In chronological order, here are 40 of my favorite things I ate and drank this year — including especially memorable Michelin 1-star tastings at Kasama and Indienne in Chicago, as well as seafood-heavy vacations in Hawaii and Maine. A few other themes: ube-based beverages, piped swoops on bread, and decadence (lobster, truffle, oyster, cheese, or otherwise). Here’s to another year of savoring every delicious moment.
Rise Bagel Co., Minneapolis, MN
Bar Sótano, Chicago, IL
Momotaro, Chicago, IL
Vaca’s Creamery, Chicago, IL
Xurro, Chicago, IL
Maxwell’s Trading, Chicago, IL
from Anything’s Pastable (signed by Dan Pashman after a live taping of The Sporkful podcast)
Magics Beach Grill, Kona, HI
Dole Plantation, Wahiawa, HI
Monkeypod Kitchen, Honolulu, HI
Koko Head Cafe, Honolulu, HI
Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Chicago, IL
Hewn, Evanston, IL
Lago, Lake Zurich, IL
Galit, Chicago, IL
Juju, Durham, NC
Seraphine, Durham, NC
Gaijin, Chicago, IL
First Watch, Schaumburg, IL
The Prospect, Mount Prospect, IL
Bar Mar by José Andrés, Chicago, IL
The Publican, Chicago, IL
Scratchboard Kitchen, Arlington Heights, IL
Cooper’s Hawk, Arlington Heights, IL
Kasama, Chicago, IL
Kasama, Chicago, IL
Kasama, Chicago, IL
Wooden Paddle, Lemont, IL
Gilbert’s Chowder House, Portland, ME
Sprague’s, Wiscasset, ME
Cushnoc Brewing Co., Augusta, ME
Eleven, Pittsburgh, PA
Altea Cafe, Mount Prospect, IL
Ladro Enoteca, Champaign, IL
Young Joni, Minneapolis, MN
Indienne, Chicago, IL
Indienne, Chicago, IL
Indienne, Chicago, IL