What’s your idea of eating out? Do you hit the drive-thru window while you’re out running errands? Do you wait in long lines, grab your food, find a seat and then shovel it in before you need to hit your next destination? Or maybe you try to enjoy a leisurely sit-down meal but feel like the establishment is trying to hurry you out so they can accommodate more customers.

If this isn’t your style, perhaps you should hit The Tin Angel. “Slow food. Slow service. That’s our motto,” jokes Robin Fairchild, co-owner of the charming new café located off 400 South at 365 West.

Their service isn’t actually slow, but they encourage their customers to stay as long as they like so they can thoroughly enjoy the food, music and the art that graces the walls.

“It’s a unique thing to Salt Lake that artists want to hang their work in a restaurant,” says Fairchild. “But everyone here wants to promote each other and help each other out.”

Robin has worked in food for the past 12 years. She and her friend Kestrel Liedke run the restaurant. Head chef Jerry Liedke, Kestrel’s husband, helped open Brewvies and Eggs in the City, and came to Tin Angel after working as the chef at Martine. When the building on 400 South (formerly Wild Mushroom Pizza) fell into the trio’s lap, they decided their restaurant was going to offer a healthy, organic alternative where they could promote local businesses and produce. Carlucci’s does their bread and Tony Caputo’s provides their meat and cookies.

“We’re gourmet food, but we want people to feel relaxed and comfortable,” explains Robin. “If they don’t know what something is on the menu, we have a food lover’s companion. We’re just passionate about our food.”

Robin is also passionate about the art they select to set the atmosphere. Being a photographer herself, she knew before the restaurant opened that she wanted to fuel the art scene by rotating artists throughout the restaurant – and they take no commission on sales. Currently, the Tin Angel is exhibiting the work of Cat Palmer, a photographer who’s current work depicts women and the strength that fuels them. She will be followed first by Daisy Johnson and then Blake Palmer. The exhibits hang for two months. Interested artists are invited to bring a portfolio to the restaurant along with a proposal.

The Tin Angel will be open for lunch and dinner during the Autumn Dine O’Round, or catch them during Gallery Stroll, of which they are proud sponsors. For more information, including a menu, visit www.thetinangel.com.

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Laura Durham

Laura Durham is the Director of Programming and Engagement for PBS Utah. She curates projects and plans events that utilize local and national media to provide entertainment and meaningful dialogue beyond broadcast. Prior to PBS Utah, Laura worked at the Division of Arts & Museums for 15 years, served as Vice President of the Salt Lake Gallery Association, Program Director for the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll, and was a board member for the Utah Cultural Alliance.