My Top Dishes of 2016.
While I’ve started a monthly version of this roundup (August, September, October, November, December — coming soon!) and I even managed a six-month review back in June, I thought now was a good time to reflect on some of the most amazing dishes I’ve had during the year. When 2016 started, I don’t think I had any idea how much food I would eat, the places it would take me, or the people it would introduce me to (I got a best friend from food, how cool is that?). I met chefs and PR professionals and all sorts of other industry types, which has all been amazing given I really didn’t get going with this blog until April. I’ve been very fortunate this year and I am very optimistic about what 2017 has in store (#happythankyoumoreplease). In reviewing my many (many!) notes and thoughts about food, I’m proud that I tried many…
My Top 3 Dishes of November 2016.
Another month gone and the year almost over! November was a bit of a strange one, with a lot of disappointing Italian food. Still, a few of the dishes managed to shine through. Truffled mash potatoes. While I haven’t officially posted about it yet, Citi Spi will soon share my review of the Cuts & Kilts Friday night brunch at Scots American Grill. While I truly enjoyed the entire evening, the mash was one of the best parts! Ironically, while I truly did not care in the slightest for most of the menu, the sea bass fillet from Carnevale was perfectly cooked and portioned — shame that it had to hide among a disappointing meal. While certainly not in the category of ‘fine dining,’ I thought the team at Sheraton Mall of the Emirates did a fantastic job on our Thanksgiving meal. I was very impressed with the turkey and…
My Top 3 Dishes for October 2016.
Here we are at the end of another month — and nearing the end of 2016! There were a lot of exciting dishes in October, but if I had to narrow things down, here’s my three favorites: Israeli couscous, STAY by Yannick Alleno (which is actually on my top list for the entire year). I went to look at the menu and this isn’t even on it! Although I’m working on the review of the restaurant now, with the first truffles of the season available, this insanely sublime pasta dish with freshly shaved black truffle on top was outstanding. Lamb chop, Carnival by Tresind Chicken and chestnut kulcha, Jodhpur I’m optimistic November will be another busy month full of food. I’m planning to go to the Taste of Abu Dhabi and, of course, Hubs and I will be preparing our usual Thanksgiving feast. What were your favorite dishes in October? Anything…
My Top 3 Dishes for September 2016.
Honestly, can someone tell me what happened to September? (No, seriously). Anyway, I managed to eat quite a bit, and here are my top 3 dishes: Street Fries, from Parkers Bloody Mary soup, from Locavore (review forthcoming — but I was fascinated at how the kitchen was able to so perfectly combine hot and cold elements, along with all the flavors of a Bloody Mary) Cabbage soup, from Blanco par Mandif (review forthcoming, but as with above, I was completely floored by the pack of sour notes, savory elements, and texture from the cabbage — see below) Honorable mention: AmStur Caviar (eaten directly from my hand!) Not sure exactly what it is with me and soup this month, but there you have it. I think it’s maybe how simple a dish it can be, but also how creatively it can be executed. With just a few ingredients, both the soups…
My Top 3 Dishes of August 2016!
I thought I would try this as a monthly feature, even if it’s a few days late for August 2016. So, August was probably my busiest month of the year for food. I ate A LOT (not that I’m complaining) and wanted to highlight my favorite and most memorable dishes of the month. Mostly, this will be a place to think back and consider all I tasted and tried, then take a moment to sort out which really stayed with me (and that I would go back for). In no particular order: Seafood Risotto, Todd English’s Olives Firecracker Roses, Wakame Seared Black Cod, Sea Fu (and I had 4 different versions of Black Cod in the month!) The Clinton Street breakfast, vegetarian Maki roll from Coya, and churros from Laluz all almost made the cut, but the dishes listed above are all in a category unto themselves. With a trip to…
2016: The Year So Far (Top Meals and Other Memorable Events).
With June soon drawing to a close, I thought it would be a good time to check in on some of the awesome meals and dishes I’ve had so far in the year. Leaving my corporate job in January and relocating to Dubai, it took the better parts of February and March to get into the groove of what I wanted to do (there were some other bad decisions related to my food blogging, but live, learn and move on). By April, when I attended the Zomato Bloggers conference, I made a wonderful connection with Zoe (of Table no 7 fame) and from there, I haven’t looked back! Although it’s only June, I’ve been fortunate to have experienced a number of incredible, stand out dishes, and meals. These are ranked in order (and would make for an interesting combination): The soup at Enigma. Sure, it’s just soup, you say, but imagine…
Best meal of 2015.
When I sat down to write this post, it was wonderful to recall all the amazing meals I’ve had this year. From Iceland to Los Angeles and the Emirates — including a nice lunch on board a ship — there have been a lot of fantastic occasions. Overall, between Michelin stars, street food, making a lot of my own meals, tasting menus and a go to sushi place my winner for 2015 is… Dill! I asked Hubs this same question and without prompting him, he volunteered our night at this very special Reykjavik restaurant. It wasn’t the most expensive meal we ate, or at the most exotic location, but it was truly memorable – start to finish. Where was your favorite meal in 2015?