Bodega

In a nutshell, cool place to hang out with good strong drinks but expensive food and could do with loosen the crowd control a little bit.
Walking in, they have a bar where you can order drinks on the ground floor. If you plan to order food, they will seat you at the basement, where there is also a full bar. Note that if you buy drinks on the ground floor, you can’t go to the basement until you finish your drink.
One of us bought drinks while waiting for the rest of our group to arrive. When finally everybody was there, we were not allowed to go to the basement because my friend still had drink on his hand. I’m sure they have good reason for this, but this is such an inconvenient. We lost of our designated table to another patrons because of this.
The seating area in the basement is good for hangouts. They play good music from the 80s and 90s. But part of the room is too dark, we needed to use our phone light to read the menu. That also defeat the purpose of having books lined up against the wall because you can never read them in that light anyway.
The menu isn’t too extensive, but beware of the price! We ordered the Main entrée with Scallop. For 23 dollars, it comes with only 3 scallops, an egg yolk and other stuff that barely fills half a plate. To be fair, the scallops are delicious but I don’t think the price is justified for a bar-​restaurant like this.
Now the drink is pretty alright. Just don’t get the Bartender’s Dessert drink, it tastes like cough syrup. The rest of them are pretty good, and strong for Utah’s standard. Price is slightly on the higher side, about 10 – 13 dollars per drink.
I will probably only return for the drinks, and will make sure I’m already well-​fed if I do so.

This is a review of THE REST. We have been coming to The Rest for 2 years and this was easily the worst restaurant experience we have ever had at The Rest. The menu has been «slimmed» down to only appetizers and salads and expensive entrees. The duck nuggets were eliminated which were the original reason we came here. The ‘beer can chicken’ is now only pre-​order?!? Come on, start cooking them and any leftover make a salad with the next day. the Rest is trying wayyyy too hard to be «hip and new» but that shows and unfortunately a bread plate of stale offerings doesn’t scream «hip and new». The Blind Pig cocktail has been the same the last three times we have come. The whole premise of the Blind Pig is that the bartender whips up something fresh but when it is the same old staples, booo. Sorry total disappointment. You used to have something good but that is gone. We won’t be back until you fix this totally broken system: s

Oh bodega, I want to love you so badly but I have such mix feeling about you. It’s such a hidden gem and the atmosphere is so relaxing and the drinks here are very good, but I had such a bad time with the service down there. I don’t even know where to start with this review.
Let’s start with how to get down the fancier area that was suppose to be «speakeasy», but I guess everyone knows about it now. I would totally recommend making a reservation to go down because if you would just ask the host/​hostess upstairs it takes a while. I went on a Saturday night, a group of my friends went down first while me and 3 more people came a bit later and we had to wait 30 mins for a table far away from them. If you decide for the «walk in» concept you can always leave your number and they will text you when your table to be back so you can go somewhere else to party it up or chill up stairs.
Once we got down stairs to the basement area, the lighting, table and everything was so relaxing. It’s like you step into a zone of socialization where everyone is there to talk and have fun with each other. My friend said that there is an area further back where people can just stand around and talk to other people.
When I went down I think it was around 10:30 and the waitress took forever to come take our order — about 30 mins. By the time she came to us the kitchen was closed already so we didn’t get to order appetizers or anything «drink food». I was ok with that cause I was full already before I went down. After the waitress took our order it took them another 30 mins for our drinks to arrive. I looked over the bar area and it looks like the bartenders there isn’t making our drinks, but I heard there is another bar area to the back and I think they are making the drinks there.
Our waitress disappear quite frequently and we had two more friends arriving a bit later that couldn’t find her to take our order. Apparently also you can’t order drinks from the bar directly if you’re sitting at a table. My two friends was told to sit back down and they will get our waitress for us. This slow service all happened when the bar was emptying out. After that I notice that it was just my table and the other groups table that was there, we tried to move table to be closer but we needed permission apparently, and this was 12:30. I heard the upstairs section wasn’t even letting anyone else in.
So you can see why I gave this place only two stars. Super slow service… esp when the front room was practically empty (idk if the back area has anyone there). Maybe dinner service is a lot better? Maybe I will give this place a second chance because of the wonderful potential that is there… I’m sure it deserves a five star review.

The service was amazing and the drinks are incredible! If you only get one place to stop by Bodega and the rest is the place to do it. Juanita and Ted are a wonder team. Jake and Kate the tenders upstairs are the best I have had very knowledgable and friendly. This is the place to try!

Went to the Rest restaurant downstairs and it was an interesting experience. Nice décor but a little dark for my taste. Food was good. It is worth checking it out if in the area.

