RECIPE
of the MONTH - September 2007
Slide on Down
to the Slickrock Café
By Annabelle Numaguchi
Co-Owner Jeanine Cassano |
Every town worth visiting
has a Slickrock Café. I don’t mean to imply
that the Slickrock Café is a franchise. In fact, quite
the opposite. As someone who tries to avoid the cookie cutter
nature of that type of industry that renders so many towns
identical to one another, I really appreciate that most places
I’ve been to have had a local restaurant that has reminded
me of the Slickrock Café.
This is the kind of eatery that usually has “café” or “diner” in
the name. I’m talking about the type of restaurant
where half way down the menu you can pretty much predict
the rest because the options are so comfortingly recognizable,
despite the catchy names that remind you of where you’re
traveling.
The great thing about the ubiquitousness of places like the
Slickrock Café throughout the United States is that
you get the familiarity, knowing what to expect from the
food and the ambiance, while still getting to experience
something unique and local.
The restaurant is owned by Moab residents, Jeanine Cassano
and Amy McFetridge, who recently bought it and have made
subtle improvements, such as switching from an Island theme
to a more apt desert theme. They have also added breakfast
on the weekends, which is a welcome addition since there
often doesn’t seem to be enough restaurants in town
to keep up with that particular demand.
The decor of the Slickrock Café features enlarged
photos of red rock landscapes alongside iron art with the
name of the establishment emblazoned on it. The space retains
its airiness thanks to the foyer atrium, featuring a full-service
bar, and the second-story loft overlooking the main dining
area. Bold, cheerful colors enliven the ambiance, imbuing
the restaurant with an overall lively and hip feel.
The
menu also reflects the aim to remind customers that they
are nestled in the middle of some extremely beautiful and
rugged landscape, by giving items names like “Fiery
Furnace Fried Chicken”, “Hungry Hiker Old Time
Pot Roast” and, my favorite, “Take the Other
Road Turkey Burger”, which is named after an actual
street sign in this area. The catchy names are in smaller
print than the actual item, making it easy to quickly scan
the good-sized menu, which offers enough variety to satisfy
everyone in your group without being overwhelming.
Based on my recent lunch at Slickrock, I can attest that
the portions are generous and my expectations of the “Oowah
Reuben” I ordered were met with definite satisfaction.
Cassano asserts with pride that the food is prepared on-site,
including sauces and their balsamic salad dressing. This
is one of the most compelling reasons to opt for a local
café to a franchise one, since you have a far better
chance of eating food that’s never known the tin sides
of a can.
The
beverage selection offers plenty of choices, including
local beer and wine. The Moab Brewery makes some well-respected
micro-brews, most of which are available on tap at the
Slickrock Café. They also offer a home-made draught
rootbeer, which, if you enjoy the taste of sasparilla,
is a real treat.
Although the Castle Creek Winery has been a rocky label (how
can you resist a pun like that), they have much improved
recently and are worth a try even if you’ve been less
than impressed in the past. For oenophiles who enjoy talking
about the up and coming wines of unexpected locations such
as Chile and South Africa, imagine the cache, or at least
the curiosity, that mentioning a Utah vintage will spark.
The Slickrock Café offers these along with a few other
wines by either the glass or bottle.
Their specialty is a kicking House Margarita. For those who
are fond of that type of cocktail, there are six variations
on this classic. From noon to 5:00p.m. on Monday through
Thursday, you can enjoy one for a mere $6.99. A second incentive
to come by and enjoy their fabulous airy atrium is a variety
of appetizers at half price with every pint of beer during
the daily Happy Hours.
Many pleasant hours can be spent at the Slickrock Café.
Whether you’re looking for a burly breakfast to begin
your day with or a breezy bar to unwind in, this restaurant
offers up good comfort fare in a hip ambiance. Every town
should have a place that’s fun for locals and relaxing
for visitors, and fortunately for Moab, we have the Slickrock
Café.
The Slickrock Café is located at 5 North Main Street
and online at www.slickrockcafe.com. They can also be contacted
at (435) 259-8004. They are open M-Th 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.,
F and Sat. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Happy Hours
is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. Prices for entrees range
from $7 (burger) to $16 (Steak).
Recipe of the Month
From The Slickrock Café
Salsa
3 jalapenos, diced
½ cup oregano
4 tbsp salt
6 stewed whole peeled tomatoes
1/4 bunch cilantro
small can of tomato juice
mix together and chill.
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