Monte culinary experience highlights South American roots and Utah's biodiversity

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS

Monte, a new South Salt Lake restaurant, blends South American roots with Utah ingredients.

Chef Martin Babio emphasizes respecting ingredients and craft, using 80% local Utah produce.

SALT LAKE CITY — It might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of global fine dining, but tucked inside South Salt Lake, a new restaurant is proving otherwise. It's called Monte — a chef-driven tasting menu experience with roots that stretch to Uruguay.

It's only been open about two months — but Monte is already turning heads. It's more than a restaurant. It's a chef-driven space built on tasting menus that challenge expectations, blending South American roots with ingredients rooted in Utah's soil and seasons.

"I started cooking 20 yea