BYU NewsNet - Discover Broadway ... in SLC

Looking for things to do in Salt Lake is like trying to pick the best grape from a vineyard. There are so many fun places to go and eat, but there is no way to catch the scope of the whole city. And yet, BYU students never cease to crave a new adventure and find new places. To discover some of the best, unique entertainment and food Salt Lake City has to offer, all you need is a car (or bus pass), a good appetite and an inclination to break out of the normal dollar movie and Café Rio date.

Broadway Street, also known as 300 South, in Salt Lake City is full of restaurants, entertainment and history that make for a great date or outing. By spending a night on Broadway, you can see a parody on Harry Potter, eat at the Pope's Table and take a stroll down memory lane.

Restaurants

Cafe Niche, 779 E. 300 South

This modern and rustic feeling restaurant is a no-expectation place to grab a quick muffin or sit and enjoy a fresh Italianate meal. The food is simple and light, focusing on quality ingredients, yet the prices are easy on the budget and the portions are perfect. You can sit indoors, near modern art sculptures and paintings, or on the grass-lined patio outdoors.

$ (801) 433-3380; www.caffeniche.com

Greek Souvlaki, 404 E. 300 South

Started in 1972, this authentic Greek restaurant has grown into three locations and is a local favorite. Greek Souvlaki has become the perfect place to take a friend, or a newspaper, and chomp down a gyro or two. It is a very comfortable and easygoing atmosphere, and you may just run into the owners, as they commonly linger there.

$ (801) 322-2067

Buca di Beppo, 202 W. 300 South

Decorated to the hilt with family photos, extravagant carpets and bright colors, this family-style Italian restaurant takes on the motto, "una familia," meaning, "one family." As you arrive, you will be taken to your seats via the kitchen, where there is a reservable table located right across from all the action. There are themed rooms, like the wine room or the Pope's table (where a bust of Pope John Paul rests in the middle of the lazy Susan).

$$ -$$$$ (801) 575-6262 www.bucadibeppo.com

Tony Caputo's Market and Deli, 314 W. 300 South

As a local Italian sandwich joint, Tony Caputo's Market and Deli - Caputo's for short - is a made-to-order sandwich, soup and salad place. They've been around for only a decade and already a Salt Lake classic.

$ - $$ (801) 531-8669 www.caputosdeli.com

Entertainment

Off Broadway Theatre, 272 S. Main Street

A parody and comedy-enriched place, The Off Broadway Theatre features original musicals and plays that are written and performed specifically for the theater. The current show is, "Henry Botter and the Curse of Dracula," which will play until Nov. 10 when "Scrooge's Christmas Carol" takes over from Nov. 23 through Dec. 29. OBT also features the longest-running improv comedy show, "Laughing Stock."

$ - $$ (801) 355-4628 www.theobt.com

Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South

This relatively new performing arts center was created to suit the ever-growing need for rehearsal and performance space in Salt Lake City. Named after the major donor, I. J. Wagner's mother, Rose, this center now includes three theaters and an art gallery. The current shows running are "Batting Cage" and "Plan B's Gutenberg! The Musical" and performing is the Loose Change Dance Company.

$$ - $$$ (801) 355-2787 www.finearts.slco.org

Shopping

Boutiques between 200 and 300 East.

The funky little boutiques between 200 and 300 East are a great place to find trendy and original clothes for reasonable prices. Their tops range from $15 to $40, while jeans can go anywhere from $80 to $150, and don't worry guys, there's clothes for you too! On Sept. 28, Model Citizen, one of the new-age boutiques, is hosting a first-ever Utah Fashion Stroll. This celebration of local designers, boutiques, live bands, vendors, musicians and artists will happen from 6-10 pm between 200 and 300 East on Broadway.

(801) 355-3500; www.slugmag.com; early bird sales 4-6 p.m.; fashion shows at 7 and 9 p.m.

Antique District

To find that one-of-a-kind treasure, the Antique District between 100 and 400 East holds numerous stores with ins and outs full of furniture, decorations and collectors' pieces. Some of these shops have pieces that date back to the mid-1900s, while others simply have items from the '80s. So whether you are an avid collector or just enjoy window-shopping, a stroll down these three blocks should definitely be on your to-do list.

The Gateway, 18 North Rio Grande St.

Although it's not directly on Broadway, this outdoor mall is full of high fashion and good shopping. With stores like Banana Republic, Aeropostale, J Crew, Famous Footwear and many others, there is no shortage of styles when it comes to looking good. Then, after all the hard work of shopping, you can grab a pint at Ben and Jerry's and head over to Barnes and Noble to browse a good book.

(801) 456-2000 www.shopthegateway.com

Also on Broadway

For all of those who are looking for a shopping experience out of the ordinary, 300 South also holds a popular comic book shop and Redemption Department, a custom screen T-shirt store that holds weekly dance parties.

Night Flight Comics: 210 E. 400 South, (801) 272-8343, www.night-flight.com

Redemption Department, 241 E. 300 South, www.redemptiondepartment.com

Historic City Walk Information

Rio Grande Café, 455 W. 300 South

Located inside the old Rio Grande Train Station, this restaurant houses art from local artists that rotates every month or so.

Pierpont Art District

A tiny side street, Pierpont Avenue includes multiple shops and unique galleries, such as Dennis Mecham Photography, Women's Art Center and Artisan Frameworks and Gallery.

Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, 308 W. 300 South

In 1925, when automobiles started becoming a regular part of the Salt Lake scene, Firestone used this building for their service station, warehouse and retail outlet for their tires. In 1998 it was remodeled into condos and shops.

Holy Trinity Cathedral, 300 W. 279 South

Just off Broadway, the Holy Trinity Cathedral is part of the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake. In the basement, The Hellenic Cultural Museum focuses on Greek traditions and customs.

J. G. McDonald Chocolate Company, 159 W. 300 South

The J. G. McDonald Chocolate Company once produced award-winning boxed chocolate and a hot chocolate drink that would replace the "injurious use of tea and coffee." It was built with three stories in 1901, then a fourth and fifth story were added in 1914. A recessed brick letter "M" can be seen on the corners of the 4th floor.

Peery Hotel, 147 W. 300 South

Built in 1910, this historic hotel has changed its name from the Peery to the Miles Hotel, and back again in the '70s. Its E-shaped plan of the secondnd and third floor provides natural light to all the rooms.

Judge Building, 8 E. 300 South

This historic building was built in the 1890's by Mary Judge, widow of John Judge. She built it, along with other properties in Salt Lake and Nevada, for real estate investment purposes.

Nobrow Art Gallery, 315 E. 300 South

This easy-going gallery is a great place to grab a muffin and discover art by local artists. Nobrow is now showing new works by Spencer Barten and Amy Sprague. nobrowcoffee.com

Utah Museum of Fine Art, University of Utah, 410 Campus Center Drive

At the east end of 300 South is the University of Utah, home to the Utah Museum of Fine Art. Their current exhibition is, "Cinderella: Masks, Magic, and Mirrors," which explores servitude, disguise, false and real worth from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

For a more detailed description of historical Salt Lake City, a printable-PDF Tour is available at: http://www.utahheritagefoundation.org/pdf/downtown/GRD.Tour.pdf

Purchasing Key:

$ - Less than $10

$$ - $10-$20

$$$ - $20-$35

$$$$ - $35 and up