In late August, Canopy by Hilton Deer Valley became the second hotel to open in the Deer Valley East Village base area, bringing more than just hotel rooms.
The property comes with four dining outlets, which are now open, including an Italian restaurant, an Italian bar and lounge, a cafe and an American comfort concept.
The two Italian restaurants — Tavolona and Fornetto — are sisters of a sort, located right in the lobby. Their menus are complementary, slightly different depending on what diners are looking for, said the hotel’s executive chef, Scott Rackliff.
Tavolona translates to “big table” in Italian and is “inspired by what might be served at your Italian grandmother’s house,” Rackliff said. The concept was developed with consulting chef Daniele Uditi, founder of the award-winning Los Angeles restaurant Pizzana.
Pappardelle alla Bolognese is served at Tavolona, one of four culinary outlets at Canopy Deer Valley, serving traditional Italian cuisine. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
A wall at the entrance is decorated with a collection of traditional Italian plates, Italian grandmother indeed. The menu is “rustic,” Rackliff said, broken up into classic sections: antipasti, insalate, primi, secondi and verdure. Many dishes are listed in Italian, such as beef meatballs or burrata for appetizers, and pasta dishes like cacio e pepe and spaghetti al pomodoro.
For proteins, the menu includes a chicken parmigiana — a chef favorite — which is served with a golden-brown crust of parmesan cheese, a bone-in pork chop made with apple mostarda and fennel and a white wine-lemon butter branzino.
There’s also a list of pizzas made fresh, simple like a margherita or more unique like the “funghi” mushroom pizza or pepperoni topped with Calabrian chili honey.
The Chicken Parmigiana is one of the most popular dishes so far at Tavolona, says chef Scott Rackliff. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Fornetto, as an Italian lounge, has a more contemporary spin, with many of the same dishes adapted for the sports bar setting, said Rackliff.
The name means “little oven,” and the lounge serves a few pizzas, too. The menu also adds more shareable finger foods, like deep-fried ravioli and polenta fries, which are rectangular blocks of the traditional porridge, fried.
Rackliff described the restaurants as “approachable and comforting,” with generous portions. He said his goal is to source fresh, local ingredients whenever possible and to constantly evolve.
At Tavolona, his team is experimenting with different bread service options, like a disc of fresh-baked pizza dough baked with a sweet and spicy garlic glaze. Fornetto, in addition to other salads and sandwiches, has a “meatball burger,” a play on a popular smash burger but using house-made meatballs.
A meatball smash burger is one of chef Scott Rackliff’s favorite dishes on the Fornetto menu. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Fornetto is a sports bar and lounge with a menu and cocktail list incorporating Italian dishes and flavors. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Many of the items on the Fornetto menu are shareable finger foods, like this fried ravioli appetizer. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Before Canopy, Rackliff’s had worked with hospitality brands like Pacific Hospitality Group’s Meritage Collection and Michelin-starred restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park in New York City. He recently moved to Park City from Huntington Beach, California, where he led the culinary program at Paséa Hotel and Spa. But he was born in New Hampshire and spent his early career in Vermont.
“Huntington Beach is beautiful and will always hold a special place in my heart. But the move to the mountains is a homecoming of sorts,” Rackliff said. “The beauty of four seasons and what they have to offer is second to none, and with those seasons brings ingredients that change throughout the year.”
He plans to bring all those past experiences into the role, with an emphasis on being open-minded and adaptable.
“In openings, things don’t always go according to plan, and unexpected challenges are inevitable. The key is staying composed, flexible and focused on solutions,” he said. “I am also a firm believer in improving every day.”
And, of course, he wants the restaurants to be a “gathering place” for locals and visitors equally.
Fornetto, a sports bar restaurant in Canopy Deer Valley, adapts a classic Italian menu for more shareable, lounge-style bites. Credit: Photo courtesy of Canopy by Hilton Deer Valley
So far, the best feedback has been hearing “our friend was here last week and told us we need to give you a try,” Rackliff said. He’s doing everything he can to ensure that stays the truth.
“When you have the community’s support, the sky is the limit,” Rackliff said. “We are excited to join some amazing restaurants in such a standout destination. Our goal is to welcome the Park City and surrounding communities into our new home and to create memories together.”
Tavolona and Fornetto are open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and Tavolona is also open for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations for Tavolona can be made at tavolona.com or for both by calling 435-731-9120.
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