Although not everything in 2016 was wonderful, some things sure were! We took a look back at some of the restaurants we had the opportunity to dine at this year and decided to tell you about our absolute favorites of the year. Some old, some new, all great.
There’s a reason why Luke’s Lobster has grown infamous in these parts of the country. It’s delicious! We tried out their new winter menu specials and can’t rave enough about their Crab Grilled Cheese. The low maintenance spot is the place to go to grab a lobster roll or two, but all of their seafood inspired fare is fresh and delicious.
The revamped version of Bill’s Townhouse is amazing. They serve up some old school dishes, along with classics and the ambiance and vibe of the restaurant is homey, inviting and just downright cool. We loved all the dishes we tried, especially the oh-so-fancy Lobster Thermidor, but it was dessert that stole our heart. You can’t go here without trying their Yellow Cake. And that’s an order!
1633, a new addition to the Upper East Side, is a breath of fresh air in a city known for its food scene. Unlike any other place we’ve been, this eclectic restaurant matches its decor to its menu – quirky and unusual, but easy to fall in love with. Their Mousse-AKA appetizer was an unexpected surprise of flavor, while the Lazy Beef entree added heartiness to the meal. Even their cocktails had new and exciting variations (we recommend the Moro Mou). Unfortunately, this spot closed and NYC is lesser for it.
I love Thai food, so it’s no surprise that Brooklyn newcomer Samui made our list. The restaurant is gorgeously decorated, very spacious and the service is great. We highly recommend starting your evening with their Tumeric Garlic Chicken Wings, which come with a sweet chili peanut dipping sauce. They made for the perfect appetizer before trying some of their larger dishes. While you can never go wrong with Pad Thai, we happened to love their Salmon Panang Curry as a main, which was full of flavor and everything you’ve come to expect of Thai cuisine.
We loved trying out Del Frisco’s new menu in late spring, but some of the best dishes were a surprise to us! The Ahi Tuna Tartare is a must-try if you’re dining here — it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. The Lobster Rolls were also a big standout for us, along with the Crab Fried Rice. Not many people think outside the box when dining at Del Frisco’s — most people opt for steak or their gigantic Shellfish Plateau, but these items are worth expanding your horizons for.
Heading to the sweeter side of things, Wafels & Dinges has become famous in the city for a reason. Yes, they do have outstanding savory wafels, like the De Wake Up Grumpy! and BBQ Pulled Pork Classic, both of which we recommend, but the sweeter ones really take the cake. Don’t leave without trying De Throwdown, which is a wafel topped with spekuloos spread, whipped cream and spekuloos cookie crumble. It’s insane and you need it in your mouth.
Twisted Talk: What were the best restaurants you dined at in 2016? Have you been to any of the ones listed above? Discuss below!
