2023 in Review: My Top 10 Meals

Looking back at what I consumed this year, it was hard to pick favorites. We had amazing meals around the world both casual and fancy. It took some time to narrow down the list, but these are the meals that I remember most fondly.

My ten favorite meals of 2023:

10. Crispy Chicken Biscuits (Yardbird Table & Bar | Miami, FL)

Yardbird‘s Crispy Chicken Biscuits are a must regardless of which location I’m dining at for brunch or dinner. I’ve had them in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and even Singapore. The ones I had in Miami were as delicious as always. (Full review here.)

Address: 1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

9. PEI Mussels and Pan Seared Salmon (Per Diem | San Francisco, CA)

When I had in office in San Francisco, I used to dine often at Per Diem. I was happy to see that it survived the pandemic and the food was as delicious as I remembered. (Full review here.)

Address: 43 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94104

8. Sulu’s Curry (Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe | Tampa FL)

I have eaten this meal many times over the past few years and it’s always delicious. Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe is a fun spot with live bands, great food and drinks, and a fun atmosphere. We have dined there many times and have a favorite booth we request when I make reservations.

Address: 5119 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33603

7. Assorted Dishes (Niso’s Prime | Chicago, IL)

Nisos Prime is a great spot to bring a date. It’s dark, sexy, and offers a menu of delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, pasta, steak, and more. Service was attentive with new cutlery and plates for each course, prompt check-ins, and pleasant conversation. We’re happy that it’s just a few doors down from home. (Full review here.)

Address: 802 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607

6. Parm to Table Experience (Timpano | Tampa, FL)

There’s something special about having pasta prepared tableside in a giant wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano. Timpano in Hyde Park (near where we live in Tampa) does it well. The portion was huge and the cheese was excellent. We dined here the day before Valentine’s Day and found the service rushed. The food made up for this and then some. (Full review here.)

Address: 1610 W Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606

5. Assorted Dishes (Limaná | Lima, Peru)

Limaná was just what we wanted while searching for lunch in Lima. Delicious and creative dishes, excellent service, and a beautiful courtyard to enjoy them in. We loved every dish and would have returned if we had more time. Highly recommended when in Lima if you’re looking for a modern take on Peruvian and fusion dishes. (Full review here.)

Address: Av. Augusto Pérez Araníbar 2011, San Isidro 27

4. Mad Dinner Experience (LittleMäd | New York, NY)

LittleMäd opened in 2021. It fuses Korean flavors with French techniques. Dishes are playful, inventive, and can be a little scary if you’re a picky eater. The flavors were spot on and the technique was precise. The five of us in our party tried to order a variety of dishes (so that we could taste most of them). The little crabs above are eaten whole and not for the squeamish. (Full review here.)

Address: 110 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

3. Bottomless Bites (DASHA | Toronto, Canada)

We had a delicious dinner at DASHA. If you go on a Sunday night or Monday to Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, they have a great deal. We didn’t know about it before going, but for $45 CAD per person you can get an all-you-can-eat option with some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. The decor, vibe, and music is a lot of fun. If you’re in Toronto and looking for a Instagram-worthy scene that also delivers on food, check this place out. (Full review here.)

Address: 620 King Street W, Toronto, ON M5V 1M6

2. Grand Cru Chocolate Soufflé (The Bank Brasserie & Bar | Vienna, Austria)

I had been craving a perfect chocolate soufflé and I found one when we were having drinks at our hotel in Vienna. The Park Hyatt Vienna (review here) houses The Bank Brasserie & Bar. Dinner looked good at other tables, but I would just come here for this delicious dessert.

Address: Bognergasse 4, 1010 Wien, Austria

1. Assorted Dishes (The Bedford by Martha Stewart | Las Vegas, NV)

I adore Martha Stewart and when I saw that she had opened a restaurant, we had to go. The Bedford by Martha Stewart was a lot better than The New York Times would have you believe. Is it up to Martha’s standards? I don’t think she’d be thrilled with basketball playing on the bar’s TVs or some of the mise en place misses in service, but overall the food was excellent with several standouts. The meal was pretty expensive (over $360 for the two of us), but in line with many other Las Vegas eateries. The focaccia in the bread basket and roasted chicken are clear standouts. The rest was good, but these were wow-worthy. (Full review here.)

Address: 3655 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Anthony’s Take: There were many other contenders, but these are the meals that I enjoyed most in 2023.

Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: When I’m dining out, I want to maximize my points earned. My card of choice for restaurants and food delivery is the American Express® Gold Card. With it, I earn four Membership Rewards® Points for each dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases). It also includes up to $120 annual credit (up to $10 per month given in statement credits) for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and Shake Shack. Plus, up to another $120 annually (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash that I can use for Uber Eats. When I’m hungry, this is the card I choose. (Terms apply and enrollment required for select benefits.) Learn more.