SALT LAKE CITY — Just one year after opening, Matteo has impressed foodies so much that its popularity has outgrown its space near Liberty Park, establishing itself at the top of the Utah restaurant scene. On November 22, the coveted Italian restaurant that has earned 4.8 stars on Google and OpenTable will reopen in downtown Salt Lake City at 77 West 200 South, Suite 100, opposite the Capitol Theatre. The 6,000 square-foot space is nearly twice the size of the previous location and features three private dining spaces to accommodate corporate dinners, holiday parties, and various celebrations. Expansive windows offer views of vibrant city life. Soundproofed 15-foot ceilings are designed to reduce noise, making for easier conversation, and the larger setting allows greater separation between tables to achieve a more intimate, less bustling feel. Guests can also enjoy complimentary valet parking, a rare commodity in Salt Lake City.
“It’s no secret how challenging the restaurant business is, and we feel very fortunate that Matteo has been enthusiastically received by fellow Utahns, also becoming a must stop for out of state visitors. We couldn’t pass up this opportunity for a more suitable space that will better meet our guests’ needs with a more comfortable dining experience and the same gracious hospitality and quality of cuisine our customers have come to appreciate,” says owner and founder Matteo Sogne, a native of Modena, in the heart of Emilia, globally recognized as the “Food Valley” of Italy. “Our new location is equally ideal for dinner for food lovers as it is for those heading to Utah Jazz and Hockey Club games and theater performances. We are also well positioned to host meals for state leaders and legislators, Utah’s corporate, business, finance, banking, and tech-communities, or attendees of the many national and international conventions at the Salt Palace.”
While diners will welcome the delightful ambiance and ease of parking, Matteo devotees can expect Matteo’s signature Italian cuisine that pays homage to Modena, knowledgeable service and warm, Italian hospitality coupled with dedication to detail. Matteo’s regular customers will also appreciate being served by familiar faces, most of whom have been with the restaurant from its start in 2023. Chef Damiano Carlotto continues to helm the kitchen, while Matteo’s Mom, Manuela, uses traditional Italian technique to bake scrumptious focaccia, many varieties of Italian bread, and delicious desserts. A more expansive bar allows for a more varied and creative beverage program, and the optimally designed kitchen is conducive for seamless back-of-house to front-of-house operations.
“Our focus continues to be on creating an unforgettable experience that encourages guests to come together and share the joy of delectable food paired with a broad, expertly curated wine list. We are excited by the greater visibility and the downtown revitalization plans that include a Sports and Entertainment district nearby,” Matteo explains. “Ultimately, the characteristics of this new space will help us overcome the many challenges the former location posed while allowing us to continue our growth trajectory.”
Matteo’s signature dishes, which feature authentic ingredients and daily house made pasta, include Manuela’s focaccia, Risotto Modena, Paccheri, Gnocchi, and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese.
Reservations made before the relocation will be honored, and new reservations are welcome. Bookings can now be made for corporate holiday parties and other celebrations. Three private dining rooms of varying sizes can each host groups from 12 to 60 guests. Each one features a different theme and can be fully privatized upon request.
Matteo is open daily from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning November 22. For more info, visit MatteoSLC.com or call 385.549.1922. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.