Sunday, December 30, 2012

Favorite Restaurant Dishes of 2012

This has certainly been a delicious year! Before I left Los Angeles, I tried to visit as many restaurants, both new and old, as possible. Chicago has proved to be an equally amazing food town (though I haven't been documenting my eating adventures here as often). These are just a small sample of my favorite restaurant dishes from the year.

Kick Ass Margaritas at Marix. The food at Marix is good, and I think they make the best margaritas in Los Angeles, but what I love most about it is the atmosphere and all of the fun memories we created there. It is probably the restaurant I visited most in my ten years in Los Angeles.

Kick Ass Margarita

Wood-Roasted English peas at Tar and Roses. Almost everything we had at this meal was great, but these simple roasted peas were one of the highlights for me.

Wood Roasted English Peas

The Original Baco from Baco Mercat.It is easy to see why Bon Appetit recently named Baco Mercat one of the best new restaurants of the year.

The Original Baco

The chicken sandwich from Son of a Gun is a monster of a sandwich that is just delicious and best shared with friends.

Chicken Sandwich at Son of a Gun

I've now brunched at Longman & Eagle twice and it looks like I may squeeze in a third visit just as the year is coming to a close. Their chicken and waffles is an excellent way to get your day started.

Fried Chicken, Waffles, Sweet Potato & Pork Belly Hash, Maple Syrup

The Purple Pig is another favorite Chicago restaurant. The pork fried almonds are a must at every meal there. 

Pork Fried Almonds with Rosemary & Garlic

I had one crazy weekend in LA during the summer for a press trip and out of the many delicious things we ate that weekend, the Paiche from Mo-Chica was at the top of the list.

Paiche

As I mentioned, I haven't been documenting my Chicago dining adventures as much, but I feel that the oysters at GT Fish and Oyster, the burger at Au Cheval, the foie gras terrine from Au Cheval, and the Tagliolini Nero with Crab, Sea Urchin, and Chili from Balena should all get shout outs. I am looking forward to many more meals in the next year and I can't wait to share them. Have a happy and safe New Year!



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14 comments:

subhashini said...

yummy pictures

Joanne said...

You ate some seriously delicious food! I'm thinking I really need to visit Chicago, stat.

Diana said...

Those English peas were what I remember most about my meal at Tar & Roses too! Though the strawberry crostata does give them some serious competish. Miss you! Hope we have a chance to share some meals in 2013!

Heather Christo said...

oh how I want that fried chicken sandwich Esi....

Unknown said...

some serious food porn in here, you're killing me! hope 2013 is full of tasty eats as well :)

gastronomer said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ESI! You ate like a champ in 2012. To even more spectacular eats in 2013 :)

vanillasugarblog said...

totes--
do you think your mailman ate the blondies that i sent? lol

Remy said...

All looks v delicious - from LA to Chicago you certainly get to eat some great food.

Banana Wonder said...

Those pork fried almonds sound amazing! Will you make a version yourself? Hope so!

marla said...

You lucky lady!! Looks like LOTS of fun meals! Happy New Year :)

Let Me Eat Cake said...

what a tasty year you've had! son of a gun is top of my list too love that sammie!

elly said...

Gah, I can't believe I STILL haven't been to Purple Pig. Those almonds are calling my name! Looks like you had a great year of eating - happy new year, Esi!

lisa is cooking said...

This makes me want to plan another trip to Chicago soon! Can't wait to see what other great things your discover this year. Happy New Year!

lovelanguagetest said...

So that's it for favorite restaurant dishes of 2012. Stay tuned for our favorite home-cooked delights of the love language test year! Follow on Bloglovin So that's it for favorite restaurant dishes of 2012. Stay tuned for our favorite home-cooked delights of the year! Follow on Bloglovin favorite restaurant dishes of 2012. This has certainly been a delicious year! Before I left Los Angeles, I tried to visit as many restaurants,.