History

History

Tuscany’s setting has long been a prime location for memorable dining establishments. In 1912, Rudolph Knudsen established "Knudsen’s Grove,” a popular campsite with nine sleeping cabins and a creek-side dining room. Thriving for ten years, mostly due to its widely known "toasted buttered-bun” hamburgers and sandwiches, the 6200 South and Holladay Boulevard area began its journey from a quaint, quiet, country lunch stand to two elegant fine-dining top-rated restaurants.

In 1919, Knudsen continued by building the east half of Knudsen’s Inn and expanded the west half four years later. In 1927, Knudsen sold his property to the Dyer family and it became "Dyer’s Inn” for some 20 years. In 1947, new ownership of Bill and Edythe Smith made the transformation into "Smith’s Inn.” Then in the 1970’s Skip Eatchel created an old Scottish Lodge named "The Heather.” In 1988, Theus Webb, Eatchel’s financial backer, renamed "The Heather” and operated it as the "Bridlewood Restaurant” until 1994. Mark Eaton, along with Aaron Ferer and Associates, enlarged and redesigned the space into "Tuscany,” the elegant, award-winning Italian restaurant that stands today. In the spring of 2006, Tuscany owners renovated a small brick house on the property, formerly Edythe Smith’s home ,” transforming it into "Franck’s House,” an intimate single dining room restaurant featuring the culinary journeys of celebrated Chef Franck Peissel, named Best Chef by Salt Lake magazine. Together, these two restaurants provide unique and separate dining experiences that come together as a hidden gem in Knudsen’s Grove, from what was once a quaint creek-side dining room to an elegant, fine dining landscape.