I almost didn’t post this, then decided, it’s best to keep calm and carry on.  After all, we’re all still eating. In all honesty, even when restaurants were open, I didn’t have a particularly spectacular meal at the places I was reviewing.  Fortunately, there were a few good dishes in what appeared to be the longest month in the history of my life. So, what made the list? Chicken Tikka, 3 ways, at Masala Library. ALL the steak, Meat & Co., Dine Around at Souq Madinat with Foodiva. Crispy eggplant, Nido. Honorable mention to the High Joint we had at home, and BB for hooking us up with some great veggie dishes. What did you enjoy this month?  Something homemade, or something ordered?

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Not going to lie, February was a month full of (mostly good) food.  There were some disappointments, but overall, I was very good at picking restaurants. A rather difficult decision, but my favorite dishes were the following: Corn achappam, 65 spice, Tresind Studio, Season 3. Crispy eggplant, Indochine. Wok tossed Beef Tenderloin, Hutong. While I loved the entire new season at Tresind and picking just one dish was difficult, the first course of act two was my favorite ‘new’ dish of the group.  Also, the Bod Bod pop up burger at High Joint deserves an honorable mention. Next month is my birthday (!), and we’ll be staying in Dubai for the month.  There’s nothing officially on the cards, but February held a lot of surprises, and I’m hoping March will too! What was your favorite dish in February?

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January seems like both forever and a minute.  Overall, I did much better on fitness and eating goals, and there was only one event that I went to and look back and wonder what the hell I went for.  My system for 2020 of focusing on only dining out when I’m being paid, or for supporting brands I specifically believe in has worked out fairly well so far.  Am I posting less on social media?  Maybe.  Does that bother me?  Not in the least. Okay, enough of my dining philosophy.  What did I enjoy the most this month?  Omani prawns, Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar, Muscat. 18 hour Wagyu short ribs, Pacific Groove. Honey Butter Chicken, BRD by SLAB. Clearly, I was in a protein loving, comfort food place this month! What was your favorite dish in January?

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Given the absolutely frenetic pace of November, I was far happier in December — which started with a long weekend.  I did my best to pace out visits this month, and for the most part, succeeded.  I’d be happy if every month in 2020 was like this one. In no particular order, let’s close out the year, shall we? Breakfast at Reif Kushiyaki.  I really don’t want to narrow my choices down, since I loved everything we had. Charred octopus, Aya. Cucumber salad, Streetery. I’m going to do my best to pace myself in January, which I think should be a fairly steady month.  We’ve got a trip booked to Oman, we’re moving (!), and I’m trying to get down to a mystical 60kg by March, so I think it will be quieter than other months. And how about you?  Were there any winning dishes you tried this month?

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2019 was an interesting year, and probably one of the more average years as far as food was concerned.  As I look back, there were a lot of good meals, but the meals that were truly next level are relatively few and far between.  I don’t think any of the restaurants on my list will be a surprise, and without any ‘major’ meals planned between now and December 31st, I feel confident to publish this. Here we go — in no particular order: Manresa. Field. Alici. Honorable mentions go to Reif Kushiyaki, Dax, and Tasting Counter. What do you remember as the best meal you had in 2019?  What stands out for you in the year? 

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Honestly, this was probably my busiest and most interesting month for food in 2019.  I was happy to support so many local businesses across the United States (and a few in France).  Surprisingly, I don’t remember that much from my meals at Michelin restaurants or was super impressed by tea at the Ritz Paris.  Perhaps November just proves that food is subjective. In no particular order, here’s what I remember most (and what I would be most likely to order again): Paris-Brest pastry from Philippe Conticini. Omakase at Sushi Park. The 3 B’s at Orchard City Kitchen. I can’t imagine December will yield such a range, but I’m very grateful for my experiences across the month of November. What was your favorite dish this month?

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October came and went in a flurry of events and good food.  Most of my best dishes this month were off the menu or for special events, but that’s my life now?  #humblebrag Wagyu tartare, Tasca Tomato tartare, 3bk Quinoa and egg, Rare Very honorable mention to the new tasting menu at Mint Leaf of London. November has the potential to be my best foodie month – I’ve got some stars lined up in California, and a trip (?!) to France. Where did you eat this month?  Anywhere good?  Are you looking forward to any meals next month?

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Here and there and everywhere this month, but honestly, not that many memorable meals (or, at least not as many as I was expecting, given the range of places I visited).  I think it’s okay to be disappointed, but I was a bit shocked at just how much average food I had this month.  Hopefully, October has better offers! Japanese Ohmi Wagyu A5 Tataki, Eat Me. Beef gyoza, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki. Sea urchin pasta, Alici. (So glad to see this establishment has held up!) Where did you eat this month?  Anywhere good?  Are you looking forward to any meals next month?

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Wow – a busy month, full of some amazing food!  With our trip to Prague, that seems to be the dominating theme, but a late trip to Kulture House got in at the last minute. In no particular order: Sunflower pesto and fresh vegetables, Eska. Chanterelles, Curd, Brown Butter, Yolk, Field. Honey glazed BBQ chicken, Kulture House. The lobster and burrata I tried at Marea gets an honorable mention.  Review coming soon! What was your favorite dish this month?  (Also, what happened to 2019?! How is it almost 2020??)

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July was certainly a busy month!  Between Paru, a repeat visit to Phoenix Social Club, trying Chapter 2 at Tresind Studio, Lah Lah, and others in the UAE, plus dining around Dublin, I was a happy foodie.  I’m also proud that I’ve started making some better choices regarding my diet and exercise.  There’s only so much you can look in the mirror before deciding to make a change.  I’ve not got myself weighing in on a regular basis, which seems to be the biggest motivator for me. #whateverworks What were my favorite dishes? Laksa, Lah Lah. Pandra Rassa, Tresind Studio (Chapter 2). Stuffed courgette with lobster, Dax. Next month, Hubs and I are already looking forward to a quick trip to Abu Dhabi (it’s been a while!) and an Eid holiday to Prague, which has been on our list for ages!  Did someone say ‘beer spa?’ Where did you eat…

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