This is my third year doing a post about my best eats of the year and while it’s nowhere near as exotic as that first year (India, Japan, Cuba, Miami….), I’ve had plenty of intra-country travel and wonderful Atlanta dining experiences to write about for 2019. Vegetarian, Thai, Venezuelan, Japanese…it’s been a delicious year. Having a baby has not meant I have to give up one of my favorite hobbies and I’m both thankful and proud. #13 Rolls Royce Roll, Amura Sushi, Orlando, FL
I’ve actually had this dish several times over many years and its getting a shout-out since the few Amura Sushis that exist seem to be on their way out. This roll is so unique with the perfect blend sticky sweet, crunchy, soft, and bright. So memorable and special.
#12 Glow-in-the-dark ramen, Nakamura.ke, Atlanta, GA/Pop-up
Ok. This was definitely not the best ramen I’ve ever had. But it GLOWED. This was such a cool experience. I’ve never been to anything like it and the way they set it up made us feel like we were back in Japan. Definitely deserves a spot on the list this year. 
#11 Parsnip Cake, Good Fortune, Chicago, IL
Like a carrot cake but different. And very delicious. This moist, textured cake had hazelnuts, and a ganache of white chocolate and celery root. SO unique – particularly the flavor of the hazelnuts in this dish of root vegetables. 
#10 Roasted Beets, Redbird, Atlanta, GA
I typically avoid the “standard” beet dish at restaurants because it’s often the same – roasted beets with goat cheese, walnuts, local green. This beet dish, however, was different. Each bite seemed to offer something new in taste and texture. The basil dressing brightened the entire dish, and the “sourdough” was small, crispy balls on top that were so interesting with the creamy blue cheese. Stellar dish. Memorable. 
#9 Sparkling rose from Slovenia, Good Fortune, Chicago, IL
I don’t remember the name of this wine and Good Fortune does not have a wine list online so I’ll just say that this was the most unique wine I tasted this year. Was it the best? No. I’m an old-world style red wine kinda gal. I ordered this on a whim and was in love after my first sip. It had notes of currants and cherries with just a touch of funk – almost tartness – at the end. 
#8 Monedas de Oro Trio, The Consulate, Atlanta, GA
On my first visit to The Consulate, their rotating menu of global cuisine had landed on Venezuela. This is not an exotic dish necessarily but it was well-executed and beautiful. Three mini arepas filled with feta and mozzarella cheese with a perfectly crispy shell and served with a very tangy and bright guasacaca sauce. Yum.
#7 Crispy Chicken, Good Fortune, Chicago, IL
I think it’s a record to have three items from one restaurant make my annual list of top eats. This dish was simply too lovely to leave off. The chicken was served as a roulade with an apple dumpling, roasted carrots, cabbage, a rich jus, and fennel and mustard. Fall on a plate and I mean it. 
#6 Saigon Lemongrass Beef, Little Sister, Los Angeles, CA
I went to California this year so of course something I ate was going to be on this list. Duh. It happens to be a lemongrass beef noodle dish from the extremely elevated Vietnamese restaurant in Manhattan Beach. One of the very best versions of this dish that I’ve ever had. Fresh was the name of the game here with bright and crunchy ingredients.
#5 Chocolate Pot-de-creme, Untitled Supper Club, Chicago, IL
Everything I had here was phenomenal – and it was prix-fixe at the bar, no reservation. Very authentic Caesar salad with anchovies, a skirt steak so tender it was hard to believe it wasn’t a better cut and this incredible chocolate dessert. The dish came out topped with a chocolate-coconut crispy wafer that I broke into the goodies below – chocolate creme topped with hazelnut ice cream and crunchy bites of hazelnut and dark chocolate. So creative.
#4 Ceviche of the Day, Amaru, Chicago, IL
I had a few interesting ceviches this year. This one stood out because me and my dinner companions not only devoured it in short order, we declared we could eat it every day. Underneath thin, soft slices of hamachi (yellowtail) was a butternut squash puree that added a smooth and creamy texture. The onion and almonds on top offered crunch, with cilantro and lime juice brightening everything. It was nestled in a coconut broth with a drizzle of habanero oil. 
#3 Foie Gras Torchon, Spring, Marietta, GA
Amazing. Foie gras accompanied with poached fig, pistachio, and balsamico extravecchio. Incredibly rich especially when spread on the buttery, flaky brioche. A treat and delight to eat – which we did ever so slowly. 
#2 Pan-roasted Halibut, Spring, Marietta, GA
And another restaurant with multiple spots! I love halibut but don’t see it on menus that often. Every single dish we had at Spring was of the highest quality, with ultimate attention to detail, perfect execution and precise plating. The delectable fish was served with summer vegetables, dill and a beurre blanc sauce that I could have licked off the plate (butterrrr). Get thee to Spring if you haven’t yet. Beyond worth the drive OTP.
#1 Yum Khao Thawt, Talat Market at Fresh Harvest, Clarkston, GA
My number 1 dish of 2019 was this plate of crispy fried rice, red chili jam, red curry sausage, ginger, peanuts, scallions, cilantro and tomatoes. The event was a refugee benefit and pop-up dinner at the Fresh Harvest garden with all food by Talat Market. It was a gorgeous summer evening with communal tables and all food served family-style. The entire menu was delectable but this was the dish I could not stop eating. Have never had anything like it and it’s not something I can return to the restaurant to eat again since it was a pop-up. Just wow. This was by far the easiest dish to choose for this list – I knew it was #1!
Here’s to many more amazing and adventurous eats in 2020!