Pop Stars
If you’re looking for an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience, I recommend checking out SLC POP (29 E. 400 South). Based at the Nata Gallery in downtown Salt Lake City, SLC POP hosts one-off, private, multicourse gourmet dinners, frequently with a focus on molecular gastronomy. I’ve been blown away by some of the dishes I’ve had at SLC POP affairs. Well, mark your calendars: Upcoming SLC POP dinners will be held at the Nata Gallery on July 6, 13 & 20, at 7:30 p.m. Of particular interest is the July 13 dinner, when owner and head chef Katie Weinner will be joined by Chef Mike Burtis, who has been working in Denmark at NOMA, which is considered to be one of the world’s best restaurants. SLC POP menus are always surprising, but recent dinner-menu items have included octopus with saffron honey, pheasant biscuits & gravy, and a “painter’s palette” with edible colors and paper. Dinners are BYOB and cost $75 per person for 10 courses. For tickets and information, visit SLCPop.com.

Jazzy Italian
On occasional Sunday evenings, Cucina Vanina (1844 Fort Union Blvd., Cottonwood Heights) chef/owner Vanina Meystre-Pirollo and her crew host Sunday suppers accompanied by live jazz music. The jazz, food and wine dinners are low-key and low-cost: $25 per person for three courses (beverages and tips not included), with selected optional wine pairings. The next Cucina Vanina jazz supper will be held on Sunday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m., and will feature live music from guitarist Allen Mautner. To reserve your seat, call 801-938-9706. Visit CucinaVanina.com for more information.

Storm the Bastille
Pago restaurant (878 S. 900 East) will celebrate Bastille Day (July 14) with a Summer Sommelier Series dinner featuring specially selected Alsatian wines from winemakers Audrey and Christian Binner, and chosen by sommelier Evan Lewandowski. Menu items include tarte flambée, terrine des poules, basil escargot, choucroute garnie, la fôret noir and more, all paired with the Binners’ superb array of organic and biodynamic Alsatian wines. This is one you won’t want to miss. Bastille Day “Binner” is $40 for food and $40 for the wine pairings, plus tax and gratuity. Call 801-532-0777 for reservations. For more information, visit PagoSLC.com.

Quote of the week: After a full belly, all is poetry. —Frank McCourt