In 1999 Radiohead released a documentary called “Meeting People is Easy” and on the front of that box, above the small title, read “YOU ARE A TARGET MARKET.” To say the band has always been ahead of its time is an understatement, and recently those capitalized letters feel truer than ever. List after list. Rating after rating. ‘spert after expert. Except if you look closely enough most of it is a paid endorsement.
“Sponsored Post,” “Collaboration,” “Content Creator.” These “jobs” are now held as facts while people proclaim altruism of a guy that pretends to be Guy Fieri as he chows down on the newest Pop Tart in his car and monetizes clicks. Want to write an article about Las Vegas? Reach out to the Board of Tourism who’ll be happy to pay your tab at some redundant new concept serving “modern American” food at a premium to tourists stuck on The Strip.
But hey, people like to be sold to, right? Superbowl commercials cost more and more each year and, thanks to streaming, are available both before and after. Cities line up to host awards like World’s 50 Best even when there isn’t a single local eatery able or interested in cooking that sort of Food. And the ‘sperts? They are ready to proclaim their knowledge of every.single.thing. from U2 to F1 to noma’s closing without ever eating there.
In 2023 I tuned out. A lot. And it was a relief. Unfriend, unfollow or block were heavily utilized, and while grown men paid $2000+ for Adele or Taylor I saw unadvertised club shows for $10-20. While people clamored for Peter Luger and Martha Stewart’s money-grab I went to EDO a lot and Purple Potato more. Then, suddenly due to TikTok, my day-to-day found itself compromised by demands for off label weight loss medications while patients in need went without as a result of shortages. Who needs education or effort when you have a smartphone and a pretty blonde telling you what to do or buy?
So here it is the end of another busy year and I look back fondly, though several concerts and more than half a dozen trips are in various stages of planning atop what will surely be another record year in clinic. I remain fortunate but also cautious, particularly with a looming U.S. election, and that is okay. Ideally I’ll be able to block that out just like I have the “influencers,” self-proclaimed experts, iheartradio and paid “opinions.”
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 ) TURK Fatih Tutak
2 ) Sorn
3 ) Stand Étterem
4 ) Yangban
5 ) Rest
6 ) PRU
7 ) Maaemo
8 ) Samrub Samrub
9 ) Under
10 ) SALT
Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals
1 ) Scotch 80
2 ) Basilico
3 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
4 ) EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine
5 ) Vetri Cucina
6 ) Esther’s Kitchen
7 ) Anima by EDO
8 ) Bardot Brasserie
9 ) Al Solito Posto
10 ) Metro Pizza
Worldwide Savory Dishes
1 ) Yangban: Lobster Congee Pot Pie – Poached Lobster Tail, Fine Herbs, Marigold, Lobster Brown Butter
2 ) PRU Restaurant: The King of the fruits – Durian, Shiso, Caviar, Berries
3 ) Bicyclette: Braised Pigs Feet Croquette, Lentilles Du Puy, Soft Egg, Frisee Aux Lardons
4 ) TURK Fatih Tutak: Umami Birthday Cake – Shiitake Mushroom, Cheese, Onion, Sour Cream, Bone Marrow Candle
5 ) Borkonyha Winekitchen: Veal Neck, Veal Sweetbreads, Veal Cracklins’, Nokedli, Paprikash Sauce, Cabbage, Smoked Egg Yolk
6 ) Terroir: Shanghai Hairy Crab, Shanghai Noodles, Egg
7 ) Rosenstein Vendéglő: Pan-fried Goose Foie Gras, Tokaji Sauce, Furmint Grapes, Apples, Dumplings
8 ) Restaurant Kontrast: Crab Curry, Crab Garum, Carrots from Vold Gård, Sour Cream, Rosehips
9 ) Baan Ice: Baan Ice’s Clams
10 ) Katla: Turbot with yum-jim and sticky rice
Las Vegas Savory Dishes
1 ) Basilico: Mezze Maniche, Artichokes, Cinnamon, Caviar
2 ) Scotch 80 Prime: Omi Gyu Sando – Katsu fried A5 Wagyu, Katsu Demi, Truffle Aioli, Milk Bread, Quail Egg
3 ) Esther’s Kitchen: Esther’s Monte Cristo – Our Brioche, Prosciutto Cotto, Fontina, Basil, Raspberry Jam
4 ) Michael Mina Restaurant: Italian White Alba Truffle Tagliatelle – Parmesan Nuage, Brown Butter, Chive, Alba White Truffles Shaved Tableside
5 ) Vetri Cucina: Durum Focaccia, Whipped Ricotta, Mortadella
6 ) Anima by EDO: Uni Toast – Pan Cristal, Golden Osetra Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Cinco Jotas Iberico Bellota, Spanish Truffles
7 ) Metro Pizza: 86th Street Square Pie – Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato Sauce, Romano Cheese, Olive Oil, Old School Pepperoni
8 ) EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine: Crostini de Calamari – Morcilla, Squid Ink All I Oli
9 ) Al Solito Posto: Sweet Corn Agnolotti – Rock Shrimp, Popcorn Crumble
10 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse: Mishima Ranch Smoked Wagyu Brisket – Black Pepper Lacquer, Soy and Fermented Bean Sauce
Worldwide Sweet Dishes
1 ) Kor Panich: Mango Sticky Rice
2 ) Kıztaşı Muhallebicisi: Revani, Kaymak
3 ) Stand Étterem: Somlói
4 ) Yangban: Matang Goguma Custard Pie – Roasted White Sweet Potato, Condensed Milk, Vanilla, Burnt Sugar
5 ) Daubner Cukrászda: Esterhazy Torta
6 ) Maaemo: Freshly Baked Cinnamon Buns, Autumn Honey
7 ) Hafiz Mustafa 1864: Saffron Tres Leches
8 ) Bangkok Bold: Housemade Steamed Bread with Corn Custard and Coconut
9 ) Karaköy Güllüoğlu: Baklava
10 ) Mürver: Charred Pumpkin, Tahini Sauce, Pumpkin Seeds, Black Cumin Ice Cream
Las Vegas Sweet Dishes
1 ) Delilah: Grandma’s Gooey Butter Cake – Guava Jam, Vanilla Bean Crème Fraîche, Makrut Lime
2 ) Mama Chai’s: Butter Pecan Mochi Donut
3 ) Basilico: Artichoke Confit, Milk, Chamomile Gelato
4 ) 1228 Main: Pineapple Butter Cake, Whipped Crème Fraiche, Caramel Sauce, Lime Zest
5 ) Vetri Cucina: Pecan Paris Brest
6 ) EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine: Caramelized Pineapple – Foie Gras Mousse, Hazelnut Ice Cream, Arrope
7 ) Ramen Boys: Kakigori – Imported Ice from Japan, Housemade Cream, Housemade Strawberry Syrup, Poached Strawberries
8 ) Rosallie: Almond Croissant
9 ) Purple Potato: Young Coconut Pie – Young Coconut Meat, Custard, Coconut Streusel, Butter Crust
10 ) Al Solito Posto: Tre Latte Cake – Oranges, Lime Zest, Cream Cheese Gelato