There are some exciting things going on at the Eating Establishment on Main Street. If you haven’t heard by now, the Park City classic was recently bought by The Edison Alley Group and “Modern Family” star and Bar X and Beer Bar owner Ty Burrell. After undergoing some serious renovations in the fall, including a brand new bar, the restaurant just celebrated a grand reopening with a new menu launch.
The “EE” seeks not only to be known as a breakfast stop, but for their bar experience and cocktails as well. In fact, they have combined the two by acquiring a special social dining license, the only one on Main Street, allowing alcohol to be served as early as 10 a.m.
What made you choose the food and beverage industry in addition to the film industry?
Honestly, Jeff Barnard (manager) was the person to start all of this in motion. Our main ownership group is myself, Richard Noel, Duncan Burrell (weird last name), Dave Hunt, and Jeff. The liquor laws were normalizing (somewhat), and he felt like turning Bar X into the prohibition era, craft cocktail, bar that it originally was would be welcomed in SLC. From there it’s just been fun to expand our ideas and to watch Dunc and Rich thrive as business owner/operators.
What made you choose Eating Establishment as your first business in Park City?
We felt like it was already such a wonderful institution in Utah but could use a little love, much like Bar X. Also, it felt like an opportunity to expand our Bar X and Beer Bar drink programs outside of SLC.
Do you have any interest in expanding into other businesses in the Park City area?
Not at the moment, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we’re always open to ideas.
What are your ties/favorite things about Utah?
I fell in love with Utah when I came here to do USF in Cedar City in the 90’s and hiked almost every day for a summer. Then I fell in love with my wife who is from Fruit Heights. Utah has always felt incredibly inviting to me. Both the people and the outdoors.
What makes your the “new” EE different/unique?
Well, Brendan has put a huge amount of work and passion into the menu. He’s a comfort food aficionado, so it was a labor of love and I think the food reflects that. And, obviously, the other big change is the bar. We’re lucky to have an amazing license that allows us to serve from 10 to 1 a.m. so we’ve added a bunch of brunch drinks too.
What is your favorite part so far since being open?
For me personally, I’ve only been able to be up there a few times because I’m filming right now, but it’s been the employees. We have a great group that’s been with the restaurant for years and they’re just a pleasure to be around.
Anything else you would like to share with the Park City community?
Just that we hope they still feel the original EE in the spirit of the new EE. We took it over with an eye toward keeping it locally owned and not giving up the space to a corporation, so hopefully folks can feel that local character.
Food Photos by Leah Hogsten
