Best of 2009

As we come to the end of 2009, my mother and I were discussing my top ten food memories of this year. Meals make memories and for me, I seem to remember everything I've ever eaten. An old friend used to make fun of me because he didn't understand how I would be thinking of my next meal before I ended the current one and why food was so important in my life. It just is and I love to eat.

1. The White Tiger Maki at Oishii Chestnut Hill, MA- Fresh tuna, roe, avocado wrapped in cucumber with the "white tiger sauce." This lemony white sauce has an official Japanese name that I can never remember, but I always order extra and eat it on everything.
http://oishiiboston.com/

2. The tomato soup and truffle fries at Garden at the Cellar Cambridge, MA - I am 8 minutes from my favorite soup. Its all organic, creamy and delicious. I could lick the bowl if one was allowed to do this in public.
http://gardenatthecellar.com/home

3. Bobby Flay's Bar Americain's Gala Apple Salad New York, New York - Bite sized crisp apples, walnuts, Gorgonzola, with pomegranate vinaigrette. Simply delicious and filling enough for a meal.
http://www.baramericain.com/newyork.php

4. Falafel in Jerusalem, Israel- Eaten while sitting on a curb in a market in Jerusalem on the eve of Shabbat. Served warm with Israeli salad and a view of an intentional car accident on the side.

5. Supercheesie at Superdawg Chicago, IL. Superdawg is a Chicago institution. A Supercheesie is a cheeseburger in Superdawg lingo- don't try to order in English and be prepared to eat in your car with extra napkins. Their fries are incredible and everything (including the T shirts) come in a box. As a bonus, their pickle relish is neon green and my mother goes just for that.
http://superdawg.com/

6. Cabot's "Fudge Anna" Newtonville, MA For someone who doesn't eat ice cream, (one bite usually is all I can muster) I make one very big exception- the Fudge Anna. Classic vanilla ice cream with banana wheels covered in amazing homemade hot fudge and fresh whipped cream. The ice cream menu alone is four pages long and there is every combination you could think of.
http://www.cabots.com/

7. The "Chicago Mix" of cheese corn and carmel corn from Garrett's Popcorn, O'Hare Airport By far the best airport food and it does travel well if served warm. The combination of salty and sweet can't be beat.
http://www.garrettpopcorn.com/

8. Portillo's Chicago Hot Dog with everything except hot peppers Chicago, IL. Everybody in Chicago has their favorite hot dog and it is open to debate, but for me its Portillo's. They are efficient, consistent and always good. The last time I was there, I beat a marching band from Minnesota in- all 200 of them. If you are looking for an even bigger indulgence, their chocolate cake is a decedent treat. We think is made with mayo which keeps it so moist, but worth every calorie! There are several locations around the area.
http://www.portillos.com/

9. The fresh fig, Gorgonzola, caramelized onions and truffle oil pizza from ZA in Arlington, MA. ZA is not your traditional pizza (especially coming from a deep dish girl) but their fresh organic ingredients from local farms and interesting combinations keep it interesting. Their potato salad with kalamata olives, cucumbers and tomatoes on top is worth mentioning- the creaminess of the potato and the crunch of the Greek salad toppings keeps me coming back as well.
http://www.zarestaurant.com/

10. The Natasha Cucumber Roll (not named after me) from Super Fusion in Brookline, MA Shrimp tempura, tobika, crab stick, avocado, mayo, rolled with cucumber, topped with eel sauce. I eat this probably every week and I have my friends hooked on it too. We like it so much, we all order our own. How do you say yum in Japanese?
http://www.superfusionrestaurant.com/

I would love to know what you think and hear about your favorite meals of 2009.
Happy Holidays! -Natasha