⭐️ Utah’s first Michelin star

Utah has officially entered its Michelin era. For the first time ever, a Utah restaurant has earned one of the most famous honors in food. The Michelin Guide expanded into Utah this year as part of its new Southwest edition, and after months of anonymous inspectors quietly eating their way around the region, Monte, inside Beehive Distilling in South Salt Lake, walked away with a one star at last night’s ceremony in Las Vegas.

• You mean the tire company? Yes, Michelin tire company founded the guide in 1900 as a marketing ploy to get chauffeurs to drive curious travelers more miles and wear down more tires. Hence the star ratings: ⭐ worth a stop, ⭐⭐ worth a detour, ⭐⭐⭐ worth a special journey. [Michelin Guide, City Cast Salt Lake]
• Local food writers have spent months debating our chances. Some were skeptical Utah would get a star at all, which makes this an especially interesting benchmark for how our restaurant scene is perceived outside the state. [Gastronomic SLC]
• Stars aren’t the only way to win. Michelin also awards recommendations and Bib Gourmands to restaurants serving standout food at a good value. As of last night, Michelin now officially recommends Handle, Koyote, Matilda, The Nelson Cottage by High West, and Star of India. Bib Gourmand honors were given to Feldman’s Deli, One More Noodle House, and Phở 777.
• Utah paid to get Michelin here. Visit Salt Lake, Visit Park City, and Sundance Resort partnered with Michelin for a three-year term to bring the Guide to Utah. The price hasn’t been publicly disclosed, though some major cities around the U.S. are paying millions to be included. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧, Food & Wine]

Utah Gets Meta Millions

Utah will receive $212 million over the next decade as part of a landmark $12.2 billion multi-state settlement with Meta over allegations that its platforms use addictive features that harm kids. The payout could grow if TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube agree to similar terms. [Deseret News]

Weigh in on Flock Camera Rules

Salt Lake City is considering new rules for how police can use license plate-reading cameras, who can access the data, and how it’s shared with other agencies. Residents can weigh in at the public hearing on Sept. 15. [Salt Lake Tribune]

U of U Scales Back Benefits

The University of Utah is slashing retirement benefits for new hires starting next July, dropping its automatic contribution from 14.2% to 6%, with up to another 4% available as a match. Current employees keep their existing benefits, and the U says the savings will help fund more competitive salaries. [Salt Lake Tribune]

• Meanwhile, they expand. New dorms are popping up all over. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

County Pushes for More Behavioral Health Beds

Salt Lake County leaders are pushing Intermountain Health to preserve or expand behavioral health beds in its new downtown hospital. They say the need is especially urgent as the county rolls out its new Miami-inspired approach to homelessness and public safety. [KSL]

Dolly Parton Songs As SLC Bookstores

In memory of our beloved queen of country, we imagine local bookstores as Dolly songs and defend our decisions. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

City Cast Salt Lake Neighbors help support our work and get the benefit of sharing the local spots they think our readers should know about.

📣 Angie T. loves Early Owl, a favorite brunch spot in the Maven District which will now be serving dinner — amazing Thai food right here in our neighborhood!

📣 Valerie Y. wants to shout out Bewitched by Alpacas in Bluffdale. They have loom weaving classes surrounded by alpacas (including a new baby) and other farm animals. Even though it’s in Bluffdale, it’s right off Bangerter so not too far from Salt Lake City.

Want to share your own recs? Become a City Cast Salt Lake Neighbor.