I never know what to expect driving to a destination for the first time at night. The snow flurries, clouds, and night sky left the scenery to my imagination. Pulling off the highway distancing myself from Salt Lake City, residences, shopping areas, and small communities start to add to the vision of what Park City will be. Looking more like the suburbs of a city, the roads are lit with decorative lights. Finally able to see the mountain side lit by the night skiing operations at the many resorts, I felt at home.

High West Distillery and Saloon

My first stop: High West Distillery and Saloon was calling my name. I couldn’t think of a better way to warm up than to sip whiskey and eat stew or pot pie after a day of skiing.

High West

What I didn’t know is it’s hard to get a dinner reservation. I managed to get a table. Walking upstairs and passing the different rooms making up the restaurant. Off the bat, I ordered a flight of whiskey, but Utah laws are tricky. After explaining all four whiskeys, the waiter left two of the whiskeys samples and brought the second two later. Getting warmer…

Adding to the flight, we started with appetizers, more drinks, and the main course before finishing with dessert. The conversation flowed about the Park City area and what skiing was to be had.

My Dinner Selections:

  • Drink – High West 101 – American Prairie | Double Rye! | Rendezvous Rye | Campfire
  • Small Plates – Shishito Peppers – crispy tempura fried and roasted shishito peppers, spicy mayo
  • Drink – Manhattan (Double Rye!)
  • Large Plates – Wild Boar Stew – chickpeas and apricot, spiced couscous, pine nut salad AND Pot Pie – chicken and wild mushroom with roasted tomato, root vegetables and crisp pastry top
  • Dessert – The Grillswith – grilled cinnamon dusted Krispy Kreme Donut, vanilla ice cream and whiskey caramel sauce

High West

Everything was very tasty and made me want to walk around the town in the bitter cold to digest. If I return, I will definitely go back and tour the distillery. I walked, took pictures, and was reminded that small town life is different than the city hustle and bustle.

Wasatch Brewery

Even with Utah’s strict alcohol laws, I wasn’t letting that get in the way. I always try to find micro-breweries to sample and get the local vibe. As I strolled up the dimly lit Main Street after dinner at High West, I noticed a long line waiting for No Name Saloon. I continued to make my way up the inclined sidewalks trying to avoid crowds.

Wasatch Brew Pub

The crowds and traffic dwindled. Before I turned around to head back to the car, I noticed a brewery. With open seating, I tugged the door open to find it was closed at 10 p.m. If only I walked a little faster.

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After skiing at Deer Valley the next day, I straight-lined to the brewery for take two–this time with Andy in tow. Success, we were in and had a table. The drinks were tasty and the atmosphere was just what I needed.

Drinks:

  • Solitude Mountain Ale
  • Jalapeño Cream Ale

The Brass Tag

After drinks at Wasatch Brewery, it was time to trade in the beer glasses for cocktail glasses and return to Deer Valley Lodge’s Brass Tag. Off the beaten path of Park City, it wasn’t crowded making for a nice relaxing dinner. The staff was present and helpful as we had questions about the menu.

The Brass Tag

Our Dinner Selections:

  • Libations – Sultan – High West “Campfire” Whiskey, Utah honey, fresh lemon, fresh-grated nutmeg, hot water
  • Appetizer and Shares – House Cured Duck and Parma Prosciutto Flat Bread – arugula, green apple, smoked gouda, whiskey cream sauce
  • Libations – Ontario – High West “American Prairie” Bourbon, Fernet Branca, The Brass Tag orange bitters
  • Entrées – Smoked Utah Trout – wilted spinach, crisp apples, roasted heirloom carrots, toasted hazelnut tarragon butter AND Harissa Rubbed Cornish Game Hen – sweet potato puree, lime yogurt cream
  • Desserts – Pretzel Bread Pudding – coconut, semi-sweet and white chocolate with salted caramel sauce

The Brass Tag

The trout was my entrée of choice and gave me flashbacks to fishing as a child. The preparation and flavors left my tastebuds happy. Even though we usually seek out the local microbrews on the menu, I was pleasantly satisfied the cocktails I ordered. Andy stuck with a local beer, which I was sampled. After dinner, we moved to the bar area to watch a playoff football game and finish our drinks.

The Brass Tag didn’t feel like a normal hotel restaurant but an up-class one found in a large city.

After two days and two nights, it was time to end our mini skication but also left us wanting more. Between the delicious food, drinks, and skiing, we have planned to return on a road trip later this season.

Want to know how the skiing was? Check out my A Weekend Getaway – Utah’s Deer Valley and Solitude Mountain Resorts.

Disclosure: This is a “sponsored post.” Visit Park City and Deer Valley Resort provided a discount in exchange for writing a review. All opinions and observations are 100% my own.