There’s a show on The Food Network called ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’. I think it runs somewhere between Sandra Lee making something weirdly boozy, and Alton Brown making chefs cook with both hands tied behind their backs. ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’ details the best plates, usually cheese topped or caramel dripping, of today’s celebrity chefs. It’s fun to live vicariously. You’ll need some snacks for viewing. Don’t go into this endeavor hungry.
Inspired by The Food Network and Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere, here’s my list of the good, the delicious, and the gooey.
Also… I’m tempted to cut this list very short and say that this mango and coconut dark chocolate bar I’m currently eating in bed is the best thing I have ever eaten.
• The best Maple Buttermilk Donuts from Top Pot in Seattle. The key in the thick layer of maple glaze over the dense but cake donut. They’re hard to share.
This Strawberry Black Pepper Donut, the ones I made in my own kitchen, might have been the best donuts I’ve ever had. That’s not a humble brag. They were really delicious.
• Coffee from Slate Coffee in Seattle. I’ll be the first to admit that I rolled my eyes at the deconstructed latte served in wine glasses with a shot of espresso, a warm shot of milk, and a small glass of the two together, but… it was perfect. And the wine glasses brought out the aroma of the espresso. And the grassiness of the milk really came through. I pulled up to this place blasting Kelly Clarkson from my rental car and got a HEALTHY amount of Seattle-resident dirty looks. Chill Seattle. Why so serious!?
• Oysters at Maison Premier in Brooklyn. Something about the seafood tower, crushed iced, briny petite oysters, fancy tropical drinks, and dreamy back patio that makes Maison Premier some of the best oysters I’ve ever enjoyed.
Louisiana oysters are so big and meaty, I’m still trying to build my relationship with them. So far I’m scared.
• Best roasted vegetable from Domenica in New Orleans. They make a whole head of cauliflower taste like butter. Tender, rich, and still somehow a vegetable.
I tried to recreate the recipe with this Whole Roasted Caulifower with Cheddar Beer Sauce.
Cheddar Beer Sauce hides, compliments, and celebrates a multitude of sins.
• Best cookie from Antoinette Baking Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This double chocolate cookie had guinness in it. Thank you, amen.
• Best chicken is found in ALL of Nashville, Tennessee. I spent a lot of this Spring running around the South and Nashville has the best chicken. This chicken from Husk was just barely topped by the amazing chicken at Rolf and Daughters. Also… Hattie B’s. You know I ate that hot chicken UP.
• Best Cuban-inspired cocktails at Cane & Table in New Orleans. And if you’re lucky, these ladies will sit on the patio next to you and grimace.
Let’s drink more cocktails out of whole pineapples. Also, let’s book our trip to Cuba asap.
• Best Sazerac at Cochon in New Orleans. I drank this after I burned big ol blisters into my hand in a kitchen accident. It really was the best remedy.
• We aren’t done talking about coffee because there’s just too many great cups in the world. The people at Peddler Coffee in Philadelphia roast their own beans, make beautiful pour-over cups, and the most velvety espresso.
• Best barbecue at Iron Work BBQ in Austin, Texas. Beans. I’m a sucker for tender ribs and baked beans. Also, the brisket and sausage at Franklin BBQ, Lord have mercy.
I need to take a trip to Memphis sooner than later.
• Best picnic at Blackberry Farm, Tennessee. The setting is gorgeous, rolling hills, lush fields, amazing food, Their mustard-y potato salad and fennel + beet + strawberry salad add to the perfection.
• Best hotdog at Dat Dog in New Orleans. I know. I know.. I need to get down with NYC street dog and I need to eat any and every hotdog in Chicago, but these all pork hot dogs, with a sweet bun, too much mustard, and sauerkraut is THE BEST.
The fact that there are chili cheese fries makes the world an even better place.
• Best cannoli in the entire world at Termini Brother’s Bakery. Ricotta Chocolate Chip is the only way to go. And if you go to their original location and smile nicely, they’ll give you a paper hat to wear and a tour of their bakery kitchen. If you’re anything like me, it’s just a dream come true.
