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The Best Thing I Ever Ate

August 3, 2015 by Joy the Baker 74 Comments

Best Thing I Ever Ate - Maple Bar

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.  

Best Thing I Ever Ate - Coffee

•  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!? 

Best Thing I Ever Ate - Oysters

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Roasted

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Cookie

•  Best cookie from Antoinette Baking Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  This double chocolate cookie had guinness in it.  Thank you, amen.  

Best Thing I Ever Ate - Chicken

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Dacquiri

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Sazerac

•  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.  

Best Thing I Ever Ate - Coffee

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - BBQ

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Picnic

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Hot Dog

•  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 Thing I Ever Ate - Cannoli

•  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

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  1. Jennifer

    September 21, 2015 at 8:28 pm

    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. https://www.thesparrowbakery.net/

    Reply
  2. Md Dalour Faruque Thalukdar

    September 16, 2015 at 10:44 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Mrs K

    September 3, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    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)

    Reply
  4. adriennemauro

    August 26, 2015 at 8:49 am

    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

    Reply
  5. alyssa breed

    August 12, 2015 at 6:50 am

    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……

    Reply
  6. Anna

    August 11, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    omg these places look amazing

    http://www.lifeandchanel.com

    Reply
  7. Chrystina Noel (@ChrystinaNoel)

    August 11, 2015 at 10:30 am

    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 :)

    Reply
  8. gotmeghan

    August 10, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    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!

    Reply
  9. Susan Pietrocarlo

    August 10, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    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.

    Reply
  10. Liz

    August 7, 2015 at 3:03 pm

    A large raspberry macaron from the Laduree in Paris. LITERAL PERFECTION. IT DOES NOT GET BETTER.

    Reply
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