It’s hard for me to believe this is my seventh year making this year-end list of the best things I ate. I did quite a bit of traveling this year including a few works trips to NYC, Las Vegas and Orlando and vacations in Western NC + Charlotte area, Atlanta, Williamsburg, VA, Raleigh, NC, and Melbourne, FL. I had great meals while in these places in addition to some outstanding dishes on the Outer Banks and in our home.
#13: Chilled Calamari Salad, La Tienda Tapas Bar, Williamsburg, Virginia
This Spanish tapas bar in Williamsburg is superb. I was impressed with all the dishes we had but there were a couple of standouts for this list. Simple and perfectly executed with fresh ingredients, the calamari salad was bright and briny from lemon and capers with just the right amount of chewiness and a touch of sweetness from the peppers. 
#12: Kung Pao Cauliflower , CUT, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fancy sides abound at this fancy steakhouse. I loved this cauliflower dish with a tangy, ginger-forward sauce topped with crunchy peanuts and scallions. Even the non-cauliflower-loving people in the group agreed this dish was excellent. 
#11: Yuzu Matcha Lemonade, The Smith, NYC
I love yuzo but it’s not common in the US vs. Japan where I had it constantly when I visited a few years ago. This yuzu matcha lemonade from The Smith was so good. It was citrusy but mellowed by the slightly nutty, smooth matcha flavor. So refreshing on a hot summer day in the big city. 
#10: Local Lump Crab Cakes with Basil Reduction, Blue Water Grill, Manteo, North Carolina
Crab cakes are frequently on the menu at this restaurant that we frequent but this special of the day was so darn good and memorable. The crab cakes were of course wonderful but the pairing with creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed veggies and this bright and fun basil oil took the dish to a new level. YUM!
#9: Pan-fried Eggplant with Honey, La Tienda Tapas Bar, Williamsburg, Virginia
Eggplant can be such a tricky vegetable. This lightly fried version as a Spanish tapa drizzled with honey and sprinkled with fresh black pepper and thyme was surprising in both its simplicity and its deliciousness (which I find to be a common theme with Spanish food!).
#8: Al Pastor Taco, Mr. Taco, Roswell, Georgia
I’ve eaten at Mr. Taco many, many times. On my visit during our trip back to Atlanta this fall, I had their al pastor taco and it was divine. Crave-worthy. Tender, savory pork with sweet bites of pineapple – it was the perfect version of the dish to me. And the best it had ever been, more generally. 
#7: Bang Bang Broccoli, PLANTA Queen, NYC
This dish has a cult following and came recommended by my friend Emily Scheer. After my first bite, I knew why it was so popular! Crunchy fried broccoli in a sticky-savory-sweet sauce with ginger and tons of umami flavors, topped with peanuts. Flavor explosion! 
#6: Ethiopian Dinner, Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, Atlanta, Georgia
In all honesty, I’ve eaten all of these foods before at Desta and they’re always phenomenal. I love Ethiopian food and it’s been difficult for us to find since moving from Atlanta. So for 2023, this plate of salmon and lamb tibs, collard greens, beets and potatoes, and yellow lentils served with shiro (a spicy chickpea stew for dipping) and chewy injera bread for handling had to make this list. I miss eating this on a regular basis!
#5: Sean’s Mediterranean Pita, Dinner at Home, Outer Banks, North Carolina
It’s no secret both Sean and I love to cook! Over the past year, he’s honed some serious skills in bread making, including amazing homemade pita. When he also made hummus, shawarma chicken and pickled onions for Mediterranean-style sandwiches, I was in heaven. Definitely deserves to be in the top 5 for 2023! 
#4: Spare Ribs with Honey Tamarind Glaze, OBAO, NYC
Fall-off-the-bone rib meat with a gloriously glaze-y sauce that was sweet, tangy, and savory made for a dish I’m still dreaming about! These ribs were SO GOOD!
#3: Fried Chicken Biscuit, Hendough, Hendersonvile, NC
This little spot in the mountain town of Hendersonville came recommended by our friends who live nearby. The donuts were great but the star was the fried chicken biscuit. It was hands-down the best fried chicken sandwich/biscuit/muffin dish I’ve had. So crispy, crunchy and juicy with perfect seasonings. As soon as I took my first bite, I knew it was going on this list. 
#2: Spanish Tapas, Wine and Dinner, Spanish Diner at Mercado Little Spain, Hudson Yards, NYC
I had my birthday in New York this year while on a work trip and we went out for Spanish food, one of my faves! Chef Jose Andres’ restaurant hit all the notes from yummy tapas like pan con tomate, jamon Iberico, and olives with a perfect Rioja wine to comforting mains like the deeply satisfying Pollo Guisado Con Arroz (chicken stewed in caramelized onions and sherry wine served with rice). Everything was authentic. 
#1: Watermelon “Tartare” Salad, The Saltbox Cafe, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
The number one spot goes to a local restaurant here on the Outer Banks. We went here for Sean’s birthday over the summer and tried this appetizer featuring watermelon in an Asian-style tartare salad. It was beyond delicious. Inventive, fresh, flavorful – overall a perfectly executed dish that we were glad we got to try. The number one dish for me in 2023!
If things go according to plan, we’ll have some BIG trips in 2024 and I’m so excited for all the new flavors and dishes we’ll get to explore. Thankful for the delicious year that was 2023!