2009
For the past 3 weeks I had been trying to write a review of 2009 that didn't start with, "Well, that sucked" - that was until I was looking at my FLICKR feed this morning (in between calls to the vet (*sigh*)) and realized that at least we ate well.
So, that's what I'll do.
(2009 wasn't really *that* bad, but it did have some craptacular moments)
2009: At least we ate well
Year in Review
Fish Tacos
Taylor's Refresher
Saint Helena, Napa County
They really do some amazing fish tacos here.
Oysters and Old Riesling
Salt House
San Francisco
I met up with my pals Kristy & Matt in SF for a late night dinner at the Salt House. Cool space. Delicious oysters. Great wine list.
Chicken Bastilla
Olive Vine Cafe
Brooklyn
Possibly the best cold weather dinner. Savory and sweet with a flaky crust filled with spicy chicken.
We recently made it at home.
Le Veau D’or
NYC
Le Veau D'or just didn't seem like the place where'd you want to sit there snapping photos of the food (not that they would mind I suspect). I had the rack of lamb which is brought out and then assembled for you tableside. This is service and food of an older disappearing generation. Why have you not gone?
Ferdinando's
Brooklyn
Oh, Ferdianando's - you super old school Sicilian restaurant. We should go here more as their menu seems to hide lots of tasty surprises.
Shrimp & Grits
Home
Fancy bacon and tasty shrimp from the fish shoppe on top of polenta (aka grits). Perfect.
Pailla
La Nacional
NYC
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Jeni's Ice Cream
In our Freezer
Our pals Serge & Irene sent us a case of ice cream from Jeni's ice cream in Ohio. I still think about the caramel and salt ice cream. Oh my.
Mutton & Steak
Keen's Steak House
NYC
Good pals. Lamb. Steak. After-dinner drink menu of Scotch that is like 100 pages long.
Brooklyn Fare
Brooklyn
If I had to rank things eaten this year, our first visit (we went twice somehow) to the restaurant at Brooklyn Fare is right up there. Spectacular evening. Party of 12. BYOB. Many courses. Outstanding.
The Vendys
Queens
For me, the Vendys are about the Biryani Cart's Kati Roll. Really. Everything else is great and delicious, but in my mind, it could just be that one cart.
Topolobampo
Chicago
We've been fans of the show that Rick Bayless does on PBS about Mexican cuisine and have been talking about going to Chicago just to eat at his restaurant Topolobampo for a long time. We finally did this year and the meal totally lived up to the crazy hype that had built up in our heads.
Momofuko Week
NYC
Kudos to Stu who organized two Momofuko meals within a couple of days of each other. The first was at Momofuku Ssam Bar for the Bo Ssam (i.e. pork shoulder/butt/whatnot with oysters and other goodness). We somehow survived that.
Then there was dinner days later at the Momofuku Noodle Bar for their amazing fried chicken dinner. Followed by a visit to the Momofuko Dairy Bar.
Crikey.
(Note that tacos made with the leftover pork rocked the world)
Super Taco Truck
NYC
Did I mention that the Super Taco Truck is now parked near my office during lunch? I can't believe I haven't mentioned that.
Thanksgiving
LA + NYC
Our pal Daisy throws a fun pre-Thanksgiving dinner in Brooklyn. Super tasty. Then off to LA.
Amazing turkey. Amazing dim sum. Fattening all around. Café Tropical for breakfast.
Everything
Cascabel Taqueria
NYC
Tragically located on the UES. Best Mexican food in NYC?
Possibly.
The Piggy Burger
DBGB
NYC
Apart from the restaurant's stupid stupid stupid name, the piggy burger is all sorts of awesome. Basically a very good hamburger with pulled pork and slaw on top of it.
Lamb Shoulder
Home
Man, I do love me some slow cooked lamb.
I'm sure I missed something here.
