Down Mountain Dining

Salt Lake Restaurants for Foodies
By Corrinne Humphrey

Normally I traverse Foothill Boulevard only on the way to someplace else—the zoo, Red Butte Gardens or the Utah Museum of Fine Arts—but after discovering a few
hidden gems in the Foothill area, it’s become a dining destination or a pleasurable stopping point on the way home from the airport or downtown.

Taqueria 27 is located in the Lamplighter Square shopping area. Its tagline, “Fancy Tacos and Fine Tequilas,” sums up their menu nicely. Tequila aﬁcionados will love the long list of Silver tequilas or barrel-aged Rerosados and Anejos & Ultra Premium shots or specialty cocktails: the Mexican Mint Smash made with El Jimador Reposado, lime and mint with a hint of chocolate, or the Spicy Jalapeño-Melon Rita. In addition to traditional fare of Fish or marinated Grilled Chicken Tacos, Taqueria 27 creates inven- tive combinations like Duck Conﬁt Tacos with Roasted Corn and Crispy Leeks, and the P.B.L.T.A (Pork Belly, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado with Jalapeno Mayo). Vegetarians should try the Mexi- can Style Cobb Salad with jicama, toasted pumpkin seeds, corn and shredded cabbage, the Roasted Mushroom Taco with Mexi- can Truﬄes, Gorgonzola cheese and leeks, or the Grilled Pear & Roasted Beet Tacos with spinach, blue cheese and balsamic syrup. Open daily for dinner and Saturday/Sunday for brunch.

Bleu Bistro, also in Lamplighter Square, is a hidden gem. Owner Carl Weyant celebrates both his passions for food and music. Daily specials feature a variety of house-smoked meats, locally-sourced wild game, meat and ﬁsh, and several small-plate items including Smoked Chicken Tartlets, Blackened Pork Medallions in fresh Mango-Lime Sour Cream, and Kangaroo Sliders. Savor Bleu Bistro’s extensive selection of wine and beer in the Tasting Room during its monthly wine tasting/food pairing events. As for Weyant’s other passion, music – national and local live blues and jazz groups perform weekly in the Bleu Bistro’s intimate setting. Dinner Tuesday-Sunday; Brunch Saturday/ Sunday. Closed Monday.

Harbor Seafood & Steak Company owners Randall Curtis and Taylor Jacobsen wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant (on Parley’s Way in nearby Sugarhouse) that gives guests a sense of home. They renovated a 33-year-old building, creating a space that is light, airy and convivial, featuring an open kitchen, bleached hardwood ﬂoors and group seating in the bar. “Seafood is comfort food to me,” says Curtis. “Everything is fresh, no more than 18 hours out of the water. We bring the harbor to you, from the dock to your table.” Chef Justin Jacobsen, formerly of the St. Regis – house-smokes pork, wings and even Maine clams for Harbor Seafood’s signature chowder. Seafood- lovers can savor his “ﬂair for the fresh” with the Tuna Carpaccio & Avocado Citrus Salad, or the lump meat Crab Cakes with celery root slaw and arugula. For a twist on Surf & Turf, try the Harbor Burger, ½ lb. of prime chuck beef topped with a crab cake. Dinner Monday-Saturday. Brunch Saturday /Sunday.

My journeys to Salt Lake City now include stops in the Foothill area for fun dining options.

TAQUERIA 27
1615 S. Foothill Dr. Suite G (in Lamplighter Square) Salt Lake City, Utah | 385.259.0712

4670 Holladay Village Plaza Holladay, Utah | 801.676.9706 www.taqueria27.com

BLEU BISTRO
1615 S. Foothill Dr. (in Lamplighter Square) Salt Lake City, Utah | 801-583-8331 www.bleubistroslc.com

HARBOR SEAFOOD & STEAK CO.
2302 Parley’s Way
Salt Lake City, Utah | 801-466-9827 www.harborslc.com