The $3.6 billion rebuild of the Salt Lake City International Airport is now on a countdown, with less than a year to go until its first phase is slated to open to the public. Crews are on a tight schedule to put finishing touches on the brand new airport meant to be a state-of-the-art replacement for Salt Lake City’s current hub.

Drywall, paint, glass, flooring and other near-finishing touches have already taken shape in some areas, transforming the north and south concourses from what were once skeletal steel structures into what has begun to look and feel like an airport, with nearly-completed concession areas, seating areas, and vast hallways with already installed moving walkways.

Also taking shape is what’s lauded as one of the new airport’s crowned jewels — a grand plaza area in the south concourse, where travelers can buy food from restaurants including the Market Street Grill and Pago and relax while watching planes land and lift off from a sweeping, 45-foot-tall wall of glass windows.

Above the plaza, stretching all the way back across another set of glass windows and doors that separate the public from the secure area of the terminal building, is where a multi-colored art installation called “the Wave”. Already in place, lighting glowed from behind the walls up toward the ceiling where the Wave will be mounted. Viewers can take a virtual tour of the future airport at the new airport’s website, where renderings show the Wave’s rainbow colors.

Standing in front of the plaza’s enormous window wall looking out across the future air strips, Williams said once the new concourses are open, work will begin to demolish the airport’s current facilities — so when travelers look out the window, they eventually won’t see the old airport facilities, but instead they’ll see Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Drivers heading out of Utah’s largest airport will now have to experience a new detour to exit that will become the permanent road out of the airport.

Salt Lake City is one of the only cities in the world with the capability to build a new airport on new ground, rather than renovate its existing facility, Williams said. Salt Lake City’s current facilities are “overwhelmed,” he said, serving more than 26 million passengers in buildings that were built more than 50 years ago to handle half as many travelers.

The new airport is designed to be more efficient to prevent airplane bottlenecks and passenger delays. A single terminal featuring a centralized “Gateway Center” will streamline pickup and drop-off, check-in, security and baggage claim processes, Williams said. No taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the redevelopment, according to airport officials. Instead, it’s being funded using a combination of airline and passenger fees.

The west side of the south concourse is scheduled to open to the public by the Sept. 15, 2020 deadline. The western north concourse’s opening, originally expected in perhaps late 2020 or early 2021, is now on schedule to open early in October 2020, Williams said. Once both concourses are fully open — including the east segments of the concourses not slated for completion until 2024, after the old buildings are demolished — Williams said the airport will feature a total of 78 gates.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in town, but here is Eater's Essential Restaurants in Park City, Utah. From sushi to coffee to late-night pizza, here are the best places to eat in Utah’s most famous ski town.

1. Cortona Italian Cafe 1612 W Ute Blvd #112 (435) 608-1373

Don’t let Cortona’s off-the-beaten-path location — a few minutes outside of town in a strip mall — deter you; it’s the go-to spot for homemade pasta (think clouds of gnocchi and rich lamb bolognese) and standout gelato. Choose this restaurant on your way into or out of town, or use it as a solid option for dinner after skiing Canyons Resort.

2. The Farm Restaurant 6546, 4000 Canyons Resort Dr (435) 615-8080

Located in the heart of Canyons Resort Village, the Farm stays true to its name by serving locally sourced ingredients from farms and artisans throughout Utah. Enjoy a top-notch view of the ski slopes and tuck into sustainably raised meats like short rib or beef cheeks.

3. Versante Hearth + Bar 2346 Park Ave (435) 604-4012

Located inside the recently renovated Park City Peaks Hotel, Versante Hearth + Bar is a local’s favorite for affordable pizza and fresh pastas. It’s also a top spot for brunch thanks to savory egg hashes, breakfast sandwiches, and gooey cinnamon rolls.

4. Five5eeds 1600 Snow Creek Drive (435) 901-8242

If you’re sick of the hotel breakfast, Five5eeds has you covered with soul-warming coffee (it’s Australian, of course), and hipster-friendly staples like grain bowls and avocado toast.

