DD Web • August 12, 2016
Why Utah? Volume 3: Attention Foodies!
It’s time to wake up your tastebuds! If you think the Utah real estate food scene is comprised merely of chain restaurants, family-friendly buffets and well, snow, think again! We can’t rely solely on mass produced meals (and mother nature) to feed the bellies of local residents and worldwide visitors. Inventive, mouth-watering local cuisine is well within our reach, and we’re getting hungry just talking about it.
Once regarded as a culinary backwater, Utah now boasts cutting-edge restaurants and diners, bars and brewpubs, coffee shops and bakeries that are garnering national attention — and that’s some Utah real estate we can get behind. Not only that, Salt Lake City was recently named one of “America’s 5 New Food Cities” by Wine Enthusiast.
Utah’s well-rounded foodie scene is alive and well — and far from mundane. Here are some of our local faves, check them out!
El Paisa Grill (Mexican)
Mexican food is not new to Utah. However, we have El Paisa Grill to thank for bringing us the delishiousness known as molcajetes. El Paisa offers straightforward Mexican dishes that are made fresh from scratch daily. Try the house specialty: molcajete grill supreme with carne asada, chicken, and shrimp with tomatillo sauce served on a hot lava-stone dish. Yum!
Current (Seafood)
Current, a fish and oyster eatery, made OpenTable’s list for 100 Best Restaurants in America for 2016. The exposed brick and the restored ceiling preserve its rich history (home to SLC’s original Ford auto dealership), while the updated style and cozy booths make for a modern and upscale dining experience. For starters, oysters are a must. The Branzino (a Mediterranean sea bass) is a mainstay on the menu and has local foodies raving!
Pallet (Inventive)
Sucker for good atmosphere? This contemporary restaurant is located in downtown SLC in a renovated warehouse space and serves up new-American cuisine. Pallet does it right with warm, engaging decor, reclaimed wood floors and an old-world style bar. Must-try dishes include housemade gnocchi, truffle fries and pepper-crusted New York steak. And who doesn’t love a mojito in a mason jar?
R&R BBQ (The Obvious)
Hailed as ‘the best Texas BBQ outside of Texas’, R&R is serious BBQ. Their falling-off-the-bone BBQ ribs have a subtle, smoky flavor (no sauce required, but if you’re gonna go saucy go for the original) and the barbecued chicken is another fan favorite. Sides including hushpuppies and fried okra poppers are made from scratch (and addictive to say the least). This is food with serious bragging rights!
Sapa (Sushi Bar & Asian Grill)
Named for a small northern Vietnamese market town, Sapa is a melting pot of many different Asian cultures and cuisines. The menu features Asian-fusion dishes, from sushi and sashimi to Thai-style drunken noodles. Tip: Dine in the courtyard in one of the unique, 300-year-old teahouses imported from Vietnam!
Finca (Spanish Tapas)
Finca features contemporary Spanish cuisine sourced locally from Utah farms and artisans. Spanish tapas (or small plates) serve as the main course so diners can sample and share many different dishes during the meal. Finca also offers an exclusive Spanish wine list and craft cocktails from around the world. If you’re looking for local, farm-to-table sustainable food, this is your place!
Del Mar Al Lago (Peruvian)
This hidden hotspot could easily be Salt Lake’s best kept secret. But despite its inconspicuous digs, the menu is packed full of delicious flavors from around the globe. Del Mar Al Lago offers a fusion of flavors ranging from Peruvian classics to Spanish, Chinese and French influenced dishes. The ceviche menu is impressive and the standout star here, but the flavorful variety of causas and tiraditos are equally worth a try.
HSL (Upscale American Fare)
Sister restaurant to Park City’s HANDLE, HSL is the answer to upscale, locally-sourced American eats in downtown SLC. The industrial-chic atmosphere and intimate lighting is inviting, so start with a craft cocktail on one of their trendy sofas then dine on select menu of vegetable starters (General Tso’s-Style Cauliflower) and creative meat entrees (Beef Cheek Burger with house pickles). There’s something for everyone here!
Stanza Italian Bistro (Italian Bistro & Wine Bar)
Stanza Italian Bistro & Wine Bar is Salt Lake’s newest addition to the downtown scene. The open, multi-level space has a romantic vibe and the menu features a contemporary take on traditional Italian cuisine. What to order besides pasta? The signature Caesar with mustard vinaigrette and the Arancini rice balls stuffed with fresh mozzarella are two of our favorites. Plus they offer a sophisticated wine list including premium wine on tap!
Publik Kitchen (Breakfast)
Publik is re-energizing Salt Lake City caffeine fiends in more ways than one. Housed in a redesigned factory space, this modern-retro hangout is where you go to see and be seen. House drip coffee and brewed espresso are the focus, but their 11 types of toast (avocado toast, orange habanero & goat cheese and pear lavender & goat cheese) are drool-worthy.
Hungry yet? Cheers to ‘appetizing’ Utah real estate! #whyutah

At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!

At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!

Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community. In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!