I started writing this post on December 31st, 2010 — exactly one year ago. It was blank at the time.
Throughout the year I added to this post in an attempt not to forget some of the amazing things I’d eaten. In all honesty, though, the reason these dishes are on the list is because I couldn’t forget them. They were destined for this post whether I started it one year ago or one day ago — a selection of meals that were unforgettably good.
2011 was a pretty awesome food year. One full of amazing experiences, long-lasting memories and new favorites. Here are the best things I ate (in no particular order) during my 2011 food journey.
Deconstructed “Hamburger” — Next (Childhood menu), Chicago
BLTA — Pastoral, Chicago
Wild boar sloppy Joe with beef fat fries — Longman & Eagle, Chicago
Beef cheek curry — NEXT (Thai menu), Chicago
Pork belly hot and sour soup — NEXT (Thai menu), Chicago
Maine lobster with smoked foie gras, chanterelles and asparagus — L2O, Chicago
Roasted padron, gypsy, corno di torro and jimmy nardello peppers with tonnato — Bar Agricole, San Francisco
Brioche — Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
Kobe burger — Citizen’s Band, San Francisco
Asian pork meatball sandwich — Belly Shack, Chicago
Flatbread with ramp pesto, rhubarb, ricotta and goat chorizo — Girl and the Goat, Chicago
Beef tartare with frites and truffle mayo — The Drawing Room, Chicago
Happy new year to all. Here’s to a fabulous 2012.
Now that I’ve shared my favorites with you, why not share a few with the rest of us! What were some of the best things you ate in 2011?
PS: Curious about my favorites from 2010? Check out last year’s post.
Fresh & Foodie 
All the dishes sound awesome!! What a great idea 🙂
I love this idea. I’m starting a blank draft right now for 2012.
Yum, I wish I knew about these restaurants when I went to Chicago last year! The only one I went to was Girl and the Goat.
I’m totally stealing this idea for next year 😉 All this sounds amazing! A friend of mine is here from Chicago right now, and was going on and on about how amazing the childhood menu was at Next. Gotta try to work that out next time I’m in town!
Yummy!! I can definitely see why you chose those as your favorites! All of them look amazing, but that Wild boar sloppy Joe with beef fat fries is calling my name! I might need to make a trip to Chicago just to try them! 🙂
Fun list! What a big world of food it is. I’ve been to many of the same places (Chicago and San Fran) but never tried the same dishes. I added that BLTA and Wild Boar Sloppy Joe to my “must try” list for 2012–thanks! Did you try the Morning Bun at Tartine? Oh my! Happy New Year!
Everything looks fabulous! I really must get to Chicago someday!
the beef curry looks delicious, you ate quite well everything looks fantastic
Wow those dishes look awesome!
great list! if I could transport two places from SF to chicago, it’d probably be tartine and burma superstar.
Absolutely. Burma Superstar is so unlike anything I’ve been able to find here in Chicago. I love it.
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I can’t wait to take a trip to Chicago and visit some of the restaurants where you had these great meals.
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