- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Spotted Dog Cafe
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
428 Zion Park BlvdSpringdale, UT 84767
(435) 772-0700
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
63 reviews for The Spotted Dog Cafe
Review Highlights
"I ordered the Pepita crusted Red trout."
(in 5 reviews)
"Good wine list, amazing desserts."
(in 4 reviews)
"It paired well with the tortilla and tomato-garlic dip."
(in 1 review)
Loading...
63 reviews in English
-
Review from Kelley H.
Northville, MI
11/3/2011
My husband and I had a very enjoyable meal here after spending the day hiking in Zion. There was a wait for patio seating, but it was worth it to sit outside. We started with drinks at the bar and I was impessed with the wine selection. Not only impressive in quantity of wines but quality of wines as well.
After we were seated we received flatbread with a tomato spread, which was delicious.
For a starter we ordered the smoked trout and it was fabulous! Two large filets of trout served with bread and a coarse mustard. My husband ordered a beet salad that he enjoyed and for an entree he had the spaghetti and meatballs and I had the shrimp fettucini, both were very good. We didn't try any of the coffee or desert. Sevice was prompt and pleasant and overall we really enjoyed our experience. Almost came back a second night, but wanted to experience something else in Springdale. Would definitely stop in again! -
Review from J P.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2011
Some of the staff was incredibly rude - the waitress taking our drinks was sarcastic to my British friend telling her she (my friend) couldn't understand herself. The reservations/greeter person also was sarcastic to us because we were half an hour late showing up to our reservation (yes, our bad, but he could have either accomodated us and been nice about it or turned us away - the restaurant was full of empty tables and never did fill up the time that we were there). Our waitress at dinner was nice.
It's strange to me. There were 7 of us and the total tab came to $168, yet they acted like they were doing us a favor.
Lonely Planet says they are going through an identity crisis. I agree. The place is called a cafe and is about a spotted dog but acted like it was a high-end French restaraunt. The food was good but I would not go back - too rude. -
Review from Jared C.
San Jose, CA
10/12/2011
The service and atmosphere was great. Good wine list.
Unfortunately the food we ordered was just ok. The meat loaf was decent but nothing really special (though it was a good value with a pretty substancial serving size). The shrimp and linguini was a bit of a mess: underseasoned, overcooked shrimp, barely any lobster flavor to the lobster cream sauce and priced comparable to a steak. I am pretty sure the crab cakes used canned crab meat (which I should have guessed since I don't see an ocean nearby and the price point was low for a fresh crab cake).
Maybe we just ordered the wrong things or have higher Foodie standards. The place was packed, no one looked unhappy, and none of the other options in town for a nice sit down dinner with wine look to be substantialy better.
I'm not saying don't go, just avoid the crab cakes if you don't like canned crab meat and don't order that shrimp pastas dish that tastes half as good as red lobster with twice the price. -
Review from Nic Z.
1/15/2012
We came here once upon a time for breakfast because the sign stood out to me. We both ordered pancakes, coffee and fresh juice. It was a good meal; I can't remember anything extraordinarily good or bad, but it was a cute, cozy stop for food.
-
Review from Rachel L.
10/2/2011
I always get nervous when table bread is unbelievably delicious. I wonder what is to come?
At The Spotted Dog, the bread was delightful. I could chalk this up to being in starvation mode, or I could attribute the flavorfulness of the flatbread to the accompanying sauce. I'm honestly not sure. Regardless, the bread and excellent wine list were king at this restaruant.
As an appetizer, my partner and I ordered the elk stew and the sauteed mushrooms. I do not recommend either. The elk stew was especially disappointing as it was watery and primarily legumes. Don't play games with my game! The mushrooms - which the waiter told me were the most popular of starters - were undercooked and incredibly OVER-seasoned. With mushrooms, there needs to be a delicate balance of spicyness and earthiness. These mushrooms were caked in herbs and red pepper flakes.
As our meal, we ordered the braised lamb shank and the wild game meatloaf. The entrees were ALMOST delicious. Unfortunately, instead of relying on the meatiness of the plates, they doused both dishes with some homogenous, Betty Crocker-esque barbecue sauce. I did enjoy the side dishes: mashed potatoes, spaghetti squash, and broccoli. Nevertheless, the entrees seemed thoughtless prepared as the plates were nearly indistinguishable for one another. Nothing was complimentary.
