Urban Hill

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Family Vision at the Heart of Salt Lake City

Restaurateur Brooks Kirchheimer has spent his career turning restaurants into genuine gathering places — and Urban Hill, his fine-dining flagship in Salt Lake City's revitalized Post District, represents the highest point of that pursuit. The guiding principle is straightforward: "make every dining experience a special occasion." Everything about the room, the team, and the menu is built around that promise.

The space itself sets the tone. Designed by Denver-based Semple Brown Design, the interior balances beauty and function, with large-scale artwork by local artist Samantha da Silva — pieces made from raw, natural materials — giving the room a distinctive, grounded character. A wood-fired grill, oyster bar, expansive lounge, and generous private dining and patio areas round out a venue that works equally well for a quiet dinner for two or a landmark celebration.

The Kitchen Behind the Recognition

Executive Chef Nick Zocco is the culinary force at Urban Hill, and his trajectory is remarkable. He launched his career in 2001 at lauded Southwestern fine-dining restaurant La Casa Sena in New Mexico, then sharpened his craft over nine years in Las Vegas — as sous chef at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill and under Chef David Walzog at the acclaimed SW Steakhouse inside the five-star Wynn Resort. In 2025, he came full circle by beating Flay on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay. His James Beard Foundation recognition has been consistent: Best Chef semifinalist in 2024 and 2025, and finalist in 2026.

True to his New Mexico roots, Zocco brings bold, regional flavors into his American cooking, grounding each dish in seasonal ingredients sourced from Utah farmers, ranchers, and artisans. The beverage program, curated by Beverage Manager Katie Forstner, draws on both classic and niche producers — a selection strong enough to earn Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence. Desserts come from the pastry team at sister restaurant Hill's Kitchen, made in-house and presented with the same care as every other course.

Rooted in Community

Urban Hill opened as part of a broader hospitality story that began when Kirchheimer moved from Los Angeles to Utah in 2010. After managing restaurants at Montage Deer Valley and Sundance Resort's Zoom, he opened Hearth and Hill in 2018, followed by Hill's Kitchen in 2022. Urban Hill came next, sited deliberately in the Post District for its proximity to downtown Salt Lake City's cultural, hotel, and business life.

The result is a restaurant that has quickly become a benchmark for fine American dining in the region — named Most Outstanding Restaurant of the Year by Salt Lake Magazine in 2024 and Best Fine Dining by Salt Lake City Weekly in 2025. For Kirchheimer, the awards are gratifying but secondary: "We embrace every table as an opportunity to thrill guests with extraordinary service, beverages, cuisine, and ambiance, and in the process, help make Salt Lake a dining destination."