Table talk

Gerhard Petzl, pastry chef at Cucina Toscana, won the Grand America's First Annual Gingerbread House Competition. Houses made by 10 local pastry chefs were displayed at the hotel as part of a silent auction benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Petzl's Victorian-inspired house sold for $1,400. It featured 1,500 gingerbread shingles and 15 poured and hand-piped windows. He used 35 pounds of gingerbread, 40 pounds of icing sugar, 6,000 mini-marshmallows and 1 tablespoon edible gold flakes. Second place went to Greg and Julie Neville of Lugano's restaurant.

Frida Bistro has opened at 545 W. 700 South, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Owned by Jorge Fierro, the bistro also takes orders from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Rico products. Through Dec. 31, diners can sample a free appetizer with purchase of lunch and drink.

Menu items include goat cheese quesadilla in a serrano cilantro flour tortilla served with raspberry chipotle jelly; mini-sopes with cream of black beans and pork al pastor; shredded turkey with mole negro and blue corn tortillas; and fish, shrimp or scallop ceviche (801-433-9923).

EVE, a three-day downtown Salt Lake celebration Dec. 29-31, will offer dining discounts from downtown restaurants, including Acme Burger, Cedars of Lebanon, Christopher's Steak and Chop House, Donovan's Steak and Chop House, Gracie's, J. Wong's Asian Bistro, Lamb's, Market Street Grill, Metropolitan, Red Rock Brewing Company, Squatters, Tin Angel Cafe and Tipica.

A $15 wristband gives entry to the entertainment, activities and dining discounts (eveslc.com/media).

Restaurants hosting special New Year's Eve dinners include:

Bambara, 202 S. Main, is featuring a "What the Chef Would Have" menu, along with its "World of Flavors" fare, and live music from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. On New Year's Day, the restaurant will be closed for lunch and dinner service (801-363-5454 or www.bambara-slc.com)

Acme Burger, 275 S. 200 West, is offering a three-course dinner for $35. Entree choices are kobe sirloin steak or seared scallops. (801-257-5700).

Z'Tejas is hosting a three-course dinner for $25.99. Entree choices are Chilean sea bass en papillote or prime rib (801-456-0450).

The Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant will offer two dinner seatings on New Year's Eve. The 5 p.m. seating is a five-course prix-fixe meal for $75. The 7 p.m. seating for $150 includes a seven-course prix-fixe meal, party favors, dancing to live music (www.theblueboarinn.com).

Lugano, 3364 S. 2300 East, has a five-course dinner for $59 per person. Seating begins at 4:45 p.m. (801-412-9994).

Log Haven, 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon Road, is featuring Gulf shrimp and grits, artichoke soup, ahi tuna sashimi salad, rye-crusted Hawaiian pink snapper and flourless chocolate cake as well as its regular menu (801-272-8255).

e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com