It used to be simple; on Washington's birthday you ate cherry pie. On Lincoln's birthday, you memorized the Gettysburg Address.

Now, you've got 43 white men and 1 black guy to choose from, and most of them are pretty completely dull. Grover Cleveland?? Chester A. Arthur?? I don't think it's a coincidence that these names sound a little more like Sesame Street characters than leaders of free worlds.

However, in the spirit of the thing, here are some dining destinations that might, at a slight stretch, serve to commemorate certain of our former Commanders-in-Chief.

George Washington–Go with the cherry legend. It's easy and you don't have to think about things like lettuce tart, trifle and tongue and other delights of the 18th century American table. Plus, it's Utah's state fruit. And you know where to get pie, right? Right. At Left Fork Grill.

Thomas Jefferson–The first president to serve ice cream in the White House is a perfect excuse to treat your self to a scoop or three of Amber's finest gelato at Vinto. (Now with a second location in Park City!) Try it on a brownie sundae, topped with chocolate sauce, or, more exotically with Slide Ridge honey vinegar reduction.

Abraham Lincoln–Easy. Head up to one of our fine dining log cabins: Log Haven or Silver Fork Lodge.

Millard Fillmore–Hey, Utah has a whole county, Millard, named after this one, with its county seat named Fillmore. Because President Fillmore named Brigham Young territorial governor, Brigham named his then-capital city after Fillmore. And that's how politics works. Celebrate at Larry's Drive-In 1030 S. Highway 99, Fillmore, UT

Teddy Roosevelt–Go wild. The great white hunter loved game and though the description is confusing (the dish is called New Zealand Elk but is described as Rocky Mountain Elk Tenderloin, Tiburon's signature dish is great elk eating– grilled, with mushroom duxelle, demi-glace and mashed potatoes.

Andrew Jackson–I think everyone would agree that High West Distillery would be the most apt choice, and you won't need to eat, just sip.

Bill Clinton–The Garage. Period. Not only is everything beautifully fried here, so I know Bill would find something to nosh on, I can also totally see him sitting in at the roadhouse with one of the bands after a few brews.
 
Then, on Tuesday evening, the much-anticipated Salt Lake magazine Dining Awards will take place at the Leonardo. We'll be Tweeting live from the event so tune in and hear the winners as they are announced.

Finally, Wednesday is National Margarita Day, and although I can't imagine the lameness of a lobbying group that would get Ash Wednesday set aside to celebrate their cocktail, I will raise a glass to my favorite drink.

Unfortunately, I have still never had a really good margarita in SLC, except ones made at home, so I can't tell you where to go to get one.

Yes, that is a challenge. Shake it up, bartenders!