Eight new restaurants and bars coming to Second South

BY JOSHUA JONES

Let’s crack some eggs and break some news: Curry Up Now and Mortar and Pestle are no more. The national chain that took over the old Cedars of Lebanon and served Indian fast casual populated the space for just two years. We’ll miss their tikka masala but are VERY excited to have locally-owned LAZIZ spread its wings into downtown. Kafta Burgers all around! The plan is to open in mid-September… and look for that adorable tiny bar in the back to be updated and renamed BACK DOOR. Hey, don’t overthink it!

Across the street, a new owner is remodeling what was Cancun Cafe and is planning a Mexican restaurant featuring pescados y mariscos. Mexican del mar is a category missing in downtown, so bring on the ceviche, we’re ready!

Further down 200 comes a very intriguing new restaurant from the Bon Patt Group (owners of Christopher’s Prime, Fat Jack’s, and Toro Rasa). HOMECOM- ING SOUTHERN KITCHEN & BAR will occupy the old Olive Garden — a very desirable space kitty-corner to Hyatt Regency, which will open next month. A neon sign is up and a menu is online, but judging by the steel framing, they have several months to go before we get to taste a pulled pork melt, slicing into prime rib, or sample the fried fish plate with hushpuppies. Oh, Momma!

We love this next story a latte. Grinding it out on the grounds of the Axis Building, CUPLA COFFEE is moving east of the aforementioned Homecoming! We’ve bean going for a Cupla years, espresso-ly for the lox, egg and cheese croissant, and of course those signature drinks.

Speaking of Hyatt Regency, the new convention hotel is a gorgeous addition to the skyline. We love the renderings for the soaring, modern Lobby Bar, but even more alluring is the Catalan-influenced restaurant, MAR | MUNTANYA (sea and mountain). Located on the 6th floor with an outdoor terrace, it is helmed by Chef Tyson Peterson, formerly at the acclaimed Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant inside St. Regis, Deer Valley. He recently told us to expect the menu to feature elk tenderloin, suckling pig, and the highest quality oysters. To wash it down and truly imbibe the Spanish flavors, Chef is working on a stupendous selection of sangrias as well as a gin-heavy craft cocktail menu (apparently Spaniards love gin, who knew?)

Finally, this writer recently moved into the Westgate Lofts on 200 South and what would you know? MAXWELL’S LITTLE BAR (21+) has opened directly below us, next to VOSEN’S GERMAN BAKERY. (We’re doomed). The adorable postage stamp space fits 30 people and offers all those beloved recipes you loved at the Main Street location. They even have a walk-up for Fat Kid Pizza slices! See you there soon.

Joshua Jones is the director of communications and marketing at the Downtown Alliance at downtownslc.org.