Tin Angel Cafe, Salt Lake

So, hi, I am Sara and I know Ann Dee from Writing and she knows I like food, cooking, eating, thinking about eating, and pictures of food, so she invited me to join in. I'm enjoying all the posts and am now a big fan of Katy's cooking show, especially the soundtrack.

Anyway, today I ate lunch for the second time at the Tin Angel Cafe, and it's now one of my new favorites in Salt Lake City. (I realize that sort of sounds like I had two lunches today. Only one. It was the second time I ate there.) It's especially convenient for you gals coming from the south on I-15 because it's practically right off the highway - so if you are coming to town, give yourself an extra hour to stop here for lunch or dinner (dinner is a lot more expensive). I failed to take pictures of my lunch (what was I thinking???) but here are my thoughts...

First of all, it's a unique space with lots of paintings and things by local artists. Both times I've been, the service is great...friendly but not too friendly (HI MY NAME IS CHUCK I'LL BE YOUR WAITER). It's cozy. A little loud when it gets busy. I met a friend there today at 11:30 and that was perfect. By the time we left it was getting very crowded and noisy. The first time I went I had one of the specials, which happened to be a house0made chick-pea burger that was very tasty - kind of like falafel with not quite so much tahini in it. I had it with a cup of butternut squash soup that was highly yummy.

Today I was craving MEAT, maybe because it was pouring down snow and 30 degrees out? I ordered something I had my eye on the first time I went:

House Roasted Lamb Ciabatta, described as "Slow roasted Lamb with Feta Cheese, Balsamic-Red Onion Jam and Pesto served on Toasted Ciabbata Bread." I had it with the side salad and told the server to tell the chef to pick whatever dressing he thought would go best. This was maybe the best sandwich I have ever had in my life. I really love lamb when it's done right but never cook it at home. It was almost like a pulled pork kind of sandwich, but with lamb and pesto instead of pork and bbq sauce, and the onion jam and feta gave it nice sharpness. The lamb was tender and juicy but not greasy. Warm but not hot - just the right temperature to show off the flavors. The bread was obviously fresh and locally made. Mmmmmmm. Another thing I like about this place is that the servings are not GIANT.

There is a small parking lot on the north side of the building. Maybe the north side. Directions are not my strength. They also do Sunday brunch.