i ate a lot in 2009.
Best of 2009: Restaurant Moment
You’d think choosing my favorite restaurant of 2009 would be easy… I am a food blogger after all. But it’s really not. Especially since I hate writing posts with no photos. And I don’t have photos (especially good photos) for all my fave restaurants. I can’t pick just one… I have to choose a few!
Exhibit a) The Fireplace
If you follow me on We are not Martha (or have ever had a conversation with me in real life), you know how obsessed I am with The Fireplace. If my wallet permitted, I’d be eating here every single night. And then just sipping martinis and hanging out by the fireplace (the actual fireplace). But alas, I’m a freelance writer and my income doesn’t allow for such extravagances. However, I was lucky enough to dine here several times in 2009 and every meal was an amazing one. I even had my birthday dinner here and indulged in the cheese plate for the first time (omg I want one every night). Here are a few pretty photos from one dinner with my mom:
Exhibit b) Top of the Hub
I have no photo evidence, but my birthday dinner with my family was at the Top of the Hub. My mom told me I should take a break from photographing everything since it was my birthday, so I did. But I wish I didn’t heed her advice because dinner was heaven and so pretty too. Basically this restaurant has a bad name because people think it’s an overpriced tourist trap. But, if you haven’t been in a couple years, I’m begging you to head back because it is SO worth it. Yes, it’s expensive and yes lots of tourists love the view. BUT IT’S WORTH IT. The service is always impeccable, the food is amazing and pretty and perfect. And the drinks? Well, they have a huge and unique drink menu and I’ve never ordered a drink I didn’t like. Worth it. The following photo is not of me nor my family (come on, like I have 90s hair like that?), but it’s kind of what eating at the Top of the Hub feels like (in 1993 at least):
Exhibit c) Don the Beachcomber
Maybe it was the setting. Or maybe it was the company. Or maybe it was just the fact I was totally relaxed and on vacation, but this was definitely one of my favorite restaurants in 2009. I seriously think I melted a little as I was eating the Caesar salad with crabcake. In fact, I could have one every day for the rest of my life and it wouldn’t be enough. If they delivered, I would happily pay the delivery fee from Hawaii. YUM. The following photos don’t do the food justice. Just yum.
I’m totally leaving out about 2497 million other amazing restaurants I’ve been to this year… there have been tons. And even more awesome home-cooked ones (Rattlesnake’s Chef Poe cooking at Chels’s apartment? THE BEST). And now I’m crazy excited for 2010 because I will hopefully have tonnnns of new restaurant experiences. Yay food! 2009 was definitely a good one for that.
