Having easily defined 2018 as a year of challenges, 2019 is a far more challenging year to define. On a professional level, the prior twelve months have been the most satisfying of my life and I’m genuinely proud of my workplace for first time since leaving The Ohio State University. My career has allowed me to assist people who truly need it while (mostly) smart planning has benefited not only my future, but that of friends and family. I hope that never changes.

Personally, this year saw a 33 year journey across every NHL arena finally come to an end in St. Louis, while proceeds from bestofvegas.com writing supported two deserving charities. #supportlocal lunches and dinner programs added another $56,638 to local businesses, plus an opportunity to introduce persons who rarely step out of their “comfort zone” to things they’d never imagined eating. I also reconnected with someone I hadn’t seen in 21 years over dinner, and got to see my oldest friend for his birthday as well as other old pals during their annual trip to Sin City. Sure, there have been challenges, but compared to those of so many others I feel blessed.

What follows is a list of the most memorable meals and bites over the last 365-days, many of them literally “the best” while others may have shined brighter than they normally would have due to the circumstances. Thanks to all the Chefs, GMs and Servers involved and equally as much to those who I was fortunate enough to break Bread with.  One new rule this year, only one item per Restaurant in each category because otherwise things got a little homogeneous at the top.

Worldwide Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube
2 ) Somni
3 ) TUJU
4 ) Angler
5 ) A Casa Do Porco Bar
6 ) Restaurant Vendôme
7 ) Birdie G’s
8 ) D.O.M.
9 ) Lazy Bear
10 ) Die Adler Wirtschaft

Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
2 ) Bardot Brasserie
3 ) EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine
4 ) Restaurant Guy Savoy
5 ) Harvest
6 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
7 ) China Tang
8 ) Scotch 80 Prime
9 ) Sparrow + Wolf
10 ) Carson Kitchen

Worldwide Savory Dishes

1 ) Bareiss Restaurant – Marbled Goose Liver Terrine with Salted Caramel and Port, Tartlet of Burnt Goose Liver Cream and Hazelnuts, Goose Liver Praline with Sesame and Fried Goose Liver, Goose Liver Ice Cream with Cocoa Bean Crumble and Brioche

2 ) Lazy Bear – Marin Coast Dungeness Crab, Cauliflower, Brown Butter, Brown Rice Vinegar, Asian Pear, Grits, Kani Miso

3 ) Angler – Ruby Beet, Embered Tomato, Walnut

4 ) Gästehaus Klaus Erfort – Lobster Bisque, Raw Mushrooms, Seared Cepes, Beurre Noisette

5 ) D.O.M. – Hump Steak, Baroa Potato, Wild Brazilian Vanilla, Toffee

6 ) Die Adler Wirtschaft – Fried Black Pudding, Quince Puree

7 ) Sardella – ‘Nduja French Toast, Fried Chicken, Pickled Fresno Chilis, Maple Syrup

8 ) Restaurant Schwarzwaldstube – Glazed Morels, Egg Yolk, Mushroom Jelly, Pearl Barley Risotto, Watercress, Light Morel Brew, Vin Jaune

9 ) Oteque – Manioc Cream, Cured Pork Belly, Dry Manioc, Italian Truffle

10 ) Birdie G’s – Noodle Kugel, Black Pepper Fusilli, Ricotta Cheese, Tomato Jam, Santa Barbara Pistachio

Las Vegas Savory Dishes

1 ) Bardot Brasserie – Beef Wellington for Two with 20oz USDA Prime Filet, Prosciutto di Parma, Puff Pastry, Mushroom Duxelle, Foie Gras-Madeira Veloute

2 ) Restaurant Guy Savoy – Wild Squab, Pheasant, Duck, Foie Gras and Cabbage Marmite, Light Game Jus, Puff Pastry, Perigord Black Truffle

3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Tempura Squash, Honey Caramel, Alba White Truffles

4 ) Michael Mina Restaurant – Broiled Tai Snapper, Basmati Rice, Grilled Spring Onion, Butter Chicken Oysters, Cardamom Ghee

5 ) Scotch 80 Prime – Mesquite Fired Crustacean Tower with Maine Lobster, White Mexican Shrimp, Sea Scallops, Spanish Octopus, King Crab, Little Neck Clams

6 ) China Tang – Crispy Rice topped with Honey Soy Glazed Dried Oyster

7 ) Metro Pizza on Decatur – 86th Street Square Pie with Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Romano Cheese, Olive Oil / Mozzarella Cheese, Vodka Sauce, Sausage, Basil

8 ) Sparrow + Wolf – Japanese Sweet Potato, Salted Plum Crème Fraiche, Crispy Lap Cheong, Green Onion

9 ) Harvest – Mushroom Congee, Matsutake, Chanterelle, Ginger, Soy

10 ) Good Pie – Good Garlic Knots, Roasted Fresh Garlic, Garlic Confit, Garlic Oil, Mozzarella, Garlic Chips, Fresh Grated Grana Padano, Fresh Parsley

Worldwide Sweet Dishes

1 ) Tanit – Crumble de Milho Salgado, Espuma de Milho Doce, Sorvete de Baunilha, Terra de Cacao (Salted Corn Crumble, Sweet Corn Foam, Vanilla Ice Cream, Cocoa Dirt)

2 ) Monsieur Benjamin – Palmier Ice Cream, Calvados Caramel

3 ) Confeitaria & Deli Marilia Zylbersztajn – Romeu e Julieta Cremosa de Goiabada e Cobertura com Queijo Catipury (Creamy Guava with Catipury Cheese Frosting)

4 ) The Dorfstuben at Bareiss – Rhubarb Strudel, Rhubarb Compote, Yogurt Ice Cream

5 ) Old Town Donuts – Gooey Butter Cake Donut

6 ) Birdie G’s – Chilled Chocolate Cake, Malted Frosting, Whipped Cream, Chocolate Crunchy Pearls

7 ) Die Adler Wirtschaft – Classic Apple Tart, Forest Honey Ice Cream, Caramelized Nuts

8 ) Sud – O Pássaro Verde Café – Dulce de Leche Pancake with Fleur de Sel from the Wood Oven

9 ) Neighbor Bakehouse – Ginger Pull-Apart

10 ) Casa Mathilde – Noz de Galamares

Las Vegas Sweet Dishes

1 ) Rosallie – Almond Croissant

2 ) Bardot Brasserie – Pineapple Tarte Tatin, Warm Caramelized Pineapple, Puff Pastry, Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

3 ) M.E.N.U.S. – Mickey Harden’s Hard Rock Bakery Carrot Cake Tres Leches

4 ) Hexx Kitchen + Bar – Blueberry Corn Cobbler, Vanilla Ice Cream, Corn Cookie Crumble

5 ) Top of the World – Warm Butter Cake, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Fresh Berries

6 ) Best Friend by Roy Choi – Mango Budino, Pound Cake, Granulated Sugar

7 ) CRAFTkitchen – Strawberry Rhubarb Kouign Amann

8 ) Sparrow + Wolf – Caramelized Honey Toast, Poached Pears, Lapsang Souchong Ice Cream

9 ) Chocolatebuzzz – Pink Himalayan Salted Caramel Bonbon

10 )Bronze Café – The Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle