The ones I couldn’t stop talking about. The ones that haunted me and, yes, also made me tear up. Perhaps you saw them posted on the blog, or on my social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) at some point this year. I basically ‘Oh Em Geed’ my way through the photo archives, as I tried to choose the top bites finalists. Did I eat all that? Wow. There are even a couple from the 2016 list that placed once again.

Here we go. . .

30. Alter Soft Egg: sea scallop espuma, truffle pearls, Siberian or Iranian osetra caviar

29. Zuma Roasted Seabass: kombu butter and avocado salad

28. Los Fuegos Pear ‘a la Sal’: burrata, mixed greens, and crispy bacon

27. Scarpetta Duck & Foie Gras Ravioli

26. Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant New Zealand Lamb Rack: merlot demi-glace/ truffle 

25. Bourbon Steak Truffled Lobster Risotto

24. Mignonette Uptown Warm Lobster Roll: brioche, butter, hand cut fries

23. Bazaar Mar Maine Lobster Grilled: Thai butter sauce, peanut, ginger

22. Bourbon Steak Black Pepper Glazed Pork Belly: celery root, quinoa, peach 

21. Pao by Paul Qui East Side King Fried Chicken: sweet chili sauce, roasted banana ketchup, and jalapeño

20. Los Fuegos 12oz Wagyu NY Strip Steak: domino potato, arugula, avocado and pickled red onion

19. Michael’s Genuine Pan Roasted 1/2 Chicken: roasted kohlrabi, herbs, lemon

18. Bourbon Steak Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras

17. Byblos Miami Black Truffle Pide: buffalo mozzarella + halloumi + tartufata

16. Big Easy Durban Bunny Chow: slow roasted lamb shank served in an artisan bread bowl

15. Forte dei Marmi Linguine ‘alla Nerano’: zucchini, parmesan

14. Stubborn Seed Umami Short Rib: trumpet mushrooms, heirloom carrots, miso mustard butter

13. Bazaar Mar Not So Po Boy José!: fried oyster, steamed brioche bun, Platinum Malassol caviar, tartar sauce

12. Forte dei Marmi Pistachio Gelato

11. La Fresa Francesa Seared Foie Gras in a Vicky’s Bakery guava pastelito

10. Bazaar Mar Secreto Ibérico de Bellota, Fermin: bone-in pork chop served with toasted tomato bread, mojo verde, and anchovy chimichurri

9. La Mar El Achupado: bucatini pasta, shrimp, octopus, calamari, bell peppers, choclo, rocoto aioli

8. Los Fuegos Napoleon: dulce de leche, chocolate, and mascarpone layered between golden puff-pastry sheets

7. Forte dei Marmi Calamari ‘Tagliatelle’: Petrossian caviar, lemon zest

6. Stubborn Seed Smoked Foie Gras: Homestead boniato tortellini | Marcona almond | spiced quince

5. Le Sirenuse TIE Spaghettone Pomodoro e Basilico: spaghetti from Gragnano, tomato, basil & the one with just olive oil and chili flakes.

4. Nobu Japanese A5 Wagyu: over hot stones

3. Los Fuegos California Lamb Chops: asparagus, red onions, quinoa, dates, mint

2. Ghee Indian Kitchen Smoked Lamb Neck chickpeas, herbs

1. Phuc Yea Smoked Short Rib pho spiced, fish sauce caramel