So! I know this has gotten your wheels turning! What’s your best bite this year? What was it and where did you find it… and when can I meet you there?
xo Joy
Jennifer
Hands down…best thing so far of 2015 was the Ocean roll from sparrow bakery in Bend OR. It’s like a croissant rolled up with vanilla and cardamom and a tiny bit of sugar. Absurd! I want another every day. http://www.thesparrowbakery.net/
Md Dalour Faruque Thalukdar
In seeing those images of delicious food make hurry to take.
However there is no way.
But I find in reading that’s delicious and very amazing to see.
Mrs K
I have to add another doughnut entry for the best thing I ever ate….. ANY doughnut from Doughnut Plant in NYC. Be it the Tres Leches… Coconut cream ( my
Personal fave)
people… We are talking yeast raised doughnuts made with all natural & many times organic & local ingredients … If in NYC… Don’t miss them.. (they have several locations)
adriennemauro
You know what’s kind of great? I live in Philly and have never heard of Peddler Coffee. Now I’m making a date with a friend to check it out. It’s so close to my house! Thanks <3
alyssa breed
Taqueria Diana in the East Village NYC has the best nachos I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. They may be the best THING I’ve eaten in my entire life……
Anna
omg these places look amazing
http://www.lifeandchanel.com
Chrystina Noel (@ChrystinaNoel)
I hear you about the meaty oysters in Louisiana, that definitely took some getting used to while I was visiting down there. Also, I’m glad Philly made the list :)
gotmeghan
Made another comment, but don’t know if it went through! Sorry about that. Hopefully this one goes smoothly! :D
Oh my!! These look so good! I love that show too! The chefs expressions to their favorite dishes can be very hilarious!
Susan Pietrocarlo
Side Car Donuts in beautiful sunny Costa Mesa CA, I am not kidding and the coffee, oh the coffee. Check it out please……………My lot in life is a Registered Nurse and I am here to heal the ill, help the needy and suggest really great doughnuts to others…..they have cake AND yeasted doughnuts, my very favorites.
Liz
A large raspberry macaron from the Laduree in Paris. LITERAL PERFECTION. IT DOES NOT GET BETTER.
Julianna
Joy, fittingly, this was like the best blog post ever. I want to eat my phone. Well done.
ccerebrations
Yum, I’m starving now. Some of the best things I’ve ever eaten have come from the MN State Fair. Seriously, more people should check it out. Also la bomba from L’Appetito in Chicago and the pb acai bowl from Juice Generation.
Shiran @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
Love this post! You are always so creative :) Great list and I can’t wait to try your donuts!
J
You made me laugh with your story of Kelly Clarkson blasting in your rental car in Seattle. Yeah… We don’t like anybody in Seattle. Blame it on the rain. But nobody’s friendly and everybody’s got dirty looks.
Jaclyn Nicole
Yay! So glad to see some of my hometown Seattle favorites made it on your list. The PNW has so many wonderful foodie cities!
Jaclyn
Shelby
Ug everything on there looks amazing! Those donuts and coffee are definitely on my to eat list! :]
The Fernweh Wolf / Travel & Lifestyle Blog
Abbey
I will second that the cauliflower at Domenica is the best vegetable dish in the world AND the recipe is online here: http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2013/05/whole-roasted-cauliflower-with-whipped-goat-cheese
And I have made it, and it tastes exactly like the original (sans the wonderful Domenica ambiance). It’s pretty similar to your base recipe actually, just adds a good dose of white wine to the poaching liquid (of course, the secret is wine). The whipped goat cheese is obviously the best thing that has ever been put in a bowl.
Louise
Top Pot is the best! Love Seattle. I can’t wait to try their new soft serve! Come back to Austin and we’ll go to Gourdoughs!
Rachel
I live just a few blocks away from Slate (and was one of your Instagram followers insisting you must try it out!) but I rarely ever go these days. It is the best coffee I’ve ever had (the first thing I tried was the deconstructed latte!) but I’ve never gotten warm enough vibes there to make me want to turn it into my regular joint. It’s a place to go have a totally Seattle coffee hipster geek experience. I also live right next door to another great little neighborhood coffee shop so there’s that…
Such a fun post!
