Weigh in on Salt Lake magazine's list of best restaurants

What's the best restaurant in Salt Lake City?

Fresco Italian Cafe, according to Salt Lake magazine's annual Dining Awards. The eatery also won the Best Italian Restaurant category.

The award ceremony, which is somewhat of an Academy Awards for Utah restaurants, was held last week at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts auditorium.

The judges were Salt Lake magazine dining editor Mary Brown Malouf, food writer Virginia Rainey, certified wine specialist Joe Padilla and Nicholas & Co. marketing specialist Wendy Caron.

They don't use a scoring system, but the panel looks for excellence in the nominated category, as well as overall quality in food, service, value, decor, ambiance and universal accessibility, according to the program.

The March-April edition of Salt Lake magazine features more details on the winners.

Every year I like to predict the winners, and learn a little more about them from the heartfelt and often humorous acceptance speeches. I also like to compare the winners with my own list of favorites.

In addition to the restaurants honored, a community service award was given to Wasatch Community Gardens, which serves more than 3,500 young people through its gardening programs.

So how does the list compare with your own favorites? Readers who want to weigh in can post comments on our deseretnews.com Web site.

Best American Fine Dining and Best Wine List: Glitretind, Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley

Best Bakery: Carlucci's Bakery

Best Breakfast: Left Fork Grill

Best Brunch: Oasis

Best Brewpub: Bohemian Brewery& Grill

Best Comfort Food: Sego Lily Cafe, Bountiful

Best Chinese: Hong Kong Tea House

Best Design: Road Island Diner, Oakley

Best Indian: Himalayan Kitchen

Best Japanese: Takashi

Best Lunch in Park City: Cafe Terigo

Best Lunch in Salt Lake City:Faustina

Best Mexican:Cafe Rico

Best Quick Eats: Moochie's

Best Southeast Asian: Mi La-Cai Noodle House