Now in year two of the pandemic, travel and the associated food experiences that come with it remain a challenge. Similarly to last year, I still managed to have an incredible year of food in spite of everything going on in the world. In some ways, the bites are savored more now because opportunities to eat out feel fleeting. In any case, it’s hard to believe that this is my fifth year writing this article! I so enjoy the trip down memory lane each December. Thank you for reading this year’s installment – if you want to read the others you can find them here: 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017.
#14 Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cake Donut, Thomas’ Donut and Snack Shop, Laguna Beach, Florida
While I will readily admit to having a sweet tooth, I can honestly say that I don’t eat donuts very often. When I do, I love the sour cream cake kind and the ones I had at Thomas’ Donut during our stay in Laguna Beach, Florida in March were the absolute best I have ever eaten. The old-timey charm of this place added to the experience. 
#`13 Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Bowls at home
Found this recipe on a blog from Australia and gave it a try for the first time this year. It was a huge hit in my house and immediately went into regular rotation. Ground pork caramelized with brown sugar and fish sauce is such a delicious combination of sweet and tangy flavors.
#12 Duck Carnitas, Casi Cielo, Atlanta, Georgia
We tried Oaxacan-style Mexican restaurant Casi Cielo this past spring. The pato con mole negro (Duck carnitas with black mole) was such a standout dish. The duck was soft and flavorful – we shredded it ourselves with our forks and made tacos out of it with the black corn tortillas. 
#11 Smoked Mussels on Brioche, Myrtle and Rose Rooftop Garden, Savannah, Georgia
I had never eaten smoked mussels before and have to say they were mighty delicious, especially with cool and creamy creme fraiche on buttery, crunchy brioche bread. 
#10 Cornmeal Spoon Bread, South City Kitchen, Atlanta, Georgia
This is the first of two dishes on my list this year from Fifth Group restaurants. While I’ve been to South City Kitchen in the past, I had never had this cornmeal spoon bread and absolutely loved it. Smoked brisket, caramelized onion, poblano, white bbq, scallions – it was a party in my mouth.
#9 Roasted Strawberry Gazpacho, Gabriel Archer Tavern, Williamsburg, Virginia
The depth from those roasted flavors in the fruit was so great and I loved the silky-smooth texture. I’ve never had a soup like this before. Truly unique and an absolute pleasure to eat. This is the first of two dishes from Gabriel Archer Tavern to end up on my list this year. We loved this restaurant and highly recommend it if you are in the Williamsburg area.
#8 Chocolate & Hazelnut, Spring, Marietta, Georgia
If you want an extraordinary fine-dining experience with high quality, seasonal ingredients perfectly executed in wonderful dishes, then head over to Spring restaurant in Marietta, Georgia. I am always so impressed at chef Brian So’s skill and creativity while remaining dedicated to classic styles and techniques. This dessert was easily one of the best I’ve ever had – it was crispy and crunchy, smooth and silky, sweet and nutty. Featuring Gianduja ice cream, hazelnut feuillete, and espresso, it more than earned its spot on my list.
#7 Crispy Cauliflower “Bravos,” Ecco, Atlanta, Georgia
My second dish from a Fifth Group restaurant that made it on my list is this Crispy Cauliflower “Bravos” we had from Ecco earlier this year. It was unique and fun with some neat surprises like spicy and incredibly crispy salami chips and a charred corn romesco sauce which was out of this world.
#6 “Pure Guava” Birdy Biscuit, Redbird, Atlanta, Georgia
Redbird has made my list before. Sean knows Chef Zeb from years back and when we went for dinner recently (crispy mushrooms and garlicky hummus ftw!), he told us about the biscuits he does on Sundays. We went back and fell in love with the Pure Guava. The biscuit was flaky and buttery with sweet guava, tangy whipped cream cheese, and nutty and salty cashew butter. Perfection.
#5 Persimmon salad, Spring, Marietta, Georgia
When I said Spring is wonderful, I meant it. In addition to the second dish on my list from the restaurant this year, this is also one of two salads in my top five – a first! A truly delectable, crave-worthy salad is not easy to create. This salad of hachiya and fuyu persimmons, Asher blue cheese, chicories, pecan, and pickled carrot was divine. I knew as I was eating it that it was going on my list this year. 
#4 Edamame Ginger Dumplings, Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh, North Carolina
Some years ago, Brewery Bhavana made Bon Appetit Magazine’s list of best new restaurants in the country. It’s been a go-to-spot for us when we are in Raleigh for excellent beer and amazing food. Back in September, we had the housemade dumplings filled with edamame, ginger, and mushroom. They were vegan and I absolutely would never have guessed if I had not known. These were some of the best dumplings I’ve had in recent memory! 
#3 Barbacoa Tacos, Tuesday Market, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2021 marked my first time in Mexico. Of all the places I’ve traveled, it’s hard to believe I hadn’t been to our neighboring country to the south. We visited Sean’s parents and one day they took us to a local market to have barbacoa tacos and consume for breakfast. Barbacoa, I learned, is a breakfast food because it cooks all night. These were incredible tacos with the softest, most flavorful meat, traditional toppings of onions and cilantro, a perfectly spicy and smoky salsa, and the brightness of fresh key lime juice.
#2 Tamarind Margarita, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
This is the only drink that made my list this year. I had no idea what an absolute treat a tamarind margarita was until I tried it in San Miguel. And then I kept trying them at multiple places for a casual “tour de margaritas” that was both decadent and satisfying. Each one was slightly different from the others which made me like them all the more. Refreshing, tart, dry but with that slight sweetness and depth that tamarind brings to everything – I was pretty obsessed.
#1 Wessex Hundred Salad, Gabriel Archer Tavern, Williamsburg, Virginia
The Wessex Hundred Salad is the best salad I have ever eaten. I was unsure about putting a salad in the top spot but this is a dish I’m still thinking of months later and one that inspired us to go on a tear over the summer with recipes using Green Goddess dressing. A dish that has that kind of impact should not be ignored. It’s really and truly about starting with the best, freshest, highest-quality ingredients – and this is something I’ve brought into my home cooking as well. In this case, it was the freshest Bibb lettuce with grapes, julienned apples & celery, toasted walnuts, and crumbled feta all topped with a bright, tangy green goddess dressing. I want to eat this salad every day of my life, forever, in perpetuity. 
And that’s it! Another year of scrumptious food from both new and beloved restaurants. 2022 is going to look quite different for food once we move from Atlanta in March but I’m excited.