Alicia
I know you said Iron Works for best BBQ, but that photo looks suspiciously like food from The Salt Lick (also in Austin) — plastic cups, mounded German potatoes and slaw, and that bread? I’d know it anywhere.
Natalie
Deconstructed coffee sounds interesting! Maple buttermilk donuts and that chocolate cookie (with Guinness!) look and sound amazing. I’ve been to Dat Dog but didn’t get a hot dog (I’m vegetarian and was actually just hanging with a hungry friend–I didn’t eat anything). The best cannoli I’ve ever had in my life was at Mike’s Pastry in Boston. YUM!
bhvhankes
Some of the best things I’ve had this year were in your adopted city. The bread pudding at Commander’s Palace (please go and have this, I think it’ll blow your mind), and the chargrilled oysters AND crab cake at Acme Oyster House. Lately I could be found moaning indecently over ice cream fresh from a farm in Western Massachusetts. Just. the. best.
abby www.littlecityadventures.com
I love this style post!! Keep it up!
Michelle
Hi Joy! What’s your go-to order at Dat Dog? Mine is the duck special–duck sausage + blackberry jam + bacon + mustard + onions. I can’t order anything else!
joythebaker
Hi! I usually order a regular hot dog with sauerkraut and a side order of chili cheese fries! Yum!
Gabriella
Yes! Going to Philly in a few weeks and just added a detour to Termini Bros. I live in Seattle and Top Pot’s maple cake donuts are my favvvvvorite. In fact, I might grab one tonight!
K
My best bite of the year. That’s a tough one. I would have to say things that were made at home. My husband made lamb souvlaki that was to die for, definitely surpassing where we go every year in New Zealand to get it. (this little stand in Christchurch has been our fave place for the last 13 years)
So, if you are ever in Colorado, and we’re not deployed to Antarctica, I’ll have him make it for you. Seriously. That good.
Jen
Nothing from LA? This makes me sad!
Sarah Heat
That cannoli is so good! I just moved to Philly, and haven’t had it since I was here househunting and went twice to reading terminal market to get cannoli. Can’t wait to try the flagship store too!
Noon
My favorite donuts really have to be the fresh munkki at the cafe down the street from the school I study at. If you get them early they’re still warm, chewy and fluffy but crispy, covered with sugar and softly scented with cardamom. Fresh Finnish bakery is wonderful!
Meghan
Girl, you’ve GOTTA come to Memphis!!! You’re not far now, just head north. I promise, you’ll bump right into us!! Come eat, play and enjoy the mighty Mississippi!
Jeannette
you’re damn right the best BBQ is in Texas ;) I feel like we always get pushed to the side when people talk about food. they have no idea! :)
tannaz sassooni
all that time in LA and nothing? hmm, i may need to make my own list! =)
Christine
Oh my gosh! As a Tulsa, OK native, I’m so pleased to see Antoinette Baking Co. on this list! They’re fabulous :)
Karen B.
I have to take a U.S. road trip…so many great suggestions, so little time. Thank you for always sharing the best food and recipes.
xo,
Karen
Celeste
The picture used for BBQ looks suspiciously EXACTLY like the BBQ at Salt Lick BBQ. Just sayin’ No hate for Franklin’s though.
Alicia
Agreed! I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that.
Megan
You can make that cauliflower yourself! It really is the best. Here’s the recipe:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/whole-roasted-cauliflower-with-whipped-goat-cheese-51161230
Willravel
If you like oysters and you’re ever in San Francisco, I’d check out Hog Island Oyster Co. I’ve had oysters in New England, New York, Florida, Georgia, Australia, and France. My favorite are Hog Island. They’re just so pure, clean, and fresh tasting.
Thanks for giving me a few more reasons to visit Louisiana!
Rachel
Yes!! They were the first oysters I ever tried raw and none have ever compared since then!
