2012: Favorite Meals

This year was a fun year in dining.  Here's a summary of my favorite meals:

1. el Bulli at Next.  This showcased creativity, set a reference-level for many techniques, and was presented with a historical narrative.  Delicious, educational, and occasionally mind-bending.
2. Schwa in July.  Innovative taste combinations, raucous atmosphere.  At times the food showed impressive refinement while other dishes turned the volume to 11.  A singular experience that pushed the envelope of flavors.
3. Bonsoiree in February.  I ate at 2728 W Armitage several times in 2012, and two meals were fantastic.  February's was a balance of refined Asian & rustic French fare presented with creative techniques & plating.  Unique & memorable; hate to see this closed.
4. Brooklyn Fare.  The best available ingredients, creatively but conservatively served.  A few composed plates showed off deep technique, but the simple precision highlighted the flawless protein & supporting accouterments.
5. Bonsoiree "Shin's Underground"  in November.  An homage to past Bonsoiree dishes with a look forward to Shin Thompson's next venture.  This meal highlighted refined, seamless merging of Asian & French fare enabled by a skilled imagination.  Fantastic meal; looking forward to Shin's next restaurant.
6. Kyoto at Next.  Yes, impressive ingredients were great; rare fish & plants were intriguing.  But what made this meal great was the Midwestern integration--corn husk tea, chestnut tofu & apple, and a couple maple appearances--made this a fascinating local take on the Japanese Omakase framework.
7. Marea.  The bridge of seafood flavors & pasta dishes created a heartfelt, fulfilling meal.  Inventive combinations of land and sea highlighted the menu.  Non-pasta plates & desserts were equally well-done.
8. Butcher & Larder.  The shop's butchered meat was integrated into every dish, but the paths used to do so showcased cleverness (especially with multiple seafood courses).  When discussing with other attendees, we were unable to reach agreement on the best plate; every one was that singular & impressive.  A hearty meal far beyond meat-centric, this made me wish Rob Levitt still had a restaurant.
9. Goosefoot.  Beautiful food, inventive presentations of flavors & textures.  Plate after plate brought a smile to my face.  Several impressive dishes highlighted a meal focused on execution and uncommon (and uncommonly good) flavor combinations.
10. Maude's...Browntrout...The Bristol...all deserve honorable mention; maybe not as flashy as the occasions listed above, but these were hearty, soulful, standout meals that I'd gladly eat again.