Brunch at Manoli's :: Local, Seasonal Greek-inspired Brunch in Salt Lake's Central 9th Neighborhood

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*photo via Manoli's website 

Choosing a spot to grab brunch in this town is starting to become damn near impossible... or at least, damn near anxiety provoking (<--- it's like "can't have your cake and eat it too" syndrome, but "can't eat your brunch _here_ and have it at Pago, Copper Onion, Provisions, Rye, Current, and about two dozen other places too." I don't get to go out nearly as often as I used to, so choosing a brunch spot of the month instead of a spot of the weekend is extra tough, but with so many damn delicious restaurants about town - and something new always opening on the horizon! - it's really, truly hard to go wrong. Unless you go to some pancake conglomerate. Don't do that.

The buzz about Manoli's has been strong from the moment they opened in late September 2015. Located in a sleek, modern building at 402 E 900 S in the newly booming Central 9th neighborhood [across from Pig and a Jelly Jar and adjacent to Southeast Market - one of my favorite places to find exotic produce or Asian staples you might now find on your supermarket's shelf.] With a focus on fresh, seasonal, ingredients with a modern Greek influence, it isn't difficult to see why they've become such a fast favorite. I mean, Lamb Belly Sliders? Sign me up yesterday.



It isn't rare that a new restaurant received a lot of attention in a flash, but the positive press for Manoli's has. not. let. up. and for good reason! My word. Stellar food. Exceptional service. This was my first visit there and I'm already hoping to go back next weekend.



As the best brunches do, this one ran long. Hours long. I was shocked, and selfishly glad, to see the place so much quieter than I anticipated so I could catch up with a friend I hadn't seen in 10 (!!!) years! 2 Bloody Marys [so good and briny with house made pickles and a splash of ouzo] a plate of Eggs Benedict, and who knows how many coffee refills later, and I am ready to preach the Manoli's gospel far and wide.



I love. love. love. eggs benedict, but it's such a staple and there are so many incredible-sounding options on the Brunch menu at Manoli's like the Citrus Salmon Dako [citrus-ouzo cured salmon, green olive relish, whipped myzithra, shaved red onion, baguette, side salad $13] Welsh Rarebit - another item I have a hard time not ordering every time I see it [sourdough toast, cheddar beer spread, worcestershire, 2 over easy eggs, side salad $9] or the Myzithra Pancake [two pancakes, whipped cinnamon butter, Metaxa maple syrup $10.] In the end, I went with my instincts and my server's recommendation and choose the Eggs Benedict [english muffin, bacon, poached eggs, braised greens, hollandaise, breakfast potatoes. $13] Everything about this dish was perfect. Everything.



My friend ordered the Breakfast Sandwich [red pepper feta spread, bacon, over easy egg, arugula, garlic aioli, sourdough, breakfast potatoes.] I love a good breakfast sandwich, but they're so easy to make at home and they so often fall short in restaurants. This one was a beautiful behemoth of a sandwich - if it were for the decade of lost conversations we had to catch up on I would have been ogling this thing the whole meal.



For an in-depth conversation starting from the beginning of Manoli's creators, husband and wife Manoli Katsanevas and Katrina Cutrubus, check out The Utah Foodie's website and Podcast - it's a must for anyone interested in food in Salt Lake City. My friend Chelsea at Heartbeat Nosh did a write up on her dinner experience shortly after they opened - here - it sounds like she was about as smitten as I am.


If you give Manoli's a visit or have another remarkable experience at brunch around town I would love to hear about it! ♥

Manoli's
*view menu on their website, here
402 E 900 S #2  // Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801)532-3760

Dinner: Tues-Sun 5pm-10pm
Brunch: Sat-Sun 11:30-3:pm
Monday: closed