Spring has arrived in St. George and now is the season that everyone wants to escape the lingering winter days in Northern Utah and head south for a long weekend in sunny Dixie. We all have our favorite activities that we love to do every time we go, like golfing one of the 15 great courses the area has to offer, spending a day in Snow Canyon State Park exploring the Three Pools trail, going up to the Sugar Loaf (Dixie) Red Cliffs and exploring the caves and bouldering the slick rock and of course lounging by the hotel pool all afternoon letting the first traces of sun see our pale winter skin.
Restaurants are a dime a dozen, but only a handful can lay claim to having the charm, atmosphere, service and food that we desire when we are on vacation. This is the time to seek out the locally owned and operated restaurants.
The Painted Pony Restaurant in Ancestor Square, located in historic downtown St. George, is one of these places. They have been serving affordable lunches and exquisite, fine dining dinners for over eight years. Their wine list has over 100 wines from around the world that pair nicely with the contemporary seasonal cuisine and elegant linen clothed tables creating a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Some think it is too expensive for a casual weekend getaway, but the menu is designed for any type of diner with a big or small appetite. They have a small plates section where no item is over $12, soups & salads and, last but not least, their infamous entrees. Chef Randall Richards creates seasonal menus using the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. He believes in using local organic produce as well as other items produced locally and buys only sustainably caught seafood for the daily specials.
The Painted Pony founded the Downtown Farmers Market in Ancestor Square, where you can spend Saturday mornings from 8 – noon shopping for locally grown organic produce, crafts and baked goods. It is held in the courtyard at Ancestor Square around the lawn, a trickling stream and fish pond. There is live music and hot coffee to boot. They will begin their second season on Mother’s Day weekend, May 9th. It is another great item to add to your to do list when visiting Dixie.
The most exciting reason to make the Painted Pony a definite stop on your next visit to St. George is the new Tree Top Patio they just completed a few weeks ago. It is outside dining at its best; you have to see it to believe it. To compliment the new patio, the Painted Pony is now offering a Saturday & Sunday Brunch, an all you can eat buffet for $15 per person. The buffet will run every weekend from 9am – 2pm and will feature hot breakfast items, house made pastries, savory salads and more. What better way to spend your weekend morning than lounging on a patio drinking coffee and eating fresh pastries and soaking in the warm rays of Southern Utah.
No matter how many activities you have planned on your next visit to St. George or how many directions your friends and family may be going, one decision is made; we’ll see you at the Pony.
