This is the third list item and we’ve already hit a speed bump. It’s a minor speed bump, to be sure, but I sure hope this isn’t a sign of things to come.

We decided to visit Sripraphai in Woodside for some of my favorite Thai food in the city. The crispy watercress salad that Time Out mentioned was one of my favorite dishes there and I was excited to try it again. Well, when we pulled up to the storefront, the lights were out and the gates were down. I know this place is still in operation. What the hickity heck was going on?

Turns out they’re closed on Wednesdays! Who’s closed on Wednesdays?? It was a bit frustrating, but we pressed on. Since we were already hankering for some Thai food, we headed deeper into Queens to Ploy Thai which is just outside the Elmhurst Avenue train station.

Ploy Thai looked like a generic Asian take-out spot and not the glamorous dining hall we were expecting (that was a joke!). When we sat down and were greeted warmly, I scanned the menu for the Miang Kana. This is a salad (which I’m always leery about at Thai restaurants) and was not listed under the salad or appetizer headings on the menu.

I asked the waitress about it and she pointed to a photo on the wall which listed it as a house special. Aha! There it was. We’ll take that, thank you very much.

In addition to the miang kana, we also tried less adventurous Thai dishes like the Tom Yum Goong soup (which was much harsher and more bland than most versions I’ve had), a flavorful version of Pad See-Eiw, and a tender chicken cashew special.

But it was the amazing Miang Kana that left us raving about this place. It is indeed a salad, but a DIY-salad. The plate is surrounded by vibrant green Thai broccoli leaves which act as the wrap to pick up the salad. The dish is composed of unexpected salad ingredients like shredded dried pork, peanuts, ginger, fish sauce, lots of colorful peppers and onions, and lime segments with the rind left on.

These flavors worked like magic together. It was a full-flavor experience of spicy, sweet, tart, and salty. And the textures worked so well together giving it both a refreshing crispness and a more dramatic salty crunch. I was amazed at how successful this was and I even contemplated ordering a second order.

I’ll definitely return here, I just have to double check to see what random day of the week they might be closed.

Would Ploy Thai’s Miang Kana make my Top 100 of the year? I think it just might since I haven’t stopped thing about this since I tasted it, earning it a 9 out of 10.

5. SPEKULOOS ICE CREAM at WAFELS & DINGES

Wow! Thomas DeGeest and his trusty waffle crew can do no wrong it seems. Last year I gushed over the amazing spekuloos spread, which is made from spiced Belgian Christmas cookies (sort of a gingerbread meets a graham cracker) and is a must have as a topping to one of their dense, sweet liege waffles.

Then, this year they hit home runs with not one, but two amazing ice cream flavors. You can find their Belgian Madness further up on my list, but when I tasted the ice cream version of spekuloos, I knew it would be in my Top Ten. The ice cream is spicy and toasty with the perfect amount of sweetness. It works on a summer day or a winter day. And if you top it on a waffle with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, you will no doubt understand my high praise for this friendly yellow truck. Price: $3

4. SLOW BAKED LAMB LEG at HOSPODA

When the waitress brought us an amuse bouche of foamy, creamy Pilsner Urquell even before we ordered our food, I knew we were in for a really special meal at the newly opened Hospoda. But it wasn’t until I began tasting their inventive, refined takes on Eastern European dishes that I fully understood just how special.

We came to try the smoked beef tongue (at Time Out’s recommendation), but it was their slow baked lamb leg that left a lasting impression. The meat is served two ways: roasted pink slices and braised shreds. Both reminded me of my grandmother’s house, even though my grandmother could never cook anything as tender and delicious as this (sorry, Grandma!) It was served with a sweet carrot purée, tender roasted carrots, slivers of brussels sprout leafs, and a beautiful bright thyme glacé that brought the stew-like meat to life. Amazing! Price: Part of a $32 tasting menu

3. BA SI at FU RUN

This may just be the most unusual dessert I’ve ever had. I first heard about it when I opened up Time Out’s most recent 100 Best issue. There was nothing in the description that really made me want to rush out and try it. And even after having a wonderful meal at Fu Run in Flushing, I still only ordered dessert because it was on the list. And now I’m sadly imagining that if I didn’t order it then, I may never have tried this wonder.

