I have been fortunate to dine in some amazing restaurants around North America over the past year. Many of my meals were good, the ones on this list were extraordinary in all senses. Much of the kudos to these memorable meals goes to the chefs as noted!
Note: These are not in any ranking order.
19 Cleveland — New York
Hummus with rotisserie chicken
Had the most incredible dinner here where they specialize in Telavivian cuisine.
The Barn kitchen at Sparrows Lodge – Palm Springs
Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge
Attended one of their weekly chicken dinners which is held every Wednesday night by advance reservation, usually limited to 28 people and the food is served family style encouraging all to share. Chef Gabriel Woo is the head chef here and he made an incredible dinner for all of us to enjoy.
Eem Restaurant—Portland
White Curry with brisket burnt ends
Washington Wine Lunch during Feast Portland
Lunch celebrating three very different winemakers from Washington state paired with delicious Thai and Southern bbq dishes.
Olo Restaurant – Victoria
Potato Gnocchi
The restaurant focus is on Tasting Menu experiences, allowing diners to try a variety of different dishes from their Farm to Table menu which celebrates the ingredients.
Home Block at Cedar Creek Winery– Kelowna
Burrata
The restaurant is located at Cedar Creek Winery where Executive Chef Neil Taylor runs the beautiful open kitchen and serves up outstanding dishes.
Bear Fish Root Berry – Osoyoos
Pacific Halibut
They specialize in modern vineyard cuisine inspired by their Indigenous roots. Executive Chef Murray Mcdonald leads the kitchen and offers up creative Indigenous dishes.
Wolf and the Fog – Tofino
Baked Tofino Halibut
Here their cocktails are as popular as the food and I had a chance to experience both which were ingredient driven from all points of Vancouver Island.
Mott 32 – Vancouver
Tableside Peking Duck carving
With it’s focus on Fine Dining Chinese cuisine, the dining room is stunning, with elegant booths, table seating and a couple private dining rooms. Wine Director – Robert Stelmachuk offers incredible wines to pair with the outstanding dishes,
Reflections: The Garden Terrace
BC Wild Halibut
Chef de Cuisine Kiran Kolathodan recently launched his new Summer menu at Rosewood Hotel Georgia where the presentation of each dish was as beautiful as each was delicious.
Bauhaus Restaurant – Vancouver
Beetroot Soup
Lead by new Executive Chef Christian Kuehnel, his outstanding dishes were paired up with a wonderful selection of wines by their wine director Kevin Curley.
Pok Pok Restaurant – Portland
Yam kao port, Neua yang
Feast Portland presented an incredible Thai dinner that featured Chef David Thompson of Thailand and Chef Andy Ricker of Portland. The outstanding dinner with these two mastermind chefs took place at Chef Andy Ricker’s PokPok Restaurant NW.
Super Hiro’s Restaurant- Vancouver
Omakase
Chef Hiro Watanabe prepared an incredible multi-course experience for me and some friends.
By: Richard Wolak