This is my Top 25 of “Most Memorable Food” in 2012. They are all new food and dishes that I experienced this past year, some while traveling and some close to home. A few are from events that I attended and a couple dishes are from restaurants that unfortunately closed. (Try to dine at locally owned restaurants and support small businesses!) Most dishes appear in blog posts from the past year, so check out the links for more info and photos.
Photos are in order of when the food was eaten!
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1. Pork Belly ‘n Eggs w/ marsala demi-galze at Finesse (closed restaurant) Lake Mary, FL
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2. Freedom Tower – tower of sweet plantain mash, Cuban marinated pork, cassava mash, fried sweet potato, and tropical chimichurri by CUBANCUBE food truck.
From event: South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2012 “Trucks on the Beach” closing party
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3. Bistec Milanesa– Breaded steak, ham, swiss cheese, Spanish creole sauce at Islas Canarias Cafe Restaurant & Bakery
Seen in: Miami food tour with Burger Beast: Islas Canarias, Pincho Factory, Rio Cristal, Azucar Ice Cream
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4. Hot Chocolate – a self serve hot chocolate caramel drink machine, served at the “Opening Reception” at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa during the Food Blog Forum Orlando Conference Weekend.
Seen in: Food Blog Forum Orlando at Disney World – Conference Recap
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5. Pork belly tater tots with piquillo pepper (side dish) by Charm City Burger Company of Deerfield Beach, during The Grind Miami 2012 burger battle in Miami, FL. They LOOK like tater tots, but the inside reveals a rich and succulent piece of pork belly.
Seen in: The Grind Miami 2012 – Photos & Event Recap
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6. Mama’s Chicken Biscuits – free-range fried chicken, pepper jelly, housemade buttermilk biscuit for brunch by Yardbird Southern Table in Miami, FL.
Seen in: Southern Style Gourmet Brunch at Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
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7. Foie Gras & Pancakes with bacon, buckwheat pancakes, maple syrup for brunch by Sustain (restaurant closed) Miami, FL.
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8. Foie Gras Macarons by Peter Timmons of The Gasparilla Inn & Club during the Food & Wine at Portofino 2012 Orlando, FL.
Seen in: Food & Wine at Portofino 2012
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9. Grits Creme Brulee at Wimauma in Tampa, FL. This was a seriously good dessert!
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10. Chargrilled Lamb Burger with feta, cumin mayo & thrice cooked chips at The Breslin in New York City. This lamb burger is a must try when visiting NYC! The Breslin in located inside of the Ace Hotel.
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11. Steak and Eggs (Korean Style) – Kalbi, eggs, kimchee fried rice at Boka/Bon Chon in New York City.
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12. Fried Chicken & Waffles Belgian Waffle, Buttered Pecans, Maple-Chicken Jus for brunch at Birch & Barley in Washington D.C.
Seen in: A day of eating in Washington D.C.
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13. Toki Classic Ramen – Tonkotsu triple stock with chasu pulled pork, seasonal vegetables, soft egg, red pickled ginger, sesame, scallions, nori at Toki Underground in Washington D.C.
Seen in: A day of eating in Washington D.C.
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14. The world famous “Ghetto Burger” – double chili cheese burger with bacon, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo at Ann’s Snack Bar in Atlanta, GA.
Seen in: The Ghetto Burger at Ann’s Snack Bar
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15. Umaido Original Tonkotsu broth w/ slices of roasted pork, tree ear, garlic oil, bean sprouts, seasoned 1/2 hard boiled egg, scallions and sesame, plus extra Chasyu pork at Umaido Atlanta, GA
Seen in: Tonkotsu Ramen at Umaido
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16. Griddled Pork Belly with anson mill grits, sorghum, pecans, swiss chard, coddled egg for brunch at Empire State South in Atlanta, GA.
Seen in: Southern Style Brunch at Empire State South
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17. The “Candied Droolius” – YumYum Truck Red Velvet Cupcake w/ candied Big Wheel Bacon at Yum Yum Cupcake Truck in Orlando, FL.
Seen in: The “Candied Droolius”
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18. Tomahawk Steak for Two (38 oz) at Bull and Bear, located in the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, FL.
This was my birthday dinner with my food partner O.D. and we both really enjoyed this steak dinner for two.
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19. Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras & Fried Rosemary Waffle with Bacon Chutney and Blueberry Marmalade by K Restaurant and Wine Bar at Taste of the Nation Orlando 2012
Seen in: Taste of the Nation Orlando 2012
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20. Tuna Tiradito – tuna sashimi, ginger soy, watermelon, house made sauces at The Cottage in Sarasota, FL. A refreshing dish and a great food stop in Siesta Key Beach area.
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21. “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce at Canada Market Place, Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2012. New for the festival this year.
Seen in: 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival – New Dishes & Twists on Favorites
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22. Fried Chicken and Funnel Cake with house-made buttermilk ricotta and maple balsamic for brunch at Cask & Larder in Winter Park, FL.
Seen in: Southern Style Brunch at Cask & Larder
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23. Crispy Pig Cheek Torchon with red cabbage marmalade, topped with a sunny side up egg for brunch at Cask & Larder in Winter Park, FL.
Seen in: Southern Style Brunch at Cask & Larder
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24. Chef’s Tasting Menu at The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, FL. Fourth course: Palmetto Creek Pork Three Ways with aleppo spiced tenderloin, belly, headcheese, sweet potato pavé, smoked corn, blood pudding purée
Seen in: The Ravenous Pig – Chef’s Tasting Menu
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25. Smoked Suckling Pig – Whole Cookery Feast at Cask & Larder in Winter Park, FL
Seen in: Cask and Larder Whole Cookery Feast – Smoked Suckling Pig
This past year was a good year of discovering food. Hopefully this Top 25 helps guide anyone who wants to discover the food for themselves or gives inspiration to recreating it in your kitchen. I’m thankful for 2012 and looking forward to 2013. Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Who’s ready to eat?
Words and photos by Julius Mayo Jr.
Content and photos © Droolius.com 2012
Love your recap! I agree… I loved that hot chocolate at Food Blog Forum… it was divine!
Heck yeah…I feel honored to have shared a top 25 meal with you at Sustain, Miami
Thanks Katie! Your 2012 recipe recap was great on your blog! Yes that hot chocolate from FBF was amazing, and I’m not even a big chocolate person lol.
John, the honor was ours sharing that wonderful meal! I can’t believe Sustain is closed now. Looking forward to experiencing your East End Market this year!
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