The Year in Food
The 2014 tastes we just couldn't stop thinking about
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Jan. 2, 2015
Top 10 Savory Bites
1) BISCUITS, OLAMAIE The best $3+ biscuits in town aren't on the menu, but they are well worth the asking price. Skip the schmaltz, go with honey butter.
2) BURNT PEACH SAUCE, OLAMAIE The depth and complexity of this Texas summer flavor enhanced a toothsome pork chop.
3) BRUSSELS SPROUTS, HIGHTOWER I don't even like brussels sprouts, but Chad Dolezal's distinctive preparation with peanut butter made me a fan.
4) SMOKED PORK TACO ON A LARD FLOUR TORTILLA, NOBLE SANDWICH CO. The ethereal tortilla surely helped make this dish the $10,000 winner at Wine & Swine.
5) PULLMAN BRIOCHE, ST. PHILIP Sliced thick for Texas toast, it's a perfect vehicle for the BLT with a fried green tomato. I wish the bakery here sold it by the loaf.
6) GREEN CHILE PORK STEW, EL MONUMENTO Even on a blazing summer day, this bowl of warmth stood out as a candidate for cold-weather comfort.
7) GRILLED PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICH WITH HOUSE SLAW, RED STAR SOUTHERN Bright, crunchy slaw is the perfect foil for hot, cheesy richness.
8) HUSH PUPPIES WITH HABANERO-PERSIMMON HOT SAUCE, LENOIR These delectable hot bites had folks making multiple visits to Lenoir's booth at the Green Corn sip and stroll.
9) WHITE ASPARAGUS ROASTED IN PORK SALT, GARDNER Andrew Wiseheart introduced Gardner's vegetable-forward concept with this unique spring delicacy at the Austin Food & Wine Festival.
10) ROAST CHICKEN, LAV A humble, simply perfect roasted chicken overshadowed all the glitz and glam at the laV opening bash.
