Best Bites of 2017
It’s that time again when I look back on my favorite dishes of the year. It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m heading out of town tomorrow on vacation and have nothing else to post. Total coincidence. Just erase that thought from your head.
My favorites this year are divided into three categories — new bites, old favorites, and out-of-town discoveries. Seeing them all in one place gets me a bit misty-eyed. Thanks to all of you who shared my table in 2017, whether in person or through the blog. You make it all worthwhile. Well, you and the food.
Without further ado, I give you, in no particular order, my best bites of 2017:
New Bites
Kowloon Bun with dairy cow, ginger and black vinegar – Tiger Fork, Washington DC
Shrimp Lemongrass Noodle Soup in Milky Broth – Thai Taste by Kob, Wheaton MD
Smoked Chicken Wings and Crispy Brussels Sprouts – Federalist Pig, Washington DC
Smokehouse Fish Board with Smoked Salmon, Whitefish Salad, Salmon Candy, Hot-Smoked Pepper Salmon and Smoked Rainbow Trout – Ivy City Smokehouse, Washington DC
Famu Yasai – rapini, pea shoots, mushrooms, toasted rice, herbs, soft-poached egg – Himitsu, Washington DC
Chicken Liver Mousse with lime zest, herbs, Thai chile, peanut and toasted baguette – Himitsu, Washington DC
“Black and Blue” Fried Rice with black squid ink and smoky blue catfish – ChiKo, Washington DC
Charred Carrots with Whipped Ricotta- The Dabney, Washington DC
Charmoula Lamb Ribs with spring onion tahini and coriander honey – Arroz, Washington DC
Whole Chicken with turmeric, coriander, and toum – Maydan, Washington DC
Belleburger – Mirabelle, Washington DC
Shouk Burger (made with chickpeas, black beans, lentils, mushrooms, cauliflower, beets and scallion), Shouk, Washington DC
The Bentley Pizza – Timber Pizza, Washington DC
Kung Pao Chicken – Q by Peter Chang, Bethesda MD
Braised Goat Torta — Taco Bamba Pop-Up at Del Campo, Washington DC
Cinnascone – Buttercream Bake Shop, Washington DC
Old Favorites
Just because I’ve had these dishes before doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a spot on the list. It means they haven’t lost a step.
Naem Khao — Crispy Coconut Rice with Sour Pork, Peanut, Lime, Scallion, Mint and Cilantro – Thip Khao, Washington DC
Guacamole and Chips – Espita Mezcaleria, Washington DC
Al Pastor, Carne Asada, Chorizo and Chicken Tacos – Taqueria La Placita, Hyattsville, MD
Pork Gyro Pita Wrap – Yia Yia’s Kitchen, Beltsville, MD
Carne Asada – Kantutas, Wheaton MD
Duck Confit with Caramelized Brussels, Truffle Aioli and Apple Cider Gastrique – Kyirisan, Washington DC
Coq au Vin – DBGB, Washington DC
Tagliatelle Bolognese – Alta Strada, Washington DC
Peking Duck – Peking Gourmet Inn, Falls Church, VA
Smoked Salmon BLT – Neopol Savory Smokery, Washington DC
Hot Mess Pizza with house-made bacon, pickled jalapenos, caramelized onions, Gruyere – Frankly…Pizza!, Kensington MD
Out of Town Bites
French Onion Soup – Bellecour, Wayzata, MN
Pastrami on Rye – Katz’s Deli, New York NY
Emmy Burger with dry-aged beef, pretzel bun, Emmy sauce, caramelized onion and Grafton cheddar – Emily West Village, New York NY
Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll – Eventide Oyster Co., Portland ME
Duck Fat Fries – Duck Fat, Portland ME
Hamayaki – Lobster, Crab & Scallop over sushi rice with truffle oil and kewpie mayonnaise – Miyake, Portland ME
Tortello d’Uovo (large ravioli stuffed with ricotta, spinach and egg yolk) – Trattoria Monti, Rome, Italy
Burrata with black pepper and sun-dried tomatoes – Salumeria Roscioli, Rome, Italy
Trofie with Pesto – Restaurant La Paranza, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Spaghetti alle Vongole – Osteria Santo Spirito, Florence, Italy
Bistecca alla fiorentina (Steak Florentine) – Trattoria Pandemonio, Florence, Italy
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I told you it was a pretty great year. Here’s to an even better 2018. I’d say more but I really need to get to sleep right now. Not because my Lyft is coming at 5:45 am. I told you, total coincidence.