Figure normal place would be $10 for an app, $20 for a entree, and maybe $7 for a desert, this price tag does not leave me confused at all. I got more than what I paid for. Cocktails were good as usual. But I was even more stoked to see one of my favorite german beers Bitburger make its way onto the menu. Think of a german Budweiser. Err... maybe that sounds ridiculous. But you get the point. Nothing fancy. Just try one. How about this, it is the german PBR. Ok, that make sense now?
(4)Guinevere S.
"The Rest" awesome little tucked away place below the Bodega. We had the beer canned chicken for 2. Also the seafood dish. Both were really good. The cocktails are great with fresh ingredients with classy service.
(5)Monica T.
Let's talk about the supposedly super secret restaurant situated in the basement of this convenience store. I can't tell you much about Bodega itself, because I was just there for a minute to be handed a key to The Rest (the previously mentioned super secret restaurant) by some guy with a hipster mustache. It was the first of many hipster mustaches that night. So we get the key, open the door, and go down the stairs. The interior of The Rest looks about like you'd expect: dim with lots of dark wood. So many Edison bulbs. There was a record player with all the appropriate vinyl around it (Miles, Elvis, Dusty Springfield, etc.) One of the walls has a whole bunch of dead animal heads on it. I can see why the vegetarians are pissed. Our appropriately hipster hostess took our key and directed us to a small table in the corner. Our very enthusiastic waiter (who of course had a mustache) brought us water and menus and directed us to some of the highlights of the menu. In lieu of one of the $11 cocktails (which did look tasty, BTW), we went with a bottle of the "cheap" white wine. (No names here, just cheap, decent, or good.) It was a delightful Australian viognier, so cheap does not mean uninteresting. The menu was way more comfort food oriented than I was expecting, though I'm not sure what I was expecting. Vegetarians, if you weren't already scared away by the dead animals on the wall, you should stay away because there are no options for you here. For our appetizer, we went with the meat loaf, which were were told would be served cold. I was a bit skeptical, but my husband hearts meat loaf, so I was willing to try it. This was probably the best dish of the night. When cold, the meat loaf had kind of a pate flavor, and it was served with a very interesting homemade ketchup: chunky and kind of spicy. There was also a delicious mustard sauce. Jalapeno cornbread came out at the same time, which was moist and tasty, but not at all spicy. I got the shepherd's pie for my main course, which was a generous portion served in a metal bowl. Rich mashed potatoes, well seasoned ground lamb, a bit of kale. It was all very nice. Lots of black pepper on top of the cheesy crust, which I loved. If you don't love black pepper as much as I do it might be a bit much for you. My husband got The 36, which is a tasty reuben served with well done waffle cut potato chips. It was very well done (but not quite as good as some of the killer delis in town, who also don't charge $16 for the sandwich). We left the restaurant very full, no room for blueberry beignets. Service was very good, but it's definitely a slower meal. Don't head here if you're in a hurry because it takes awhile for the food to arrive. We loved the variety of music coming from the record player (Beastie Boys, Black Keys, Billie Holliday, Ralph Stanley, Prince, and some underground hip-hop I didn't recognize). The prices are high, yes, and maybe the whole thing is a bit pretentious. That being said, I had a great time and I'll definitely back. I hope this doesn't make me a hipster.
(4)Denise S.
This place is unlike any other! Bodega is a bar worth seeing! Upstairs it's a dive type bar with its vintage playboy table tops and beer selection. It's once you are downstairs that you truly see it for what it is. The bar downstairs is lovely! With it's record player, library, and high ceilings it's as though you've stepped into another life. The small bites are delicious and the drinks are great! It's definitely a hidden gem in SLC!
(5)Kris B.
First speakeasy type place I have been to in SLC - well done. Look through the tagged-up glass into what looks like a basic convenience store, give your reservation information, receive your key and walk down into a dimly-lit interestingly decorated restaurant. Really appreciate the booth setup, rather than sitting elbow-to-elbow with other patrons. Here's the laundry list of items we shared with some tips at the end - pickled onion rings, cheddar bacon fries, jalapeno cornbread, Kraft dinner (pasta, seared tuna, peas, cream sauce), smoked trout (with shaved cauliflower, capers, and raisins), lamb shepherds pie, blueberry beignets. Onion ring batter was some of the best I have had. The meat pie's kale chips are a really nice touch. The trout had too many raisins, but then again, I don't like raisins. Drinks were too sweet for my taste, but go for the folklore if you are into old-fashioneds. Party room in the back for larger parties (I think). Love the atmosphere, service, and the food. Not sure if the short menu changes seasonally, but really hope it does, as we will be coming here often.