So, why three stars? It was fine. I probably won't eat there again, but I would neither discourage, nor encourage anyone else to try it.
Normally, I end my reviews with a punch line. In this case, everything that comes to mind is appropriately too bland. -
Review from Aiko S.
Los Angeles, CA
10/12/2011
They use organic veggies which is cool!
salad with goat cheese was really really good.
I got a seafood entree and I remember it was decent. -
Review from Julia S.
9/6/2011 2 photos
My friend was so wonderful to treat me here but that does not help their review!
Decorate the food all you want. Doesn't make the Cesear Salad taste any better. Even after hiking and drinking only water all day, I was still appalled that that horrible salad costed that much money. I should've asked them to take it away after the first bite. Zero stars.
I swear the busboy was our waitress. He not only brought our waters, someone else brought our food and he came later with the desert tray. He even packed our leftover desert. We had a waitress? Swear we did we did when it came to "giving a final impression" for the check and TIP.
Waitress: "How was your meal?"
Us: "Who are you and where were you?"
Zero stars.
Desert: chocolate cake. OMG so good!!! Not a fan of chocolate. Went on a limb here. I highly recommend that and ordering it TO GO. 1 star.
Note to self: alcoholic beverage with dinner may help. -
Review from Laura L.
Beverly Hills, CA
Cute name and location. Their choices were minimal, portions were big and their ice water was fantastic. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs. It was nicely decorated but was tasteless and watery. Who taught them presentation over taste? Hunger and the price of the dish made me keep eating :(
I gave the dessert a chance. I tried their panna cotta which was pretty good. Sadly the highlight of the meal was the water and the hummingbirds above us. -
Review from Red G.
Long Beach, CA
12/5/2011
Had a bottle of wine and had to order an appetizer, according to UT law- we got the tomato olive oil dip. Though we didn't eat here, the dip was good and the service at the bar was good. Outlaw Red by Castle Creek Winery - Mormons make great wine too!
-
Review from Laurie R.
Lafayette, CA
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
The shrimp fettuccine was wonderful! My husband loved his salmon too. The bartender made a sidecar (not on the drink menu) for my husband that he enjoyed. Don't arrive late if you would like the lamb. The restaurant ran out by ~8:45 PM.
Most people were dressed nicely, at least business casual. The restaurant treated us equivalently, although my husband and I wore our jeans and baseball hats after hiking much of the day. -
Review from Cayenne E.
Henderson, NV
Updated - 5/7/2011
My first review for this spot was for the breakfast buffet. The first time I tried it I was dreaming of it for weeks afterward. The most recent time, it was a bit of a let down.
This review is for the dinner. We were attracted for the first time by the claims of locally sourced food, and the flavors were so good that it was calling our name again, two years later. We were not disappointed.
Like the reviewers from yesterday, we split the pepita crusted red trout and the pear ricotta fiocchi. Holy cow, heaven in my mouth. The pepita crust was the ideal consistency, and the fish was cooked to flaky perfection. The sides of asparagus and a local baby carrot were perfectly cooked as well. The dish met and exceeded my expectations.
But the fiocchi, oh my... I periodically make my own pastas and raviolis, and they come nowhere close to the flavors and richness we experienced tonight. The cheese was definitely high quality, the pear added sweetness that was somehow not overpowering, and we were blown away by the toasted almond slivers in the butter sauce.
We finished off the night with a chocolate torte of sorts that was good (not amazing, but good), and were blown away by a lemon cake. I am craving another slice as I type... We started with a beet salad that was fine, but nothing impressive, but because the service was excellent, the entrees expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection, and we all agree it was absolutely worth the $15 - $20 per entree, the dog deserves 5 stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/10/2010
This review is solely for the Spotted Dog's breakfast buffet:
Before setting out for a day in Zion… Read more »
-
-
Review from Clem B.
Hermosa Beach, CA
9/2/2011
I liked it a lot,
I had lamb and the meat was very good quality, I enjoyed it a lot!
Big choice of wine as well!
Our waiter was very nice, he made a mistake with some salads but corrected it directly.
I really recommend this restaurant rather than the parallel 88... -
Review from Cindy A.
Monterey Park, CA
6/22/2011
Nice fast service. Very friendly.
Zion beer was good. Hefewaisen was good. I ordered a trout and I thought it tasted a little too fishy. Overall our quick nice meal here was ok. -
Review from Emily M.