The way Ba Si (or “pulling thread”) works is like this: you get a plate of caramelized fried starch chunks (taro, apple, and sweet potato) and a bowl of water. Then you pull up a bit with your chopstick (leaving sugary threads behind), dunk it in the water where the sugars cool and begin to solidify forming a creme brulée-like crust. Then you pop it in your mouth and enjoy the textures, temperature contrasts, and sweet deliciousness. This is by far the best dessert I’ve ever had from a Chinese restaurant and it makes me never want to question Time Out again. Price: $12

2. YESTERDAY’S 100 LAYER LASAGNA at DEL POSTO

Del Posto received four stars in the NY Times this year, which was quite a surprise. When one of their dishes (a fancy chocolate lollipop) found its way on Time Out’s list, I thought there was no way I’d be able to taste it. Not only because the restaurant is mightily expensive, but because the four stars ensured a very difficult time getting a reservation. Well, we found ourselves at Del Posto on a whim during a snow storm and had no problem getting a table for lunch. We also learned why it deserved all four of those stars.

The highlight for me was not that after dinner bite of chocolate, but instead the lasagna I had been waiting all winter to taste (I just didn’t know it). I didn’t quite understand what a 100 layer lasagna would look like, but it made sense when I saw the slices of 50 (I didn’t count) perfectly thin and browned pasta sheets layered between 50 spoonfuls of the most decadent old school pasta meat sauce (combo of marinara, bechamel, and bolognese) resting atop a bright red dollop of tomato sauce. It had all the rich, cheesy, meaty flavors along with the charred and soft textures of a perfect lasagna while retaining the elegant refined presentation you’d expect at a place of Del Posto’s reputation. It was awe inspiring. And four star worthy! Available as Part of Prix Fixe

1. BURNT ENDS at JOHN BROWN SMOKEHOUSE

My favorite dish of the year? Amazingly, it was a modest few bites at a brand new, off-the-beaten path barbecue joint. I was shocked myself when pitmaster Josh Bowen handed me a free sample of his prized burnt ends. This Kansas City specialty is rather hard to find in this city and now that Josh has perfected them, I can’t imagine anybody else doing them justice.

John Brown Smokehouse is on a quiet residential street on the outskirts of Astoria with a casual setting and wonderful smoke aromas (the good kind) emerging from the storefront. There’s a wide variety of options on the menu (including some damn tasty side orders), but once I got a bite of the fatty, smoky, melt-a-rific burnt ends, I really desired nothing else. The large chunks of charred, smoky meat are marbled with soft, tender fat and the strong BBQ flavor comes from Josh’s expert dry rub of salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, and allspice. He sells them as a sandwich or by the pound. Keep the bread and the sauce, just give me some more of that fantastic meat. This is now my new favorite BBQ haunt in town. Price: $10.50 (sandwich), $13.50 (platter), $20 (per pound)

25. TRES HOMBRES at DINOSAUR BARBEQUE

It’s quite a statement that we took this barbecue platter to go from the ultra-busy BBQ joint up in Harlem and by the time we found our picnic area on a holiday weekend, the meat was still so tender and full of flavor.

I can never decide what to eat at a BBQ joint (or anywhere for that matter) because I want a little taste of everything. The Tres Hombres combines my favorite smoked meat staples: pulled pork, beef brisket, and 1/4 rack of ribs. There’s more than enough food and all of the meat is incredibly tender and loaded with sweet, charred flavors. Served with sweet cornbread and a choice of sides, it’s a testament as to why Dinosaur BBQ is my favorite in the city. Price: $19.50

24. PORK CHOP at APIARY

I’ve been working as a server at Apiary for about a year now and in that time, I’ve had the honor to learn of the culinary genius of Chef Scott Bryan. Many in the food industry know him (there’s even an entire chapter about him in one of Anthony Bourdain’s books), but he tends to fly under the radar. His food is simple, but with powerful, rich flavors that make you question whether something as plain as chicken should be allowed to taste this good.

This year I’ve been pretty obsessed with his pork chop. It’s a thick cut of Berkshire pork that’s pan roasted to a soft, tender texture. On its own, it’s full of deep, moist flavors but the chef pairs it with a rotating group of accompaniments. Currently, the hearty mascarpone polenta, sweet braised escarole. Price: $26

23. STEAK TARTARE at BRINDLE ROOM

Our first trip to Brindle Room was sort of lackluster. Nothing was bad, but nothing blew me away. That changed on the second visit when I got some tastes of amazingly flavorful dishes and was taken care of like I was part of the family.

