Best Thing I Ever Ate

Admittedly, I am stealing this concept from the Food Network show, and also from a comment my brother made last night that the pastrami at Katz's Deli is one of the best things he's ever eaten.  But nonetheless, here is a list of the best things I've ever eaten, and where you can find them!

In no particular order...

Rock shrimp tempura at Morimoto's (in Philadelphia) - This may be THE best thing ever... small, super crunchy rock shrimp covered in a spicy, sweet aioli; it literally pains me if I order these and am not able to finish them because I'm never sure when I'll get another chance! - http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/

Prime sirloin bistro at Rick Erwin's (Greenville, SC) - Served with crisp shoestring potatoes, the steak is cooked perfectly and topped with an amazing au poivre sauce that cannot be given justice through my explanation.  A bite with the tender steak, a few fries, and the sauce is truly magnificent! - http://www.rickerwins.com/index.html

Duck confit at Blue Ribbon Bakery (NYC) - The duck is served on the bone, and you're able to pull it apart yourself.  The meat is tender and flavorful beyond belief, but the true star is the large piece of crunchy, fatty skin that you wait to eat until the final bite! - http://www.blueribbonrestaurants.com/rests_bakery_main.htm

Fried quail and waffle at Restaurant Marc Forgione (NYC) - The whole quail is fried perfectly; not greasy but extremely crunchy and tasty, and the waffle is as crisp as you could imagine, but yet very airy and light.  The pink peppercorn honey makes the dish though, as it provides sugar to both the quail and waffle with a unique flavor imparted by the peppercorns. - http://www.marcforgione.com/

Porcini gnocchi at the Fearrington House (Pittsboro, NC) - I am not even a mushroom fan, but the porcini gnocchi served with their house-made bacon and truffle sausage was unbelievably good!  The texture is that of a tender dumpling, but the flavor is meaty and blends perfectly with the rest of the dish.  Without knowing the exact ingredients of the pasta, one would be challenged to even know what they're eating! - http://www.fearrington.com/house/restaurant.asp

Braised veal cheek cigar at Second Empire (Raleigh, NC) - This is tender cheek meat wrapped in phyllo dough and fried until crispy, then served with a Newcastle Brown Ale reduction.  On the menu, it sounded innocent enough but the burst of flavor in that small cigar was truly amazing!  The crunchy outside texture combined with the sweet sauce and meaty, braised meat are a perfect compliment to each other in every bite. - http://www.second-empire.com/

Quick hits...

Mozzarella sticks at Sheetz (anywhere in the US) - Always fresh, always crispy, always a bit of grease coming out when the first bite is taken!

Hot dogs at Hartmann's Deep Valley GC (Harmony, PA) - Good hot dogs, but buns toasted on the flat top with clarified butter are the true star.

Cheddar popcorn by Garrett's (Chicago, IL) - Amazing cheddary butter flavor that far surpasses any other popcorn I've ever had.