Plated Dreams: Pink and Post-Worthy in Woods Cross
Plated Dreams in Woods Cross is photo-perfect for posting on social media. Pink silk flowers fill the walls, the waiting area, and even an old-fashioned telephone booth where a lot of diners like to pose.
“We’re nicknamed the Instagram Cafe,” said Chris Amundsen, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Angie Amundsen. “You’re getting good food, good conversation and an environment you won’t find anywhere else.”
I recently visited Plated Dreams for a friend’s birthday lunch, and then decided to interview the Amundsens for a Standard-Examiner story. Here are some facts about Plated Dreams:
Although it was the perfect place for “Barbie” movie-goers (who dressed up and posted photos of themselves), Plated Dreams was actually a year ahead of the “Barbie” curve, opening in August 2022.
The Amundsens bought and developed the site, which used to be a Wells Fargo and a McDonald’s. The strip mall now has a Cafe Rio on the north end, with a Twisted Sugar, Handels Ice Cream and FIKA Infusion Center in between; and Plated Dreams on the south end, with a patio and tables for outdoor seating.
When chain restaurants expressed interest in leasing that end unit, Angie Amundsen decided to open her own restaurant instead. “I wanted to create an environment that was really beautiful and fun, and brings people together, to celebrate or even to commiserate.”
The decor and some of the menu items were inspired by some of the European cafes that the Amundsens have visited in their extensive travels. Chris is from Wales, Angie is from Woods Cross. They moved permanently to the USA in 2007, but keep a house in the UK.
The brunch-and-lunch menu features breakfast standards such as omelets, French toast, eggs Benedict and pancakes. And there are also lunch entrees, salads, sandwiches, pasta and small plates for sharing. About 30 percent of the menu changes seasonally, said Chris Amundsen.
The Rise Up flatbread is breakfast-oriented, topped with bacon, sausage, egg, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, cilantro, mozzarella, queso fresco, and caramelized onions and shallots.
The Mediterranean flatbread is topped with basil pesto, fried chicken asparagus, tomatoes, arugula, feta mousse and crispy kale. The flatbreads were a riff on European thin-crust pizzas.
You’ll find lots of fancy drinks, from hot chocolate, to flavored lemonades, lattes, and chai, to cocktails like mimosas, mules and margaritas. The Fancy Hot Chocolate is decked out with a pink marshmallow and whipped cream.
The Money Talks Smash Burger is garnished with an edible dollar bill (made from rice paper). Angie Amundsen’s favorite dish on the menu is the Jalapeno Cajun Smash Burger, made with a turkey patty instead of beef (patrons can have either turkey or beef patties on the Smash Burgers.) It’s topped with mozzarella, cheery tomatoes, butter lettuce, Cajun remoulade and pickled jalapenos.
The Deep-Fried Monte Cristo uses battered brioche, Canadian bacon, turkey, Swiss, cheddar, mayo, and mustard. It’s served with hot macerated berries and powdered sugar.
The Asparagus & Spinach Hummus is a “small plate,” or shareable dish, but filling enough for lunch on its own, especially if you’re vegetarian-minded. The hummus is topped with crispy garlic chickpeas, and crispy kale, with dollops of feta mousse and pita wedges for dipping.
The Seasonal Plated Dreams salad is a lettuce mix, with honey raosted sweet potato, snap peas, pickled beetroot, whipped ricotta, pumpkin seeds, and with a balsamic reduction dressing.
The Kids Menu sports a bit of humor, with items such as the “I Don’t Know” fusilli pasta; and the “I Don’t Care” crispy Chicken Strips and fries.
Everything on the menu is made from scratch and cooked to order, said Chris Amundsen. And everything is $20 or less. Chris’s favorite, the seared salmon with a honey-dill vinaigrette is $19.
The display case is full of beautiful desserts — crème brulees, Pavlova, cakes and tartlets, and French macarons. Many come from Fillings & Emulsions bakery in Salt Lake City. Owner Adalberto Diaz has gained a national reputation after competing on Food Network baking competitions.
“Our customers are young, middle age, old — and from all walks of life,” said Chris Amundsen. “Although the women keep coming, now about 30 percent of our customers are men. We’ve had people come straight from the airport and ask us to keep their luggage while they eat, because they were recommended this place from people in Dubai. We’ve also had The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City filmed here.”
Location: 2468 US-89 Suite B2, Woods Cross,
Contact: (385) 777-5726 or https://www.plateddreams.com/
Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Last service is 30 minutes before closing.
Prices: $10-$20
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