As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may also earn an affiliate commission if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Follow Us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & Pinterest.
First, let’s define the parameters for the Best Dishes I’ve Ever Eaten. That meal you can’t stop thinking about, dreaming about & wanting more!
The dish you’d travel the country just to have another bite. I’m talking mouthwatering memories you tell friends, family and anyone who’ll listen to you reminisce!
Check back often as I update this living list when I come across a plate I have to share! Dishes are sorted first by city, and then by restaurant in alphabetical order.
Hopefully you get a chance to try one of these memorable bites on your culinary adventures!
Denver
ChoLon: French Onion Soup Dumplings
ChoLon’s heavenly fusion soup dumplings are filled with sweet onion, melty gruyere cheese & deliciously rich French onion broth. They are served piping hot in a small steamer basket.
Pop one of these savory bites in your mouth, and you’ll be in foodie bliss! With four in a basket, the only question you’ll be asking yourself after you eat these is, should I order more?
ChoLon Downtown Denver 1555 Blake Street Denver, CO 80202 (303) 353-5223 cholon.com/downtown ChoLon Stapleton Neighborhood 10195 East 29th Drive Denver, CO 80238 (720) 550-6934 cholon.com/stapleton
Chow Morso Osteria: Carbonara
An Italian eatery that serves a delightful bowl of rich spaghetti alla carbonara! The joy I receive from cracking the hot golden farm fresh egg over the top of the noodles, melting the big chunks of shaved parmigiana cheese. Crisp rosy bits of pancetta. Everything precisely seasoned with ground black pepper. Chow Morso carbonara is perfection. Italian comfort food that warms my soul.
Chow Morso Osteria 1500 Wynkoop Street Denver, CO 80202 (720) 639-4089 chowmorso.com
La Loma: House Salsa, Chile Rellenos & Green Chile
House Salsa
La Loma’s chips & salsa maybe complementary, but I warn you they are addictive! The ideal ratio of chunky & spicy you want in a salsa. I always order a pint togo!
Chile Rellenos & Green Chile
The handmade chile rellenos at La Loma are to die for! Stuffed with a generous portion of cheese & roasted green Anaheim chiles. Fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside & smothered in their famous green chile.
Partly what makes their chile rellenos so damn delicious is their award winning green chile! La Loma has been repeatedly named one of The Best Green Chile Spots in Denver.
A grandma’s secret family recipe that has been made for decades. It’s green in color with a thick gravy consistence & big chunks of shredded pork.
You can’t go wrong with their green chile smothered on any dish, but I have not found better chile rellenos anywhere!
La Loma 1801 Broadway Denver, CO 80202 (303) 433-8300 lalomamexican.com
Tasty Tips: If you can’t get to La Loma, their Crispy Chile Rellenos are also found on the menu at sister concept Sierra’s. You know their good when they’re on another restaurants menu! Plus the architecture & sunset views alone make Sierra worth a visit!
Le Roux: Cauliflower Creme Brulee & Wagyu Beef Tartare
Cauliflower Creme Brulee
Le Roux’s cauliflower crème brûlée flips the standard sweet dish into a savory star. Beautifully plated with golden raisins, fried pine nuts, crunchy capers & roasted cauliflower florets. A delicate caramelized sweet sugar crust waits to be shattered, exposing an exquisite flawless cauliflower custard below.
Yes, that’s cauliflower you taste. The smooth mouthfeel is mind blowing! Literally while eating this dish you’ll be thinking, how did they achieve this texture? The cauliflower crème brûlée at Le Roux is one of the most unique dishes I’ve ever experienced. I want to eat all my veggies this way!
Wagyu Beef Tartare
You cannot dine at Le Roux without experiencing the head turning wagyu beef tartare. The signature dish is dramatically presented in a glass dome enveloped in smoke unveiled theatrically tableside.
Revealing a tartare masterpiece infused with hickory smoke aromatics sitting on a bed of gribiche, and topped with crème fraiche, chopped fresh chives & caviar. Accompanied by crisp gaufrette potatoes elegantly arranged. Dinner and a show.
Le Roux 1510 16th Street Denver, CO 80202 (720) 845-1673 lerouxdenver.com
Tasty Tips: Le Roux is one of the most romantic restaurants in Denver. Perfect for celebrating a special occasion! Other standout dishes not to be missed are the Onion-Crusted Short Rib & Paris Brest for dessert, which 5280 Magazine named “Top of the Town Best Dessert” in 2019.