(4)Tom v.
Prides itself as being the coolest spot in SLC. Beyond RUDE service and the crappiest management team that thinks you qualify to run a bar if you have tattoos, a waxed mustache and plugs. Maybe in Kansas? The marketing consists of jamming everyone into a storefront 10 by 10 upstairs to make the place look busy while the downstairs is supposedly "filled to capacity" yet it's absolutely a ghostown LOL! I feel sorry for the bartenders downstairs because they actually know their craft and make great drinks for the five people that you will find there. My suggestion is to skip it, even in a town with few options.
(1)Nathan M.
There are some great things and some bad things. I love the decor of both establishments. Both have their own theme and are done well. Hats off. I love the heads on the wall and the dictionary pages for wall paper in the bathroom. I commonly visit the bodega for its cheap drinks, nice social atmosphere, and eclectic bar snacks. I have been to the rest once but probably wont return. I was disappointed that I could not get the cheap whiskey special that I saw walking in upstairs. The other drinks were great but many were priced around $10 for a tiny cocktail. The beer butt chicken tasted like it had been brined for days and was too salty to eat. The other food was good but I didn't feel like it was equal to the price point that they were charging. Great service and atmosphere in both places, unfortunately our first experience with the food was not good enough to return.
(3)Candace V.
This place was a total joke! What a disappointment! The management was EXTREMELY rude and judgmental. I watched a group of Out of towner's walk in and be turned away because their "look" didn't match the hipster image they were trying to portray! As a visitor myself I saw this and immediately walked out because I had already been inside and saw that there was no one downstairs. Seems like the place cares less about business and more about having a playground for the managers and their friends. I will never be back!
(1)Kirk S.
Fantastic. Anyone with good taste will appreciate the attention to detail from the menu(s) to the decor.
(5)Brandon V.
I will NOT be coming back to this establishment any time soon. The people they call "management" lack the basic personal skills necessary to execute daily operations within a bar. Besides the fact that they have a tendency to shun folks who dont match their desired consumer profile, they are downright boorish and impertinent in doing so. On the bright side, once you make it past the crabby tools upstairs, the bartenders downstairs are knowledgeable and more than willing to aid in finding the perfect drink for you.
(1)Jessica M.
Things to love: Delicious cocktails. Fried cheese curds (so good), friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere. Overall, I love it. Questionable: Attractive uber-hipster dream girl stationed near the dj as some kind of decoration. If you like decorative women, this would be right for you. This only happened 1 out of 4 times I have been there so who knows if it will happen again.
(5)Andrew S.
The food in The Rest is very very good, but I think there are still some kinks to work out in the overall experience at Bodega. My group group had the chicken wings and the meat loaf as appetizers - both excellent - and I had the shepherds pie as my entree - it was pretty good. We also had cocktails with our dinner, each of which tasted great and was well presented. But. In my opinion EVERYTHING was overpriced. I understand that good food can be expensive, but for a restaurant that's meant to have this old-worldy / speak easy feel, it seems like it defeats the purpose to have a $16 appetizer which only serves 3 people. And like the appetizers, the cocktails were delicious, but couldn't have been more than 2 ounces of liquid and cost 11$. As far as the atmosphere goes, I feel like the space between The Rest and The Bodega proper should be a little darker so you feel like you're actually going somewhere hidden. I also think the music was a tad loud, although it was the best music selection of any restaurant I can remember. To sum things up: If you're in the mood for a unique experience and willing to spend $100+ for a high quality dinner for two, I'd definitely give this place a try. If you're the owner of Bodega, I love your food and have high hopes for your restaurant, I just think everything on the menu needs to come down by 3-4 dollars.
(4)Jeff O.
Kick ass little bar. Alas, the joint isn't vegan friendly as far as food goes. The drinks are a little pricy, but well worth it. The atmosphere and "speakeasy" vibe rocks and you can't argue with a joint that plays nothing but vinyl. This place would get 5 stars, but it only gets 4 until they expand their menu to include some/more vegetarian and vegan appetizers and entrees.
