celebrating at log haven

While our regularly posted anniversaries on this blog are for our arrival here in Utah, H and I recently celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary, deciding to go somewhere slightly more high end than our usual places. Friend of the blog Jessica has been telling us since we came out here that we HAD to go to Log Haven, nestled about four miles up Millcreek Canyon. H made a reservation on that online Open Table service (direct link on the restaurant's web site) and so credit card in hand, off we went.

Log Haven has been around since 1920 but was refurbished into its current lovely state after Margot Provost rescued and remodeled it in 1994. It is apparently one of the premier places in the state for weddings and special occasions, what with its numerous waterfalls and lush outdoor spaces, as well as its acclaimed restaurant. We sat on the outdoor patio, tucked in between the two wings of the large log-built structure and surrounded by tall trees and a moss-covered waterfall. Although it had been 96 F when we left our house, the sun was going down and the temperature plummeted by 20 degrees by the time we were seated; I was grateful for the heaters placed strategically nearby.

There were a few other tables eating - at 7:45 p.m. on a Wednesday - but lots of waitstaff attentively taking care of everyone.  Our server was cute and funny and very well-informed about the menu; she also had a huge scrape down her forearm from a recent mountain-biking crash.  She told us about the specials and then let us examine the menu at our leisure.  It's not the longest menu but there are plenty of options for everyone - from vegetarian to fish to big chunks of meat - most of which sounded absolutely delicious.  Since we were celebrating, and not factoring the entree prices into our decision-making process, it took a while to decide what to order.

We had a bottle of Australian Greenpoint Shiraz which started out a little fruitier than we usually prefer but then seemed to mellow a bit as the meal went on.  Before the food was brought out, they served tiny appetite-whetters of a watermelon chunk topped with a morsel of goat cheese, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and garnished with baby arugula - fresh and juicy.

The appetizers and the salads both come in two sizes - full portions and "tastes" - which is a nice option if you're concerned about ending your meal overstuffed.  H had a taste portion salad of romaine hearts, avocado and queso fresco with a "creamy jalapeno-lime vinaigrette" while I had a taste portion baby frisee salad, with huge blackberries, candied pancetta (!!!) and butternut squash chips and a lovely, light citrus vinaigrette.  My salad was excellent and H didn't leave any of his either.

For our entrees, H picked the Double R Ranch filet mignon (which was served the rarest version of medium I've ever seen), served with pepper-gruyere pureed potatoes, green beans and "micro mirepoix" which are simply micro greens of infant onions, carrots and celery.  I tried the micro mirepoix and it was amazing: those teensy, tender plants tasted exactly like the vegetables they would grow up to be.  I went with the grilled Rocky Mountain elk tenderloin, mostly because I've never had elk before.  It was delicious - rare and tender - but if you had told me it was a cow, I would have believed that.  The steak was served with pureed parsnip potatoes, a vegetable I don't remember, more of those giant blackberries and a marchand de vin sauce.  It was sweetish (which our server had explained) but not overly so and I absolutely cleaned my plate.  [Note: the portions at Log Haven are reasonable: not ridiculously huge as is par for the course in so many restaurants; but not so small as to send you home hungry and outraged at the price you've just paid.]

Of course we found room for dessert.  I had the panna cotta with fresh cherry syrup and crumbled Amaretti cookies and H selected the molten lava cake.  Our server told us that she didn't really care for the mint sorbet that the cake came with and would be happy to swap it out for any of their house-made ice creams (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or blueberry).  H likes mint, however, so he went with that ... when our server checked in with us, H admitted that the sorbet was kind of like eating really cold toothpaste which made her laugh.

Now we were full. 

Log Haven is not inexpensive.  It is not going to be anyone's regular eating establishment (unless you have lots and lots of disposable income).  But for special occasions, it is just wonderul.  A beautiful and cool mountain setting, fantastic food and excellent service - it's worth the price when you're celebrating something.  Plus they validate your Millcreek Canyon entry fee!