2011 In Review

Last year about this time I did a review of our 2010 restaurants.  For 2011, we actually kept a running list of our restaurants as we went so it is easier to look back at the hits and misses of our restaurant journey. 

With 2 days left in 2011, our tally of new restaurants for 2011 stands at 79 for me and the hubby at 76.  I'm guessing there will be some effort to add another before the calendar turns to 2012. 
There were definite hits and misses out of the list.  Adding a new restaurant doesn't always mean it's a good one!  Below are a few highlights from the year (of note - those in italics are not new this year - still holding on to the "best" title from 2010):

Best overall solo dining experience - 11 Madison Park in New York City

Best overall dining experience - Capital Grille

Best burger - Victory 44

Best donuts - Yo-Yo Donuts

Best breakfast sandwich - Cocoa & Fig's fried egg sandwich

Best hole-in-the-wall surprise hit - The Black Sea (Turkish food)

Best restaurant that I didn't want to try - Midori's Floating World Cafe (still don't like the name)

Best "out of the box thinking" restaurant with the family - Thara Thai in Champaign

Biggest disappointment - BANK - great atmosphere, mediocre food

Our vote for best restaurant of 2011 and where we will dine on New Year's Eve.......

In Season

We enjoyed both of our birthday dinners at In Season and are looking forward to our NYE dinner there as well.  My vote for best chef of 2011 goes to In Season's Don Saunders.
Happy Eating!