A sure sign that I ate ridiculously well in 2011—a dish of toro tartare and caviar made by Chef Masa Takayama didn’t even crack this year’s top ten. As another year comes to close, it’s become tradition to reflect upon where I’ve been and what I’ve eaten. It was a daunting task choosing my favorite savory dishes of the year, but after careful consideration and conferring with The Astronomer, I finally managed to whittle down the candidates. Without further ado, here are the ten best savory dishes that I ate this year…
Duck for Two from Eleven Madison Park in New York City, NY
Dry-aged for two weeks and roasted with honey and lavender, the Muscovy duck arrived at the table looking positively glorious. I’d never laid eyes on a more beautiful bird. The duck was served with a celery and rhubarb compote and a rhubarb puree. The meat was perfectly tender with a succulent ring of fat, while the skin was caramelized and crisp.
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Smoked Meat from Schwartz’s Montréal Hebrew Delicatessen in Montréal, Canada
The hand-sliced meat was stacked tall between two slices of light rye bread with a bit of yellow mustard. The seemingly simple sandwich packed an impressive punch. The meat was flavorful, moist, and tender, while the bread was soft but sturdy enough to keep the meat in its proper place. Mustard, coleslaw, and pickles were just the tangy accompaniments needed to punctuate the wonderful smoked meat.
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