I used to LOVE this place… but the last couple times have been a disappointment. The portions are getting smaller, put the price is not going down. I am fine paying $ 20.00-$ 30.00 for an entrée, but wow. Compared to a year or so ago, the gnocchi (the only entrée I ever order) serving has been cut by almost half. Yet, the dessert is more than what most people could finish. We ordered the mussels (shared), cheese plate (shared) and an entrée and I was still hungry after, if that tells you anything. That is the only reason we ordered the dessert, and then was shocked by the size! I hope things go back the way they used to be. I just can’t spend my hard earned money on an entrée that is the same size as a small plate.

Such an interesting place! I was surprised to learn there is a speakeasy in SLC, and it did not disappoint. The Rest is located inside of Bodega. The front is small and a little bit divey but in the hip kind of way, then when you go to the downstairs you’re transported to the type of place with no food, craft cocktails, and mounted animal heads. The cocktails matched the atmosphere, and it feels like they don’t take themselves too seriously, which is great!

Wow, what an amazing experience! Go *below the Bodega for the real deal. Speakeasy vibe at its finest awaits you beneath the surface. Our bartender, Adam, was well traveled, versed and a genuine spirit enthusiast. While the menu provided a variety of unique options, we weren’t quite sold on the options. Adam to the rescue! We told him what we were looking for, bourbon and Scotch respectively, and he created amazing concoctions that perfectly encompassed our description.
Bodega is a SLC must-​stop. Lower yourself* to the most enlightening experience in town.

In the past coming here for a meal my mind has been blown. Yes it was pricey but totally worth it. Last night after going and spending lots of money I was still hungry. We shared a cheese plate which was really delicious (especially the blue cheese). I got a $ 22 black scallop entrée and it was really good but it did not satiate me at all. If I’m going to throw down that much for a meal I better not leave hungry. Sorry guys. I’m not going to rave about the Bodega anymore.

After several visits, I can firmly say that Bodega is the bee’s knees. I’ve sent lots of people there over the last few years (an occupational hazard of being the Unilocal guy is getting asked all the time where to go) and everyone has been delighted with the choice. I’ve taken two visiting coworkers from out of town and they’re both fans as well. So let’s lay it out.
THE OVERVIEW
Bodega is really two separate spots: Upstairs and downstairs. Bodega and The Rest. Upstairs is a small bar and simple foods, downstairs is a full bar, cocktails, a sit-​and-​order restaurant, and a much more sultry vibe.
UPSTAIRS
There’s a small seating area, a small bar, VHS and tv going in the corner, tacos, and simple drinks. It’s not a bad place to pop in quick and get a different feel for the night than some of the adjoining restaurants and bars. It’s super simple and nice in its own right.
DOWNSTAIRS
One of my favorite bars in SLC, and probably anywhere. Also, there’s a more full menu with small plates and entrees. They’re very serious about their cocktails here, and Mike does a really tremendous job being very deliberate and thoughtful with his drinks. I’m a non-​drinker, so I’ve had him mix me up a mocktail and even though we’re comparing apples to oranges, I can say that this man knows what he’s doing. For just over ten bucks, you’ll get a well thought out drink you should sip and savor. Do your shots upstairs. Swirl your craft cocktail down here.
Mike is a talent. Last night my visiting Unilocal colleague (aka Canada’s Top Unilocaler) gave him the reins, told him a few things she liked, and he went to work on a custom cocktail. She reports the results were exemplary.
The menu is simple but bursts with flavor. It changes somewhat frequently, but I was happy to see the chicken still on the new menu last night. I had it last fall and if I hadn’t already eaten dinner last night I would have ordered it again. The menu is short, simple, and well-​executed. The only note is that if you want the Beer Can Chicken, you need to call ahead and order. I think (?) they need 24 hours.
The vibe is hipster, the lights are low, there’s a «library» in back with big chairs, and the décor is a mish mash of doll heads and old paintings and animal mounts and I don’t know how or why but it all works beautifully. The vintage record player provides the tunes and it just all works.
CHANGES OVER TIME
At first, it seemed they would be much more hush hush about the downstairs and wanted it to be more «speakeasy» in nature, but I think it was the right move to make it less stringent. While they certainly prefer reservations, you can just go in and ask to go downstairs.
Also, the menu has become a little simpler and a little more affordable over time. Again, definitely the right move and it shifts the conversation from making it a once a year special night out kind of place, to a much more practical spot you can put in your rotation – especially with the changing menu.
IN CONCLUSION
I’ve been a fan for a while and every time I go, I resolve to return more often. This is a great place for a date, a casual meetup, a laid back drink, or a great meal. Pop in upstairs for casual food or go downstairs and stay a minute. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be glad that a place like Bodega exists in SLC.

