Snowbird’s reimagined restaurant celebrates one groovy year.
The year is 1971. Frazier knocks out Ali; Kissinger goes to China; Lennon’s “Imagine” tops the charts alongside Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going on;” Willie Mays hits his 638th home run; Walt Disney World opens in Florida and rainbow motifs arch their way across orange-and-mustard hued décors.
And, here in Utah, Snowbird opened the lifts, racing to the December finish line with crews battling a problem that would become the resort’s trademark: too much snow.
It’s been over a year since Snowbird gutted the restaurants in the base of The Cliff Lodge and replaced them with the light and airy SeventyOne in homage to the ’Bird’s earliest days. Today, it’s a welcome change from the wooded darkness of El Chanate and the Keyhole. The new bar and restaurant is retro fabulous, featuring throwback photos on the walls, comfy banquet seating and plenty of year-round patio space (thanks to high-BTU heaters).
Triangle Mosaic Tiles by Clayhaus, starting at $53 sq. ft, European Marble & Granite, SLC, europeanmarbleandgranite.com 
Louis Poulsen PH 5 Mini Pendants, starting at $714, lumens.com 
Milo Baughman’s Tear Drop swivel-tilt chair by Thayer Coggin, $tk, Forsey’s Fine Furniture, SLC, forseys.com 
70s Pillow by Kravet, to the trade, Curate to the Trade, SLC, curatetothetrade.com 
Knoll Saarinen Armiess Chair: $1,115, knoll.com 
Retroact 3 Wall Clock, $32, society6.com
The upbeat retro design is old made new again, as is the family-friendly menu. Think nachos, only modernized with ahi tuna—a popular first-course nibbler. Or meatloaf, now served meatless with 2020 flair featuring Beyond Burger “meat.” Indeed the SeventyOne menu is clearly built for variety, with small plates for sharing around après drinks, and heartier fare for fully coursed lunch or dinner. Dust off those bell-bottoms.
9320 Cliff Lodge Dr., Snowbird, 801-933-2222, snowbird.com
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