Laguna Hills, CA
11/12/2011
My boyfriend and I recently spent an excellent week in Zion National Park, and decided to celebrate the end of our trip with a nice dinner out in Springdale. Having both worked in some excellent restaurants and dined all over the world, when we were told this place was "an intimate place to have a good meal" we were prepared for just that - a good meal, nothing over-the-top, in a nice, relaxing setting.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is lovely - especially if you manage a table outside beneath the trees. We had to wait for a table and enjoyed a drink at the bar. The bartender was great, and we left a 20% tip.
The food we ordered was decent - the flatbread-dip was tasty but the mains/salad were over-cooked/bland. If you order the spaghetti and meatballs be prepared for receiving just enough meatballs to make the word plural - two small balls balanced on top of your pasta. All in all, the food experience was on par with many restaurant experiences - vaguely disappointing but not unsatisfactory. A solid three star meal.
Now for the service - the real reason behind our one-star rating. Our server not only provided lackluster service: 1) seemed completely bored and dispassionate about her job 2) was unknowledgeable about the menu or any of the wines other than to comment that they were "really nice" 3) asked us if we wanted dessert and when we declined, high-tailed it off to literally throw our bill on our table with a couple of candies without even asking us the standard "coffee, tea or just the bill?" We were put off by the rude ending to our meal, and added to everything else, felt it fair to leave a 10% tip rather than our standard 15-20% tip for good service. After all, that's what a tip is, no? A way of saying thank you for enhancing our meal and helping us navigate through the food and wine - something we are happy to leave when we've had good, courteous service.
Having picked up our signed bill, our server came back in a huff to our table as we were putting on our coats with one hand on her hip demanding why we had left only a 10% tip and then spent a good few minutes berating us, some of her best lines being "You're from the America's aren't you...? Well then you must know that it's customary to leave at least a 15% tip" and a sarcastic "budget a bit tight is it?" We were both so stunned we were completely speechless. Later we worked out that the cause for this unparalleled rudeness was a difference of $2.70. Tight budget indeed.
Needless to say, this was a restaurant experience we won't soon forget. -
Review from Tom W.
Hanover, PA
5/6/2011
First, my wife and I had the breakfast buffet twice. As buffets go, it is pretty good. That's not what I'm reviewing, although the bacon is delicious.
We thought having a restaurant right where we were staying was a bonus. We would have been ok if the restaurant was average just because it was convenient. We were pleasantly surprised that this establishment was awesome.
The wine selection is top notch. If you can't find a wine to your liking, you probably aren't looking hard enough.
My wife and I decided to split 2 entrees. I ordered the Pepita crusted Red trout. My wife ordered the Pear Ricotta Fiocchi (purses). We were each going to have half of our entrees, then switch. My wife was raving about the Fiocchi and only let me have three of the pastas. I could see why. WOW! The sage butter and herbs paired with the pear and ricotta was amazing. It was so good, I ordered another plate of it!! Other than a cruise, that is the only time in my life that I have done that. I didn't care if onlookers thought I was a gluttonous pig. With a dish this fantastic, etiquette can go out the window.
There are some added bonuses. Depending on your seat (including some outdoor dining), you can get some nice views.
Our waitress, Megan, was superb. Very friendly, attentive, and professional.
Love it!! -
Review from Tracy V.
Carnelian Bay, CA
9/26/2011
Just ate there after a day at Bryce and were heading back to St. George via Zion. Sat outside and the view is amazing. Service and food was great. My dad had the red trout, very good.. Great wine list. Would eat there again.
-
Review from Jennifer D.
Los Angeles, CA
8/12/2011
I never ate here for lunch or dinner, but did come twice during my stay in Zion for their breakfast buffet. They have a delicious assortment of fresh fruit, yogurts, cereals, oatmeal, milk, muffins, eggs, sausage, bacon, and waffles or pancakes. For approximately $8 a person, you can't beat the price. The servers and managers were also very friendly. This is a great place to have breakfast before a long day of exploring the park. I highly recommend it!
-
Review from Linda S.
Alameda, CA
9/27/2011
Breakfast buffet had a good variety and good quality food.
Dinner was fantastic. Had the trout . . . HUGE serving, very tasty. Everyone I was with thoroughly enjoyed their meals.
The staff was super friendly and very helpful.
From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but we were pleasantly surprised by the quality. -
Review from Shawn A.
