As in Park City, we confined ourselves to restaurants with outdoor dining. A number of tempting options were therefore off the table, but we managed to eat well in any case. Because it draws wealthy travelers, Jackson, Wyoming, tends to be an expensive place to dine. Restaurants have appealingly upscale atmospheres and excellent people-watching. But the high prices do not always translate into sophistication, making it wise to temper one’s culinary expectations.

Glorietta

I love tucking into elk tenderloin and bison burgers as much as the next restaurant reviewer, but an occasional break from Rocky Mountain cuisine is refreshing. This Italian spot in downtown Jackson came highly recommended by our hotel’s concierge. He secured us a fine table on the popular terrace, abutting the renovated house containing the main restaurant. The “Handmade Pasta” section of the menu immediately captivated my attention. The bowl of campanelle we split had a flavorful, delightfully spicy sauce of basil pesto, chile flakes and crunchy breadcrumbs, but by overcooking the pasta, all the work they had put into making it by hand went to waste. My main course was much better: half a succulent roast chicken in a sweet and aromatic truffle-honey glaze with savory bacon, spicy Calabrian chile and slightly bitter turnip cubes. A glass of Erbaluce, a bright and lively white from Piedmont, cut right through the sweetness and richness of this elevated comfort food. When I told our server how much I enjoyed the dish, she replied, “Oh good! A lot of people ask about the turnips. They’re like, what’s a turnip?”

Glorietta
242 Glenwood Street. Tel. (307) 733-3888