The headline says all that needs to be said. I’ll spare you an overview and get right to it.
We’ll start with the big ticket.
BEST SPLURGE DINNER
Elliott Aster
The hottest restaurant in town has earned near-universal praise from critics, social media and word-of-mouth. For our visit in December, Elliott Aster lived up to its rep. We had the 8 oz. filet mignon and Mediterranean sea bream, a fish we’d never tried before, plus a couple of sides. The food was uniformly excellent, although we slightly preferred the fish, which was a more nuanced dish. The capacious space has a regal aura, but we felt right at home. Read More — the Whole FFF.
BEST “I’M GLAD WE CHOSE THIS PLACE” MEAL
Chimichangas at Pepe’s Cantina
I’d long been guilty of thinking that the food at mid-priced Mexican restaurants was pretty much all at the same level — until we dug into these beasts: one carnitas (shredded pork) and one birria (shredded beef). The fried tortillas were stuffed well beyond expectation with marinated meat that was next-level scrumptious. Superb fixins added to the pleasure, and the house-made queso was icing on the cake. Pepe’s Cantina is now our go-to for Mexican. Read more.
BEST (SORT OF) SANDWICHES I’D NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE
Arepas at 1Chick 1Bro Cafe Bistro
Arepas, a Venezuelan street food, consist of a round, flat corn cake stuffed with fillings. At 1Chick 1Bro, we ordered a trio of Mini Arepas — two chicken, one pork — and a full-sized Pabellon (shredded beef and other yummy stuff). The corn cake blended exquisitely with the insides, offering a blended flavor that was new to us. We slayed all four. Read more.
BEST SUPPORTING ACT THAT STOLE THE SHOW
Vegano Pinsa at Bonu’ Taverna Italiana
While doing FFF fieldwork for tiramisu, we randomly ordered this specialty flatbread/pizza, and it immediately took over as the week’s headliner. Made with flour imported from Italy, the rustic crust was fantastic — this from a guy who usually finds pizza crust a waste of stomach space. Add the delectable melange of veggies on top and we enjoyed a meal to remember. Read more.
BEST SPECIAL LUNCH SPECIAL
Soho Sushi
For 20 bucks, Bonnie and I sat down to this exceptional assortment of sushi on a Tuesday afternoon in April. It delivered a major surprise: I can’t tolerate cooked salmon, but I really dug the raw sashimi. The meal came with a choice of miso soup or ginger salad. Soho served us both. Read more.
BEST TASTE OF JAMAICA
Brown Stew Chicken at Island Flavors and Tings
This place in a rundown strip mall in Gulfport had a warm, welcoming vibe. The brown stew chicken consisted entirely of thigh pieces, my fave. The velvety sauce, with a tinge of sweetness, proved a heavenly nectar. The meal came with rice & “peas” (actually beans) and a vegetable medley that retained a nice crisp. The enormous portion cost $10.95, and was served takeout from a cafeteria line. I enjoyed the atmosphere so much that I ate it there. And took plenty home. Read more.
BEST NEW (TO ME) TAKE ON A CLASSIC
Chicken Cacciatore at BellaBrava
Unlike most chicken cacciatore I’ve eaten in restaurants — admittedly a small sample size — BellaBrava’s version came in a bowl with polenta rather than on a plate over pasta. The dark-meat bird fell apart in layers and the sauce had a farmhouse quality, but it was the creamy polenta that made this dish really show out. Read more.
BEST MINI-BURGERS IN A NIGHTCLUB
Sliders at Tryst
I’d always known Tryst as more of a club than a restaurant, but its menu of mostly small plates includes several gems, including this Slider Trio — one beef burger, one pulled pork, one fried chicken with a maple Buffalo sauce. All were terrific, but the chicken won out. We ate in the 6 o’clock hour, well before the music volume got pumped up. Read more.
BEST BIRD (ASIAN DIVISION)
Crispy Duck at Pin Wok & Bowl
The duck, rinsed with a lovely basil sauce, had rugged skin that gave way to sumptuous meat, perfectly cooked. The generous collection of veggies, with an expert level of crispiness, provided a salubrious flourish. Read more.
BEST DESSERT THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY AVOIDED
Key Lime Pie at The Toasted Monkey
FFF did not have a banner year in the dessert department, but this key lime pie turned me into a convert, however briefly. The Toasted Monkey makes it in-house and serves the pie in three smallish cubes rather than a single slice. The filling split the difference between bold and mellow. A graham-cracker crust, whipped cream, and crumbles of nuts and cinnamon sealed the deal. Read more.
I reserve these best-of-year entries for local restaurants, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the apple fritters at Heavenly Donuts in Portland, Oregon. The It was the best sweet treat I had all year.
Got Room For More? Here are some honorable mentions …
Best Booze — The dry martini at Mandarin Hide…