SLC’s New Fine Dining Gem Deserves Its Own Post 🍽️✨

A friend got hired as a chef here, so while in Salt Lake City for Christmas skiing, we came for Christmas Eve dinner! The restaurant is called Rouser, located under the downtown Marriott across from the Jazz arena. The vibe is moody and intimate, with a small but solid wine list — great for friend gatherings or dates. Open kitchen adds to the experience (and hygiene!) — plus watching my buddy hustle in the kitchen was hilarious lolll. Four of us ordered three appetizers + three mains. Regular items like beef tartare, ribeye steak, and lamb rack were all solid — though the grilled octopus was a bit salty. But here’s the star 👨🏻‍🍳: You MUST ORDER their Dry Aged Duck!! It’s worth every penny and the 30-minute wait! Came out looking unassuming, but the chef came over to explain the aging and roasting process (I only half-listened because it smelled INCREDIBLE). The aged duck had zero chewiness yet was thick and substantial. The skin was super crispy, and that thin layer of fat in between made the flavor explode in your mouth. Paired with a tangy-sweet cherry sauce — not greasy at all. We were all silent while sharing it — a friend called it “The Dish of This Year.” 🦆💥 Also, try the duck fat ice cream for dessert — creamier than gelato, uniquely rich with a hint of savory saltiness that grows on you bite after bite. Next post: skiing highlights 🏂 #SaltLakeCity #SLC #SkiSLC #SaltLakeCityFood #Snowbird #Utah #SLCFineDining #Christmas