The dishes this time around, including a nice kale salad and a thick juicy pork chop, were much more memorable, but it was their version of steak tartare that really got me excited. It’s served with housemade potato chip crisps which are much preferable to a limp baguette. Chef Jeremy Spector’s raw chopped meat is fresh, flavorful, and kissed with some special hot sauce that gives it a surprisingly tangy, mustardy kick. Price: $9

22. OXTAIL TERRINE at SALT & FAT

I was frightened about eating at Salt & Fat. All the reviews, while raves, talked about how rich and fatty the dishes were. The “Crack and Cheese” (which was no longer on the menu when I finally made it out to Sunnyside) sounded like a heart attack. But I am pleased to announce I did not suffer a heart attack at Salt & Fat and I discovered dish after dish of deliciousness.

The Oxtail Terrine was my favorite dish. The presentation is rather dark and rough – it looks like a big, black brick. If this was dessert, I might have been more eager to dig into what looked like a brownie. Once I touched my fork to the terrine, it generously fell apart and revealed itself to be a meaty, umami delight. It’s been braised in a dashi and shiitake mushroom broth before being assembled and perched on some exotic mushrooms with a spread of  sweet, rich caramelized onion puree. Price: $10

21. LECHON ASADO at EL NUEVO BOHIO

“Lechon asado” simply translates to roasted pig, but the version at old-time Puerto Rican restaurant El Nuevo Bohio is so much more than that. And the always crowded dining room is proof. I don’t know if I ever would have discovered this place if not for a summertime visit to the Bronx Zoo.

The chopped pork is a moist, meaty mess of flavors with crispy pork skin shards for texture. A wonderfully intense mojo sauce gives the meat an extra garlicky kick, while the side of tostones (fried green plantains) provide a sweet. starchiness that complements the meat. And even though it’s simply roasted pork, this dish makes the trip to the Bronx worthwhile. Price: $7

We had an amazing and unique meal at Fu Run, a rare restaurant serving Chinese food from the Dongbei region. It’s in perhaps my favorite culinary neighborhood (Flushing, Queens) and we were brought here because Time Out listed an incredible dessert on their list. Look for that review coming soon.

But I remember this place appearing quite a bit when I was doing research for my dumpling search. I never made it here then, partly because this is a true restaurant and not just a dumpling joint. I was mainly sticking to those fast food-like establishments to limit the vast possibilities, but here I was and it had been a while since I had eaten a dumpling and so I figured I’d check these out.

Now Dongbei cuisine is known for its lamb and there was a really interesting sounding lamb and carrot dumpling dish on the menu. We didn’t choose those because we were already getting a huge lamb chop for dinner and thought it might be fair to try out their more standard dumpling options – the ones I measure all other dumplings by: Pork and Leek.

The wrapper was thicker than I like, but tender and pleasant. Inside, the filling was a bit disappointing. I found the chopped pork and onion to be mostly bland with just a hint of meaty earthiness. These were not the best dumplings I’ve ever had. They were clearly fresh, but lacked much bold flavor. The only thing that really saved the dumplings from total dullness was the the tangy and sweet soy vinegar dipping sauce. It was served in a soy sauce bottle, but I have an inkling it was homemade.

The dumplings were really the only disappointment of the night (and they really weren’t that bad). The rest of the food will stick with me for a long time and I continue to crave the lamb chop, the green sheet jelly, and that amazing dessert. You better believe I have more to say about this place. Stay tuned.

Does Fu Run have the best dumplings in NY? The ingredients are fresh and the dipping sauce is wonderful, but the pork filling is surprisingly on the bland side earning these only a 6 out of 10.

35. DIRTY PICKLE MARTINI at SWEET AFTON

This drink could have easily fit into my strange combination category (or my vegetable category for that matter), but anybody who has frequented dive bars or Brooklyn has probably encountered the wonders of the pickleback. That’s right, that’s a shot of pickle juice used as a chaser. So pickles and alcohol are nothing strange.

And really, is a pickle garnish much different than the briny, salty flavors of the standard martini olive? The signature cocktail at this Astoria gastropub is a take on both a dirty martini and a pickleback. It’s a crisp, tangy, briny sensation that’s one punch up from your usual martini. Price: $9

34. VIA VERO at WEATHER UP TRIBECA

The sleek Tribeca outpost of Weather Up is one of my favorite new cocktail dens. It’s not on everybody’s radar, so there’s no line around the corner, it’s warm comfortable and homey, and the drinks are pretty darn good.

