I’m really not one to brag too often, but with that being said, I’ve had a pretty damn good year when it comes to eating. I used to yelp quite a bit about my dining experiences, but I’ve since joined the train of thought that yelp does far more damage to businesses than it does to benefit them. Perhaps that should be a different blog someday. Anyways, since I don’t post on yelp anymore, I’ll share my food adventures here! Duh, makes sense! Only positive food adventures too, it’s not worth bitching about a bad meal. Unless it was unusually bad, and something needs to be said. Kind of like when I went to that crap house Home and had to put up with the waitress from hell. I yelped about that one, and had my review removed for using grown-up language. Another reason I don’t care for yelp anymore! Anyways, Home closed down recently, so i win.

Alas, below is a list of the finer establishments that I have had the pleasure of dining at this year, and a brief review of each. So pour yourself a glass of Chardonnay (and not one of those cheap, buttery California Chardonnay’s… try a 2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay for pete’s sake), bust out some fine caviar, and heat up the cheez whiz (for the pasta sauce)!

• Aziza (San Fran): So f’ing good. Hands down my favorite restaurant I’ve been to in San Francisco.  And the cocktails? Addicting.  A well-deserved Michelin star.
• Cyrus (Healdsburg): I see your Michelin star and raise you one! That’s two Michelin stars, numbers can be tricky.  Cyrus ranks as one of my top 3 favorite meals of my life.  My first experience with a real tasting menu, and the food and service went well beyond my expectations.
• Ad Hoc (Yountville): T Kel in the house, what what! Yea… great place.
• Mission Chinese Food (San Fran): The food here is great, but I include this on my list more for the fact that it was ranked the 2nd best new restaurant by Bon Appetitty. That’s quite a feat! But still, it’s one of the best affordable restaurants I’ve been to.
• Husk (Charleston): I see your 2nd best new restaurant and raise you one! That’s the best new restaurant in America (per Bon Appetitty), numbers can be tricky. Unlike M.C.F., Husk disappointed me with their food. Not to mention that doofus of a waiter we had.  Still, I’m very happy to say that I’ve been here.
• Circa 1886 (Charleston): If it wasn’t Cyrus, then Circa 1886 must be the best meal I enjoyed (so far) this year.  Tiny restaurant in a beautiful Victorian mansion, this place amazed on all levels. It was simply the bees knees.
• The Olde Pink House (Savannah): Another great meal in a wonderful setting.  This pink mansion has something like 13 dining rooms, all with a different theme. And the food was rock star from Mars quality.