2018 was a year of challenges, but also one of accomplishments. From building a new practice to helping mother and aunt relocate to Las Vegas the financial aspects of these last twelve months led to several self-imposed limitations while at the same time cementing a future in Sin City. Lighter in travel than years past 2018 nonetheless saw Liset and I go further north and south than either of us have ever ventured while on the home-front meals consisted of old favorites and new arrivals, plus opportunities to give back through writing and #supportlocal lunches at the office which amounted to over $38,400.00 in the pockets of local businesses in just 7-months.

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.

Worldwide Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Smyth
2 ) Central
3 ) Fäviken Magasinet
4 ) Travail Kitchen and Amusements
5 ) Esperanto
6 ) Frantzen
7 ) Mi Tocaya Antojeria
8 ) Spoon and Stable
9 ) Benno
10 ) Somerset

Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Le Cirque
2 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
3 ) Herringbone
4 ) Bardot Brasserie
5 ) The Kitchen at Atomic
6 ) Restaurant Guy Savoy
7 ) b.B.d’s
8 ) Esther’s Kitchen
9 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
10 ) Shiraz Restaurant

Worldwide Savory Dishes

1) Somerset – Ricotta Dumplings, Peas, Green Garlic, Mint, Parmesan

2) Felix Trattoria – Mortaio Pizza – Mortadella di Bologne, Ricotta, Pistachio di Bronte, Agrumato

3) Band of Bohemia – Osetra Reserve Caviar Crepe Cake – Smoked Sturgeon, Creme Fraiche, Cultured Butter

4) Spoon and Stable – Buckwheat Bigoli – ‘Nduja Salami, Heirloom Tomato, Pecorino Toscano, Lovage, Breadcrumbs

5) Smyth – Dungeness Crab, Foie Gras, Scrambled Kani Miso

6) Lilia – Mafaldini, Pink Peppercorn, Parmigiano

7) Esperanto – Ancient Grain Baguette, Bone Broth, Cows Butter

8 ) Don Tito – Pollo a la Brasa

9) Mi Tacoya Antojeria – Tuetano con Sabores de Caldo – Roasted Bone Marrow, Shortrib, Homemade Flour Tortilla

10) Frantzen – Roasted Guinea Fowl – Aurelie Billaud Homemade Butter, Blond Miso, Vin Jaune, Walnuts, Smoked Morel

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) Carson Kitchen – Pork Tenderloin, Pretzel, Sage Infused Maple

3) Herringbone – Crispy Red Snapper – Panang Curry, Fall Squashes, Asparagus, Pickled Vegetables

4) Le Cirque – Pumpkin Ravioli, Sage Brown Butter, Alba White Truffles

5) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Mishima Ranch Smoked Wagyu Brisket – Black Pepper Lacquer, Soy and Fermented Bean Sauce

6) Restaurant Guy Savoy – Dry Aged Muscovy Duck Roasted on the Bone, Napoleon of Daikon and Foie Gras, Duck Farce Stuffed Blond Morel, Sauce Salmis

7) Shiraz – Fesenjan – Chicken, Sauce of Pomegranate Molasses and Ground Walnuts

8 ) Sparrow + Wolf – Japanese Sweet Potato – Salted Plum Crème Fraiche, Miso Butter, Furikake, Scallions, Crispy Lap Cheong

9) b.B.d’s – Broiled Luncheonette Burger – Prime Beef, American Cheese, Sesame Seed Bun

10) The Kitchen at Atomic – MMM – Mocha Oatmeal Stout Mole, Beef Cheek, Seasonal Pickles, Brown Butter Masa Dumplings

Worldwide Sweet Dishes

1) Chicha – Coca Fried Milk – Vanilla Cream, Quinoa Ice Cream

2) The Blue Stove – Spiced Guava Chess Pie with Orange Crème Fraiche

3) Segovia – Date, Mascarpone Cheese, Pistachios, Maple Syrup

4) Milkjam Creamery – Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream – Strawberry Sherbet, Nilla Wafer Ice Cream

5) OSSO – Arroz con Leche – Aquarello Rice, Cinnamon, Cloves, Caramel Brulee, Apple Sorbet

6) Sunday in Brooklyn – Malted Pancakes, Hazelnut Maple Praline, Brown Butter

7) PVDonuts – Linzer Cookie Donut

8 ) Bakery & Spice – Frukt & Notbrod

9) Monteverde – Butterscotch Ice Cream Puff – Famous Grouse Scotch, Pineapple Glace, Buttered Pecans, Espresso

10) 112 Eatery – Tres Leches Cake, Sweet Cream

Las Vegas Sweet Dishes

1) Masso Osteria – Sticky Toffee Banana Pudding – Cookie Crunch, Coffee Cardamom Gelato, Butter Rum Sauce

2) Aureole – Coconut Bananas Foster – Malibu Caramel, Coconut Sorbet, Spiced Rum Financier, Macadamia Nuts

3) Rosallie – Almond Croissant

4) CRAFTkitchen – Blueberry and Lemon Cream Cruffin with Pink Lemonade Blueberries

5) Mr. Lucky’s 24/7 – Cookies & Cream Cakes – Chocolate Pancakes, Cookies & Cream Filling, Chocolate Cookie Pieces

6) New York Bagel N Bakery – Rainbow Cookie

7) Kitchen at Atomic – Beefy Monkey Bread – Honey Glazed Biscuits, Caul Fat, Shaved Cured Beef

8 ) Vetri Cucina – Polenta Budino, Gianduja Mousse, Candied Hazelnuts

9) Bronze Café – Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle

10) The Stove – Pecan Pie Pancakes – Buttermilk Pancakes, Pecans, Praline Filling, Pie Crust Crumble