Michelle
Best doughnut I’ve ever had was the PB&J at Blue Star in Portland.
Sarah
I should have had snacks to get through this post. It’s 10am in Minneapolis and now I’m starving.
Emily
Joy, your timing is fantastic! I’m currently attending a conference at Seattle University, and now looking forward to a nice doughnut on my last, non dining hall fed morning here. Thank you!
Catriona
Love, love, LAHV maple donuts. And beans with BBQ. And not coffee. But yes to cookies and cannolis. This post hit me in the stomach feels.
aidammollenkamp
Such a good list! Now I want to travel to all these places pronto!
Anna
Also, my favorite burger has been from Fred’s Meat and Bread at the Krog Street Market in Atlanta. Haven’t been to Husk yet, and that burger is supposed to be pretty amazing too.
Anna
Nashville has become our new vacation place, hot chicken FTW!
RE: doughnuts, the Doughnut Vault in Chicago is my all time favorite. Their yeast donuts have basically ruined all other donuts for me because nothing can compare! Chicago has a lot of fancy donut places but the Vault is the absolute best. Crema in Nashville has really good specialty donuts on the weekend too. And yes, I do have a donut problem.
Also, best chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever had was from Please and Thank You in Louisville.
I could talk about this alllllllll day. Thanks for your list, Joy!
Ashley
Sigh. That cauliflower at Domenica. I tried to replicate it after my one and only trip to New Orleans. It wasn’t the same, but it was somewhat close–I could eat a huge bowl of the feta/goat cheese spread that comes with it.
Caitlin
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I think the picture you have of chicken was at City House not at Husk..I’m familiar with the type of plates they use at both establishments. I’ve never seen a white plate or bowl at Husk. Nor have I seen white walls for that matter.
Laura
I’ve been eating Temini’s cannolis for literally my entire life and hardly anyone understands how incredibly perfect their cannolis are. There are so many bad cannolis out there in the world, it makes me want to cry. This entire list is amazing and I’m glad I’ve at least consumed 2 things on it (Hattie B’s chicken, also life changing! And just had it for the 1st time in June!)
emw
I dream about glazed old fashioned donuts from Top Pot, dunked into a mug of coffee.
Glad I’m not alone.
Eliza
Even after cooking and consuming roasted cauliflower earlier this week, I am drooling over that picture and that description of Domenica’s roasted cauliflower. It looks velvety as can be!
Eliza
Even after making and downing a batch of roasted cauliflower this week, I am drooling over that picture and that description of roasted cauliflower. That dish looks velvety as can be!
Robin
Oh, and the best hummus in the world is at Zahav Restaurant. It’s even better than the hummus at Dizengoff, a hummusiyera in Philadelphia, also owned by chef extraordinaire Michael Solomomov.
Robin
Love that you named two places in Philly, although I have to say that La Colombe coffee is my favorite in the City. And did you try Termini’s rum cake? Salivating just thinking about it…
Hazel
Oh wow. This list is AMAZING and it definitely made me so hungry! So instead of making a decent breakfast for myself, I’m eating Fig Newtons, drinking coffee and replying back! These are the foods that I would want to be part of my last meal….
Best fried chicken — Martha Lou’s in Charleston. I can feel my arteries clogging just thinking about that place. It’s a total dive on the outskirts of town that only accepts cash, is open just for lunch, and has macaroni and cheese listed as a vegetable. The fried chicken is cooked to order and it is crispy and delicious and perfect.
Best Tapas — Curate here in Asheville, NC! Thinly sliced Iberico ham with juicy melon on the side, grilled peppers stuffed with Spanish goat cheese, Tortilla Espanola, shrimp with garlic butter sauce, paella….you get the idea….Everything there is my favorite dish.
Best Dessert- Highland Mocha Stout cake from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. Beer, coffee and chocolate in a cake, I shouldn’t have to explain why it’s amazing.
Thank you for sharing your amazing list with us! I’ll be in New Orleans for a wedding in December. Although, I hope I actually make it to the wedding…I might be too busy stuffing hot dogs, beignets, crawfish etouffee, and sazeracs into my face to be there on time.
