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<\/a>\nDon\u2019t let the red sandstone fa\u00e7ade intimidate you. Martine’s Caf\u00e9 Tapas, located at 22 East and 100 South (in the old Utah Commercial and Savings Bank Building built in 1889), although just as classy on the inside, is warm and inviting even to the most casually-dressed visitor. Upon entering (shortly before 2pm), I notice that the lingering lunch clientele is dressed in business attire although Tom Grant (owner\/chef) has reassured me that the lunch crowd is often quite casual. Martine is open every day but Sunday\u2019s for lunch and dinner, and has been in business for six years offering a variety of specialties including Tapas<\/i>, which are small Spanish appetizers.<\/p>\n
I immediately notice high, expansive walls decorated very sparsely with two pieces of framed poster art. All furnishings and trim are in natural dark wood, adding to the rich environment. Shawn Jacobsen, Manager of Martine\u2019s, agrees to an interview. He is warm and welcoming. and takes me to an adjoining dining room lined with private booths. We settle into one of them to talk. The high windows bathe the room in natural north light. Again, I notice a large framed monochromatic mural is the single wall decoration.<\/p>\n
Shawn tells me they expanded the caf\u00e9 for the Olympics in 2002 and made the decision then to use that additional upstairs space to promote artists. They had hoped it would increase business as well. Is it successful? \u201cIt is and it isn\u2019t\u201d is his reply. When asked why they chose not to display the art throughout the restaurant, he says it is a logistics problem and a choice to keep the main caf\u00e9 decor more simple.<\/p>\n He tells me artwork is exchanged on a quarterly basis and is celebrated with an opening, always scheduled for a weeknight, so it will not conflict with Friday evening business. Martine contracts with Gary Vlasic who works with Phillips Gallery<\/a> to screen and handle all arrangements with featured artists. In exchange for providing a viewing space, the artist provides his\/her own advertising postcards and any sales go against the opening night\u2019s refreshments ($300). At this time Martine requires no other sales commission from the artist. Martine and Gary Vlasic are currently investigating a general \u201ccall for entries\u201d in a Utah Arts Council listing to simplify the artist selection process.<\/p>\n I ask to see the featured artist\u2019s work and we make our way up the wooden staircase in the front hall to the second floor dining loft. Two gentlemen in coats and ties are whispering a business deal in the corner overlooking the main floor. We walk straight back to the rear of the building. The room, small in contrast to the rest of the caf\u00e9, with low ceilings and south-facing windows, is used mostly for private parties and overflow from the main caf\u00e9. It contains one large dining table surrounded by matching wooden chairs. The space displays about 15 medium-sized paintings. The layout is classy and in line with the rest of the caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n