This place has a unique twist on it. When we first walked in we were like oh this is small. Upon further investigation there is a back speakeasy type place. Unfortunately we were unaware you need reservations so being that we were from out of town we were stuck. It was supposedly a 30 minute wait and some of our party would not be admitted because of dress code (but to be honest I am not sure why they were even wearing sweatshirts anyways!).
They had a few signature cocktails which we took advantage of. One of the girls got the cucumber one. I tried it, WOW! That one goes down like water… danger zone for sure!

Made reservations on line for The Rest, restaurant downstairs. Very dark but neat atmosphere, we were there early 5:30, only reservation we could get for Saturday night.
Our waiter was awesome, very attentive, knew his menu well. Had the bartender whip up a drink with rum & juice, was a good strong drink.
I would suggest sampling several small plates, they have entrees too, but everything we had was great. Started with bread plate and mustards, then Pork belly with a thai twist, the special rice sausage with pretzel bun & Spicy mustard yum, then we ordered entrée gnocchi sage butter to share with our 3^rd small small plate charred eggplant. It was a lot of food for 2 but we couldnt decide. Waiter did a good job serving first 2 together then 2^nd set.
Try it! Fun, and delicious.

One of the best experiences I’ve had at a bar. Go. Just do it.
They make an awesome Old Fashioned, as well as pretty much any other drink you can imagine, and even a few you’d probably never be able to dream of. Although I can’t speak for the food, the ambiance, music, and staff are all incredible.

This place is certainly a local gem. While not an actually speakeasy, it certainly has the feel of one. The mixologists can sure make great cocktails and the atmosphere is perfect for a relaxing night with friends or a date. Be sure to make reservations as this place does get crowded. If you ordering food, I recommend the Pork Belly. It was really crispy on the outside with that tender, salty flavor on the inside. I can’t wait to get back!

I was on vacation in Salt Lake city and we went to try this place out. At first i was hesitant because we were in the bar area waiting to be seated and i thought wow this place is so small where the hell will they seat us. It turns out that that’s just the bar area. They took us downstairs to the basement where the restaurant is. It is very cool ambiance, it’s all wood downstairs and has tons of shelves with books. I loved it. It was very dark and dim we could barely read the menu.
I had the chicken which was unbelievably amazing. My friends were also very happy with their meals. Our waiter was just so friendly and very knowledgeable about their menu. I wish i remembered his name so i could mention him.
Overall this place is a must for everyone.

Summary: Found this gem on Unilocal when looking for a unique experience with delicious food. I actually went to Rest, which is a speakeasy in the basement of Bodega. It’s a legit speakeasy that is unmarked and takes you downstairs and the food/​cocktails are really good. Two downsides: 1) I tried to move my reservation by 1 hour and they said nothing was available, but even when I left the restaurant noone else was there… 2) the menu isn’t available online and the Unilocaler menus were helpful, but very different from the one we received. Definitely would recommend to others — particularly because I’m not sure there are similar experiences in SLC.
—-DETAILS — -
FOOD: They recommended «a couple more dishes than there are people» because «their portions are larger than tapas but smaller than a serving for one.» Six ended up being perfect for 4 of us — we all left full, but not feeling gluttonous. We ordered the charcuterie (warning — these are not smoked meats like at most places — more pâté like) which was not my cup of tea but the men liked it + the pork pappardelle special (others loved it, I thought it was good but a little too spicy and salty for not a lot of other flavor) + Mary’s chicken (my favorite — perfectly cooked and amazing balance of flavors and textures) + scallops (2^nd favorite — perfectly cooked and a thai-​esque flavor + pastrami and rye spaetzle (least favorite — it was not awful, but just a bit odd combination of flavors and textures) + eggplant (delicious though the sauce was a little pungent and the eggplant slightly undercooked). I would definitely recommend this place to others for a special occasion!
DRINKS: Love that they have the cocktail that the bartender just whips up for you based on your preferences. I ended up with a cocktail made of scotch, cherry liquer, orange juice, and one other ingredient I forget. Others ordered a beer (they only have bottled beer — no drafts) and the pumpkin cocktail. Drinks were all good, but nothing too special. I asked for not sweet and my cocktail was actually rather sweet, but I would definitely go back for drinks. I liked that their drinks are rather unique.
SERVICE: Great! Very attentive but not overly and actually gave recommendations on what would be good rather than the blanket «everything.»
ATMOSPHERE: Amazing. I love speakeasies overall, but this one was especially nice because people were hanging out at the Bodega front and my guests had no idea they were going into the speakeasy. The interior is very elegant and chic with dim lighting and very old riche décor.