Be well,
H
Emily @ Life on Food
I love that show and these posts. So much fun. They leave me starving and itching to travel.
patternandbranch
Oh, fun! My favorite burgers for the year have been from Bunz Burger in Ipswich, MA, Laura’s Little Burger in Decatur, MI, and Joe’s Hamburgers in Wyandotte, MI. My favorite bread is the sourdough olive loaf from A & J King Bakery in Salem, MA (they have it in their cookbook!), and best lobster roll and clam chowder will always be Ipswich Clambake Company in Ipswich, MA (don’t let those other places in Essex take you in!). :)
mapillepich
That is literally my favorite show. This post just made me SO happy
Sam
Joy, you live close to some of the best fried chicken I have ever eaten in my life, and I was born and raised in the South. Quick, go here http://www.myneworleans.com/Louisiana-Life/November-December-2013/Chicken-at-Chesters/
Bridget
YES – Termini’s is the best, and their cannolis are amazing! Also, on March 19 (St. Joseph’s Day) they make zeppoles that are so good, you’d consider walking over your grandmother to get to them …
Mollie K.
YUM YUM YUM YUM YUMMMMM. oh boy I’m in CT so the food isn’t THAT special, but lets see. Best Burger was from Flipside in Fairfield, CT http://www.flipsiderestaurant.com/photos.php#!gallery/1
anddddd doughnuts in Chicago are pretty unreal! I visited this summer. Glazed and Infused Apple Fritter…melt in your mouth amazingness http://www.goglazed.com/products.php
Maryalene
So how do you drink deconstructed coffee?? Do you pour it all into a mug or sip from each glass individually? Enquiring minds want to know!
Rebecca
You drink from each glass separately (coffee, then milk, then the one that’s the two mixed together). Have had this at Slate – it’s amazing!
Martha in KS
You need to come to Kansas City for BBQ. We’ve got the BEST BBQ!
Liliana
Your oyster picture made me remember the oysters I had in Brittany – totally different setting, right at the pier next to the sea – it was low tide and all the oyster beds were visible. The smell intensified the taste, it was so good!
Isabella
Ah gosh, all of the food looks amazing! It makes me so hungry, haha! :)
emi
this is my kinda post! love your descriptions and added so many things to my list. mine is brunch at farm:table. their homemade muesli and focaccia toast changes weekly based on season, and nothing has ever been done more right.
Emily
Alright, that’s it, I officially really, really need to go to New Orleans!
But also…You really, really should head to Kansas City for the best BBQ ever. Not that I’m biased….I may or may not be from KC and may or may not be serving it as the food at my wedding….. ;)
x
Emily
Sarah
I loved this post! Random and probably useless to most readers but I’m currently in Islamabad, Pakistan… the best baked goods are at Burning Brownie, the best dal makhani is at Andaaz, the best cheese plate is at La Maison, and the best sushi is at Wild Rice in the Serena :)
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
So much yes to Termini Bros canolis!! Any where that fills a canola to order has my heart
Bridie Flynn (@bridiefly)
I love the grimacing ladies and the BBQ, but the thing that’s got me hooked is that strawberry/beet/fennel salad! That looks like a stunner… If you happened to recreate it that would be cool with me :)
Roos
YUMMMM! So delicious! Your pictures give me always so much inspiration :)
x Roos
http://theyellowcoat.blogspot.com
Joy
The best PROTIEN: http://www.oxpdx.com-the braised lamb when they have it, empanadas, lamb heart, Uruguanian ribeye…every single thing is amazing, even the salads! Ha!
The best drinks: http://www.andinarestaurant.com-sacayhuamán (sexy woman), mojitos, pisco sours, ron-yki-ón. Yum yum yum.
The best tapas: http://www.torobravopdx.com-salt cod fritters, empanadas, foie gras, bacon wrapped dates, and everything else!
Don’t have reservations? The best place to wait is Ox, because they have an oyster bar BAR next door:)
All in Portland, Oregon