This was my best eating year by far. Many places around the country, as well as Italy. I'll just keep it domestic, otherwise my top ten meals will probably all be from Italy.
1. Carlos in Highwood- Worked in the kitchen for four hours, had dinner with my wife and another couple, and then sat on a picnic table in the parking lot and knocked down Miller Lite's with the staff until 1 in the morning.
2. Carlos again, with my family for my Dad's birthday. After the 7th bottle of Turley, we turned the place upside down. The waiters were a riot. I feel sorry for the diners looking for a nice quiet meal that evening. Oh yeah, the food and presentation was spectacular. As close to a perfect meal on all counts. You have to love waiters in a nice restaurant that can make bras and penises out of napkins.
3. Freddy's in Cicero. My office is down the street. A few days before Christmas, picked up some fresh-baked bread, some Prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, and imported sharp provolone. Spread it out on my desk in my office and a bunch of us had a feast.
4. Ted's Cheeseburgers in Meriden, CT and Louis' Lunch in New Haven. Two great burgers, two great experiences. Louis Lunch is a weird place, like a church.
5. Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, near Mystic, CT- Watching my oldest son enjoy his first whole lobster while my younger son fed the fish near the dock with his meal.
6. Pancake Pantry, Nashville, TN- Sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon cream syrup, crispy bacon, country ham- best breakfast ever for me
7. La Teresita, Tampa, FL- Killer Cuban sandwich and roast pork dinner, as well as a good Cafe con Leche. The kids, of course, had french fries, while my seven year old continued his research by hanging out in the bathroom for 10 minutes.
8. Bon Ton Mini Mart- Henderson, KY- Excellent and very fresh fried chicken and homemade lemonade served in an old gas station in the middle of nowhere. As long as you stick with the chicken and lemonade, it's all good.
9. Royal PoinSiena Country Club, Naples, FL- A decadent seafood buffet with everything flown in fresh that morning. You name it, it's there. Absolutely incredible, insanely decadent. And my in-laws paid for it. The only time I had to wear a tie all year, but it was worth it. Did I mention that my in-laws paid for it?
10. Blackbird, Chicago- Went there on December 23rd, worried that the food and service might be off so close to the holidays. I was wrong, and it wasn't nearly as pretensious as I thought it might be. Every entree and appetizer was worth talking about.
11. Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI. Similar to Carlos, with great food and friendly service. They do not have gourmet bratwurst.
12. Hamburger Heaven, Elmhurst- I've been going there for 35 years, since I was 4. Took my sons and 4 of their friends there, brought a bottle of ketchup, opened up the back of the SUV and ate burgers, fries and shakes. Then shot down to Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood park for Italian Ice.
What I would like to see in 2005-
Someplace that has strippers and really good food;
Charlie Trotter to get run over by a White Castle truck;
Have the chefs at Frontera Grill make more than 2 chiles relleno and for them to actually take people to tables when the place opens rather than usher them into the bar area for margaritas
See pot legalized, but only for people over the age of 80
Have the White Castle truck back over Charlie Trotter
Biggest Disappointments-
NOMI, by far. Stuffy waiters, arrogant sommelier, and I'm an idiot for ordering walleyed pike in a chocolate-red wine reduction with poached pears. Later, the waiter said it was a dish "they were experimenting with". Dr. Frankenstein's experiments yielded better results. The other entrees, which were presented well, were still just OK. They should consider leasing the space to a group less petulant and arrogant, such as a law firm.
MELEAR's, Fayetteville, GA- Probably once excellent, but from what others say and what I experienced, this Georgia barbecue place is well past its prime.