Can’t help it. Love this hipster-​basement-​prohibition-​bar thing they have going on there.
Sat at the bar, didn’t order any food this time. Had the bartender concoct our drinks after we described our flavor profiles to him. The drinks were good. Got lucky that we walked right in (we came early, maybe 8pm-​ish). When we left there was a huge line to get in. Next time I’ll probably come here for pre-​dinner appetizers and drinks.

Oh Bodega, you just love to sweep our feet off the floor! The basement part, not the first floor.
One of the Tuesday Cocktail Competition Night, we stopped by 2 restaurants before the hitting up Bodega. Basic off everyone’s opinion, so far, Bodega’s cocktail tasted better than rest of them. Sorry, I just don’t remember the name of the cocktail.
One dish was absolutely amazing was the Gnocchi! One of best gnocchi I had so far in Salt Lake City! It was nice crispy outside after pan fried and inside was perfectly soft. It doesn’t need any sauce because it already had a good flavor to it. It is a perfect combination if you eat it with squash and lightly salted brussel sprout’s leaves. We mention to them how we like the gnocchi at Pago and started to compare theirs and Pago’s. Immediately, they started to take notes on it. Watch out Pago, Bodega is coming! There is another dish I just cannot remember the name. It was chicken with schnitzel crumbs? It was scrumpalicious! Juicy and tender chicken with a light creamy sauce and it had a good crunchiness of the crumbs.
That night I just cannot remember names of the our dish! I guess they swept me off the floor and I hit my head a little bit too hard. Terrible joke…
It was a happy end of our cocktail trip!

I may have just had the best cocktail of my life at an underground bar in Salt Lake City*. And trust me, no one is more surprised by this than me. But, these are the facts…
+ Jeffrey S took me to Bodega and I was already excited to be eating in what appeared to be a small taco joint.
+ Jeffrey told the people working there that we had reservations which I thought was ludicrous.
+ One person working there then unlocked a random door and started leading us down some stairs into a basement.
+ I thought to myself, «If I were in a movie, this is where I die. Or someone else dies and I run away really fast and hide somewhere. Hopefully somewhere with tacos… mmmm tacos.»
+ Then we open another door and we are in the loveliest of speakeasy spaces with just the right kind of lighting and the good music.
+ P. S. The music is all on vinyl. VINYL people! The people working there chose records and flip them as necessary. *dream job*
+ I ordered the Drop Top, made with cognac, scotch, lemon, St. Germaine, cardamom, and Angostura bitters.
+ My drink comes; I take a sip.
+ My mouth tries to convince my brain all my body parts had died and gone to heaven.
+ Luckily I am still alive and therefore able to take more sips of the Drop Top.
There was food, there were other cocktails, they were all delightful, but the Drop Top is something I would return again and again for. No question about it.
*Fair warning, I have been called a «sunshiny hipster» multiple times in my life, whatever that means. But it is true that I like places that Unilocal would likely classify as «hipster.»

Came here for my friend’s going away dinner, but I was running late from work. When I arrived in «the bar,» I was extremely confused, since my friend said they were already there. It didn’t take long to realize that there HAD to be another floor somewhere, because the ground floor (right when you walk in) was small, quaint, and had a simplistic seating design with the bartender and friend standing by… that and the fact that I didn’t see my friends. After inquiring, he nodded to indicate there was indeed another area hidden from the public but before allowing me to pass, required ID. A quick check to verify my age led me to a door and the unknown on the other side. He looked me dead in the eyes and asked — «are you ready?» Nervous, I nodded slowly — what’s on the other side of this, I wondered?! And when I stepped through — I knew I was in it — hipster paradise.
I descended a flight of stairs into a dimly lit room, booth setup seats on the right, the bar to my left, and a cool chick waitress who got me a drink before I even found my friends and sat down! My friends were seated in a corner of the room, with a great spread of food and booze. Let’s run down the list, yes?
Scallop fritters ($ 7) — YES, scotch egg ($ 8), beer can chicken ($ 35) — OMG YES, chicken wings ($ 10) — YAYUH, duck nuggets ($ 8), shrimp and grits ($ 28), cornbread ($ 6), and our booze … red rum ($ 11), cruel intentions ($ 10), cloak and dagger ($ 10), elijaj craig ($ 6), lagunitas IPA ($ 6), and beignet ($ 7) — running us about $ 175 among the 4 of us. Was it worth it? TOTALLY! Favorite dish you ask? Definitely the beer can chicken. Why? Moist on the inside (LEGIT) and crispy on the outside, this was an absolute must have for my second round to Bodega.
All in all, great atmosphere, EXTREMELY on point service with our waitress (cool Asian chick with tatts), and quality food with top notch company. Ahh. you have me reminiscing already Bodega. I’ll be back soon. :)