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.