Jeff's Top Ten Meals of 2008

Crispy Pig's Head Terrine
Momofuku - New York, NY
A hockey puck of pig's head, deep-fried until the fat nearly liquifies. This was the best thing I ate all year.

Brisket and Sausage
Smitty's Market - Lockhart, TX
I finally get what all the fuss is about with beef brisket. The atmosphere only adds to the meal. I guarantee I'll come up with an excuse to get back here in '09.

Whole Meal
Yakitori Totto - New York, NY
We got there right when they opened at 5:30, only to be told that there was already an hour wait. When we finally got a table, they were already out of:
Chicken knee
Chicken tail
Chicken skin
But we did manage to get some chicken hearts, some of the squidiest squid on the planet, and I think we had some fried fish bones. The whole thing was slightly disorienting, and an absolute blast.

Spoonbread Stuffed Quail
Local 11 Ten - Savannah, GA
Just what it sounds like. God knows how much butter they managed to get into that spoonbread.

Tasting Menu
Capitol Grille - Nashville, TN
Another meal where the individual parts are a blur, but everything was spectacular. I remember an egg-topped short rib...

Chili Cheese Slaw Dog
Nu-Way Weiners - Macon, GA
I've never really been a slaw person, but everything I'd read insisted that I get the slaw on top of my usual chili dog order. The slice of American cheese was the kicker. This is worth the 80-mile drive from Atlanta.

Whole Meal
The Modern - New York, NY
A total surprise. I'd heard about the Modern for a couple of years but had not paid much attention, and never gotten around to trying it. Kudos to the friendly bartender as well. Highlights:
Arctic Char Tartare with basil and trout caviar
Slow Poached Farm Egg In a Jar with Maine lobster, crosnes and sea urchin froth
Liverwurst with pickled vegetables

Octopus Salad
Cakes & Ale - Decatur, GA
Not the least bit rubbery, as lesser cooks usually turn it out.

Cheeseburger
JG Melon - New York, NY
Nothing fancy here, just a perfectly-cooked, medium rare burger with American cheese on a plain bun. Perfect.

Whole Hog Pork Sandwiches
Ed Mitchell - Franklin, TN and New York, NY
Mr. Mitchell runs The Pit in Raleigh, NC, but thanks to his hectic barbecue festival schedule, we were able to sample his sandwiches at various events around the country this year. He's known for his 'whole-hog' barbecue, and there are few sandwiches that compare.