(4)Zach S.
I get it's trying to be cool. Shit, I'm trying to be cool too. Bodega is succeeding. The place is visually stimulating, the menu is stimulating, the beer list is interesting, the cocktails are exquisite in presentation and profile. A few friends and I stumbled in, were escorted to the quiet area in the back. We sat and chatted, had some coffee and cocktails. I had a Famous Grouse on the rocks--admittedly hard to fuck up--but they provided the perfect backdrop for such a drink. My friend had an old fashioned--easy to fuck up--and they did not. Starting with an ice cube only slightly smaller than the glass it came in, and surrounded by a really well balanced cocktail (with Buffalo Trace for the spirit). Lastly, we were met with friendly service throughout.
(5)Ili M.
Tonight we had such a great experience! I'm always hesitant to go anywhere unknown, but I'm glad I came across this gem. Servers were great! Cocktails were on point. Music was awesome! Love the decor and art. Greeted with a smile. I've been reading several comments below and this place is small. It's not a place to party. It's a place to relax and enjoy a couple drinks. I don't know how it is on the weekend, but I wouldn't be surprised if they are crazy busy. Love the menus too!
(5)R M.
Okay. So as we all know, this isn't a review for Bodega as much as it is for what it really is. Having said that... the atmosphere once you walk into Bodega is really awesome in itself. I wish we would have had time for a brew upstairs before being ushered on in our journey. The attire is well, um, hipster? Trendy? Don't feel the need to dress up but don't wear a sweatshirt either... think jeans and heels with a going out top for girls and pretty much anything wingtipped or chambrey for your dude. Mustache of epicness is a plus in this place. Arriving at our table we were more than impressed with the ambiance, records on the player, game heads on the walls and every darn adorable to a "T' server they could find in the SLC metro area. It was a visual feast! Our wait staff was MORE than attentive. Everyone who walked by asked if we were having a good time or if our drinks were to our liking. Which brings me to their cocktails. They are ON POINT! I mean spot on delicious. Their mixologist is the BEST I have encountered in this town so far! So much so, that I would come back time and time again just for drinks (which you can do if there is space). Our food... well, it was food. There was a pre-fixed menu, but it still had three or so choices in each catagory. The appetizers were great. The main course we should have chosen differently. The duck was so fatty, which I know is normal for duck, but it just fell a wee bit (not much) short. The desserts were delish and I wish I had saved room for more. All in all, it was worth every penny to this transplant who is used to finer dining and amazing cocktails. My next visit will be for cocktails and some beignets(sp)! FOR SURE!
(4)Mark W.
The Rest is a great idea. The food is creative (try the corn dogs), but over priced. The drinks are a welcomed addition to SLC, but they aren't the best cocktails in the city. Definitely a great start and into to this style bar. The atmosphere is really great. The classic record player, old photos and varied seating options fit just about every group and mood. The worst part of the entire experience is trying to make a reservation. You have to call, but then go to a web site and fill out an "application" then you might get a call back to actually make the reservation. Be warned: They have a hefty cancellation/no show fee. My second visit to the Rest began with the person on the phone being very aloof and making it sound like they were so incredibly busy that they will have to put up a folding table and chairs to squeeze us in for a few drinks. We got there and we were the only people in the entire place! I'm all for making this an exclusive place, but come on, don't treat potential customers poorly in an attempt to create the illusion of demand. I would give a 5 star if the reservation process was greatly improved and if the bartender was more like the craftsmen at Finca or Pallet.
(3)Kristine D.
The cocktails and appetizers are very good but main dishes are just ok. But a great place and the staff was wonderful.
(4)Mimi N.
No doubt the atmosphere was great, but nothing about the food really dazzled me. The chicken wings that everyone raves about are just chicken wings in tomato sauce. I went during the holidays, and they had a very creative egg nog, so the drinks were really good too. The hostess was great with refilling our waters--good on her because the glasses are tiny! Atmosphere - 4 Food - 2.5 Drinks - 3 High quality toilet paper in the bathroom saved this rating and pushed it to 4 stars for me...nothing but the best 2-ply at Bodega & The Rest!!!
(4)Bud H.
