Most memorable meal of 2012?

[ipsedixit]

I suppose it's that time of the year again.

Mine was probably at Sotto.

I still think about the calzone and those piggy cheeks. Yum.

You?

[selfportrait93]

Saddle Peak Lodge's pan roasted Idaho Rainbow Trout with various grilled vegies prepared (filleted) tableside. The fish is light but if you finish all the vegies that come with it then its a different story. SPL also surprised us with a very nicely presented comp "Anniversary" dessert.

[kevin]

Go's mart or Shunjis or Sea Harbour.

[Thor123]

Plus 1 for Sotto. Best pork chop in the City. Agree that the worst is Baco Mercat, yuck.

[CLowe]

Went with a group of six to Ludobites 10 a couple of weeks ago, and I was pretty wowed. Never been before, and I could have kicked myself for not trying harder to attend the others in town.

We ordered the entire menu but for the already sold-out chocolatey dessert (which broke my heart), but two dishes in particular stood out: the ham sandwich soup and the lemon meringue. The waiter was kind enough to explain that the inspiration for the soup is Ludo's favorite to-go snack on the streets of Paris. It literally tasted like a simple yet gourmet sammy melted down into perfection (though it's not the most photogenic dish). The lemon meringue -- a deconstructed version of the expected pie slice -- was incredible. You swooped your spoon through all of the types of dollops to get the whole effect, and man, could I have eaten an entire plate myself.

[djquinnc]

The ones that come to mind are:

1. 5x5 Chef's Collaborative Dinner at Angelini Osteria (even if just for Cimarusti's scallop alone)
2. Pasta Tasting Menu at Osteria Mozza (we do this at the bar from time to time and add one of Silverton's mozzarella dishes, and it never grows old)
3. DineLA Restaurant Week Dinner at Craft (best DineLA experience ever, and a superior meal)
4. AdHoc Fried Chicken at Bouchon (this last trip with the parsnips and greens for sides)

The saddest memory that I will carry with me would be Baco Mercat. Horrid service, the most uncomfortable chairs, food that did not make sense or taste very good, and washed down with glasses of vinegar.

The most gluttonous memory would be my brunch at Scarpetta. What I will remember the most is feeling KO'd for the rest of that day for over indulging in everything, especially the spaghetti that really is THAT good.

[J.L.]

Are we talkin' L.A. or anywhere on earth?

[The Chowhound Team]

We'd ask people to focus on LA, please.

[SauceSupreme]

In the LA area, omakase at Sushi Kimagure. Overall, probably dinner at Raku in Las Vegas.

[ns1]

I dunno about best meal, but the best bite of 2012 would be the trotters from Salumi Night at Mozza's Scuola di Pizza

I never knew pigs feet could taste so good.

[Rafepine]

Proably last night's Ceviche Nights by Bryant Ng, Kris Yenbamroong, Houie Sahakain, and Richard Zarate. This is not you mother's ceviiche. How about a Nam Kao Tod (Crispy Rice Salad, Fermented Pork, Oysters, Raw Ginger, Bird Eye Chile, and Peanuts. Thanks Kris!

[Dirtywextraolives]

For sheer awesomeness of taste, Son of a Gun.

For pure brilliance of quality & presentation, Melisse's foie gras dinner.

[mrhooks]

Red Medicine, although Hatfield's was very close just on the awesomeness of the croque madame.

[whiner]

In LA? Melisse. No doubt.

[steve h.]

Shunji has to be at the top of my LA list.

[nosh]

Not a lot of memorable complete meals in the past year.

I still remember a bite of the lasagna special at Pizzeria Mozza. Wonderfully rich, the pasta impossibly tender, the lasagna flavorful but somehow even a bit light. A great bite (maybe two?) but the serving about 4 inches long and about an inch and a half wide for $20? That's an expensive lasagna. And their famous butterscotch budino did not measure up to the butterscotch pot de creme (obviously a copycat) at Gjelina.

Really enjoyed my DineLA lunch at Chinois. Classic minced stirfried lamb in radicchio cups. Szechuan beef was delicious, but they subbed flank for filet. Big portion of their Chinese chicken salad. Good service there, as at any of Puck's upper-level restaurants.

[maudies5]

Lucques at a private party in the garden. Course after course of superb food. The best meals all year have been at Lucques. Consistently excellent.

[foodiemahoodie]

Hm. Have a few...

There was a great meal at Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, but over-shadowed by the bill, which was down right stupendous. At half the price it would've still been very expensive.

Had great meals at Melisse and Providence, but excellence is to be expected.

n/naka was the biggest surprise and a extremely satisfying one at that, so adding the new-ness factor that might have to get the vote.

[Porthos]

Going back to Joel Robuchon next week. Will be my 3rd or 4th visit. Not looking forward to the food as much as I am looking forward to the wine list, bread cart, and chocolate cart. When offered, the caviar amuse is the star. I find the food itself good but not great or mind blowing.

[secabeen]

Have you tried E by Jose Andres? I had a fabulous meal there last month. At half the price of JR, it's a steal.

[foodiemahoodie]

Bread cart is great, but that's an awfully steep price to pay for bread and a rather remarkably priced wine list when you're not all that impressed with the food.

When was the last time you were there?

[Porthos]

Secabeen have not tried E but over dosed on Bazaar and Saam. Have absolutely no desire to try that cuisine.

Foodiemahoodie. Last visit was last year. Wine list is horribly priced but their selection I cannot get in LA. Which is why I get only the 4 course menu now so I can focus on the wine, bread, cheese, and chocolate carts.

[Porthos]

Was much more impressed with the food this time. Probably because many of the dishes we ordered had truffles and more truffles on it. However, it was still not as thrilling and unique as my first visits to Red Medicine, Sotto, n/naka, and Shunji.

Wines and bread cart were again the stars.

[J.L.]

Tie: Yamakase, n/naka & Shunji.

[Porthos]

4 way tie between Red Medicine, Sotto, Shunji, and grand cru white burgundy dinner at n/naka.

[wienermobile]

Craft. Had never been till this year. Wonderful food and maybe the best service I've ever had in Los Angeles. One of those rare meals where everything was perfect. Highly recommended.

Second place Son of A Gun. Creative, fun and oh so tasty.