Soup of the year: what’s left at the end of the Mongolian hot pot at Kaze . Runner-up: corn, baby shrimp, and basil oil at Café Pompei. One bite’s chowder, the next is pistou.
Science-fiction appetizer of the year: “exotic mushroom” soup frothed like a latte at Sorellina .
Science-fiction entrée of the year: coffee-curry monkfish at Bin 26 Enoteca ; don’t miss their cocoa tagliatelli, either.
Octopus of the year: Dionysos .
Pasta of the year: (tough category, a lot of research involved) tagliatelli Bolognese at Marco . Runner-up: pappardelle piemontesi at Tresca .
Best fried fish: Baja fish tacos and fried calamari at Café D.
Best fried non-fish: fried stuffed poblano peppers at Zocalo .
Whole fish dish of the year: “homestyle red braised whole fish” at New Taste of Asia , especially the tofu in the dish.
Barbecue of the year: hickory roast chicken at SoulFire .
Some like it hot: dry, diced chicken with hot chili at both Zoe’s .
Meatloaf of the year: Tuscan meatloaf at Columbus Café.
Steaks of the year: the filet side of Ruth’s Chris’ porterhouse; the skirt steak at Z Square.
Duck of the year: Muscovy duck (with bisteeya of confit duck) at OM ; rare breast and slow-roasted leg at Masona Grill .
Best eponymous: a glass of Caymus “conundrum” at Conundrum .
Wine list of the year: Bin 26 Enoteca , and great food to set it off.
Coolest new wine policy: Ivy , where all 60 wines are the same price, and they pour a 12-ounce quartino — ideal for couples — for $18.
Best cheap wine list: North Street Grille .
Best new all-French wine list: Bouchée .
Best $7 glasses of wine: Los Planos syrah (Spain) at Toro .
Vegetarian appetizer of the year: pâté at Petit Robert Bistro .
Vegan entrée of the year: Quanti at Himalayan Bistro .
Health food of the year: whole-wheat pizza at Legal Test Kitchen .
Non-alcoholic drinks of the year: ginger juice at Flames ; mango lassi at Himalayan Bistro .
Cookie of the year: coconut rocks at Flames .
Cheese plate of the year: Toro .
Desserts of the year: churros at Toro ; chocolate budino at Eclano .
Non-chocolate desserts of the year: butterscotch pudding at Lineage ; mocha-meringue semi freddo at Sorellina ; ginger soda at Dante .
Email the author
Robert Nadeau:RobtNadeau@aol.com.
