excellence saunters into the Hotel Utah Saloon

I have been loving the third-Sunday Bluegrass Brunch with the Afternoon Delight Social Band at the Hotel Utah Saloon for some time now, even though the menu and service have at times been problematic. Well, based on January's and February's experiences, there is a new sheriff in town. And he's kicking some culinary ass.

The band, as always, is also kicking ass. Although Hardly Strictly Bluegrass could be considered Purely Bluegrass compared to the "bluegrass" played by the Afternoon Delight Social Band. So much so, they care considering changing the name from Bluegrass Brunch to something else. It's pretty much "Whatever the hodgepodge of local talent feel like playing today and it's mostly urban country, folk, and whatever the room shouts out as long as it's in the neighborhood of country or folk" Brunch. While there's not a whole lot of bluegrass, there is a LOT of talent and a lot of fun. January found its way into a Fleetwood Mac/CCR sort of mood which suited the generation in attendance quite well. And they rocked it.

But the big hits were coming out of the kitchen. Chef Jack is the new chef at the Hotel Utah and he's kept what was good and has added what is better. Remaining on the standard menu are the excellent burgers (and I don't say that lightly) and other bar food, but the brunch menu has been upgraded not only in selection, but quality. Jack makes everything from scratch (home fries, yes; french fries, no), including the seasonings for the fresh fried chicken breast fillets for the Chicken & Waffle dish. OMFG. I have a hankering for those good songs coming out of Misisipi Mike's kitchen, and the freshly plucked feeling I get from bassist Mike Anderson, but I will now push either one of them down to get to Jack's fried chicken and waffle.  The chicken is skinless, boneless, and highly seasoned to awesome, and the waffle is unbelievably light.  With skilled Jack running the kitchen and other help joining the staff, the adorable Irish Ginger Bear Bartender Robert has finally got sufficient support, and can crank out quick cocktails as well as carefully craft some signature bloody marys—even though we tend to opt for the bottomless mimosas. We may be cheap but we are not free.

Items from their standard menu are available for order, and here's a snap of the current brunch menu:


Not featured are the occasional specials. I could not resist the chicken and waffle, but Angela ordered the blackened fish special. And after it arrived, it smelled so enticing I expected to see a cartoon hand of vapor wafting from the plate and beckoning me with its fingers. If you're not getting the chicken, get the fish.


Served in proper southern style with greens and black-eyed peas. Yum.

The Bluegrass-Adjacent Brunch is hosted every third Sunday at the Hotel Utah Saloon with the Afternoon Delight Social Band.  Come with a hungry tummy and thirsty ears.

Update: This just in from Misisipi Mike: Sunday's "country brunch" show at the Utah will be one for the ages. Three of the best guitar players in the Bay Area are all coming down to do songs. Michael Montalto (aka Guitar Show) of Red Meat and East Bay Grease (and Wanda Jackson even!), Rik Elswit of Gayle Lynn's Hired Hands and Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, and Hank Maninger, from Hacienda Brothers, the Seducers, etc. etc. (even the Valley Girl soundtrack when he was still just a wee child). How can you miss this?? Sunday, noon to 3 pm, free, kids welcome, food served, and the Midnight Gamblers are the house band!