By Doug Jepperson
As our readers know each month we review local restaurants in Sandy. This month it was my pleasure to visit the new Skybox Sports Grill in the Riverpark Business Complex. This is one of the most attractively decorated restaurants I have been in Utah. The menu offers our new American standard, “something for everybody”— meaning fish, hamburgers, vegetarian and Mexican.

The attractive interior decor is nice combination of subtle wall colors and textures combined with indirect lighting. Televisions, televisions and televisions, all flat screen all mounted on every wall. I do not believe there is a seat in the restaurant from which you cannot see your favorite game or sporting event. One surprising feature is that they have figured a way to keep the volume under control. At our table we could carry on a conversation in normal tones.

But I tarry too long on the environs. Food is what we are here for and food is what I ordered and lots of it. After all this was an assignment and I wanted to do my best.

We perused the appetizers list — coconut shrimp, chicken wings, chicken tenders, onion rings, French fries, (can we call them that yet, “freedom fries” sounds so silly!) Again, since this is work, I decided I should do a good job and order a lot of food, after all the more food I try the more I can review, so I dug in and ordered a little of everything
I have to say our favorite was the coconut shrimp, and I mean “Maui Jim at the Luau coconut shrimp”! We tasted real coconut and great shrimp.
They provide a nice mango sauce for the coconut shrimp, but I liked them just as they are—a nice fresh coconut flavor. With all the appetizers we had the option to dip them in the Skybox’s own version of the Utah famous “fry sauce”. The sauce made at the “Box” is from real tomatoes sauce rather just ketchup.

Since I only had three or four hours to eat all the food, we just ordered one salad, Miss Dolly’s Lemon Rice Salad.

I cannot say I remember the rice, but I remember the dressing,—with a truly lemony flavor—was wonderful. I saw no evidence of anyone that even looked like Miss Dolly; they meant Dolly Parton, right? But we loved her lemon dressing.

For our main course dish we ordered the hamburger, the burrito and the fish and chips. The hamburger was great; the burrito terrific, but the fish and chips, can I wander a bit? Have you ever had one of those moments when a random smell or sound will give you that déjà vu moment? When our waiter set the fish and chips down and I caught a whiff of the fish, I remembered Seattle. It was a chilly overcast day.  I was very hungry and I love fish and chips. The restaurants were full so we walked over to the outside counter at Ivers. I could smell the fresh breeze coming in off the harbor. These memories filled with my expectation of eating some great fish—all of this from a quick bit of aroma in a restaurant down by the Jordan River. So the fish and chips obviously lived up to my expectation. They use fresh halibut that is gently wrapped in a nice, crisp golden batter. Halibut is the fish of choice if you want great fish and chips as this fish is prized for its delicate sweet flavor, snow-white color and firm flaky meat. 
After my nostalgic encounter with fish and chips, I was ready for the dessert. You have got to try the ice cream burrito. They do not call it that—I think the say it is Fried Ice Cream and Cheese bits. But to me it was a great ice cream burrito with cheesecake and whip cream—just my kind of dessert.

The best part is you can get a meal for two at the Skybox without requesting any stimulus money. All of the sandwiches are less than $10, entrees in the neighborhood of $15. Do not wait for the beginning of the fall football season, try this restaurant out this summer.

Skybox Sports Grill in Riverpark, 651 W. South Jordan Parkway
Phone: 801-253-6550
Mon - Thurs:  11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Sun:   12- 8 p.m.

Submitted by Elizabeth Fermanian, Sandy City

Recently, we had the pleasure of being invited to eat at La Caille and took the opportunity to check out the facilities and atmosphere offered by this award-winning restaurant. While we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the impressive and delectable, it was so much more than just a night of “eating out.”

La Caille is nestled back into the bottom of the Little Cottonwood Canyon area. As we drove up the lane and through the gates, it was like we were entering a secluded, hideaway away from all of the noise and populations of society.  The whole experience was like entering into a fairy tale, which is part of the overall attraction and ambiance. It was amazing to me, how it was so incredibly quiet up there. We were welcomed by sweet valet, as we stepped out of the car onto the beautiful cobble stone drive.

As we entered the foyer, Kim the manager welcomed us and informed us that we could enjoy a drink from the bar and walk the grounds before being seated. We took the opportunity to stroll the grounds, admiring the amazing patios scattered around. We also viewed the banquet halls and the reception areas used for weddings and other larger events. The outdoor fountains and pond in the back, added to the whole scene.
After our stroll, w we were taken up a grand circular staircase, and seated at the “favorite table for two” overlooking the north view, which was just “awesome” to quote my date!

This whole dining experience was very enjoyable from the beginning of being shown the wine list, right down to our menu selections and desserts. As we ate our meal and took in this whole amazing experience, we noticed that we were not alone.

The service provided to us, by the incredible staff, was also extended to each and everyone that was dining there. The table next to us, was celebrating a birthday, and the wonderful display of their birthday dessert coming out complete with fire and sparklers, made us wish that it was one of our birthdays too!

We also witnessed an engaged couple meeting with a wedding consultant, planning their big day. What a fun place to host your wedding. As the evening drew to a close, it was very sad to note, that we would be ending this great experience, and having to return to our own realities. We noticed the photos on the wall of the loyal servers who have made their own experiences of working there a family affair.
If you have not taken the time to go out of your way to visit this place, I highly recommend you do so. Make sure to locate the coupon from La Caille, so that you will be able to enjoy a similar experience like we had.