Some people might measure their year in cities visited, dollars earned or goals accomplished. I measure mine in delicious food eaten in Chicago—and let me tell you, 2014 was a good year. I love looking back on each passing year, thinking about great new restaurants that have burst onto the scene and old favorites that have shuttered their doors ( Hot Doug's, sniff ). It's fun to think about how culinary trends are evolving, and about what new edible masterpieces the New Year will bring.
1. Filet mignon at Bavette's Bar & Boeuf: So thick, yet so tender. So perfectly seasoned and grilled. For my money, Bavette's is the best steakhouse in town, and this scrumptious little cut is the best on the menu. Slather it with some of the creamy bearnaise and you will transport yourself to steakhouse heaven.
2. Peanut butter pie at Bow & Stern: This peanut butter mousse is so fluffy and light, it's as if air was somehow scientifically injected into it. The sweetness level is spot on—perfectly peanut buttery, but not overly sweet. Plus, it's perched atop a rich chocolate cookie crust.
3. Poutine at Hoppin' Hots: I don't know if it's the thick savory gravy or the way the French fries retain their crispness in spite of of being drenched in said gravy. Or maybe it's the crazy good cheese curds gilding the lilly, but this poutine is the best I've had in Chicago. And if you're going to challenge your heart to continue functioning properly by eating poutine, go ahead and order the amazing salted caramel milkshake as well.
4. Confetti cake at Sweet Mandy B's: If you think confetti cake is just for kids or only comes out of a box, then you haven't had Sweet Mandy B's version. It looks like the traditional boxed kind from your ninth birthday, but it is infinitely more moist. You must have it iced with the strawberry frosting, which is thick, buttery and not nearly as sweet as its pink hue would have you believe.
5. Blossom cocktail at Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor: Yum Cha was one of the most pleasant surprises of the year for me. I had not previously been a huge fan of dim sum. And, it just may have been the fizzy "Blossom" cocktail that started things off on the right foot for me at this upscale dim sum parlor. Lychee puree and Mandarin rose tea syrup combine in the most graceful manner ( the vodka probably doesn't hurt, either ) and the cocktail is topped with champagne and a fresh orchid, making it as beautiful for your eyes as it is for your taste buds.
6. Beef stroganoff at Summerdale: High-quality slices of beef, tender pappardelle and a rich but not too heavy gravy make this stroganoff a standout. But, it's the sprinkling of fresh chives on top that truly sets it apart and takes it to the next level.
7. Doughnut holes at Cocello: Damn, I love these little things. They arrive at your table piping hot and delicately dusted with sugar. Best of all is the tangy fruit sauce and dollop of whip cream that accompany them for you to make your own little DIY jelly doughnuts.
8. "Burrata Be Kidding Me" pizza at Parlor Pizza Bar: If you gave me a scoop of creamy burrata and fresh lemon-dressed arugula drizzled with truffle oil on a piece of cardboard, I'd probably eat it. But, if you put it on a golden bubbly Neapolitan style pizza crust hot out of a wood-fired oven, well, there'd be a serious party in my mouth—which is exactly how you'll feel when you're eating this pizza.
9. Surf-and-turf roll at Ora: It's the rare appearance that beef makes in a sushi roll. But, when it's done as well as the surf and turf roll at Ora, then it makes perfect sense. Crunchy tempura shrimp, asparagus, scallion and cream cheese are all enveloped in rice and topped with a thin slice of beef, seared ever so slightly.
10. Peanut Butter Paradise at George's Ice Cream and Sweets: It may seem strange to be thinking about ( more like lusting over, in my case ) an ice cream sundae at the end of December, but if you've ever had George's peanut butter paradise sundae, then you know what I'm talking about. Thick, sweet ( I'll go ahead and call it magical ) peanut butter sauce, crumbled peanut butter cups and a few spectacular scoops of ice cream are all I need to feel better in the face of face of most minor crises. It comes with chocolatey Zanzibar ice cream, but I believe I've improved on something spectacular by ordering it with cool, creamy vanilla instead.