I really liked my experience here. Can this place get any funkier? Speakeasy style, in the basement, behind a locked door that you can't even see when you enter the "Bodega" upstairs. Really cool and unique, especially for SLC. We went early on a Saturday evening and got fairly lucky to be sat considering we didn't have reservations. Of course, we had to sit at the bar, but that was no big deal. First off, the space is really, really cool. The basement vibe, complete with bar, "library", dining room, safe door, etc., made for a really unique night out. The food was good too. We went with the house specialty - the honey roasted chicken on a can. It was very good. Moist, nicely flavored, with delicious skin. The potatoes and asparagus were both nicely cooked and tasty too. I'd say two of the hghlights were the starter dishes. We had the olive plate, which was a simple assortment of mild but flavorful olives, and the onion rings, which were pickled onions in a donut-like exterior. They were awesome. The menu is limited as far as entrees are concerned, but they've got a nice assortment of appetizers and drinks. All in all, I thought the food was good, the ambience was excellent (I loved the tunes on vinyl) and the prices were quite reasonable (much less than I was expecting).
(4)Travis B.
If you are looking for a nice spot to be a secret agent in a romantic tryst with foreign double agent exchanging secrets, all while listening to spinning vinyl then this is the place for you. I love the fact that they give you a key to a locked door and then you go down into the bowels of this humble city for your meal and drinks (oh god the drinks). We started with the cider and beignets, ALWAYS eat desert first that way you have room for the sweetest part. The cider was a warm fireplace on a snowy day. The beignets were crispt and filled with a creamed filling. (brilliant) and then the top was covered with semi sweet chocolate, bad move dude. Beignets are like pillows from heaven that are dusted with powdered sugar and love, to defile them with chocolate not only made the flavor layers too busy, but you actually managed to remove a little bit of goodness in the world. Every time you put chocolate on a beignet god kills a puppy...how many puppies have to die because of your arrogance, how many? The crab cakes were great more crab than cake and the smoked salmon that came with them was a great touch. For the onion rings let me first start with I do not like onions rings, I do not like them on a box and I do not like them with a fox. That being said I still ordered them and great googely moogely the pickled onion rings were freaking awesome. How has someone (and by someone I mean me) not thought of pickling the onions first. They were crispy and light and the onions weren't overpowering at all. We didn't try the entrees but we will go back and give an update. My only complaint was the service was a little slow, I know that there are only 2 waitress' but for the love of god there are like 6 tables. How about you stop by more than once every 45 minutes to see if I want another drink or maybe my check.
(3)Daniel M.
I really liked the atmosphere of this bar. It was very relaxed and a nice place to just hang out for a while. The drinks were a little on the pricey side but that's to be expected at any bar. I spent most of the time downstairs in the "library" which is where I'd recommend being because the upstairs was small and just not the same. If you haven't been here, check it out.
(4)Justin C.
Speakeasy's certainly seem popular right now (or maybe I'm just now hearing about them). Of course, a Salt Lake City speakeasy would have to serve food, which is a good thing in this case. I still have a hard time paying $10 for a mixed drink that will have 1.5 oz of alcohol in it, so I opted for an elephino IPA (never disappointing). The food selection was great. I had the lamb shepherd's pie...tried some pickled onion rings, a reuben...all delicious. The ambience is top-notch. Say what you will, it was pretty sweet to get a key and make our way down to an extravagant underground hallway packed with colonial paintings and taxidermy. The staff was diligently swapping out vinyl records all night. (Personally, I wouldn't fault them for hooking the speakers up to an iPhone on the sly.) This is an awesome addition to restaurants downtown - hope they do well.
(4)Natalya R.
A hipster place where I finally feel like I am in New York, scratch that in Williamsburg. They have the best food and drinks!
(5)Lexi S.
Have been wanting to check out Salt Lake's very own speakeasy for awhile. 6 of us thought we had a reservation for the library area on Saturday evening. We had a phone call confirming this reservation the night before. However, upon arrival, we learned that the library had been rented for a private party. Enter the fabulous and delightful owner(we didn't know this at the time). She was obviously annoyed at whomever took the reservation but treated us like gold. A cool mix of agitated and accommodating. She got us a table so that we could hang and have a few beverages and checked on us during our visit to another era. 5 stars for service alone! We had already eaten but ordered the popcorn and beignets. Both were tasty but the beignets were a standout. Cocktails were great... No idea what they were called but each intricate and unique. Music was stellar, only further punctuated by the record player emitting the tunes. Not sure the menu spoke to me but will be returning for snacks and drinks. I love supporting fabulous, local owners that are down to earth and passionate about what they do. Not to mention, this place is rad.