The Via Vero, which no longer appears on the cocktail menu (although I’d bet the well-trained bartenders could whip it up again), was my favorite. A quaffable potion of spicy Añejo rum, pear liqueur, sweet vermouth, and herbaceous bitters. It’s a well-balanced concoction that really plays up on the sweet and spicy with a round bitterness at the end. It pairs beautifully with the housemade spiced potato chips. Trust me, I speak from experience. Price: $14

33. BRONX PALE ALE from BRONX BREWERY

The craft beer revolution has finally begun! We’re seeing more beer making in and around New York in the last year than we have in the past decade! Bronx Brewery is the newest addition to that community and so far they’re making just one style of beer. And they’re making it really well.

While the pale ale is currently being brewed in Connecticut, it can only be found in the city and plans are in motion to open a facility in the namesake borough next year. It’s a balanced brew made with five types of barley malt and two distinct types of hops. The result is a mellow concoction with sweet and spicy flavors and a hint of grapefruit bitterness at the end. Looking forward to trying more from these guys. Price: Varies

32. SMOKIN’ BONE at FATTY ‘CUE

I’m not a big fan of Zack Pelaccio’s Fatty restaurants. Both of TONY’s list items from last year were pretty much a bust and aside from some flavorful bites here and there, I find all the food overpriced and way too fatty (I know, I know). But there was one thing that I kept thinking about after my disappointing meals ended. And that’s this unlikely cocktail.

The Smokin’ Bone is the perfect compliment to this over the top lard-heavy food: a blend of spicy warming bourbon, mixed with smoked pineapple, lime juice, chocolate bitters, and some Tabasco sauce. A new location of Fatty ‘Cue recently opened in the West Village to more promising press. I may check it out and if I do, you can be sure of which cocktail I’ll be ordering. Price: $11 (Brooklyn), $13 (West Village)

31. THE COMPANION from BROOKLYN BREWERY

Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver is truly a master of brews. This year he released a 900-page encyclopedia on all things beer called The Oxford Companion to Beer. And as a celebration of the book’s release, the brewery released a special beer as a companion to the book. It’s called The Companion.

The style here is that of a wheat wine, which I had never even heard of. I love strong barley wines and this is similar in strength, but with much lighter and with more wheat characteristics. There’s a nice sweet, honey flavor at the start and then the flavors move into more complex bready, spicy notes. It’s a strong, utterly drinkable beer with some untapped flavors. The only problem is, at 9% alcohol, if I drink too much of this, it might be tough to concentrate on that encyclopedia. Price: Varies

NUMBER 40: PAPDI CHAAT at BHOJAN

Chaat is sort of the ultimate street food in India, but yet you really have to go to a restaurant or a fast food takeout joint to get a sample of this addicting snack. It’s quite surprising that I have yet to discover a food cart selling this specialty. The best version I’ve had was this past year at vegetarian (and kosher) Indian restaurant Bhojan.

The papdi chaat is a fantastic combination of fried dough bits (think those crunchy wonton freebies at American-Chinese restaurants) topped with curried potatoes, crisp bean sprouts, a sweet chutney, a spicy chutney, and plenty of cooling yogurt sauce. It’s a wonder of textures and flavors beautifully refined to sit-down restaurant fare. Price: $6

NUMBER 39: MAIZ TOASTADO at BARZOLA

Barzola is quite famous in the Ecuadorian community. People travel from as far away as Pennsylvania just to get a meal here, but many locals don’t even know about its two locations in Queens and Brooklyn. I can’t even find a single NY food blog entry about the food here. Well, let me be the first then.

 At their well-hidden location on a residential Williamsburg street, we had some really good ceviche and tamales. But the dish I ordered seconds of were the very simple and crunchy maiz tostada, also known as cancha. It’s the perfect bar snack: a bowl of toasted puffed corn kernels that have been tossed generously with oil and sea salt. They’re hot, starchy, and helplessly addicting. I couldn’t stop eating them. Maybe it’s a good thing nobody knows about Barzola because they’d have none of these left. Price: $2

NUMBER 38: SAAG PANEER at JACKSON DINER

Spinach and cheese dip is a pretty American dish, but Indian cuisine has a far superior version of melding the green vegetable and cow product. Saag paneer literally translates to spinach cheese and the best version I’ve had yet was at Jackson Diner, an old standby Indian restaurant in the heart of Jackson Heights.

