Having skipped a “Best of” list in 2016 for several reasons, not the least of which a general disgust with the rise of Instagram turning every store-bought Noodle-pull or visit to a lackluster Ice Cream shop that makes nothing on-site into a SAVAGE celebration of YASSSSSness, it was with a focus on artisans, craft and originality that 2017’s dining agenda was arranged. Here are the best meals and bites in the city I call home and Worldwide over the past 365 days.
Worldwide Most Memorable Meals
1 ) Quique Dacosta
2 ) Restaurant Alchemist
3 ) Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
4 ) Geranium
5 ) Casa Manolo
6 ) Model Milk
7 ) Pujol
8 ) Relæ
9 ) El Poblet
10 ) aska
Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals
1 ) Bardot Brasserie Royal Bacchanalian Feast with Chef Calum Franklin of Holborn Dining Room
2 ) Aureole
3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
4 ) Bazaar Meat by José Andrés
5 ) Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar
6 ) Restaurant Guy Savoy
7 ) Bardot Brasserie
8 ) Le Cirque
9 ) Lipsmacking Foodie Tours Savory Bites and Neon Lights
10 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
Worldwide Savory Dishes
1 ) Geranium: Salted Hake, Ash, Parsley Stems and Belgian Caviar in Buttermilk
2 ) Quique Dacosta: The Cloud, the Cockles and the Razor Clams
3 ) Geist: Zucchini Flowers, Cod and Pistachio
4 ) Kinship: Maine Lobster French Toast, Cucumber, Asian Pear, Sesame Mousse
5 ) Anju: Foie Gras & Tofu, Smoked Bone Marrow, Steam Bun, Plum, Pistachio, Sesame
6 ) Arroz: Patatas Bravas, Pimenton Aioli
7 ) Kadeau: Preserved Root Vegetables, Sea Trout Dashi and Salted Plums
8 ) Gabriel Kreuther: Red Wine Braised Tripe Gratinee, Du Puy Lentils, Thyme
9 ) Restaurant Barr: Dry-aged Free Range Pork Schnitzel Wiener Art, Peas, Horseradish, Anchovy and Caper Butter
10 ) Casa Manolo: Garlic Confit Egg, Basil Noodles, Baby Eels
Las Vegas Savory Dishes
1 ) Bardot Brasserie: Beef Wellington for Two, 14oz USDA Prime Filet, Prosciutto di Parma, Puff Pastry, Mushroom Duxelles, Foie Gras-Madeira Veloute
2 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse: Nantes Carrots slow roasted and basted with Butter, Garlic, Rosemary, Crème Fraiche, Dill
3 ) Aureole: Venison Aged 4 weeks in Bacon Fat, Mushrooms, Braised Greens, Beets
4 ) Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres: Josper-Roasted Whole Turbot from La Coruna Spain
5 ) Bardot Brasserie: Squab Pithivier, Madeira Jus
6 ) Restaurant Guy Savoy: Langoustine, Dashi, Hibiscus, Golden Osetra Caviar, Coriander Blossom, Chive Oil, Yuzu Zest, Gold Leaf
7 ) Harvest: Foie Gras Mille Feuille, Puff Pastry, La Belle Farms Foie Gras, Morel Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Sauce Vin Jaune
8 ) Other Mama: Organic Jidori Chicken Thighs, Bacon, Endive, Pipian Mole
9 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse: Mishima Ranch Smoked Wagyu Brisket, Black Pepper, Soy and Fermented Bean Sauce
10 ) Herringbone: Grilled Pacu Fish Ribs, Cranberry Chipotle BBQ, Charred Lemon
Worldwide Sweet Dishes
1 ) El Cellar de Can Roca: Old Book, Puffed Pastry, Butter Cookies, Cream of Darjeeling
2 ) Diner Deluxe: Maple Fried Oatmeal, Lemon Curd, Vanilla Bean Cream, Maple Syrup
3 ) Geist: Caramelized Bread with Vanilla Ice Cream
4 ) Rosetta: Smoked Meringue, Cream, Pulque, Vanilla
5 ) Le Coq Rico: Vanilla Millefeuille, Pastry Cream, Sweet Brandy Raspberries
6 ) Quique Dacosta: From the Muscat, the Vine Leaf, its Grapes and the Mistelle
7 ) Maketto: Fallen Mess with Huckleberry, Black Pepper, Key Lime
8 ) Daniel Berlin Krog: Colostrum, Ewe’s Milk, Lemon Verbena, Honey-Spelt Crisp, Frozen Buttermilk
9 ) The Clocktower: Pink Lady Apple Tart Tatin for two, Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream
10 ) Dulce Patria: Warm Cacao and Maize Cake with Natilla Pudding, Cinnamon Ice Cream and Aroma of Old Time’s Sake
Las Vegas Sweet Dishes
1 ) Aureole: Coconut Bananas Foster, Malibu Caramel, Coconut Sorbet, Spice Rum Financier
2 ) Rosallie: Almond Croissant
3 ) Carson Kitchen: Banoffee Pie, Bailey’s Whipped Cream, Chocolate Biscotti
4 ) Yardbird: Mama’s Biscuits, Honey Butter, Apple Butter
5 ) New York Bagel N Bakery: Rainbow Cookie
6 ) Bardot Brasserie: Spiced Pear Clafoutis, Warm Almond Cake, Red Wine Poached Pear, Armagnac Ice Cream
7 ) Carnevino: Sfogliatella, Banana Custard, Huckleberry Reduction
8 ) MB|Steak: Layered Carrot Cake, Spice Roasted Pineapple, Candied Pecans
9 ) Jean George’s Steakhouse: Market Apple Pie – Maple Pecan Ice Cream
10 ) Morimoto: Fiery Chocolate Tart, Marshmallow, Salty Caramel Ganache, Spiced Rum, Dark Chocolate Sorbet
Happy New Year to you All.