(4)Cindy G.
Love this place. Have been there several times. The staff is phenomenal, super friendly and accommodating. The beer cocktails are amazing. Can not wait to go back.
(5)Allison O.
Ridiculously overpriced, even if the food and cocktails were phenomenal. $11 for a cocktail that is in a tiny glass with mostly ice. "Homemade" noodles that were not cooked, cheez whiz sauce and bar snacks that cost $4 for a handful. Had to go elsewhere to get fed and drinked. If I'm spending that much on a meal, it better be good. The idea is gimmicky. The hipsters will be thrilled. I was extremely disappointed.
(1)Lucy C.
The REST name comes from a half broken neon sign in the back of the Bodega that used to say RestRoom.... if you wink, produce a drivers license and ask for the key to the RestRoom they might show you downstairs to the groovy basement bar with bearded bar tenders, Thai Trannies as customers and a weird display of dead animals and knock knacks on the walls. Their wine list is intriguing. They advertise Cheap, Decent and Better at 6,7,8 a glass. The cocktails seem reasonable till you see the size of the tiny 1950s glasses. But overall an awesome find in the home of Big Love.
(4)Shannon J.
Very bad experience. I had been eyeing Bodega since last summer 2013. Visually stimulating and it looks like a good time. I was looking forward to the full Bodega experience for my birthday dinner with a group of friends. Setting up reservations for a party of 12-13 was a complete joke! I called to set up reservations and was told I needed to go online and set up reservations. Well the website does not function properly, I called back and was told the manager would call me back to set up reservations. Such a hassle! And apparently they have no large tables for parties. However, they did let me reserve the library room which very generous because she made a point to tell me" we normally rent this room out for 500 an hour" Ok, do we live in LA? Days later after making my reservation, I get a call from Bodega letting me know that they will not be serving a full dinner menu for my party...small plates/tapas style only. I accepted, but why was i not told this info. during the first conversation. Very small. The vibe and atmosphere is right on. Bathrooms were clean and classy. Classic record player, unique art. Food was excellent. we had the chicken wings, pickled shrimp, and garden toast. Cocktails were perfect. The service was just okay...very uppity attitude. After much food, drinks, and chatting. We were ready to venture out of the restaurant. We stopped and were admiring the art for sale by the entrance of the restaurant. The local artist was there introduce himself and told us more about his art. Amazing pieces!! Very cool dude. Well apparently the owner of the restaurant didn't like like my group hanging out by the art. My friend bought a piece of art and was putting in her bag when she was approach by the owner and was rudely asked if she paid for this like she was stealing. My friend said yes, I just paid him. Then she said " you'd be surprised" I also had another friend purchase art. The artist was clearly annoyed and it looked like he told her to back off. It amazes me that the owner would stereotype us for stealing art when we just paid $500 for our bill. I couldn't believe it. We went upstairs and were just about to leave when the artist and owner approaches us AGAIN. This time it was the owners poor attempt to apologize. She says to my friend "I'm sorry, how would of you liked me to me approach you" My friend tells her that the artist was clearly there with us..monitoring the his own art. She basically clench her teeth and walked away. The artist apologized up and down to us. She clearly is under a lot of stress, and i would understand why. Her business is probably going fail miserably. I will NEVER recommend The Rest at Bodega to anyone.
(1)Tyler M.
Asked to sit downstairs with a couple of friends. Was told basement was full and then every other group after was told they could sit down immediately. I guess Utah doesn't have to follow anti-discrimination laws. In visiting from Colorado and discussed with the treatment we have received.
(1)S. L.
Not sure what everyone is talking about, but the food is pretty good. Try the beer can chicken. Exceptional ambience, antiquated atmosphere. Fun for a work party.
(5)Miriam P.
Best tacos and fresh guac in town. I've only done lunch here and it's ideal since the price is cheap for lunch but it doesn't taste cheap! My favorite is the Asian chicken tacos. Ridic.
