Best of 2020 – Meals, Savories, Sweets

To suggest that 2020 was “unprecedented” seems pointless, especially after every newscast, commercial or meme has already done so. What started with a stunning trip to Rome and Naples almost immediately saw trips to Madrid, Lisbon, Santiago and Bangkok cancelled in favor of working more hours than I have since fellowship and seeing nearly 350 more patients than in 2019. It was and is an honor to do what I do, but taking off only one non-holiday or weekend day from March 14 until December 28 definitely weighed heavy.

This certainly isn’t to say that this year was uneventful. Short trips to Chicago, Providence, Los Angeles and Florida were done smart and safe with a focus on family or friends over Food. On the homefront #supportlocal found itself paying attention on individuals with passion and perseverance, rather than petty tantrums or social media full of questionable antics. This, combined with Saturdays safe at home with friends and family made the lack of travel not only bearable but enjoyable. As always, 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. As with last year, only one item per Restaurant in each category.

Worldwide Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Pepe in Grani
2 ) SantoPalato
3 ) Marzapane Roma
4 ) Smyth
5 ) Seu Pizza Illuminati
6 ) auburn
7 ) S.K.Y.
8 ) Retrobottega
9 ) Ever
10 ) Jame Enoteca

Las Vegas Most Memorable Meals

1 ) Bardot Brasserie
2 ) Michael Mina Restaurant
3 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse
4 ) Top of the World
5 ) Carson Kitchen
6 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish
7 ) Costa di Mare
8 ) Johnny C’s Diner
9 ) Robata En Asian Kitchen And Bar
10 ) ShangHai Taste

Worldwide Savory Dishes

1 ) Marzapane – Capellino with Caul Fat, Licorice

2 ) Pepe in Grani – Pizza Ragu di Carne with San Marzano DOP Tomato Sauce stewed with Meatballs, Pine Nuts, Fior di Latte, Toasted Bread

3 ) SantoPalato – Tonnarello Cacio e Pepe

4 ) Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina – Raviolo di Coda e Pecorino with Roman Oxtail, Pecorino Cheese, Foie Gras Sauce, Spicy Slow Cooked Figs

5 ) I Masanielli Pizzeria da Francesco Martucci – Pizza PINK with Artisan Gorganzola Fondue, Fior di Latte, Salame Rosa, Zucchini Chips, Extra Virgin Olive Oil

6 ) Sepia – Mushroom Chawanmushi, Warm Lobster Salad, Aerated Sauce Nantua

7 ) Pizzeria Vincenzo Capuano – Montanara with Ragu Napoletano, Pecorino Romano Cheese, Basil

8 ) Ghee – Yellowfin Tuna Bhel with Puffed Rice, Avocado Cilantro Dressing, Charred Vegetables, Sev, Fresh Tuna Marinated with Kashmiri Chili

9 ) Pasjoli – Quenelle et Caviar with Scallop, Caviar, Beurre Blanc

10 ) Armando al Pantheon – Fettuccine alla “Regaje” di Pollo with Chicken Liver, Cock’s Comb, Wattle, Tomato, Parmesan Cheese

Las Vegas Savory Dishes

1) Bardot Brasserie – Beef Wellington for Two

2 ) Jean Georges Steakhouse – Tempura Squash with Honey Caramel, Perigord Black Truffles

3 ) Metro Pizza – 86th Street Square Pie

4 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish – Bing with Cave-Aged Butter & Kaluga Caviar

5 ) Johnny C’s Diner – Chicken Fried Steak, Eggs, Biscuits, Country Gravy

6 ) Locale Italian Kitchen – Sunday Sauce Gnocchi with Herbs, Olive Oil, Nana’s Slow Cooked Pork Ragu, Pecorino, Parmesan Cheese

7 ) Delmonico – Pan Seared Foie Gras, Kabocha Squash Baklava, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

8 ) Costa di Mare – Capesante with Sea Scallops, Fig Compote, Walnuts

9 ) Osteria Fiorella – Corn Agnolotti with Pickled Blueberries, Basil

10 ) Top of the World – Pork Belly with Butternut Squash, Cheddar Grits, Spiced Pomegranate Glaze

Worldwide Sweet Dishes

1 ) Antico Forno Delle Sfogliatelle Calde Fratelli Attanasio – Sfogliatella Riccia

2 ) Forno Boccione – Ricotta and Wild Cherry Cake

3 ) Pepe in Grani – La Crisommola Dal Vesuvio with Lemon-flavored Ricotta di Bufala, Vesuvius Apricot Jam, Toasted Hazelnuts, Black Olive Crumble, Fresh Mint

4 ) auburn – Pan-Roasted Brioche, Honey Caramel

5 ) S.K.Y. – S.K.Y. Mille-Feuille with Caramel, Almond, Mascarpone

6 ) PVDonuts – Pumpkin Cannoli Old Fashioned Donut

7 ) Ravenous Pig – Bread Pudding with White Chocolate, Cranberry Compote, Eggnog Ice Cream

8 ) Lost Larson – Carrot Cake

9 ) Bachour – Strawberry Mascarpone Croissant

10 ) Sift Bake Shop – Sticky Bun

Las Vegas Sweet Dishes

1 ) Rosallie – Almond Croissant

2 ) Meraki Greek Grill – Galaktoboureko

3 ) Johnny C’s Diner – Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

4 ) Michael Mina – Coconut Soufflé with Milk Ice Cream, Black Sesame Anglaise

5 ) Majordōmo Meat & Fish – Valrhona White Chocolate Rice Pudding

6 ) Hexx – Blueberry Corn Cobbler

7 ) Carson Kitchen – Bourbon Fudge Brownie with Brown Butter Bacon Ice Cream

8 ) Wicked Donuts – Sticky Sinn-a-Bun Cake Donut

9 ) Purple Potato – Oatmeal Mango Cranberry Monster Cookie

10 ) PopNPies – Salt & Maple Pie