Food briefs: Frida's ice cream honored, 'burger and taco garage' opens

Frida's ice cream honored

Food Network Magazine named the banana split from Frida Bistro as Utah's best ice cream treat in its "50 States, 50 Ice Cream Treats" listing. The dessert features baby plantains cooked in brown sugar and tequila and topped with Mexican chocolate, house-made strawberry and tres leches ice creams. Called the Dominico Split, it feeds up to four and costs $14.

Where • Friday Bistro, 545 W. 700 South, Salt Lake City; 801-983-6692

Open • Monday-Friday, 11:30-3 p.m. for lunch. Monday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. for dinner. Open for brunch Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

New Park City restaurant

The Bill White Restaurant Group has opened Billy Blanco's in Park City. Calling itself a "burger and taco garage," it serves gourmet-style tacos on freshly made tortillas for $9-$12. Specialties including the spicy buffalo chicken and a carne asada with house bacon. The burritos run $9-$14 and can be made enchilada style. Appetizers include house made Doritos and cheese fries made with Oaxaca cheese. There's also a gringo menu with fried chicken, hamburgers and sandwiches. The restaurant group also owns several other Park City spots, including Grappa and Wahso.

Where • Billy Blanco's, 8208 Gorgoza Pines Rd., Suites A-B, Park City; 435-575-0846

Open • Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

New Indian market

A second Qaderi Sweetz & Spicez has opened a second store in Salt Lake City. The 6,000 square foot building — a former auto parts store — sells mostly items from India but ingredients from South Asia, the Middle East and Africa can be found on the shelves. Along with fresh and frozen foods, basmati, masoori and jasmine rice, and spices, it stocks henna, incense, CDs, DVDs and supplies for the Festival of Colors. It also houses a restaurant and deli. The first spot, 3546 S. Redwood Rd., West Valley City, has been open 20 years.

Where • Qaderi Sweetz & Spicez, 1785 S. State St., Salt Lake City; 801-484-0265

Open • Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Food winners

Two food spots won achievement awards from the Downtown Alliance for helping create a "more dynamic and diverse community" in Salt Lake City. Valter Nassi, formerly of Cucina Toscana, was lauded for opening Valter's Osteria in the former Metropolitan space, 173 W. Broadway. And the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival, held downtown every September was applauded for offering an "incredible amount of culture" for just $3 a person.

Ales for ALS

Uinta Brewing Co. has joined 37 microbrewers from around the country in creating a special beer, for Aales for ALS, a national fundraising campaign to raise money to combat Lou Gehrig's disease. Uinta's ALS Wheat Ale will be available for a limited time at the Brewhouse Pub, 1722 S. Fremont Drive (2375 West) and Uinta's Beer Garden at Granary Row, 700 South between 300 and 400 West. A portion of proceeds will be donated to ALS Therapy Development Institute.

Spanish wines and the Rioja

Ecole Dijon Cooking Academy will present a class on Spanish wines and Rioja. Learn about Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, served with Spanish tapas and Desserts.

When • Tuesday, July 23 at 6 p.m.

Where • Ecole Dijon Cooking School, 2110 E. Terra Linda , Holladay

Tickets • $40; ecoledijoncookingschool.com/homepage.htm

hmay@sltrib.com