(4)Michelle K.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere, food and drinks, and service. The atmosphere is eclectic but exciting, a lovely dimly lit dining area with funny (or creepy) period paintings hung from eye-level to ceiling in some areas. The lights were made of beautiful bulb fixtures. The animal head mounts were an interesting touch, and appeared to be of native Utah wildlife. I'm all for buying into the concept of secret-but-not-secret-cool-tavern. I loved the bonus library in the back, wished it was bigger so as to accommodate multiple groups. Alas the drawbacks of first-come first-serve. With regards to the food: The Cornbread is instantly my favorite cornbread ever (thought it's been awhile since I've had some in the South). I'm still craving it! It was not too dense and had fun chunks of corn in it. We got the Bacon Cheddar fries as well. I didn't have too much of this (too busy munching on other things) but they were well done fries with what looked like sour cream, bacon bits, and cheese. The decent portions made it a good appetizer to share among the table. The Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings had a lovely presentation but were somewhat impractical for a group. There were three very large wings (which our server graciously warned us about beforehand) with a lovely glaze covering them. We ended up giving a leg to each couple and cutting them up on our plate, but it would've been nicer to have a bunch of smaller chicken pieces to reduce the mess and make it easier to share (especially given the price point of the restaurant). My boyfriend found the glaze too sweet, but I thought it was a nice blend of sweet and sour. As for the main course, I got the shepard's pie and my boyfriend got The 36 (the rueben). I liked my dish but thought it was a bit overpriced. Great quality for sure, but when it comes down to it, it was a layer of mashed potatoes (wonderfully creamy) over a layer of kale (miraculously still yummy crunchy) over a layer of lamb crumbles (well-seasoned and tasty). The meal cost $16-18 (I can't recall exactly), but I think it would have been better priced at $12-14. My boyfriend really enjoyed his sandwich, but neither of us really cared for the pickles. As for the drinks: They were all very creative and well-made, and the ice was a fun twist on a usual cocktail. Unfortunately, I must agree with the other reviewers that the alcohol you're actually getting may not be worth the price. Service was incredible, amazing, the BEST SERVICE we have had ALL YEAR. (We tipped her accordingly.) We were initially apprehensive given that the place was staffed by hipsters (see all my rants about "hipster service," in which servers are too cool to actually do their jobs and can't be bothered by the customer's inferior coolness). However, the Asian girl with the tattoo sleeve is a definite keeper, as is the white brunette guy with the ponytail. The primary server was patient with us (we had a straggler and indecisive folks), very informative about the menu, and very accommodating! (More mustard? We got a dish of it. More butter for the cornbread? Another dish.) This is all despite the fact that the place was very busy. Our only complaint with regards to service would be that it took awhile for our plates to get cleared up, but that is understandable because we were sharing a bunch of appetizers and it may have been hard to see who was done with what. So definitely totally coming back on another special occasion.
(4)Sean F.
Be prepared to have your reservation not be honored for The Rest, even if you've had a confirmation call. After securing a reservation on a Friday night we were told upon arrival that the reservation had been cancelled (even though it hadnt) and that all they had was a name and no time or phone number (even though I was CALLED back to confirm). We were then told by the hostess we could sit at a small coffee table in the back... no thanks. Bottom line is I would not plan an evening around dining here as you could easily show up and not have a reservation, even if if was confirmed. There are plenty of other places in SLC that would be happy to have your business but this was not one of them.
(1)Sean M.
I cannot speak for the food or the table service, as we've sat at the bar both times we've been downstairs. Aweaome cocktails and even better bartenders. Really, really cool place to grab a drink.
(5)Joshua M.
Small. Soft light from edison bulbs. Records on the old school turntable hand picked by the bar tenders. Close quarters at the bar so you'll get to know your neighbor. You'll either love it or hate it. We had the wings and the fried pickles, both were excellent. If you want a cool place to sit down for awhile and don't mind enjoying the experience check this place out.
(4)Alice Y.
