While doughnuts dominated 2013’s Year in Delicious, 2014 featured more diversity. Ever the equal opportunity sweets seeker, I set aside plenty of gastro real estate for everything under the sugary sun from puddings to pies to pastries and cake! Without further ado, here are the 10 best sweets that I ate this year…

Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu, Hawaii

Whether served simply with a dusting of sugar or fancily with a coconut custard filling, the Portuguese doughnuts at Leonard’s were a treat for the senses.  Mmm…deep-fried paradise.

Kouign Amann from b.Patisserie in San Francisco, California

Beneath the unbeatably flaky layers of laminated dough, a gorgeous sugar-tinged and buttery center was revealed. A spectacular creation by pastry goddess Belinda Leong. We’re not worthy.

Goodbye, 2014. Hello, 2015! It’s time once again to reflect upon the dishes that defined my year in delicious. While The Astronomer and I didn’t travel abroad in 2014, domestic jaunts to Honolulu, Las Vegas, Chicago, and San Francisco, as well as local explorations around Los Angeles, made for some memorable face stuffage. A rough bout with “morning” sickness kept me on the gastronomical sidelines for quite a few months there, but thankfully I managed to rebound, finishing out the year on the tastiest of notes.

Thank you for reading Gastronomy (for the past 8 years!), and without further ado, here are the 10 best savory dishes that I ate this year…

“Beep Beep” from Pot at The Line Hotel in Los Angeles, California

A decadent melange of sea urchin, yuzukosho, and Kewpie mayonnaise served over rice, dreamt up by Chef Roy Choi. The yuzu’s tang and spice played off the richness of the uni and mayonnaise with aplomb.

Coffee Can Bread from The Pig & The Lady in Honolulu, Hawaii

Chicken liver mousse always hits the spot, but add to it pickled grapes, pink peppercorns, candied almonds, and chrysanthemum leaves, and you’ve got an unstoppable combination of flavors and textures. This was one of a slew of damn delicious dishes at Chef Andrew Le’s eclectic Honolulu spot. These grindz had me feelin’ fine. (Full review to come!)

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