Best Restaurant Meal of 2009

[bam bam]

We still have a month of a pretty good meals left. After Fla kills Alabama this afternoon, JAG and I are going to Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse. But it is never too early to reflect on your favorite meals of 2009. All of mine, save for one, were eaten with JAG.

1) Del Porto
2) Martinique for JAG's Bday
3) Ciro's Cote Sud-JAG and I discover a hidden gem together
4) Chef's Table at Commander's
5) Galatoire's Lunch for my bday. (the only sans JAG meal on the list.)
6) Dinner at Slightly North of Broad in Charleston
7) Lunch at Lola in Covington.
8) Every meal at A Mano.
9) Beer and Pretzels at Wynkoop Brewery in Denver (Those pretzels were really friggin' good.)
10) Bastille Day Dinner at Iris

A few other note worthy meals, the first time I went to La Boca with JAG and pretty much every other time as well. I had a pretty good lunch at Mr. B's with a friend of mine. I had a great meal at Boucherie in April. And while the food was just ok, the dinner we had Muriel's after a huge Directed Verdict of Not Guilty at Tulane and Broad.

Some how I managed to compose a best of NOLA dinnng list without mentioning a Besh owned restaurant.

[kcdixiecat]

so much for Florida killing Alabama:rolleyes:

[Ann]

ROLL TIDE ROLL 2009 SEC Champions:toast:

[edible complex]

Coco Asian Bistro in Ft. Lauderdale; yes, there is good food in FLL and this place rocks.
http://www.cocoasianbistro.com/

The Grand Taverne in Eureka Springs; everything was perfection here.
http://www.grandcentralresort.com/tavern.html

also in ES: Caribe', Casa Colina, and Oasis.

in NOLA: August, Clancy's, Iris, Martinique, Patois, and Vincent's in Metairie

[Kass]

Bam, waiting on your response to Florida whipping
Alabama's you know what! With a name like Bam, I am hoping you are a Roll Tider, but your comment makes me wonder.
ROLL TIDE!!!

[nikinik]

In no particular order....

Gautreau's for an eat club dinner
Boucherie with an old friend and her new beau
Satterfield's (Birmingham)
One
Cafe des Amis (in Breaux Bridge for the Zydeco breakfast...unforgettable for many reasons!)
Pelican Club (one time was fantastic...the other, just o.k....but great company both times)
Brunch at EAT
Luke (the service is horrible, but oysters just taste better when they are a quarter a piece!)
Ruth's Chris for the anniversary of our first date
Rio Mar
La Boca

[Shep]

I also had my best at two on your list niknik.

Gautreau's eat club (that was night blooming jasmine outside the door)
Pelican Club, A lobster and seafood fricasse(sp?) night, great meal
My best of the year was the chef's table at Emeril's

[justagirl]

Bam might not like this but I think my best meal of 2009 was a Renegade Eat Club at a friend's house in May. It was absolutely amazing. Bam wasn't there though we did meet up after, so maybe that counts.

Next would be Del Porto, that was just a perfect evening.

[bam bam]

As long as you liked the dessert after that renegade Eat Club.

[TulaneRebel]

Martinique
La Boca

[sirvelvet]

Again with the dessert. If it is so good can you please share the recipe?

[willifred]

Various meals I had in Northern Spain and Southern France beat any I had in the US. In particular, a 5 1/2 hour lunch at Extabarri...the best meal of my life...not just this year.......

[DivaKitty]

Then I shall mention Chef Besh, as my most memorable and delicious meal was at August several months ago.
Unfortunately, my pitiful salary does not afford me the opportunity to dine out as frequently as Bam and JAG, but fortunately, I am a very good cook!

[wish I never left]

In New Orleans, the best meal we had in 2009 so far was at Cuvee when Chef Iacavone was still there. I posted a longer write up here: http://www.nolaeats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1983 and here: http://www.nolaeats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1984

In Houston, the best meal we had this year so far was at Catalan. If you should go, try to order the Chef's sandbox and be sure to wear your sansabelt slacks.

There are many, many worthy runners-up and I can only hope to eat as well in 2010 as I did in '09.

[UptownKevin]

Great timing on this thread Bam! I just actually finished compiling my list for the year. Here it goes:

1. SNOB (Slightly North of Broad)- Charleston, SC - Dinner
2. Sidebern’s - Tampa, FL – Tasting Menu with wine pairings
3. Luke - New Orleans, LA - Lunch
4. Charley G’s - Lafayette, LA - Lunch
5. Veritable Quandry - Portland, OR - Dinner
6. Clyde Common - Portland, OR – Dinner at Bar
7. 39 Rue De Jean - Charleston, SC – Lunch/Snack
8. Ten01 - Portland, OR – Happy Hour at Bar
9. Pelican Club - New Orleans, LA – Dinner
10. Jarochita (Mexican Food Cart) - Portland, OR - Breakfast

There's definitely a Besh owned restaurant on here. Last year, a lunch at August made my top ten. This year, Luke is on there. I may do some re-arranging as to the order, but the top two are certain.

-Kevin