Yeah, so it's a total hipster thing. Speakeasy secret restaurant disguised by an unassuming upstairs bodega. The gimmick IS fun. Or maybe I'm just susceptible to that sort of thing. The food was pretty good- small menu, but with some interesting items. A friend got the rueben, which she tells me was amazing. My husband got the trout, and I'm pretty sure he liked it, because I only got one bite and then the whole thing was gone. All I remember from my bite was that it was tender and had an interesting seasoning to it... it's unfortunately been so long I don't remember more details. A whole bunch of us got the shepherd's pie- really filling and satisfying, but a bit too salty for my taste. As for the cocktails, being prego, I didn't get to imbibe. My friends did seem to like their cocktails quite a bit, but I have to agree that $11/per is steep for SLC. I did have the bartender make me a non-alcoholic drink though, and he/she made me something per some of my preferences which was quite delicious! It was like a cucumber mojito- not to sweet, since I had requested that. At any rate, I'm excited for what this place will bring SLC- what they are trying to do with food is creative and interesting, which is more than what I can say about many of my usual dining options. I do hope that they expand their menu or change things around seasonally.
(4)Skylar W.
I love this joint. The staff is super nice, the cocktails are crafted really well, the food is great, and the atmosphere is amazing. The vibe here is super relaxing. It's not a place you want to visit if you plan to go bar hopping, because you won't want to leave once you get a cocktail and sit in the library. There's so much unique decor, that you'll always find something new no matter how many times you've been there. They've really done a great job making a unique place in Salt Lake that can be enjoyed by anyone.
(5)Melissa S.
In my perspective, drinking and dining at Bodega/The Rest is reminiscent of some Sofia Coppola films, where the experience is aesthetically pleasing, however the overall execution leaves for some to be desired. Bodega itself is a very small beer tavern and convenience store that offers three different brews of beer on tap, and a modest supply of toiletries, candies, among other regular convenience store commodities. I had the El Borracho beer, which is pretty delicious brown ale that has a roasted caramel aroma, and a dry nutty finish. The Rest is a mysterious speakeasy restaurant situated below Bodega. The ambiance of the restaurant is part charming, part grandiloquent, and can be experienced by reservations only. Also, another thing to note in terms of reservations, upon arrival to the restaurant, you're not to be seated until every single person in your party has arrived, as they seemed quite insistent on only seating "complete parties". In any case, upon our party being complete and being granted a key to open the secret door to The Rest, we were seated in the library, since we had a larger party that exceeded the occupancy of the tables available. The library was a stylish room, furnished with 1920's style seating and tables, vintage books, painted portraits and other art nouveau-esque prints. Upon sitting, we were given room temperature water in pretty glasses and some time to look over the menu. To start off, I ordered the bacon cheddar fries, BBQ caramel popcorn, and the 55 Hope cocktail. The bacon cheddar fries were disappointingly sub-par, being soggy in texture, over-salted in taste, and really quite small in portion, regardless of it being a $6.00 appetizer. The BBQ caramel popcorn ($4) was served in a dainty, petite mason jar, and was smokey and sweet in flavor, and while it was pretty good to the palate, it probably would not be something I would order again. The beer, wine, and cocktail menu is fairly varied and pretty good in comparison to what other restaurants in the vicinity may offer, the 55 Hope cocktail, a concoction of gin, blackberry, lemon, and other things was quite fantastic, however, priced at $11.00, I would rather go to Bar X for an equally delicious, (and cheaper), if not better cocktail. For my entree, I ordered the braised lamb shepherd's pie with kale ($16), this came to me in a cast iron dish, and was delicious. The lamb was seasoned nicely, the kale had good texture, and the dish overall was savory and delectable. For dessert, we had the blueberry beignets (as this was the only dessert offered), and they were actually pretty amazing. Light, airy, rolled in cinnamon and powdered sugar, filled with a warm, sweet, blueberry compote, and served with a side of coffee cream mousse. This is a dessert I would actually come back for. I thought the price was fairly reasonable too. (Three beignets for $9) In summation, I reckon Bodega/The Rest to be a pretty decent establishment of palatable potential. However, I would like to note a few things, if you venture there with a friend that is vegetarian or vegan, they do not really offer many options/alternatives to accommodate that type of diet. Also, if you are dining with a larger group, your only seating options are at the bar or in the library. Additionally, while I found my dining experience there to be satisfactory, it seemed other people in my party were not quite as satisfied.
(3)Andrew D.
Unique for SLC, but a tad overpriced for what you get. Keep in mind that you are paying for the experience, not the food. Overall, worth trying once to see how it fits on you.
(3)