My “real” job had me on the road over 50% of the year in 2019 and I also took several food-centric vacations where I had the opportunity to have many outstanding meals. I’ve tried to narrow down the list to the 17 best dishes I enjoyed during the past year.

Here’s the list in restaurant name alphabetical order.

Aloette, Toronto, Canada – So many great sharing plates but my favorite was the potato gnocchi with sweet potato, bacon, sage and chestnut.

Aquila Pizza Al Forno, Little Falls, NJ – The only thing as lovely as the soppressata and Meyer lemon pizza with its perfect, slightly-tart and salty crust charred in all the right places is the team behind the cozy pizzeria.

Au Cheval, Chicago, IL – If you’ve had the Au Cheval burger, you know why it’s on this list. Every time I have it, I feel it’s the best burger anywhere and worthy of all the accolades. Juicy, simple, beefy on a great soft bun.

August, New Orleans, LA – The potato gnocchi with blue crab, black truffle and Parmesan is the best single dish I had in 2019.

Brasserie Mémère, Closter, NJ – This new French bistro is simply fantastique and our favorite of the many dishes we sampled was the buttery, garlicky escargots served with perfect bread.

Café Chameleon, Bloomingdale, NJ – The 60-day dry aged beef with pommes Anna with a bone marrow sauce was the ultimate indulgence by the king of indulgent, delicious food, Chef Bryan Gregg.

Central Provisions, Portland, ME – On special the evening we visited was a lamb larb with lemongrass, Serrano and mint that we could scoop in bib lettuce leaves. All the food we sampled at this Portland hot spot was great, but this was amazing.

Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO – I never typically order salmon out, but was glad I got the king salmon at this award-winning restaurant. The best I’ve ever had and served at the perfect temperature.

Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge, NJ – These ribs were a special of the evening when I visited this top restaurant earlier this year. They were…perfect in flavor and texture.

Hélicoptère, Montreal, Canada – Simply a lovely meal of shared plates that ended with poultry liver mousse on a financier. Wow, way to leave us wanting more.

Her Name is Han, New York, NY – Everything we sampled at this Korean soul food restaurant was bursting with flavor and delectable but the dessert of black sesame ice cream with green tea biscuit crumbs and dried strawberry was the happiest ending we could have hoped for.

Justine, New Orleans, LA – The steak tartare served with mushroom confit was the best “classic” tartare I enjoyed this year.

La Cevicheria, Cartagena, Columbia – Trio of the award-winning restaurant’s best ceviches where some of the best we’ve ever had. Fish / octopus / shrimp prepared with mango, lime and ketchup sauce.

McLoons Lobster Shack, Spruce Head Island, ME – The lobster roll of all lobster rolls. Plus, in an amazing picnic-like setting on the Maine shore overlooking lobster/fishing boats.

Mercantile Dining & Provision, Denver, CO – This special restaurant’s made my “best of” list since 2017 when I first visited. This year, while there are several dishes I could have included, the Hamachi with compressed melon, blood orange needs to be highlighted.

Monarque, Montreal, Canada – The venison tartare and sea urchin with salsa verde, chilli on grilled focaccia was outstanding and called my name. Uni anything!

The Inn at Bay Fortune, Bay Fortune, Prince Edward Island, Canada – This chowder was part of the best meal I had in 2019. The Fireworks Feast is THE experience to be had where the reception prior to dinner is held outdoors and where all the food is cooked over open flame (except for the greatest oysters served raw).

Vesta Wood Fired Pizza & Bar, East Rutherford, NJ – The special arancini the evening we visited was served with the most delicious foie gras sauce.

Here’s to hoping 2020 is as delicious as 2019 was!

Cheers,

Veronique