Astoria, NY
7/29/2010
Don't let the name fool you. This is no hole in the wall Irish Pub. The Spotted Dog is Zion's answer to those craving a more gourmet flair to their post hiking dinner. But despite its best attempts, it falls short of being the kind of top notch cuisine it wants to be, and is actually somewhat below average and overpriced.
My lamb shank was dry and disappointing, and left me with the worst possible feeling a restaurant can leave you with - that depressing notion that you should have gone ANYWHERE else. (OK, not the WORST - I've dealt with some... explosive... food poisoning. That is WAY worse.)
The Spotted Dog isn't all bad though. They have a great selection of local beers, and it is a very nice space. The inside is well put together, but a bit too formal for its surroundings. But the outdoor seating is everything you'd want in Springdale. Unfortunately the food isn't.Listed in: The Gates of Zion
-
Review from Candace C.
Las Vegas, NV
6/28/2010
The Skinny: okay food that was cooked properly if not bland (2.75), lack luster service (2) for the money and the food, it's overpriced but then again... everything is overpriced in Springdale (2)
We stopped by the Spotted Dog Cafe for a bite to eat because it was across the street from our hotel.
Even though the place was half-full, we could see that our server was preoccupied by the tables outside.( As we preferred sitting inside, this was disadvantageous for service.)
We started out with a bland salad with a bland citrus dressing. We were served a rather tasty garlic-tomato concoction. Too bad it was accompanied by a very anemic looking, generic, cold flatbread that was probably bought in bulk from Costco.
The lamb shank, albeit tender, lack salt. The "game" meatloaf was tasty however and the bacon flavour really added to the dish. Both proteins were served on top of flavourless potatoes that needed some fat or salt... or anything. The vegetables were done correctly.
Overall, it's not a bad restaurant but it's not good either. The search continues for decent food in Springdale. -
Review from Rich W.
Newport Beach, CA
7/6/2010
A visit to The Spotted Dog Cafe is always a great end to a great day for my family. My parents live in St. George and when I visit we always spend at least one full day hiking in Zion. After a long and enjoyable hike we always stop off at The Spotted Dog for lunch or dinner.
I can't specifically mention a dish or drink that any of us have had but I can say that they have all been fantastic.
The decor is warm and inviting and if you aren't aren't captivated by the view afforded by the large windows in the main dining room you can enjoy the great photography that adorns the walls.
I have multiple trips to Zion planned for myself, my friends, and my family and each one ends with a visit to The Spotted Dog. -
Review from Neil W.
5/25/2010
This place surprised me... We did not plan to eat here, but our first choice was closed and I am glad for that.
It is a nice place, but being right outside Zion you had people who were dress for fine dining and those who just came from a hike; they were all welcome.
Our server came on a little strong and seemed to be trying to overcompensate for something, but as the night wore on I really began to like him. He was a great server and a genuinely nice guy, I just wish I could remember his name.
There were a few thing on the menu and in the specials that didn't seem to work in my mind; like they were trying to be too fancy, but for the most part they had a great selection at good prices.
I started with a simple salad with a nice fresh raspberry dressing with a spicy kick. It was good. My wife like her baked brie.
They brought out flat bread instead of the standard baguette. I liked that.
I had the Bacon-wrapped Filet Mignon over Potatoes Croquet. The beef was perfectly cooked and was delicious. I was not a fan of the potatoes. They were soggy and bland. I thing mashed would have been a better choice, especially with the sauce that topped the dish.
My wife had the beet salad. It was starter salad, but they were very generous with the portion and the server noted it. She couldn't finish it, but really seemed to like with. She was portioning out the salad into perfect bites and shared one with me. I liked it.
The prices here are good, including the wine (great list). They had great service and the views... wow. They really take advantage of the location and use big windows to soak up one of the most beautiful places on earth! -
Review from ANNA K.
Fairfax, VA
6/14/2010
Had the pork loin but it was too dry. presentation was great but tastewise it can be improved. Portion is ok. There were 3 cuts of pork and underneath was mashed potatoes and green beans on the side.
Place is clean and has this modern look to it. Has a fantastic view of the zion when seated on the patio dining area.
Superb serivce. Can be pricey.Ample parking space available. This restaurant is connected to another restaurant called the Flannigan. I guess they share the same toilet. -
Review from Aaron I.
