UTAH'S Restaurant ROADMAP.

• Author: BEERS, HEATHER

A SAMPLING OF UTAH'S DELICIOUS HOMEGROWN RESTAURANTS

Ever tasted pinto bean pie in Bicknell? What about Argentine barbecue in Smithfield?

Tucked along rural highways and lining the city centers of Utah are a collection of homegrown restaurants that are part of an estimated $2.1 billion state industry. Directly employing nearly 64,000 residents, Utah's restaurant industry ranks as the fourth fastest-growing in the nation, according to Melva Sine, president of the Utah Restaurant Association. Approximately 40 percent of Utah's eateries are locally-owned independents. Utah Business magazine has profiled a few of these that reflect the unique flavor of Utah.

RISTORANTE MICHELANGELO

If you're lucky enough to discover this fragment of Italy in Sugarhouse, says patron Alison Barnett, you'll find yourself "in the warm Italian embrace" of its owners and staff, most of whom hall from the provence of Lucca in northern Italy. The brilliant Italian cuisine outshines the basement location, with authentic entrees such as veal ravioli in a walnut brandy sauce and Spaghetti Michelangelo, which employs olive oil, garlic, peperoncino, arugula and shaved Parmigiano reggiano in rare Tuscan fervor.

2156 S. HIGHLAND, SALT LAKE CITY

Food: Tuscan-style Italian cuisine

Open: 5:45 pm - 8:45 pm, Tue. - Sat.

Avg. Dinner: $13

No. Employees: 9

Owners: Paolo Cheleste Marco Gabrielli

Established: 1995

WAHSO

Wahso has quickly earned its place among Park City's elite Main Street lineup. Founded by local restaurateur Bill White (owner of Grappa and Chimayo), Wahso offers an unparalleled array of Asian dishes influenced by French cuisine, such as ginger-glazed sea bass served over an Asian slaw, accented by egg noodles. (Wahso, which has an Asian sound, is the phonetic spelling of the French word for bird, oiseau.)

577 MAIN, PARK CITY

Food: Asian cuisine, French influences

Open: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., daily

Avg. Dinner: $24

No. Employees: 50-plus

Owner: Bill White

Established: 2000

EL MATE

Located just outside Logan, this hot spot for Argentine cuisine opens new possibilities for lovers of Latin-influenced food. Argentine owners Ricardo and Caroline Guede prepare beef, chicken and pork dishes atop an authentic Argentine barbecue grill, searing in traditional, flavorful sauces. All-you-can-eat lunch and dinner specials are popular, and their adjoining bakery sells out of its fresh sweets daily, including cakes and flan made from scratch.

131 N. MAIN, SMITHFIELD

Food: Argentine...