Some people claim that Jackson Diner has gone downhill over the years. This was my first visit and I was very happy with my meal, especially the creamy and earthy saag paneer. Cubes of silky and smooth paneer cheese float in a rich creamy spinach sauce. The result is a not too spicy dish with lots of textures and enjoyable subtle flavors. Soak it up with some tender basmatic rice or nan bread. Much more refined and delicate than a bowl of that nasty goo most American restaurants call spinach dip. Price: $9.95

NUMBER 37: HIRATA BUNS at IPPUDO NY

Last year, Momofuku’s famous pork buns made my Top 100. I fell in love with those years ago and it’s a must order whenever I visit one of their hip East Village locations. However, the pork bun phenomenon doesn’t end there. Many people who hear about my love for Momofuku’s version will tell me that Ippudo’s buns are even better. And this year, I finally gave them a try.

Ippudo is known for both it’s serious ramen noodle soups and it’s ridiculous long wait for a table. I had been here before and liked their overpriced ramen dishes, but I had never tried the pork buns. Late one weekday lunch, I found myself back at Ippudo and I knew these had to be part of my order. I don’t know if they’re better than Momofuku’s but they’re different and still decadently delicious. These are slightly less refined, but just as sweet, spicy, and fatty. The steamed white bread bun soaks up all the sauce and meaty juices to ensure you get the full experience. Crisp iceberg lettuce and smoky mayo round out the experience. Price: $9

NUMBER 36: MUSLIM LAMB CHOPS at FU RUN

Fu Run is an inconspicuous Chinese restaurant serving food from the Dongbei region. The food here has lots of worldly influences, but lamb seems to be the favorite meat of the cuisine. Their most famous dish is the massive Muslim lamb chops, which is actually the lamb breast. But you’d never be able to tell what kind of meat is under all those cumin seeds. It’s a dramatic (and slightly scary) presentation and that alone could put this in my Top 100 list. 

Yet the flavors here are rich, bold, and surprisingly new. I’ve had cumin lamb at other Chinese restaurants and it verges on being overpowering and inedible. Not this one. It was dangerously edible. The fatty, fall-apart tender lamb meat gives the toasted cumin seeds a run for their money in the flavor department. And the unusual sensation of the crunchy cumin seeds is an exciting mouth experience. This is a unique hearty dish that I’ve been craving ever since. Price: $21.95

NUMBER 60: DUMPLINGS at WHITE BEAR

All the dumplings I tasted out in Flushing (the Chinatown of Queens) were stellar, but the best version I had was at an unassuming little storefront that used to be an ice cream shop (and still has signs for it!). White Bear serves up my favorite dumplings in the city.

And while most reviewers and eaters go ga-ga over the #6 (the wontons with hot sauce), I preferred the simplicity of the #19. The moist filling was full of complex, diverse flavors and textures: crunchy Chinese cabbage, meaty pork, and spicy ginger. The wrappers were the softest and most tender I had sampled. It almost didn’t even need the soy vinegar that they’re served with. The #6 were also pretty darn tasty, but I recommend coming here with some friends and trying as many different varieties as possible.

NUMBER 59: PIEROGIES at LOMZYNIANKA

You can get pierogies from almost any corner in Greenpoint. While the young hipsters are moving in, the Polish community is not going anywhere. My favorite of these Polish restaurants (I’ve not been to all of them) is Lomzynianka, which resides on the main drag of Manhattan Avenue. The food is affordable, hearty, and authentic.

I liked this place so much that I brought a tour group by one Saturday. I was hired to customize a food tour of Brooklyn and this was a must-stop. We got a tasting of their pierogies and all the different stuffings (including potato, mushroom and sauerkraut, and beef) are delicious, but I really love the Farmer’s Cheese. This is not made from the milk of a farmer, but instead a sweet cow’s milk not too dissimilar to cottage cheese. The rich sweetness of the stuffing is cut by the crunchy, greasy dough wrapper which is topped with beautifully caramelized onions. A side of sour cream adds some cooling tang. Price: $5.50

NUMBER 58: HOUSEMADE RICOTTA RAVIOLI at ABC KITCHEN

Of all the things I tasted at ABC Kitchen, I’m sort of shocked that the dish I keep coming back to were the ravioli. I only had a taste of them since somebody else at the table ordered them, but I was surprised at the brightness and sweetness to this rather ordinary sounding dish.

