If you follow my food journey over on Facebook each week, I share my week in food every Sunday morning. Building on this tradition that’s now been going on since 2014 (!), I’ll cull my dining adventures each month and share with you my favorite dishes I’ve found around Utah in the previous month. Consider it a food diary without the diet!
So here we go with the inaugural October 2021 Top 5 Bites list.
Shrimp & Grits at Brick & Mortar
Although I’ve never lived in the south, I’ve been a sucker for grits my entire life. We’re talking good grits that you can eat with a fork, preferably loaded with butter, cheese and bacon too! And at one of downtown’s newest bars/dining establishments, I’ve found a new favorite. The shrimp and grits dish at Brick & Mortar is available on the dinner menu and features grits packed with Boursin cheese, a nice creamy addition, with large prawns and meaty mushrooms atop. Rich, filling and just the right amount of southern sass dropped on Edison Street.
$24
Seafood Cioppino at Fenice Mediterranean Bistro
The couple behind Park City’s Silver Star Cafe, Lisa and Jeff Ward, have brought their magic to downtown Salt Lake City adjacent to The Eccles Theatre–and now it’s showtime at Fenice! Try the seafood cioppino packed with shellfish (Manilla clams and mussels), gulf shrimp, calamari and a housemade Spanish chorizo. Soak up all the flavorful broth with a crusty crostini. A great wine list and a fabulous bartender will make any dinner here one to remember.
$25
Fontina Fonduta at The Brass Tag (Deer Valley)
A great way to start dinner, the fontina fonduta board at The Brass Tag comes with a bubbling cast iron pan of melted fontina cheese alongside dipping options ranging from sliced Granny Smith apple and heirloom potatoes to ribbons of proscuitto and toasted ciabatta. The biggest surprise dipper? Pickled red grapes that brought brightness to the entire board. Put this one on your list for apres ski all winter long–because you know Deer Valley is REALLY good at that!
$17
Beef Wonton in Chili Oil at Red Corner China Diner
This one is for those of you in mid-valley (Midvale). I discovered Red Corner China Diner as a review assignment for The Salt Lake Tribune years ago and it has remained in my top 2 spots for Chinese takeout ever since. Looking for a starter to add to our recent order, I gave the beef wontons in chili oil a shot. Eight full-sized wontons stuffed with minced beef arrived in a pungent, chili-spiked soup that was hearty enough for a lunch for one.
$5.99
Niman Ranch Pork Chop with Foie Gras Sauce and Shaved Truffles from Oquirrh
The little restaurant that could might best describe Oquirrh near downtown Salt Lake. Chef and owner Andrew Fuller has long been known for his inventive culinary chops but this fall offering really hit the mark. Optional shaved truffles adorn a perfectly seared Niman Ranch pork chop served with an earthy, umami foie gras sauce that you should judiciously run every slice of juicy pork through. And of course don’t forget the truffle frites (also enjoyed with foie gras sauce), because if you’re indulging in this dish, you might as well live out all your truffle fantasies right here on this plate!
$36 plus $21 for 10 oz. black summer truffle shaves
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