| Restaurant Review |
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| Restaurant Name: | | Cafe Madrid |
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| Restaurant Address: | | 2080 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT |
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Rating: 4 Forks
Rating System
5 Forks = A classic, a staple, a can’t-miss, a never miss.
4 Forks = Great food, great ambience, great service, great value.
3 Forks = Fair, try something else if suggested.
2 Forks = Not good, food is bland, got robbed.
1 Fork = The worst, never go here…ever.
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Rarely does one come across a sunken treasure in Utah. In fact sitting here thinking
about it, I can’t remember any report of such a finding. Which makes dining at Café Madrid all the more pleasurable for me;
because this tiny Spanish restaurant tucked behind one of the state’s largest manufacturers is indeed a Salt Lake City
treasure.
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Located on 3900 South and 2080 East, between Black Diamond’s retail outlet and rock climbing warehouse, Café Madrid, from
outside appearances, is unassuming to say the least.
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I believe there used to be a small, too-clean-too-bright coffee shop here back in the coffee shop heyday of the mid-‘90s.
Thank God it’s no longer serving Java and Encina (pronounced En-Thina, as the Spaniards say) has opened up her delightful
little restaurant for the benefit of our under-appreciative community.
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The place seats perhaps 30 at most. The one-room dining area has the square footage of a mid-sized living room. With the
intimate lighting and Gypsy Kings humming in the background, Café Madrid is cozy to say the least.
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Upon our entrance we were asked if we had reservations. This is something rarely asked to Utahns visiting their respective
restaurants. Looking at the size of the place, I sincerely hoped we could be squeezed in. Luck was on our team and we were
promptly seated on the edge of the room. Our service was swift, pleasant and knowledgeable and within minutes we were
enjoying samples white wines direct from Spain.
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Our server (named Brady no less) helped us out tremendously when it came to choosing our wines and appetizer. We settled
on Codax Amelieron for the wine, a slightly fruity white wine with a pleasantly dry finish to it; and red bell peppers
stuffed with Partridge served in a light wine sauce. Both were hits – homeruns actually, and both were consumed with a
passion.
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As for the entrees, Kim chose the Pork Medallions – served in a quince sauce (somewhat similar to an applesauce) and cooked
pine nuts that gave it a slightly smoky flavor. I settled on the Chilean Sea Bass – a buttery thick sea steak served over
a fine tomato and vegetable sauce. This was perhaps the thickest cut of Bass I have ever encountered and I can safely say
I’ve never eaten a more succulent prepared piece of fish.
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As good as the Bass was however, being so enamored each other’s dishes Kim traded plates with me mid-way through our meals.
These preparations were so exquisite there was hardly a morsel left after we concluded. That and the fact that Encina has
the innate sense to serve just enough food to keep one longing for more, instead of serving dishes the overburdened
All-American way.
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We polished off our wine a half-hour after eating and simply wallowed in our own contentment.
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I had been told by more than a few friends that Café Madrid was not to be missed, so I hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed
the way one is after a film gets too much attention before one finally gets to view it. At first, I believe I was indeed
wondering what the fuss was about. But upon reflection I realize all reports were accurate – there is in fact a sunken
treasure in Salt Lake City and it’s located on the East bench.
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| --- Brady Peterson |
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