The plump ravioli were stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese and topped with parmesan and herb oil. Underneath was a complex, but light tomato sauce. These flavors are rather obvious and traditional, but here they were elevated to something fresh and delicious. And that’s why I can’t stop thinking about a bite of someone else’s dish. Price: $15 (appetizer)/$23 (entree)

NUMBER 57: BUREKA at GAZALA PLACE

Ever heard of Druze food? I hadn’t either until my first visit to Gazala Place some years ago. Druze is actually a religious group that primarily reside in the Middle East, with Israeli, Syrian, and Lebanese influences. The food is easier to classify as Middle Eastern. And the only place I know of that serves this speciality cuisine in the city is Gazala Place, which now has two locations.

The rotating list of fillings is always encased by a rich, buttery bun made of browned flaky phyllo dough. The sesame seed crusted pie falls apart in tender delicious bites. I’m partial to the sundried tomato and goat cheese stuffed boureka which has a savory sweetness that makes me want to learn more about Druze food.

NUMBER 56: VARENIKI “KUBAN” at CAFE GLECHIK

Whenever I travel anywhere, I make it worth my stomach’s while. So when I took the trip out to Coney Island one afternoon, I figured I’d better get in all the eating I could. And since the Russian-Ukranian neighborhood of Brighton Beach was just a few blocks away, I knew I’d be having a taste of Eastern Europe. But I’m never content just sampling one thing, so before the main course of a gutbomb chicken tabka at Kebeer, I visited nearby Cafe Glechik for an appetizer of Russian dumplings.

This place is known for the varniki, which are smaller and more delicate than pierogies. I chose the Kuban, which houses mozzarella cheese and is topped with a gorgeous amount of my favorite herb, dill. They knew how to win me over. An order comes with about 20 of these almost bite-sized dumplings. They were so tender and pleasant that it was practically impossible to not finish the entire plate. Price: $8.50

NUMBER 65: BLACK TRUFFLE AND SEA SALT CHOCOLATE from MAST BROTHERS

The black truffles in the chocolate bars from Mast Brothers, which is a bean-to-bar chocolatier based in Williamsburg, are not the French candy variety. Rather these are real black truffles. The kind you may get with your fancy pasta. Mushrooms. That’s right. This is mushroom chocolate.

And it is incredible. The black truffles give this chocolate a deep, rich earthy flavor that plays in to the bittersweet frutiness of the dark chocolate. The salt rounds it out and not only works on the sweet salty front, but also plays up the sea and earth flavors. This seasonal bar is available at the storefront in Brooklyn and many grocers around the city. Unless you have a mushroom or chocolate allergy (God forbid), you must give this a taste. Price Varies

NUMBER 64: ROBIOLA WITH EGGPLANT CROSTATA at DEL POSTO

Hopefully I already convinced you on the wonders of chocolate and mushrooms. But chocolate and eggplant? And cheese? This might be the wackiest savory sweet combination of all. Yet it’s one of the most delicious.

This was served to us as a cheese course during a spectacular lunch this year at Del Posto. The expertly fried fritter was stuffed with tender eggplant, served with sweet, melty robiola cheese and drizzled with just the right amount of rich, decadent dark chocolate. This was heavenly. The flavors worked so well together. The eggplant contributed sweet, soft textures and if I hadn’t known any better, I might have mistaken it for banana. Oh, now you’re on board!?!

NUMBER 63: COLD SMOKED CORN SOUP at DO OR DINE

Even if I didn’t know the owners of Do or Dine, it would have been high on my destination list. Justin, George, and Luke were friends of mine from when we worked at The Modern together. They have wacky ideas and fun personalities with an eye for flavor and hospitality. And the fact that none of them are trained chefs was not a reason to deter them from creating some of the most exciting and creative food I’ve tasted the entire year.

