Emigration Brewing Co.

A gorgeous palette of copper, concrete, heavy timbers and natural daylight.

It’s an autumnal afternoon and reservations have been made at Emigration Brewery, the old Santa Fe Building next to the famous greasy spoon, Ruth’s Diner. The drive from SLC is a winding road up the canyon: a stunning display of trees in their majestic, fall state of brilliant yellow, gold, bronze and fading green that this time of year inevitably brings. A few minutes after this striking display of nature and shedding the city, you have arrived. The car is parked and there she is. Sitting, straddling the creek, somewhat nestled in the stunning colors of nature. Even after the remodel, she remains a lodge in her bones, but the new facade transforms what was once a dated, moldy smelling food joint into a refined restaurant without negating the hearty lodge feel. Heavy timbers remain, the pitched roof and homage to an a-frame is still intact, but the weighty stucco has been replaced with bright storefront and the oppressive, light-sucking porte cochere has been removed. Now you enter into a daylit space.

To the right, a coffee bar invites you in with a curved copper clad counter. Here you can order coffee and sit in the space with your pastry or move into the market where beloved beer kitchen knickknacks, specialty oils, and other items may be purchased. Displays are arranged on salvaged items like a 20 year old butcher block kneading table purchased from Great Harvest.

The Santa Fe Lodge was built in 1978 and has been a restaurant since it’s inception. The building had been closed for several years and was not in a great condition. A space cramped with different floor levels and obstructed daylighting opportunities, we were determined to bring the surrounding outdoor light, life, and vibrant energy into the space.

An existing large kitchen to the east became the prep and dish-washing area with walk in coolers, storage, and other back of house elements. The new kitchen is a performative kitchen with two copper clad pizza ovens, where the chefs cook in skillets, make pizzas, desserts and other interesting meals. Using the ovens eliminated the need for complicated hoods and grease interceptors.

The lower level was gutted, exposing steel columns, we raised the floor so the dining area is on a single level. Custom benches and tables were made by local furniture makers. Copper, warm deep wood, concrete and heavy timbers are the backdrop for this trendy restaurant nestled in a beautiful mountain setting. ADA accessibility was simplified and the deck, which was previously inaccessible for those on a wheelchair, is now available to all.

In collaboration with: Sarah Winward

Photography: Kerri Fukui