Scallionpancake Top Dishes of 2018:
In addition to our top five restaurants of 2018, we decided to spice things up and rate our top five dishes of 2018, like we did last year. Sometimes, we really love a particular dish at a certain restaurant, or something smaller at a casual place that is worthy of the title of "best dish," when "best restaurant" doesn't quite make the cut. Without further ado, here are our top five dishes of 2018!
Jason
1. FIVE AGES OF PARMIGIANO REGGIANO
Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
Our overall experience at Osteria Francescana was a slight disappointment, but the the most famous dish by Massimo Bottura was excellent. I could have eaten 100 of these.
2. SHAWARMA OF CELERIAC AND TRUFFLE
Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
You knew we weren’t going to get through this list without a dish from Noma. I had to think long and hard about which dish to choose, and I ultimately chose the celeriac shawarma because of how unique it was. This was 100% vegetarian and it tasted like the best, most savory meat shawarma you’ve ever had. Of course the truffle sauce didn’t hurt, and also the sourdough bread to mop up the sauce was next level, too.
3. Almond Granita
Caffè Sicilia, Noto, Sicily
We saw the Chef’s Table on Corrado Assenza and immediately booked a flight to Sicily. We came for the almond granita, and we were not disappointed. Words can’t describe how clean and natural the almond flavor is, so just stare at the picture and then book your Ryanair flight stat.
4. #19
Langers, Los Angeles, CA
You haven’t had rye bread until you’ve had the rye bread at Langers in LA. Put a pastrami reuben in between two slices of the heavenly bread and you’ve got yourself one of the best sandwiches in the world.
5. Aqua chile
Sanchez, Copenhagen, Denmark
This was one of the most unique dishes we had in Copenhagen. Think of a very spicy ceviche with mostly Danish ingredients and a strawberry acid broth.
Honorable Mention: Pickled Onion Rings
Majordomo, Los Angeles, CA
A revelation that could have easily made the top five if we hadn’t spent so much time in Copenhagen this year. These onion rings were the best I’ve ever had.
Yvonne
1. Mold Pancake
Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark
Oh Noma. You are my whole life. Jason didn’t have as strong a feeling about this dish as I did, but my goodness, it blew me away. A tortilla with, yes, mold growing on it, much like the rind of brie cheese. The inside was filled with a shock of cold, creamy ice cream and a balsamic fig sauce. I can’t even conceive how someone could conceive of it, you dig?
2. FIVE AGES OF PARMIGIANO REGGIANO
Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
While much of our experience at Osteria Francescana left something to be desired, Massimo Bottura’s most famous dish did not disappoint in the slightest, and both of us felt that it made the trip to Modena worthwhile in a single bite. Parmesan is such a rich, umami flavor, and getting all of the different ages and textures together was nothing short of mind-blowing. Also, the portion was more generous that what you would expect for a tasting menu, which pleased us thoroughly, as we both could have eaten a vat.
3. Roast Chicken
Amass, Copenhagen, Denmark
On our second visit to Amass (we also went in November 2017), we dined a la carte at the bar. During this meal, we had a roast chicken from Hegnsholt farm with a sauce made from reduced carrot and almond milk, and it blew me away. I typically don’t even like chicken, and I never order it. This changed my worldview. I could drink this sauce on the daily.
4. Almond Granita
Caffè Sicilia, Noto, Sicily
Oh, Corrado Assenza, you are a god among men. Eating the classic Sicilian breakfast of warm brioche and creamy almond milk granita was a life experience I won’t soon forget. Whereas most Italian granitas are made with a syrup (which is still delicious, mind you), Assensa’s family version is made with a freshly-made almond milk, which retains the grittiness and full-bodied flavor of the Sicilian almonds used to make it. Neither the brioche or the granita are overly sweet, and though this seems like an intense breakfast option, I promise it simply hits the spot.
5. AS THE DRIFTER RESTS, IN REVERIE OF DAYS AHEAD
Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, CA
The coconut dessert from Atelier Crenn is as if I imagined the ideal dessert in my mind and Dominique Crenn brought it to life. Imagine a creamy coconut pudding studded with pineapples inside of a bowl made entirely of chocolate. Yeah. That sort of begins to cover it. Also, the portion was exceedingly generous for a dish that comes near the end of a 17 course tasting menu, which I appreciated. Just because I’ve eaten a lot doesn’t mean I want to skimp on dessert, you feel me?
Honorable Mention:
Jasper Hill Farm Cheesecake
In Situ, San Francisco, CA
We want to go to Spain to try this dish in the flesh. The Jasper Hill Farm Cheesecake with hazelnut, white chocolate, and cookies, inspired by Albert Adria’s dish from Tickets in Barcelona.
It’s cheese. It’s chocolate. It’s a party.
Honorable Mention:
Kato’s Silken Tofu
Upstream, Charlotte, NC
This beauty had soymilk, pickled shimeji mushrooms, ikura & fried ginger
Sad to lose Kato to Chicago (again)