We didn’t try the now infamous Foie Gras Doughnut (it will be ordered on a future visit), but I fell in love with their seasonal soup that is now sadly no longer on the menu. What a crazy concoction that delighted my tastebuds and played with my mind! A roasted corn and chipotle puree took care of the sweet and spicy balance. But then more layers were added with sweet honeydew cubes and surprisingly subtle Crunch and Munch (the poor man’s Cracker Jacks) croutons. The soup is smoked with a hand smoker and the hickory aromas are released at the presentation, making this a full-sensory experience. And I’m not just being biased, believe me.

NUMBER 62: BACON POPCORN at SALT & FAT

To some it might not seem so strange, but I can assure you to all naysayers that bacon popcorn is delicious. Especially the way they serve it at Salt & Fat, a newish neighborhood spot in Sunnyside, Queens with Korean and Southern influences. I loved the entire meal at my recent visit, but the one thing I couldn’t get out of my head was the complimentary bag of bacon popcorn.

The popcorn is popped in bacon fat, which could make for a very greasy and heavy flavor. But these are surprisingly light and addicting. The bacon flavors are fully present, but not overpowering. It adds smoky, umami notes to the already buttery and salty popcorn. This bag disappeared in a matter of minutes and it was to my delight (and detriment) that the server was only too willing to bring us a re-fill. It’s a perfect way to open up a meal of salt and fat (which is much more pleasant and refined than it sounds). Price: Complimentary with Meal

NUMBER 61: KATZ’S PASTRAMI EGG ROLL at REDFARM

Chinese and Jewish culture have been intertwined since the early days of the Lower East Side. And there are still some great Cantonese restaurants down there serving up egg rolls and the like. And of course, so is Katz’s Deli, which makes some of, if not the, best pastrami in the entire city. So you’d think it would be a natural fit to combine the two flavors. Yet nobody in this city has tried something as outlandish (and obvious) as the egg roll at the new high end Chinese gastropub RedFarm.

This classic Chinese American appetizer is given the kosher treatment with the addition of some generous slices of Katz’s tender, smoky pastrami. Along with the meat, Chef Joe Ng fills the fried egg roll with cabbage and hot chilis. A tangy honey mustard sauce on the side cuts all that delectable fat. They make for a great starter to a consistently creative and delicious meal at RedFarm. Price: $7

NUMBER 90: BABY JESUS CAKE at VESTA

Sweet baby Jesus, this cake is good! Vesta is a modern pizza trattoria on the outskirts of Astoria. It’s not close enough to my apartment to warrant regular visits, but I had been hearing about their thin crust pizzas and thought they were close enough to take the chance.

While the pizzas were good, it was the grand finale that I’ve been thinking about since. This slice of ridiculously moist date cake is drowned in a sweet, rich caramel sauce. The side of creme fraiche cuts the dark sweetness, giving it balance.  It’s truly a holy experience!

NUMBER 89: FROZEN BANANA from NANA’S

The Brooklyn Flea has become so popular with food eater and entrepreneurs, that Smorgasburg was born to host an entire market just for eating and selling foodstuffs.

One of the food vendors who’ve gotten the most press and compliments are Nana’s. This little stand is the brainchild of Cecile Dyer from the gluttonous and delicious Pies n Thighs. It’s very simple, but mighty tasty. She takes a whole frozen banana on a stick and dips it into quickly hardening chocolate, then rolls it in any number of rotating toppings.

I chose a very satisfying mix of textures and flavors – coconut and almonds. It was salty, sweet, chocolatey, and refreshing. Lots of flavors, without complicating the simplicity of a perfect banana. Smorgasburg will be around for three more weeks, but Nana’s is finished for the season. Keep an eye out once the weather gets warmer again. Price: $5 (with one topping)

NUMBER 88: TIRAMISU at OSTERIA MORINI

I have a weakness for tiramisu. Whenever I finish a red sauce pasta meal, my body begins to crave that boozy, creamy coffee flavor. In my years of eating at Italian restaurants, I’ve had many different versions of this layered dessert – some good, some not so good. But the best I’ve ever tasted happened this year at Michael White’s pasta empire, Osteria Morini.

The version of the dessert here didn’t look like any I had been served before. It was presented beautifully, but frankly, it looked as if it was going to be dry or overly bready. Somehow the layer of espresso cream (or mousse), the moist ladyfingers, the decadent mascarpone, and the hint of cognac worked like magic. I’ve now officially been ruined with tiramisu. I can’t imagine it getting better anywhere else. Price: $11

NUMBER 87: CUPCAKES from ROBICELLI’S

It’s amazing that the cupcake phenomenon is still sweeping the nation. I think may New Yorkers are sort of over it and are trying to look for some new dessert item (pie? macarons?) to replace cupcake fever. But if all the cupcake shops in the city were making specimens as innovative and delicious as Robicelli’s, I think then the cupcake revolution would be justified.

