Here are 30 of my favorite things I ate this year — across 7 states and 2 countries, with friends, family, coworkers, and solo. I feel very fortunate to have another year of making delicious memories.

Ever, Chicago, IL

Bon Vivant Cakes, Chicago, IL

Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, Marina, CA

Kahala Koa, Arlington Heights, IL

Big Bad Breakfast, Birmingham, AL

Uptown & Humboldt at Cherry Creek Food Hall (formerly Grange Hall), Greenwood Village, CO

Quail + Crane at Grand Hyatt at SFO, San Francisco, CA

DeLuca’s Diner, Pittsburgh, PA

Smoque Steak, Chicago, IL

Gaijin, Chicago, IL

Slackwater, Sandy, UT

Purple Sage, Park City, UT

Spudnik Donuts, Provo, UT

Scratchboard Kitchen, Arlington Heights, IL

Boa Acai Bowls food truck, Mt. Prospect, IL

Bob Chinn’s Crab House, Wheeling, IL

Levain Cafe at Google MP2, Sunnyvale, CA

Hard Eight BBQ, Coppell, TX

The Melting Pot, Schaumburg, IL

Avec River North, Chicago, IL

Txa Txa Club pop-up at Hopewell Brewing, Chicago, IL

Maxie’s, San Pedro, Belize

Caliente Restaurant, San Pedro, Belize

The Purple Pelican, San Pedro, Belize

The Foxtail on the Lake, Des Plaines, IL

Champaign, IL

The Dining Room at Moody Tongue, Chicago, IL

Cooper’s Hawk, Arlington Heights, IL
Cheers to more dining adventures in 2024!