5. Twisted Fern 1300 Snow Creek Drive, Suite RS (435) 731-8238

This recently opened New American spot in north Park City is a chef-owned restaurant that’s doing ingredient-driven dining right. Adam Ross’s impeccable food is a bit under the radar thanks to its strip-mall location, but we promise you’ll be back again and again for starters like blackened octopus and mains like chicken-fried portobello, cavatelli pasta, and bone-in short ribs.

6. El Chubasco 1890 Bonanza Dr (435) 645-9114

Condiment lovers, this one’s for you: At El Chubasco, more than 20 varieties of salsa — made daily — are perfect for pouring over huge smothered burritos, chile rellenos, tacos, enchiladas, and more. And it’s not just salsa — don’t miss other homemade condiments like charred jalapenos, escabeche, mole, and spicy crema.

7. Boneyard Saloon & Wine Dive 1251 Kearns Blvd (435) 649-0911

Located in an old lumberyard just north of downtown, this rustic gastropub serves up expert comfort food like steaks, ribs, burgers, and fries. Hit up the rooftop bar for large-screen TVs and the Wine Dive for 16 wines on tap.

8. Silver Star Cafe 1825 Three Kings Dr (435) 655-3456

At the base of Park City Mountain Resort’s Silver Star chairlift, this inviting rustic cafe serves up from-scratch food like delicious burgers, a tender French dip sandwich, and fresh salads. Silver Star is a top lunch spot to wait out a lift wind delay when you’re skiing Park City Mountain Resort, or a low-key dinner option away from the bustle of Main Street.

9. Vinto Pizzeria 900 Main St (435) 615-9990

Locals and visitors alike love this wood-fired pizza joint for its no-muss, no-fuss but still friendly atmosphere — especially when paired with housemade meatballs, piadine, simple pasta dishes, and gluten-free options. This is the place to go to keep it short and sweet after a long one on the slopes, or when the kids are burning out.

10. Cloud Dine 149 White Pine Canyon Rd

This recently renovated on-mountain restaurant offers food better than what can be found at the average ski co, served up in a convenient location at the Canyons. The new building has 316 seats and a large outdoor deck, located at the top of DreamCatcher and Dreamscape lifts. Fuel up on sandwiches, healthy salads, and warm flatbreads, then formulate the post-lunch plan of action while admiring the view from atop Dream Peak.

11. Old Town Cellars 890 Main St (435) 649-3759

This recently opened winery on Main Street is proving that you don’t have to be near the vines to have delicious wine. Sourcing labels from top regions throughout the country, Old Town blends and bottles on-site to offer a comfortable, après-ski setting. Don’t miss the charcuterie boards that pair with the flights.

12. Harvest 820 Park Ave suite 101 (435) 604-0463

Lovers of avocado toast and those with vegan or gluten-free preferences will love Harvest, a brightly lit, comfortable cafe serving soups, grain bowls, smoothies, and locally roasted coffee. The all-day menu is heavy on breakfast offerings, but don’t miss the chicken salad and chili con carne for a heartier lunch.

13. The Bridge Cafe and Grill 825 Main St (435) 658-5451

Located adjacent to Park City Mountain’s Town Lift with a great outdoor patio, the Bridge Cafe offers diner fare with a Brazilian twist. The traditional all-day breakfast is solid, and lunch offerings like the Brazuca steak sandwich with a fried egg, ham, and Swiss cheese make for a tasty, convenient, and filling option just steps from downtown.

14. 710 Bodega Tapas And Wine 710 Main St (435) 649-6979

Ski towns can be an overload of New American food, so the Spanish-inspired 710 Bodega is a breath of fresh air. Grab a glass of red (or the house sangria) and order tapas like the fried Brie bites with quince paste, Brussels sprouts with bacon, and beef and pork albondigas topped with manchego cheese.

15. Atticus Coffee, Books & Teahouse 738 Main St (435) 214-7241

Come to Atticus for the well-priced lattes, stay for the friendly baristas and freshly baked goods. In this part indie book store, part coffeehouse, the emphasis on fresh and healthy fare carries over to lunch, which features wraps, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. Cozy armchairs and couches dot the space, so curl up and let the snow fall.

16. Davanza's 690 Park Ave (435) 649-2222

The decor at this locals’ hangout consists of thousands of vintage beer cans stacked up to the ceiling, and the comfort-classic food menu includes sandwiches (think meatball Parmesan, crispy Buffalo chicken, and Philly cheesesteak), pizza, and burgers. The no-frills joint will also keep the kids happy, but don’t come here if you’re looking for fine dining. This is quick and casual at its best.

17. High West Distillery 703 Park Ave (435) 649-8300

A reservation for dinner is a must, but you can kill time in the adjacent Saloon drinking killer cocktails like the Marooned Miner, a mix of rye whiskey, rum, creme de cacao, and blueberry cardamom bitters. Or opt for a flight of four tastings, then tuck in to comfort food like elk chili, bison short ribs, and chicken schnitzel.

18. Handle 136 Heber Ave (435) 602-1155

Step into the Handle dining room to find natural woods, an open kitchen, and a New American menu heavy on the share plates. And while modern comfort food is the go-to across this city, Handle shines with a strong cocktail program and items like cauliflower in Buffalo hot wing sauce and smoked sausage with cider-braised purple cabbage.

19. Yuki Yama Sushi 586 Main St (435) 649-6293

Start with the shishito peppers or the gyoza, then dive into everything from savory pork ramen to well-composed sushi rolls. Yuki Yama does it all well, and guests can choose to sit at the high-top bar tables, the sushi bar, or the traditional tatami room.

20. Fletcher's 562 Main St (435) 649-1111

It’s all about the share plates at Fletcher’s, located on Main Street with a bright dining room and cozy lounge. Start with the cheddar chive biscuits — don’t forget the bacon jam — and then tuck into larger entrees like buffalo with blue cheese fondue. For dessert, the warm butter cake with fresh berries is an instant classic.

21. Riverhorse on Main 540 Main St (435) 649-3536

This sophisticated-but-unstuffy sanctuary on Main Street offers big-city style and a welcoming ski-town attitude. Sit upstairs at the first-come, first-served bar, or snag a reservation for the brick-walled dining room that boasts blown-glass light fixtures overhead. The menu offers a rotating cast of locally sourced dishes like buffalo short rib and rainbow trout. Can’t score a table? Head to the more casual, cafe-market sister restaurant Riverhorse Provisions for wraps, salads, and smoked meats.

22. No Name Saloon & Grill 447 Main St (435) 649-6667

Don’t expect fancy when you come to No Name. Instead, grab a pint and gawk at everything from the brick barrel-vault ceiling to the mix of Christmas lights, taxidermy, rusty outboard motors, and old sleds thrown up on the wall. Sure, it’s crowded and noisy, but classics like the artichoke jalapeno dip and buffalo burgers go down just fine with a cheap beer or two. Plus, the people watching is epic.

23. Deer Valley Grocery Cafe 1375 Deer Valley Dr (435) 615-2400

Located in the Deer Valley Plaza in Snow Park, this tiny space turns out house-made baked goods and breads. For breakfast, get challah French toast with fruit compote or try the (also house-made) yogurt with deer valley granola. Breakfast sandwiches make way for creative lunchtime options like the tandoori chicken curry wrap, roasted pork loin baguette, and the stalwart grilled three-cheese. Don’t forget to pick up some local specialty foods to go on the way out.

24. Firewood 306 Main St (435) 252-9900

Have a craving for wood-fired meats and cocktails? Head to notable chef John Murko’s Main Street restaurant, Firewood. Eating rillettes, coal-roasted carrots, and elk is only half the fun: The restaurant’s giant wood-fire grill is set behind antique windows so you can spy all of the action in the kitchen.

25. Reef's Restaurant 7720 Royal Street East Deer Valley Club (435) 658-0323

Now located at Deer Valley Resort, this modern Mediterranean restaurant is worth the trek up the hill just to sample something different from the traditional ski town fare. You’ll find inspiring Middle Eastern flavors in hummus, baba ghanoush, and falafel, as well as surprising takes on schnitzel, salmon, and filet mignon with Polish dumplings.