Robicelli’s has a permanent spot at the Dekalb Market, but husband and wife team Matt and Allison also sell their cupcakes at many other locations (including some holiday pop-up’s) throughout the city. I finally purchased some at the now-closed Madison Square Eats. The flavors (which constantly change based on season) were so tempting that I couldn’t leave without purchasing three cupcakes.

These were a perfect, modest size and I was relieved that the cake was super moist and the frosting was the right balance of sweetness. I got to sample the Bea Arthur (black coffee cake, cheesecake buttercream, espresso ganache), the Pumpkin Spice Latte (pumpkin cake, espresso mascarpone frosting, spiced chocolate covered espresso beans), and the Sweet Potato Pie (sweet potato cake, vanilla buttercream, bourbon glazed pecans).

They announce their flavors daily on their Twitter page and I drool just reading them every morning. There’s a list of all their flavors on their website and I seriously want to try every last one of them, but especially the provocative Chicken ‘n’ Waffles (yes, with a real chicken garnish). Price: $3-$5

NUMBER 86: ECLAIR COOKIE at CHIKALICIOUS DESSERT CLUB

I have sung the praises of Chikalicious before on this site. The Dessert Bar might be my favorite place in the entire city, as it gives a unique, delicious culinary experience. I love sending visitors to the city here for a three course dessert.

But across the street, they offer more affordable pastries and cookies to go at the Dessert Club. It’s hard for me to go into the shop and not order their Espresso Ice Shot (which made my 100 Best list last year), but this year I brought a tour group in to taste their much more shareable eclair cookies. And I fell in love myself.

These are a hybrid between cream puff and eclair. The pastry shell is a little crunchier than most and it gives way to a rich vanilla pudding (chocolate if you choose the chocolate variety). The entire thing is dusted with powdered sugar which gives it a sweet aromatic quality. If I could, I’d breathe in sugar all day long. Price: $4.95

Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival in Munich, has officially come and gone this year. I imagine most of you (myself included) missed the costume parade and the gun salute. The good news, however, is we can still enjoy copious amounts of Oktoberfest-style beers. Traditionally, these lager beers were brewed in March before the summer days got too hot to brew beer and then stored at very cold temperatures until festival time arrived in the fall.

In this country, most breweries try their hand at an Oktoberfest beer and they appear at beer bars across the country. I already got to sample Brooklyn’s Oktoberfest, which I quite enjoyed. And most recently, I stumbled upon Kelso’s Kellerfest. This must be a take on that same style. And it turns out the name Keller, while probably also referring to brewmaster Kelly Taylor, means cellar in German. How appropriate!

I discovered the Kellerfest at Sunswick 35/35, a divey sports beer bar in Astoria (where 35th Street and 35th Avenue meet) that I had been hearing lots about over the last year or so. The raves pretty much referred to their unbelievable craft beer selection. They have 25 rotating draft lines and they’re all dedicated to craft beers. Budweiser is a dirty word in these parts.

The bar wasn’t exactly what I was expecting from a hip craft beer bar in New York. It had a very divey feel with cheap tables and chairs. I wouldn’t have been surprised if this bar was located in a small town in middle America. Except for that awesome beer list.

The bartender and the few other customers made us feel very comfortable as we quickly began chatting about the beer list. Any feelings of being out of place quickly subsided once I got a sip of the Kellerfest.

One of the most interesting things about this beer is that it was unfiltered. So it had a slight cloudiness to its amber color. It had a tight head and some strong oatmeal and apple aromas to the nose. I thought it tasted quite complex with a very mellow hop character and a malty, caramel finish. There was a bit of honey sweetness that I enjoyed and it made this a very drinkable lager.

So while Oktoberfest might be officially over, Kellerfest has just begun. I just wonder if any of Thomas Keller’s restaurants will be serving this beer. Then it would truly be a Kellerfest!

Is Kelso of Brooklyn’s Kellerfest the best beer in NY? It’s a very good lager with some sweet notes and the right amount of hops for balance. It gets an 8 out of 10.