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2009 was a monumental eating and drinking year that included trips to Atlanta, Baja, California’s Central Coast, Las Vegas, New York City, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego and San Francisco, plus daily forays to restaurants and bars in Southern California. Here’s my recap of the best bites and sips. Click links to find more info and photos.

Fish Taco of the Year: Ricky’s Fish Tacos – Los Angeles, CA
Foie Gras Dish of the Year: Foie Gras Cupcake – LudoBites – Los Angeles, CA [CLOSED]
Fried Chicken of the Year: Fried Chicken with Basque Vegetables – LudoBites – Los Angeles, CA [CLOSED]
Fritter of the Year: Zucchini – La Villa del Valle – Silvestre Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., Mexico
Gamebird of the Year: Squab – Café Pinot – Los Angeles, CA
Goat Dish of the Year: Birria – Flor del Rio – Los Angeles, CA [now called Birrieria Nochistlan]
Grain of the Year: Farro con Frutti di Mare – Pizzeria Ortica – Costa Mesa, CA
Hamburger of the Year: Bradley Ogden – Las Vegas, NV [CLOSED]
Hot Dog of the Year: The Bald Eagle – Fab Hot Dogs – Reseda, CA
Ice Cream of the Year: Coconut Jalapeno – Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream – Atlanta, GA
Italian Meal of the Year: Flour + Water – San Francisco, CA
Korean Meal of the Year: Don Dae Gam – Los Angeles, CA [CLOSED]
Lamb Dish of the Year: Spiced Colorado Lamb Loin Medallions – Whist – Santa Monica, CA [CLOSED]
Lobster Dish of the Year: Butter Poached Lobster – Fuego – Long Beach, CA
Mexican Meal of the Year (in L.A.): La Casita Mexicana – Bell, CA
Mexican Meal of the Year (in Mexico): La Querencia – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Middle Eastern Meal of the Year: Koko’s – Van Nuys, CA
Middle Eastern Flatbread of the Year: Zahtar-Chile-Onion – Old Sasoon Bakery – Pasadena, CA
Noodle Dish of the Year: Prawn Chow Mein – Chuen Hing – Rosemead, CA [CLOSED]
Offal Dish of the Year: Lamb Liver Fritters – Abattoir – Atlanta, GA [CLOSED]
Olive Oil Dish of the Year: Olive Oil Bonbon – The Bazaar – Los Angeles, CA
Opening Party of the Year: Bouchon Beverly Hills
Pasta of the Year: Oxtail Cavatelli – Michaels on Naples – Long Beach, CA
Peruvian Meal of the Year: Anticucheria Danessi – Norwalk, CA [CLOSED]
Pig of the Year: Lorca – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Pizza of the Year: Tomato Pie with Sausage – Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – New Haven, CT
Porchetta of the Year: Il Cane Rosso – San Francisco, CA
Pork Belly of the Year: marché L.A. – Sherman Oaks, CA
Pork Tenderloin of the Year: radioMILANO – Phoenix, AZ [CLOSED]
Pumpkin Dish of the Year: Pumpkin Tart – Thyme Café and Market – Santa Monica, CA
Rabbit Dish of the Year: Slow Cooked Rabbit – Abattoir – Atlanta, GA
Ramen of the Year: Akamaru Modern – Ippudo – New York, NY
Sardines of the Year: Grilled Monterey Bay Sardines – Pizzeria Delfina – San Francisco, CA
Seafood Meal of the Year: Mariscos Ruben – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Sea Snail of the Year: La Guerrerense – Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Sea Urchin Dish of the Year: Tagliatelle, Santa Barbara Sea Urchin & Avocado – Chaya Downtown – Los Angeles, CA
Snails of the Year: Escargots de Bourgogne – Church & State – Los Angeles, CA
Shrimp Dish of the Year: Taco Camaron Enchilado – Mariscos El Mazateno – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Southern Meal of the Year: Woodfire Grill – Atlanta, GA [CLOSED]
Sri Lankan Meal of the Year: Priyani – Northridge, CA [CLOSED]
Steak of the Year #1: Hanger Steak – BLT Steak – West Hollywood, CA [CLOSED]
Steak of the Year 1A: Porterhouse – Peter Luger Steakhouse – Brooklyn, NY
Steak of the Year 1B: Grilled Mishima Ranch Ribeye Cap – Mar’sel – Palos Verdes, CA
Sushi Meal of the Year: The Hump – Santa Monica, CA [CLOSED]
Taco of the Year: Dessert Taco – Tacos Salceados – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Tequila Event of the Year: Tijuana Tequila Expo IX – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Tortilla of the Year: Tortillas Florales – Rivera – Los Angeles, CA [CLOSED]
Vegetable of the Year: Cah Kangkung – Java Spice – Rowland Heights, CA
Waffle of the Year: Belgian Waffle – The Bruery – Placentia, CA