inspired by salt lake city

I can't believe I haven't blogged since 2012. There have been many occasions where I crafted a rant in my head, but just never got around to typing the words into my computer. My guess is the hiatus is due to my perfectionist streak, which tells me each piece needs to be brilliant and prolific. This concept completely goes against the reason I started the blog, which was to be helpful. So, today I'm going back to my wandarer roots in the hope that the next person to travel to Salt Lake City will find this post and use it to make the most of their food choices during his or her stay.For those who are sushi lovers, Takashi will not disappoint. I read in several places that it was the best, but I was apprehensive when I looked at the menu and saw a plethora of rolls. Not that I don't enjoy a sushi roll, but rolls contain a lot of rice, plus a menu full of maki doesn't scream authentic Japanese. Recalling that this was the restaurant I visited on my last trip to SLC, I decided to give it a try anyway. I was not disappointed. Reviews gave Takashi $$$, so I was worried that my $45 meal limit for work was in danger. Not a problem. The small sashimi platter was filling, and it featured more inventive varieties such as mackerel and a piece of albacore complete with its own sauce and garnish of grated daikon and scallions. I was curious about the Boston Bonito on the fresh catch chalkboard and asked the sushi chef about it. Japanese bonito is a seasonal favorite of ours, but I discovered this particular type came in fresh from Boston and wasn't frozen. It was melt in your mouth delicious, and came in two generous sushi pieces for only $5.95. I finished the meal with a modified Kappa Maki (cucumber roll), complete with daikon radish sprouts (thanks to my accommodating sushi chef).Tonight, I wasn't sure if I should press my luck or just go back to Takashi. I decided to try the Copper Onion. There were so many interesting plates on the menu, I had trouble deciding. The only negative was that a lot of the choices were pretty heavy, and I try to keep my calories in check during my travels. The duck dish won out with it's steamed veggies, jalapeños, and pho broth. The flavors were light, but featured some complexity. I can't say that the duck was in my top three favorite preparations (Canlis, Momofuku Ko, Lons at the Hermosa - stiff competition), but it was cooked well and seasoned properly. For a $25 bill, I can't ask for more than that. I sat at the bar, watched my meal being prepared, and was asked by the creator if I was enjoying the food. The experience was intimate and delightful.I hope this info helps a weary foodie traveler. Forgive me for all of the posts I haven't written over the past three years that could have saved someone from a mediocre meal on the road.