It’s that time y’all! Time to share the most delicious damn things of 2018. I did a LOT of eating last year and I’ve spent the past couple days going through ALL the food photos I took over the last 12 months. If it was something so utterly fantastic I’m still thinking about it; can still taste it, can still remember savoring every last bite, then it’s making this list. Here are the most delicious dishes of 2018 (Seattle edition):
What: Miso Clam Chowder
Where: Adana
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Notes: Local Whidbey Island clams and miso kick up the umami flavor in this stellar dish that I literally could not stop eating. I would eat that broth on anything. It’s offered on their bar menu.
What: the Breakfast Sandwich
Where: Sisters and Brothers
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Notes: This is the best breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had, period. This baby comes with a fried egg, house made bacon and American cheese on a Macrina bun. Adding chicken tenders is optional and I highly recommend it.
What: Rigatoni
Where: Tavolata
Neighborhoods: Belltown & Capitol Hill
Notes: This rigatoni is mind blowing good, y’all, and you can get it for just $10 during Tavolata’s happy hour (arguably the best in Seattle with deals like this).
What: Doughnuts
Where: General Porpoise
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, South Lake Union
Notes: This was the year I became obsessed with doughnuts and there was a few weeks span when I was hitting General Porpoise way too hard. The chocolate marshmallow is my fave, but I love every flavor I try.
What: Oxtail Nachos
Where: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Ballard
Notes: Everything on the menu here is fantastic but these Oxtail Nachos are particularly addicting. Make sure you don’t miss their Rotisserie Porchetta or Cheesy Bread either.
What: Fried Chicken Tacos
Where: Dead Line
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Notes: Why has it taken me 33 years of life to find fried chicken tacos? Dead Line is a dark little cocktail bar in Pioneer Square and their food is even better than their killer drinks.
What: Griddle Cakes
Where: Bounty Kitchen
Neighborhood: Denny Triangle
Notes: Bounty Kitchen is my new obsession. And I cannot believe that these griddle cakes are gluten free.
What: Chocolate Sorbet
Where: D’Ambrosio Gelato
Neighborhood: Ballard
Notes: This is the best dessert in Seattle, y’all. And this vegan, chocolate sorbet is better than any ice cream in town (try it and get back to me).
What: Tom Kha
Where: Soi
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Notes: I am such a soup lover and Tom Kha is one of my favorites. The flavor of this soup is absolutely perfect. And don’t miss the Khao Soi!
What: the Veggie Diablo
Where: Delicatus
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Notes: I probably ate this sandwich three or four dozen times in 2018; it’s that good, y’all.
What: Beef in Hot Chili Oil
Where: Little Chengdu
Neighborhood: Mt. Baker
Notes: Y’all I had this exact dish every day when I was in Beijing in 2016 because I loved it so much. Well, they nailed it. My boyfriend and I could not stop eating it or their beef noodle soup, both of which we’ve ordered again (they deliver and there is nothing better on a cold night.)
What: Chocolate Salted Caramel
Where: Deep Sea Sugar & Salt
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Notes: This is the best cake I have ever had. It is so insanely moist and the dark chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting with caramel on top is absolute dessert perfection.
What: Caramelized Idaho Catfish Claypot
Where: Monsoon
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Notes: I grew up eating catfish in Alabama and I love it. This Vietnamese version of it with fresh coconut juice and green onions is killer.
What: Elotes
Where: Quality Athletics
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Notes: If we’re lucky, they’ll bring these back in summer 2019. Grilled corn with cotija cheese is seriously one of the best things in life.
What: Aloha Fries
Where: Super Six
Neighborhood: Columbia City
Notes: Fries with kalua pork, kimchi mayo and a fried egg; mic drop.
What: Fried Chicken Bao Buns
Where: Dumplings of Fury
Neighborhood: West Seattle
Notes: These sweet buns and fried chicken is a magical combination, y’all. I can only assume that Dumplings of Fury has bomb dumplings also, but truth be told I always order the bao buns and noodles.
What: French Onion Soup
Where: Maximilien
Neighborhood: Pike Place Market
Notes: This bowl of cheesy, French Onion goodness is all you need this winter in Seattle. It is truly perfect with heaping amounts of Gruyere and the crispy slices of French bread underneath.
What: Painted Hills Burger
Where: Lecosho
Neighborhood: Downtown
Notes: I think this is the best burger in Seattle. Painted Hill Beef, Beecher’s cheese, spicy aoili and arugula on a grilled Macrina ciabatta bun.
What: Ice Cream Flight
Where: Molly Moon’s
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Columbia City, Wallingford, Madrona, U District, Redmond
Notes: When I heard Molly Moon’s was serving a straight up flight of ice cream, I completely flipped out. This baby includes all 14 of the Molly Moon flavors and is such a perfect treat for any ice cream lover like me.
What: Tara Saikyoyaki
Where: Nishino
Neighborhood: Madison Valley
Notes: My boyfriend has gotten me addicted to miso black cod and this is the best we’ve found in Seattle. We were actually there just last night for dinner and it was sensational as always.
What: Catalan Pasta
Where: Pintxo
Neighborhood: Belltown
Notes: Goat cheese stuffed in a pasta shell with pork shoulder sits in a fantastically flavored lamb sofrito in this delicious dish. I ate this many times in 2018.
What: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Where: Harry’s Fine Food
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Notes: Beecher’s cheese, Mama Lil’s peppers and the crunchiest, most perfect bread make this the ultimate cold weather meal. It’s grilled cheese and tomato soup on a a whole new level.
What: Chocolate Croissant
Where: Bakery Nouveau
Neighborhood: West Seattle & Capitol Hill
Notes: What can I say about Bakery Nouveau croissants other than they are utterly perfect? And their chocolate croissant is something sent from heaven. There was a few months last year when I was completely obsessed with this bakery and visited several times a week. Pro tip: the chocolate bread is amazing, too.
What: Spicy Kimchi Udon
Where: Girin
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Notes: I stumbled upon this a couple months ago and what a happy day that was y’all! Pork belly in a kimchi broth with udon noodles and a fried egg make up this bowl of delicious. Available on their lunch and happy hour menu only.
What: Coffee Oreo Ice Cream
Where: Husky Deli
Neighborhood: West Seattle
Notes: Husky Deli is a West Seattle staple. If you happen to be there when the line for ice cream isn’t outrageously long, consider yourself very lucky. Their coffee and Oreo is one of my all time favorite ice creams.
What: Dungeness Crab Curry
Where: Nirmal’s
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Notes: Nirmal’s is a true gem and their Dungeness Crab Curry is a home run. The spices and the sweet Dungeness crab are a match made in heaven. This makes the perfect date night spot.
What: Crinkle Fries
Where: Great State Burgers
Neighborhood: Downtown, International District, Laurelhurst, Bellevue
Notes: How I love you Great State crinkle fries. Pro tip: Dip them in the chocolate shake.
What: Fried Chicken Biscuit Sandwich
Where: Honest Biscuits
Neighborhood: Pike Place Market
Notes: In case you haven’t noticed, this is the fourth time fried chicken has appeared on this list 😂. A crispy chicken thigh on a Butterhole biscuit with mayo and Seattle Pickle Company pickles make up this masterpiece.
Leave a Reply