1. Scallop at The Goring, London
When The Dining Room at The Goring closed for a lengthy renovation in early 2024, the kitchen got its first complete overhaul in more than a century, with rising-star chef Chef Graham Squire still at the helm. The dining room itself reemerged with a gorgeous Bridgerton-esque makeover. This is one of the poshest restaurants in London, and I love everything about it. The highlight: an extraordinary Orkney Island scallop with pea shoots, lemon verbena and brown butter. thegoring.com
2. Steak tartare at Palmerio, Cabo San Lucas
I’ve followed chef Miguel Baltazar from Xtapa to Zihuatanejo to the Riviera Maya and now to Los Cabos, where he’s the executive chef at Four Seasons Cabo del Sol. For the resort’s signature restaurant Palmerio, Baltazar has completely reinvigorated — and legitimized — the region’s concept of Baja Med cuisine. The highlight of an extraordinary dinner: Wagyu steak tartare. fourseasons.com
3. Tuna ceviche at Evolution, Galapagos
Most people go to the Galapagos for the wildlife and the exercise. I went for the food. Chef Cristian Puente’s tuna tartare with soursop emulsion and fried cassava leaves is an eye-opening introduction to Ecuadorean cuisine. Wow. (Story coming soon to OLTRE.) pikaialodge.com
4. Room service at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton
I’d been wanting to dine at the famous dining room of Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons for decades. The restaurant exceeded expectations, just as I had hoped. But what caught me my complete surprise was the way Le Manoir handles room service: not merely as an amenity or afterthought, but as a requisite experience to staying at this manor house hotel in the English countryside. The restaurant isn’t open for lunch, so you have two options: dine in the bar, or dine anywhere on property — your room, the terrace, a picnic in the gardens — by calling room service. From steak tartare to English tea sandwiches, everything was perfect. belmond.com
5. Pork chop at The Grand, Telluride
Chefs Ross Martin and Erich Owen’s new chophouse, The Grand, has completely reset the bar for dining in Telluride. This charred Sakura pork chop with Colorado huckleberry was absolutely incredible. thegrandtelluride.com
6. Meatballs at Tre Dita, Chicago
Of all the restaurants where I dined this year, this Italian steakhouse from chef Evan Funke is where it’s most difficult to pick a favorite dish because literally everything — from the cloudlike focaccia to the tiramisu — was the best in its category. But if I have to pick, I’ll go with these insanely photogenic meatballs. treditarestaurant.com
7. Chocolate clams at Grand Velas, Cabo San Lucas
One of my favorite scenes this year was sitting by the pool at Grand Velas Boutique, sipping artisanal mezcal and eating fresh clams… I wish I was there right now. Highlight: chocolate clams with mango. grandvelas.com
8. Sea bass ceviche at Zazu, Quito
Getting to the Galapagos requires an overnight layover in mainland Ecuador, so while briefly in Quito I dropped into Zazu for the tasting menu. The highlight: sea bass ceviche with naranjilla (like a cross between an orange and tomato), chulpi (corn nuts) and eucalyptus. zazuquito.com
9. Baja clams at Humo, San Jose del Cabo
The clams in Baja are incredible. These were grilled over mesquite embers, au gratin style, at Humo, the signature restaurant at Zadún, Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Damn, seriously, I could have eaten a dozen of these. humoloscabos.com
10. Jamon and chips at Ernesto’s, New York
Imagine a heap of house-made potato chips, still hot from the fryer, layered with endless shavings of Iberico ham. That’s it. That’s the dish. Surely I dreamed it? ernestosnyc.com
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