The Best Wine Bar in Salt Lake City's Avenues: How Dean Pierose Built Cucina Into Utah's Hidden Culinary Gem

There's a moment that happens at Cucina Wine Bar, usually about halfway through your second wine flight, when you realize you've stumbled onto something Salt Lake City has been keeping to itself. The dining room on 2nd Avenue in the Avenues neighborhood is small enough that Dean Pierose—the owner, sommelier, and self-described "wine oracle"—might personally deliver your crab cakes while explaining why that Loire Valley Chenin Blanc pairs so perfectly with the chipotle aioli. The octopus carbonara arrives looking like abstract art on squid ink linguine, and you understand why locals have been calling this place their secret for nearly three decades.

"Five stars aren't enough," one guest wrote on Facebook after a spa day turned dinner reservation. "From the generous wine selection to show stopping tapas, mains and desserts, their unique menu is the perfect combination of comfort meets adventure."

From Boise to the Avenues: Dean Pierose's 20-Year Wine Journey

Dean Pierose didn't set out to become one of Salt Lake City's most respected wine curators when he moved to Utah from Boise, Idaho in 1991. He discovered his passion for the restaurant industry while working as manager at Cucina—then a gourmet deli and market opened by business partners Marguerite Marceau Henderson and Eileen McPartland in 1995. When the partners started looking for a successor in 2001, they chose Pierose, the manager who'd spent years studying their operation while teaching himself wine through "thoughtful research and travel."

"I think they thought I would make a nice fit," Pierose told the Deseret News in a 2005 interview. "I hope I have."

That humble assessment undersells what Pierose has built over two decades. What started as an upscale delicatessen has evolved into what Salt Lake Magazine calls an "Avenues neighborhood gem"—a dual-concept restaurant that serves gourmet deli sandwiches and salads from 7am-5pm, then transforms into an intimate wine bar and New American restaurant for dinner service after 5pm.

The evolution came gradually. Pierose built an underground, temperature-controlled wine cellar to properly store his growing collection. He studied wine service temperatures—"you'll notice the wines are served at ideal temperatures," food critic Ted Scheffler notes, "rare even for high-end restaurants in Utah." He cultivated relationships with winemakers and distributors, building a list that now features 80+ wines available by the glass through an Argon gas preservation system that keeps open bottles fresh.

His philosophy? "Extensive, but not pretentious." Most bottles at Cucina range from $50-70, with only a handful priced above $100. The wine list includes rarities you won't find at other Salt Lake City restaurants—Manoir du Capucin Chardonnay from Macon, Domaine Schlumberger Pinot Blanc, Halter Ranch Grenache Blanc from Paso Robles—all available by both the glass and bottle.

"If I'm being honest, I think that the food and wine at Cucina is underpriced," writes Ted Scheffler, a food and wine writer who's been covering Utah's restaurant scene for 30 years. "But shhhhh... don't tell anyone. Let's just keep this between us."

The Wine Bar Salt Lake City Experience: 80+ Wines and Four Flight Options

Walking into Cucina for dinner feels like discovering your neighborhood's best-kept secret, which is exactly what it is for Avenues residents. The dining room at 1026 E 2nd Ave is intimate without feeling cramped, with a display case near the entrance filled with corks from bottles Dean has poured over the years—a collection that's grown from a couple dozen to nearly full.

The wine program is what sets Cucina apart in Salt Lake City's wine bar scene. Four wine flights are available Sunday through Thursday for $15 each—three 2-ounce pours carefully curated by Pierose and his team:

• All White Flight: Showcasing aromatic and complex white wines
• All Red Flight: Bold selections from around the globe
• French Flight: A tour through France's wine regions
• Old World Flight: European classics with history and depth

"Better yet, go with the flight and get a tasting of 3 top choices from Dean and the team," reads the Cucina website, "and all the hard work has been done for you. The only thing left is to sip some wine."

For guests who want to bring their own special bottle, Cucina charges just $15 for corkage—one of the most affordable rates in the city for a fine dining establishment. Share plates are provided at each table, encouraging the communal dining experience that makes small plates restaurants in Salt Lake City perfect for groups and date nights alike.

The wine dinners Pierose hosts sell out almost immediately after they're announced. The "Pigs 'n' Pinot" dinner featured perfectly paired wines with dishes like prosciutto and cured pork loin with cantaloupe. The Valentine's Day four-day tasting tradition has become legendary among regulars, with six-course menus designed specifically for wine pairing.

"We have even been voted one of the best wine bars in Salt Lake City by Salt Plate City," Pierose notes. "It helps our cred when others tell us we know how to pick out good wine for our guests."

New American Small Plates: Creative Cuisine in the Avenues

Cucina's dinner menu under Executive Chef Bret Guild (who took over from longtime chef Joey Ferran in 2025) continues the restaurant's tradition of creative New American cuisine with global influences. The small plates format encourages sharing and exploration—order 2-3 dishes per person and pass plates family-style.

The Crab Cakes ($21) are Dean Pierose's personal favorite menu item, and customers consistently rave about them. "Crab cakes were fantastic," wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer who had trouble choosing from the extensive menu. "Sesame ahi tuna was creative and tasty. Bison strip loin cooked perfectly." The cakes arrive with chipotle aioli, cilantro paint, cucumber slaw, and scallion—a presentation that's both beautiful and intensely flavorful.

