After a year on “pause” 2021 was less structured than most. In many ways this was intentional, but otherwise it was adaptation. For someone whose life goals have frequently been about gaining perspective the opportunities came daily. At the office. At home. Underwater. In the air. After delays. Impromptu. With breakups. Through reconnection.

Someone once told me “You can’t expect people to live up to your standards, because if everyone did you wouldn’t be special.” I try to keep that in mind, but at the same time it benefits no one to accept less to their detriment. I applied both these thoughts to work, relationships and even dining. Perhaps it was a culling, or perhaps learning what “matters” after a year during which many of those things were limited.

In the last 12 months I managed to improve self and others. I learned invaluable lessons from both. I remained honest about my feelings and made them accessible to anyone affecting them. In the process a few friends were lost while other relationships grew stronger. I also frequented the same places at home more than ever, while continuing to explore, because I’ve earned the right to do what makes me happy and will never take that for granted.

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. As with last year, only one item per Restaurant in each category.

Worldwide Most Memorable Meals

1 ) DiverXO
2 ) A Taberna da Rua das Flores
3 ) Cetli
4 ) Restaurante Feitoria
5 ) Restaurant Ha’
6 ) Prado
7 ) La Alcapurria Quemá
8 ) Hartwood
9 ) Deessa
10 ) Restaurant l’O a la Bouche

Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Bardot Brasserie
2 ) Edo Gastro Tapas & Wine
3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
4 ) Delilah
5 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
6 ) Valencian Gold
7 ) Carson Kitchen
8 ) Le Cirque
9 ) Top of the World
10 ) ShangHai Taste

Worldwide Savory Dishes

1 ) DiverXO – Galician Lobster Waking up on the Beaches of Goa – Tandoor Roasted Lobster, Buffalo Milk Skin, Flowers, Tomato Butter Masala, Buffalo Butter, Tree Tomato Chutney, Sushi Rice

2 ) Cetli – Chile en Nogada – Poblano Pepper stuffed with Pork & Beef, Prunes, Raisins, Pineapple, Cinnamon, Walnut, Cheese, Sherry, Pomegranate, Parsley

3 ) Casa Dani – Tortilla

4 ) La Villa Mahana – Mahi Mahi Curry et Banane – Mahi Mahi, Curry, Banana, Sweet Potato Puree, Mango Sauce

5 ) A Taberna da Rua das Flores – Conch, Sake, Herbs from Chef’s Garden

6 ) La Alcapurria Quemá – Crab Alcapurria

7 ) Cervejaria Ramiro – Spider Crab

8 ) Bone Kettle – Monte Cristo French Toast – Bacon, Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Ham, Strawberry Jelly, Maple Syrup

9 ) Restaurant l’O a la Bouche – Decadence of Foie Gras – Roasted with Figs and Banyuls, Terrine with Fig compote and Toasted Brioche, Duck Prosciutto, Macaron with Foie Parfait and Fig Gelee

10 ) Hartwood – Crispy Octopus, Potatoes, Herbs, Lime

Las Vegas Savory Dishes

1 ) EDO – Short Ribs Ravioli – Glazed Veal Sweetbread, Sprouted Cauliflower, Foie Gras Sauce, Black Truffles

2 ) Bardot Brasserie – Whole Roasted Rohan Duck – Traditional Cassoulet, Fennel Pollen, Confit Leg, Toulouse Sausage

3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Fried Delicata Squash, Wildflower Honey, Parmesan Cheese, White Truffle

4 ) Le Cirque – Champignons Cordyceps – Consommé de Champignons, Kinome, Citrus Coriander

5 ) Delilah – Wagyu Beef Wellington – Herbed Crepe, Porcini Mushrooms Duxelles, Puff Pastry, Madeira Wine Jus

6 ) Metro Pizza – 86th Street Square Pie – Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Romano Cheese, Olive Oil, Old School Pepperoni

7 ) Michael Mina Restaurant – Acquarello Risotto, Italian White Truffles, Grilled Maine Lobster, Saffron Emulsion

8 ) Casa Playa – Whole Cauliflower Al Pastor

9 ) Al Solito Posto – Lasagna Al Forno – Handmade Pasta, Bolognese, Herbed Ricotta

10 ) Top Of The World – Double Cut Pork Chop, Apple & Bacon Chutney

Worldwide Sweet Dishes

1 ) Sylkar – Torrejas

2 ) Prado – Mushroom Ice Cream, Caramel, Barley

3 ) Pastelaria Santo António – Pastel de Nata

4 ) DiverXO – Toasted Butter Risotto with Tuber Melanosporum – Rice Pudding, Toasted Butter, White Pepper, Nutmeg, Beet, Modena-Rhubarb Vinaigrette, Black Olive Cookies, Rhubarb Ice Cream, Madeira Wine Spaghetti, Black Truffle

5 ) Cetli – Sweet Corn Cake, Chocolate Kahlua Sauce, Fruit, Cream

6 ) La Patisserie Francaise by Saint James – Pistachio Tart

7 ) Deessa – Melba Peach and Gold Leaf, Homage to Auguste Escoffier

8 ) StreetXO – Cheesecake – Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream, Creamy Cheese Foam, Buttered Biscuits, Guava-Calamansi Cream, Caramel Popcorn

9 ) Pastelaria O Careca – Croissant do Careca

10 ) Kitchen Table – Salted Caramel – Dulce de Leche, Walnut Crumbles

Las Vegas Sweet Dishes

1 ) Delilah – Grandma’s Gooey Butter Cake – Whipped Crème Fraiche, Frog Hollow Farm Peaches

2 ) Carson Kitchen – Banoffee “Pie” – Bailey’s Whipped Cream, Chocolate Digestive

3 ) Rosallie – Almond Croissant

4 ) Meraki Greek Grill – Galaktoboureko

5 ) ONE Steakhouse – Carrot Cake – Spiced Roasted Pineapple, Cream Cheese Frosting, Vanilla Bean Crème Anglaise

6 ) Bardot Brasserie – Foie Gras French Toast – Vanilla Bean Mascarpone, Almond Brittle, Orgeat Syrup

7 ) CRAFTkitchen – Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Vanilla Crème Anglaise

8 ) Valencian Gold – Goat Cheese Basque Cheesecake, Wood Roasted Berries

9 ) Naked City Express – Oreo Cookie Brookie with Walnuts

10 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Market Apple Pie, Maple Pecan Ice Cream