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
10/20/2011
Just ate there tonight (Thurs) and loved it. Very reasonably priced and great food. The house bread and sauce are very original and tasty (a fun flatbread with a tomato dipping sauce infused with olive oil, garlic and balsamic vinegarrette). The sauteed mushrooms were just what I've been looking fro since I had a similar dish at a great restaurant last year and they HIT THE SPOT. The Meatloaf was made from a number of great meats and was excellent (including the sauce). The vegetables of the evening were vegetables (pretty simple) but were very tasty as well. I would be remiss if I forgot to mention how beautiful the place is inside as well. The architecture and ambiance are fantastic. Two thumbs up for the service as well. We were in and out in +/- 45 mins and the place was 80% full (and we had appetizers and a drink). The total for 3 people was just under $70 which is pretty reasonable (entrees, apps, and a drink). We liked the place so much, we booked our reservation for tomorrow night during dinner and will try breakfast there tomorrow morning as well. See you tomorrow Spotted Dog!
-
Review from Mel G.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2011
After spending some time in some admittedly quasi-rough restaurants the first day after arriving at Zion, Joe and I were pleasantly surprised to come across this restaurant earlier tonight. The 4 stars comes more from the service/ambiance of the restaurant vs. the food itself -- the food itself would receive more like a 3. I ordered the french onion soup (which was actually quite good), but the pasta pomodora was just okay for me. Overall though, our waitress was super nice, and it was really enjoyable spending a couple of hours in this really wonderful space. A great spot to stop and dine in the Zion area.
-
Review from Peg S.
5/10/2007
American bistro serving salads, pastas, pizzas, and seafood. Bar and outdoor patio more casual, inside seemed like dining for the upscale golf set. Freshly cut individual flowers on the tables. Ski lodge type feel with neat art on the walls . High ceilinged, wiith tall windows that brought the outdoors in.
Three of us had the seared ahi tuna (this was the biggest block of seared ahi tuna I have ever seen - a rubik's cube sized pink tender chunk) sitting on fried onion strings and wasabi whipped mashed potatoes (a little kick) with 5 brussel sprouts surrounded by yam sauce. Yummy! Seafood fettucini looked good, fried trout covered with pumpkin seeds? was unique and tasty. Forgot to pull a menu klepto, so don't know the name of the pretty chocolately mousse thingy we had, which was gone in an instant. Creme brulee a bit bland in comparison.
p.s. they have lovely smelling hand lotion in the men's bathroom . . .Listed in: What I Did in Utah
-
Review from T W.
Berkeley, CA
9/20/2007
Wasabi lemon grass scented hand lotion in the men's room. Edward Weston-like B&W still-life and scenics on the wall. What's not to like? Treat yourself to a fancy meal after your hikes on the red rock cliffs, after wading in the cool thousand year old waters of the canyons.
Fancy decor, not so fancy (but cleaned up) patrons: women in a black cocktail dress may set themselves apart, but add hiking boots and they'll fit in. -
Review from Yuan W.
Santa Clara, CA
10/8/2008
After the lame recommendation last night, we weren't sure if we should trust the front desk again, but we took a chance. We were pleasantly surprised!
The reservation was at 7:30pm and upon arriving, we were seated immediately. The waiter came within 30 seconds and told us about the daily specials. Water and hot bread (along with whipped butter and elephant garlic) came minutes later.
I had the mixed green salad (requested no blue cheese and very light dressing) and the vegetable marinara penne pasta with tofu. He had the seared scallops as an appetizer and the ahi tuna for main entree.
My mixed green salad showed up with blue cheese and very light dressing - just as I ordered. His seared scallops were cooked perfectly. My pasta was slightly on the salty side and a little spicy which was great. He said his ahi tuna was tasty; I took his word for it.
Our server, James, provided fast and friendly service. The restaurant had a great ambiance and had many wonderful photographs of Zions National Park which is minutes away from Springdale.
Springdale is a tiny little town and gateway to Zions. It is peppered with small hotels and restaurants, so I certainly wasn't expecting to find a gem like The Spotted Dog. We were glad that we gave it a chance and will be returning the next time we are in this area. -
Review from Eileen K.
Orinda, CA
10/22/2011
My fish was very dry, the other meals just mediocre. The service was very unprofessional and we felt like they were trying to rush us out. Dishes were cleared before everyone was finished eating and the check was plopped down as dessert was served. Our waiter took 3 tries before finding the wine we ordered. There are much better places to eat in this little town.
-
Review from Steven B.
San Diego, CA
5/28/2008
Some friends and I stopped here for dinner on our way back to Watchman after hiking the Subway. The food was pretty great and even had more then one vegan option! Everyone else ordered steaks. We didn't feel out of place eating inside with all our hiking gear on, probably smelling kind of...off. We received exceptional service, our group was totally impressed. The food was quite good and the staff very friendly. I'll definitely go back for a post-hike treat next time I'm visiting Zion N.P.
I ordered the vegetable entree...can't recall the name, but it was very satisfying and delicious. -
Review from Wendy B.
Vancouver, WA
5/1/2011
I wasn't expecting such as nice place near the park. The salads were lovely, so nice to have good greens. My husband has food sensitivities, and our waitress Libby really went the extra mile to find entrees and sides he could eat. This despite the place being at capacity on a Friday night. He had tilapia, which was good but the lemon tea sauce he thought needed a lot more lemon. I had the filet mignon and it was perfectly cooked, loved the mushrooms and bordelaise sauce. The bacon wrapping was more than I needed, but it added to the overall flavor. The potato pancake underneath was just ok. The asparagus and carrots were perfectly cooked.
Nice wine selection.
Although it wasn't cheap, most entrees were under $17. -
Review from David F.
Boise, ID
3/22/2009
I had no idea what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. Seems really high brow, but this is Zion and outdoor wear is appropriate.
The flatbread was a little undercooked, but the roasted tomato sauce was excellent.
The artichoke came with lemon/mayo and garlic butter. Nice to dip both.
The kids menu has a steak dish, but I hear the sauce is a little much. Maybe the chef could hold it.
Turkey looked great. The green beans tasted a little like grass though.
I had the Guinea fowl and it was a little tough.
We didn't have room for dessert though we were tempted.
Pretty good wine list. -
Review from Anna Lou C.
Henderson, NV
5/30/2011 15 photos
The restaurant starts out with tortilla instead of bread. It is served with this phenomenal tomato, garlic dip that is absolutely fantastic! The sautéed mushroom appetizer was the BOMB as in YUMMMOOO!!! It paired well with the tortilla and tomato-garlic dip. It was also a huge portioned appetizer and was big enough to share. I highly recommend the beet salad. The Meatloaf entree was average. The Steak Rancheros was juicy and goes well with the tortilla and tomato-garlic dip. I wish I had ordered their most popular dish - the trout, but I was craving for something with elk or bison. Both entrees were not spectacular, but not disappointing like how my experience was with Parallel Eighty Eight. My husband enjoyed the restaurant's extensive wine list.
I had mixed feelings about the staff. The hostess was very professional, well mannered and accommodating. Our waiter however, messed up my order as I requested to substitute mashed potatoes with beans and no carrots please. The plate came out as if I had not made any special requests. He did offer to change my plate after I called his attention and came out with a side of beans in less than a minute's time. After dinner, my husband ordered cappuccino. Unfortunately, the cup was too big for the amount of cappuccino that it appears as if the cup was purposely half filled. In addition, our waiter served the cappuccino with but one sugar stick! We had to ask the water server for the full on sugar tray so we could pick out our choice of sweetener. Nonetheless, he attempted to correct his mistakes and made good conversations with us. The water server Gabby was very respectful and non-intrusive. We declined dessert but they did have a tray of cakes and creme brulee that went around and you can pick off the tray.
The ambiance is casual to classy and the prices off the menu are reasonable. The view is not as picturesque as that of Parallel Eighty Eights'. I would come back for the appetizers, the wine and the tortilla and dip for sure!
Like Parallel Eighty Eight, this place has room for growth and may benefit from polishing up items on the menu. I give it four stars because it is as good as it gets for this locale. I like how they give you a complementary choco stick after dinner. I also like how they embrace their mountain heritage by adding items on the menu like trout, the elk and bison and the cedar mountain style of cooking lamb. -
Review from Min L.
Somerville, MA
6/22/2008
I was delighted to find that even in the middle of nowhere can I be presented with food I've never tried before, namely, red pepper creme brulee (it was good, as was the clove creme brulee). The rest of our meal was good too, especially the soba noodles with prawns appetizer.
