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Tacos Cochinita and Carnitas
China Poblano Noodles & Tacos
Las Vegas, Nevada
Jose Andres created two restaurants in one at China Poblano. I chose the Mexican side of the menu so I could sample the tacos. The Carnitas tacos featured braised baby pig, pork rinds and a spicy salsa verde cruda; the Cochinita was filled with Yucatan-style pit barbeque pork and marinated onions. The bright, clean flavors really appealed to me.
Grilled Baby Octopus and Potato Salad
Osteria Via Stato
Chicago
I love octopus, especially when it’s done simply and flawlessly. In this dish, the octopus is grilled with really good olive oil and sprinkled with fresh parsley. It’s executed very well and the simplicity stands out.
Tuna Ribbons with Avocado, Spicy Radish, Ginger Marinade
Jean Georges
New York City
This is classic Jean Georges—Asian-inspired flavors with an element of heat. The ginger and soy went really well with the tuna and there was a decent amount of sauce in the bowl. But the balance was perfect—just the right amount of tuna and sauce without one overpowering the other.
Roasted Bone Marrow with Red Onion Jam & Coarse Salt
Gilt Bar
Chicago
The marrow bones were left really long for a dramatic presentation. They were very simply grilled with cracked black pepper and fleur de sel; the heat made them crispy and delicious. I’m a big bone marrow fan and these were rustic but very professionally done.
18 Flavors of Summer
L20
Chicago
Summer on a plate! The chef presented 18 elements that captured the best ingredients you would find summer: edible flowers and blossoms, tiny beets, heirloom tomatoes, etc. It tasted as beautiful as it looked.
Edible Cocktail
Eleven Madison Park
New York City
The kitchen infused a classic Manhattan with liquid nitrogen to bring the cocktail into the food world. There was a slushy component and a cherry flavor meringue component so it was slightly crispy on the outside and semi-liquid inside. As it melted, the cocktail turned into a more traditional drink. It was very cool.
Anthony Martin • Art Smith • Braithe Tidwell • Carin Stutz • Jamie Leeds • Juliette Pope • Ashley Morris • Lynette McKee • Marc Boussaire • Marc Gunn • Martin Yan • Mike Isabella • Phil Roberts • John Metz
