“Craving some history with your meal?” Let’s step inside The Pines. The Pines restaurant, specifically the one at 4760 South 900 East, has a story to tell.
The Pines aimed to deliver a personal touch when booking. Good vibes should flow before you even step inside. That’s customer relations. The restaurant’s interior design impressed visitors. It was simple, understated, warm, and inviting. The high ceilings and sleek wood accents drew people in. The corner window-facing tables were perfect for romantic weekend meals. Diners enjoyed the view of the stream when it was summer.
One reviewer, Stuart, visited The Pines and shared his experience. He started with the complimentary sourdough bread and butter. He found it warm, fluffy, and not overly sour. This helped him forget his reservation grumbles.
The menu at The Pines was varied and interesting. Stuart almost ordered the pork Osso Bucco. He changed his mind when he heard about the Parmesan grits. He has a disdain for cheese. Wendi ordered the Sweet Griddled Crab Cakes. She thought they were acceptable but not exceptionally reminiscent of crab. Stuart enjoyed them more. He finished them for her. He liked the tangy corn topping.
Stuart ordered the Angus Sirloin Carpaccio. He thought it had a few shortcomings. There was an excess of Arugula. The red onions seemed out of place. They overpowered the thinly sliced beef. He wanted less greens, no onions and less sauce.
Wendi chose the Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad for her entree. The tuna was liberally coated with black pepper. This completely dominated the flavour. The delicate flavours of the Ahi were killed. Stuart opted for the Blackened Ahi Tuna Steak. The tuna was cooked decently medium-rare as ordered. But again, the seasoning monster in the kitchen had struck. The dish was massively over salty. Wendi tried it and concurred. It was too salty. Stuart suspected the sauce was the culprit. He happily ate the fish and potatoes. The vegetables were far too salty to eat.
Dessert was selected by Wendi. She chose the Seasonal Fruit Crisp. It had Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Spiced Caramel. It was probably Stuart’s favorite dish of the evening. The berries were hidden under a very satisfying crunchy top. The ice cream livened things up.
The Pines celebrated their second year in business. Maybe the problems Stuart encountered were a one-off. The restaurant had the makings of a great place. They had a great dining space with some fun quirky seating arrangements.
Sugar House used to be a city inside a city. It had character. It had a concentration of locally owned businesses. Sugar House was once packed with Mom & Pop eateries. They offered authentic meals at reasonable prices.
One local resident, Barry Bank, remembered Nero’s fondly. It was a lunch counter kind of place with a small dining room. It had booths and a counter. They had a great roast beef sandwich. The Pine Cone was known for their Sheepherder’s Sandwich. It was a destination stop after class for martial artists.
While opinions varied on the food quality at The Pines, most agreed on the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere. It appears The Pines was a Sugar House culinary spot.