We ate at Sky Nova three times during our stay at Clear Sky Resorts, which probably says…read moreeverything.
The menu is creative, thoughtful, and full of subtle Asian influences without feeling like it is trying too hard to fit into one category. We kept noticing little details like yuzu, black sesame, crispy shallots, and silken tofu, and eventually became so curious about the chef that we asked about her.
Chef Tessa came out and sat with us, and we were so glad she did. She has only been there a short time, and she created the menu herself. Hearing about her background and how she developed the dishes made us appreciate the food even more.
The tuna crudo with yuzu was beautiful. The vegan chocolate mousse was outstanding and made with silken tofu, which I never would have guessed. It was rich, smooth, and had this wonderful crunchy element with black sesame, sea salt, and a caramel-like sweetness.
The fry bread was another favorite. I had never had fry bread before, so I had nothing to compare it to, but it had this delicate balance of savory and sweet that reminded me a little of funnel cake batter without all the powdered sugar.
And then there is the Baked Utah.
This dessert deserves its own paragraph. Yuzu sponge cake, raspberry, and marshmallow meringue piped into the shape of a little beehive. Utah is the Beehive State, so it is clever, adorable, completely appropriate to the setting, and it tastes amazing. It honestly feels like something that should become a signature Utah dessert.
The service was just as memorable as the food. Everyone was warm, relaxed, and genuinely kind. Even the bartender made an impression. I ordered club soda with orange bitters, loved the bitters, and she was sweet enough to bring us the bottle.
Sky Nova ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Bryce Canyon trip. Beautiful setting, excellent food, creative menu, and people who made us feel genuinely welcome.
Chef Tessa, please keep the Baked Utah.