Foodies: gather round. I have a checklist for you of the best bites in New York City from 2016 that will aid you in the hunt for delicious food. These are some of my favorite mains, appetizers and small plates, fast food, sandwiches…everything from mind-blowing Truffle Soup Dumplings to Chocolate Meatballs – have fun taste-testing them all!

Angelo’s Little Italy: Mozzarella di Bufala Affumicata alla Griglia (Grilled smoked mozzarella with sun-dried tomatoes, and wild mushrooms)

Miss Lily’s: Ackee & Saltfish (Plantains and Callaloo)

Great Burrito: Chicken Mole Burrito

Pause Cafe: Matcha Green Tea Acai Bowl (mango, coconut, buckwheat, matcha)

Fette Sau: Black Angus Beef Brisket

Vandal: New York City Street Pretzel with Steak Tartare

Taverna Kyclades: Grilled Octopus

Fish Cheeks: Coconut Crab Curry

Northside Bakery: Cheese Pierogies

Chalk Point Kitchen: Whipped Ricotta and Black Pepper Herb Honey Ciabatta Toast

Artichoke Pizza: Margherita slice

Harlem Shake: Hot Mess (Beef burger with pickled cherry pepper and bacon relish, and smoky chipotle mayo)

Uncle Boons: Kaduuk (Roasted bone marrow satay with peanut sauce, toast, pickled cucumber, and onion)

Sammy’s Romanian Steakhouse: Chicken Liver Toast (get the pickles too!)

Bill’s Townhouse: Beef Wellington

Prince Street Pizza: Pepperoni slice

The Boil: Bag of Crawfish with O’Bay seasoning

Angkor Cambodian Bistro: Bánh Xèo (Cambodian pancake stuffed with pork, shrimp, and beansprouts)

Zurutto Ramen & Gyoza Bar: Takoyaki (Octopus balls with bonito flakes)

Land of Plenty: Braised Whole Fish Filet (Soy Bean Sprouts in Roasted Chili Spiced Broth)

ABC Kitchen: Mascarpone, raspberry compote, and olive oil on crispy french bread toast

White Gold Butcher’s: Sausage Roll

Amy Ruth’s: Fried Chicken and Waffles

Sel Rrose: Burrata Cheese and Heirloom Tomatoes

Ruffian: Cauliflower and Miso Soup

Po: Orecchiette (Sweet sausage and Broccoli Rabe)

Nom Wah Nolita: Cantonese-smoked chicken leg with ginger and scallion sauce

Atoboy: EGG (Egg custard with crispy quinoa and sea urchin foam – I opted for fresh sea urchin at an extra charge)

Takashi: Foie Gras Stuffed Mini Kobe Burger with Chocolate BBQ Sauce

Crave Fish Bar: Rice Dusted Point Judith Calamari (Thai miso sauce, mung bean sprouts, aleppo chili)

Agora Turkish Restaurant: Chef’s Borek (Phyllo roll, stuffed with goat cheese and leeks, over tomato marmalade) *restaurant is BYOB

Souvlaki GR: Hand Cut Greek French Fries (Oregano and goat cheese)

Hudson Clearwater: Sauteed Spaetzle with House-Made Maple and Cayenne Sausage, Caramelized Onions, and Wilted Greens

Quality Eats: Grilled Nueske’s Bacon (Peanut Butter and Jalapeno Jelly)

Stanton Social: French Onion Soup Dumplings

Carma East: Truffle Soup Dumplings

 

What dishes blew your mind this past year? Let me know @maryinmanhattan.