The Octopus Carbonara has achieved near-legendary status among Cucina regulars. "The octopus gnocchi is pitch perfect in texture," one reviewer writes. The dish features tender octopus on squid ink linguine with guanciale (cured pork jowl) and pecorino romano—a play on traditional carbonara that brings Mediterranean technique to Italian comfort food.

Lion's Mane Mushroom preparations showcase seasonal ingredients and creative techniques. The current version celebrates shiitake mushrooms three ways alongside baby bok choy, radish, and yakiniku glaze. "We especially enjoyed the gnocchi with calamari and the mushroom small plates," one OpenTable reviewer noted.

The Sesame Ahi Steak ($30) consistently appears in customer reviews as a standout. Food critic Ted Scheffler calls it "exceptional: sesame seed-coated sushi grade ahi lightly kissed by heat, with hot & sour cabbage, kaffir lime rice cake, green garlic oil and scrumptious sambal-coconut cream."

During former chef Joey Ferran's tenure (2016-2025), Cucina became known for boundary-pushing ingredients—cricket-infused crostini, blue cheese ice cream, black ant crème fraîche with osso bucco. Ferran trained for nearly a decade under Log Haven's Executive Chef Dave Jones before joining Cucina, bringing techniques like red mole preparations and Southwestern flavor profiles that still influence the menu today.

"The dishes that come out the kitchen are not only superbly executed but the plates are exquisitely composed," writes one Yelp reviewer. "Dinners are meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace so make sure the server picks up on the cues for what consistently is one of SLC's most satisfying dining experiences."

Avenues Neighborhood Dining: A Community Gathering Place

Cucina's location in the Avenues—a historic residential neighborhood northeast of downtown Salt Lake City—is essential to its identity. This isn't a destination restaurant trying to impress tourists. It's a neighborhood pillar where residents gather for morning coffee, grab lunch sandwiches to go, and celebrate anniversaries over wine flights and small plates.

"Katie is a fabulous server! This is a neighborhood gem. So cozy and inviting," one OpenTable reviewer wrote. Another called it "the best restaurant you've never heard of."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dean Pierose responded with what Salt Lake Magazine calls his "signature manic energy." He expanded outdoor dining spaces, pivoted to curbside delivery, and did something that defined Cucina's community role: he offered free coffee in the mornings and encouraged Avenues residents to linger and commiserate together safely. The outdoor spaces became a place where the neighborhood could gather during isolation.

"Pierose's outdoor spaces became a place where the neighborhood could gather safely," the magazine noted. "He offered free coffee in the mornings and encouraged his regulars to linger and commiserate together, preserving a semblance of society during a socially distanced time."

The Avenues location gives Cucina a residential charm you won't find in downtown Salt Lake City wine bars. The dog-friendly patio is perfect for leisurely lunches away from downtown traffic. Parking is available in a small lot west of the building or on the street—easy access compared to downtown's parking challenges.

University of Utah is nearby, making Cucina a popular spot for visiting parents and faculty gatherings. Memory Grove and the Capitol building are short drives away. The neighborhood's walkability means locals can stroll to dinner without worrying about driving home after wine flights.

"We were in town for one night near the university and found this marvelous Cucina restaurant for dinner," a Tripadvisor reviewer from out of town wrote. "It was hard to select from the delicious menu."

Planning Your Visit to Cucina Wine Bar

Address & Hours:
1026 E 2nd Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Phone: (801) 322-3055

Deli Hours (Breakfast/Lunch):
Monday-Friday: 7am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-5pm

Dinner Service:
Monday-Thursday: 5pm-9pm
Friday-Saturday: 5pm-10pm
Sunday: 5pm-9pm

What to Order:
Start with a wine flight ($15 for three 2oz pours) to explore Dean's selections. For food, regulars recommend the crab cakes, octopus carbonara, and sesame ahi steak. Order 2-3 small plates per person if sharing family-style, or choose an entrée like the chicken confit or bison strip loin.

Reservations:
While not required, reservations are recommended, especially for weekend dinners and special wine dinner events. Book through their website at cucinawinebar.com or call directly.

Special Events:
Watch for Cucina's wine dinner announcements—they sell out quickly. The Valentine's Day four-day tasting menu tradition is particularly popular, with limited seating across February 11-14.

What Makes It Special:
This is fine dining without pretension. Dress code is casual, service is knowledgeable but approachable, and the focus stays on great wine, creative food, and genuine hospitality. Dean Pierose still works the dining room most nights, sharing wine recommendations and connecting with both regulars and first-timers.

---

For over 20 years, Cucina Wine Bar has been quietly building something rare in Salt Lake City's dining scene—a neighborhood restaurant that's simultaneously approachable and exceptional, casual and creative, affordable and award-winning. Dean Pierose's wine expertise, combined with the Avenues' residential charm and a menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients with global techniques, creates an experience that rewards return visits.

"Our group of 8 for dinner last night agreed—5 is not a high enough rating for this outstanding establishment," wrote one Yelp reviewer. "When food is both delicious and beautiful like art, paired with phenomenal service and delicious wine, whatdayahave? A FANTASTIC place!"

What they have is exactly what Pierose set out to create two decades ago: that "wow" feeling the moment you walk in the door, sustained throughout a leisurely dinner of wine flights and small plates, in a neighborhood gem that feels like discovering Salt Lake City's best-kept secret.

Instagram: @cucinaslc
Website: cucinawinebar.com