TAG Restaurant: The OG Taco Sushi
These tasty sushi tacos are a fusion of Asian, Hawaiian, & Latin inspired elements. They start with a crunchy fried wonton shell. Then are packed with sushi rice & fresh cubes of charred ahi tuna. Finished with a topping of li-hing mango salsa & set on a bed of guacamole. You get the best of many worlds melded into one delicious bite.
Although TAG Restaurant is big on social passable dishes, no sharing when indulging in these flavorful tapas. Get your own order & thank me later!
Tag Restaurant 1441 Larimer Street Denver, CO 80202 (303) 996-9985 tag-restaurant.com
New Orleans
Emeril’s NOLA Restaurant: Mama Hay’s Stuffed Chicken Wings
Mama Hay’s Stuffed Chicken Wings is an acclaimed dish that has been on NOLA’s menu since the restaurants opening in 1992. Featured on Southern Living’s List for “Best Chicken Wings in the South.”
First, the Vietnamese style chicken wings are skillfully deboned. Then the filling is made combining ground pork, chopped shrimp, mushrooms, onions, cilantro, celery & fish sauce. Next, the wings are stuffed with the mixture. Lastly they are baked, fried, and served with a killer garlicky hoisin chili dipping sauce!
If you’ve never had a stuffed chicken wing before, the best way to describe these fancy plump stuffed wings is amazing layers of crispy, juicy, tender, satisfying chicken goodness meets rich, savory, complex, aromatic dumpling filling! In other words heaven.
Emeril's NOLA 534 St. Louis Street New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 522-6652 emerilsrestaurants.com/nola
Portland
Departure: Departure Wings & Coconut Sticky Rice
Departure Wings
Departure Wings are some of the most tender wings I’ve ever had! The man responsible for these little gems is Top Chef alum, Gregory Gourdet.
A lot of technique goes into this simple dish to make it so delish! They filet a chicken wing & then retie it around the bone with a technique called lollipoping. Next, they fry the chicken in a tapioca & cornstarch batter for a crisp crunch on the outside. Lastly, they drizzle the sweet chili glaze on top. All the components just work so well together!
Crispy on the outside with tender delectable chicken on the inside. Then drizzled with a sweet chili glaze. These wings will blown your mind!
Departure’s Coconut Sticky Rice dessert was actually featured on Food Porn with Michael Chernow. After watching that show I knew I had to try this colorful dessert for myself!
The Coconut Sticky Rice has really unique flavors with beautiful presentation using bright purple rice! Passion fruit curd & hibiscus combine for a sweet and complex flavor and a hearty, satisfying texture. A nice combination to play with. It was so good I could eat it for breakfast! Perfect light ending to a meal.
Departure 525 SW Morrison Street Portland, OR 97204 (503) 802-5370 departureportland.com
Tasty Tips: Don’t miss the exquisite rooftop dining at Departure that Thrillist deemed one of “The 23 Best Rooftop Bars in America.”
Toronto
Lee: Singaporean-Style Signature Slaw
I’d travel to Toronto for just another bite of Canadian celebrity Chef Susur Lee’s famous Singapore Slaw at his flagship restaurant Lee on King street.
Tossed tableside, the signature dish is more a salad with pageantry then just slaw. Nineteen distinct ingredients make up this vibrant plate. Giving you different tastes in every delicious bite!
Elements in the Singapore Slaw include: fried components of tarot root, vermicelli, & shallots. Pickled red onion & ginger. Julienned vegetables like daikon, jicama, green onion, cucumber, carrots & tomato. Edible flowers, toasted sesame seeds, roasted peanuts, daikon sprouts, fennel, purple basil, & coriander herbs.
Taking the slaw over the top is the delectable house Japanese salted plum dressing! Creating a crunchy super fresh tasting masterpiece. An art & food fusion worth traveling to another country.
Lee 601 King Street West Toronto, ON M5V1M5, Canada (416) 504-7867 leerestaurant.com
Tasty Tips: The Singapore Slaw is so popular they are now serving it at Kid Lee in the First Canadian Place building. A grab & go food court concept opened by Susur Lee and his two sons Kai & Levi. Although dining at Lee is fabulous, Kid Lee is a more casual approachable option on the wallet while still getting to enjoy this exquisite dish!
Drop us a comment about the Best Dish You’ve Ever Eaten or tag us on Instagram or Facebook @FoodandCocktailScene. I’d love to hear about your favorite eats!
Be the first to comment