We were clearly underdressed for this fancier establishment as we were still in our hiking boots and smelled of sunscreen and sweat (yumm), yet our waiter was gracious in treating us as well as he treated the dressed up couple at the next table.
Meals like these sandwiched between the usual National Park lodge restaurants that we couldn't escape (burgers and fries again?) were what saved our stomachs during our tour around the parks. -
Review from Seri L.
Oakland, CA
6/28/2009 3 photos
We were pleasantly surprised that a restaurant like this would be so close to a National Park. We came to eat here after our 2 day narrows hike to celebrate and the meal was fit for the feat! Loved that they had dishes made from local ingredients and microbrews.
We got the clams appetizer (special that night) to start and it was great! The server mentioned 15 pieces but there were well over 20. I got the local meat meatloaf - that night it was elk, venison, and beef. Great stuff, wrapped in bacon too! The trout dish and steak were also good. But the best part: bread pudding!!! That was sooo good. We also got the chocolate cake, which was okay, but the bread pudding really, really good.
Waitstaff was really professional, knowledgeable, and friendly. Will definitely be back here when I go to Zion again. :)
We were stuffed and happy and ready for our next hike the next day: angels landing!
There was a mix of nicely dressed people and hikers (like us) in the crowd. Considering your other options around there along with the food and service you get, I didn't think they were overpriced. -
Review from Grace E.
Solana Beach, CA
4/29/2009 1 photo
Great food, beautiful location (be sure to sit outside or at the windows!), great service, tasty wine, and the best of all, fantastic desserts. I had their sampling of creme brulees and was flabbergasted by the sweet and toothsome taste. Wonderful!
Been here many times and have never had anything less than greatness, service and food-wise. Be sure to give up the contents of your wallet by the end of the night, though! -
Review from Sarah L.
1/3/2011
The Spotted Dog had been hyped as a fine dining experience, for which I feel it failed completely. The food simply was not good. My dude's trout was dry and lacked seasoning and my pasta bolognese was rather bland. The support staff was attentive, but our primary waiter seemed overextended and disappeared for long stretches. I'd recommend Parallel 88 for upscale dining in Springdale.
-
Review from John L.
South Jordan, UT
10/23/2010
Before eating there last night, I had read the reviews and was prepared for some inconsistencies. Naturally, I didn't order everything on the menu so my 'review' is a snapshot.
The flatbread and tahini was pretty good. That it arrived complementary was a nice surprise.
The hummus and olives with pita was OK. I like a little olive oil on top and the pita toasted. The flatbread was warm......why no the pita?
I had the Saurbraten, which was one of the Oktoberfest specials. It was old school all the way right down to the ginger cookies in the gravy. My only complaint was the meat was served in chunks rather than sliced. (Think brisket.....Is it sliced or in chunks?) The potatoe (Dan Quayle says I am supposed to spell itthis way) pancakes were spot on and when I closed my eyes I was propelled back to simpler times in the 70's when I was first introduced to kartoffelkuchen. The baby carrots were steamed properly but pretty routine. Still it was yummy and complaining about it is like saying Sandra Bullock has ugly toes.
My wife ordered the Caesar salad. It was pretty routine, but no trace of anchovies including the dressing. Yes.....it matters. A Caesar saled without anchovies is like Sandra Bullock WITHOUT toes.
Her lamb shank was braised perfectly and looked very appetizing. She thought the merlot reduction was OK, I was disappointed in it. (I use Port and aromatic vegetables as part of the braise).
The tab for the meal was not out of line at all.
Service was attentive and accomodating. They were quite busy yet the courses arrived quickly (but not rushed) and for that I was grateful.
I'll eat there again to be sure. -
Review from J W.
Alhambra, CA
8/21/2011 2 photos
over priced. from the description in brochure it sounded like an affordable place but it's not.
-
Review from Jeff K.
Henderson, NV
11/3/2010
The Spotted Dog Cafe? weird name and in our case, dinner time was quite a surprise! The restaurant name is misleading when they have nice tablecloth tables and a elegant atmosphere. We were greeted by a very good waiter and was seated towards the back of the restaurant. The smoked red trout was surpisingly good and I would order it again. Overall dinner experience was top notch! and next time we will dress up a bit and not in hiking gear, but who knew? when the place is called the Spotted Dog? Amazing experience for a restaurant located near the entrance of Zion National Park. This place could hold their own with any of the fine restaurants in Las Vegas. Good job! Give them a try for dinner!
