As 2025 drew to a close, I attempted to do what most of us do when we mark the passage of time, namely, reflect. I tried to recall my best memories of the year, the most precious days, the best travel. Every memory was punctuated with food.

My husband and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary this year – I instantly thought of that great restaurant we went to in West Hollywood. I went to Salt Lake City for the first time and enjoyed brain altering smoked salmon toast. Going out with friends was all the excuse I needed to check the hottest new KBBQ spot off my mental list. A friend’s birthday? Caviar. Christmas? Sticky toffee pudding. The moments of my life and the food I ate along with them are indelibly linked.

Enough preamble though, let’s dive in.

15. CasaDamí: Serrano Ham & Manchego Croquetas
Don’t let it’s position at the end of the list fool you, just being included in this roundup means I wholeheartedly recommend a visit. I celebrated my thirty-fourth birthday with an assortment of tapas at this small but mighty pick in Newport Beach.

The menu is a bit overpriced which tends to attract the see-and-be-seen crowd but it’s worth grabbing a few friends and ordering as many dishes as possible. I chose their croquetas as the standout but bluefin tuna crudo and beef empanadas could each plead their case. If you’re making a night of it, start with a crisp cocktail like their limoncello spritz and end with the chocolate fondue.

14. Miàn: Spicy & Sour Beef Brisket Noodle
If you’ve already worked your way through the classics like zhajiangmian and mapo tofu, might I suggest dipping into the sour end of the pool. The water really is fine.

Tender brisket and bouncy noodles swimming in broth punctuated with just the right sour notes (never overwhelming) will leave you so satisfied you’ll almost forget you’re eating at a shopping mall.

13. Hanuman Thai Eatery: Sweet Roti
This was the year I finally tried Hanuman after giving their lengthy waitlist a skeptical side-eye for far too long. Unsurprisingly, the crowds got this one right.

While the savory items were great, the dish I was still thinking about months later was the roti drowned in cinnamon and sweetened condensed milk. The famous gai todd hat yai might get you in line but the sweet roti makes it worth coming back.

12. The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills: Le Gourmand Sandwich
Operational since the 1960’s this legendary shop has recently been enjoying a viral digital footprint following a refresh and relocation a few years ago.

Still first and foremost a cheesemonger, their cafe menu has exploded in popularity. There’s a lot of debate about which sandwich is the best sandwich but I’ll cast my vote for the le gourmand. Composed with only three ingredients this knockout stacks roasted turkey, triple crème, and maple onion confit to reach heights near perfection.

11. Manon: Khao Soi
There is an abundance of excellent Thai food in Southern California which sparks both fierce loyalty and debate. I’m not one to tie myself down (yes, that’s a pun) but I did rank this one higher than Hanuman and you can read into that however you’d like.

I named the khao soi as one of my best bites but I also could have named the roti curry dip or the mango sticky rice. Seriously, it’s that good.

10. Kalbi Social Club: Crispy Potato Cheese Pancake
Korean BBQ typically includes an assortment of healthy leaning banchan such as kimchi, fish cakes, and lightly dressed salad. This sharable add-on? Pure indulgence.

A bed of crispy potatoes topped with melted cheese and served with a house dipping sauce this is an easy yes for the table. If the table orders more than one? I won’t tell.

9. Lunch Bang: OK Burger
The interior is so bare bones you’re not sure if they’re curating a brutalist aesthetic or simply mid-renovation but once you bite into the smashburger you won’t really care.

A perfect embodiment of California cuisine, this is a Korean lunch haunt that just happens to serve one of Orange County’s best American style smashburgers.

If I could explain the knockoff Eero Saarinen furniture, the idiosyncratic use of Chinese takeout boxes, or the chess matches looping on the lone television, I would. Instead, we’ll all revel in the mystery while enjoying astonishingly good burgers.

8. Maestro’s: Butter Cake
If you’re a bit jaded on the culinary front, this absolute classic may bore you. Sure, it’s not new and it’s really not that secret. This made my list simply because it was the first time I’ve had the pleasure. I can assure you, it won’t be my last.

Yes, Maestro’s is a very tony restaurant. Yes, it’s white tablecloths and ocean views. And yes, the day we went was overcast and tinged all my pictures with an eery wash of sadness. But my memories are bright and delicious and that’s how I’ll remember it.

7. Cha Cha Matcha: Strawberry Matcha
The first time I crossed paths with Cha Cha Matcha was when their pop-up took over Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe at South Coast Plaza. A phenomenal introduction.

It’s honestly been too many years since we reunited but I recently jumped back in with their strawberry matcha. Like falling for an old crush, I was back in love.

In lieu of the strawberry matcha, I’m submitting into evidence the above photos demonstrating how lovely the shop is and how spot on that green and pink color scheme works. The thought of photos simply left my head once my order was called.

Mea culpa.

6. Alvarado’s Mexican Grill: Al Pastor Mulita
This is the first of two taquerias on my list and narrowing them down is no easy task. Tacos are such a lovable food they have to do something truly heinous to not be a good taco. Even great tacos are a dime a dozen here in Southern California.

However, despite this tantalizing photo, we’re not even here for the excellent tacos.

I’m here for the pitch perfect mulitas. I simply have no notes. Pretty much no matter where you live, Alvarado’s is out of the way, but please seek them out expeditiously.

5. Ospi: Brown Butter Chicken Parm
I find chicken parm to be one of those paradoxical dishes that should be delicious nine times out of ten but somehow works in reverse. What’s not to love about saucy, cheesy breaded chicken? Nevertheless, it usually veers soggy or mushy, over sauced or under sauced, or the cheese envelops the dish entirely.

Thankfully, Ospi puts all those woes to bed with it’s genre defining version. The chicken is tender with a crisp shell, the tomato sauce is swapped for vodka sauce, and the cheese doesn’t overtake the rest. Just in case lightening can’t strike twice, I went back and ordered it again …tens across the board.

4. Tacos Los Compadres: Shrimp Tacos
When my husband and I were dating, we ate at all sorts of hole in the wall taquerias. None were more memorable to me than Tacos Los Compadres. In a state with thousands of choices for tacos this is hands down the best shrimp taco in my mind.

To be clear, this isn’t a popular opinion. It holds a respectable 4.2 on Google Reviews but it isn’t Michelin rated or listed in any of the popular foodie guides.

What makes me so confident then? Until this year, I hadn’t visited this taqueria in over a decade. I returned trepidatious. Surely it couldn’t live up to ten years of memories? It did. Without hesitation, these are still the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever had (and maybe ever will). Try to change my mind.

3. Brasserie 7452 at St Regis Deer Valley: Smoked Salmon Toast
For many reasons, including health, I didn’t do much travel this year. One of the rare trips I did take however introduced me to this unbelievable bite. A delicate brioche toast is topped with egg salad, crème fraîche, smoked salmon, and caviar.

It completely reset my idea of what “toast” could be and I’m grateful it did. I’m not sure I’ll ever stumble into the St Regis in Deer Valley again, but I’m on the lookout for the next life changing toast and my expectations are sky high!

2. RH Ocean Grill: Caviar Chip & Dip
Caviar has always been in the gastronomic shadows, lurking on the pages of gilded restaurants whose wine lists rival your rent. It’s also had it’s time in the spotlight – in prosperous years when the whole world wants to let the good times roll. Recently, it’s perhaps risked over exposure; it seems every influencer is now doing caviar bumps.

But caviar’s PR is too good to ever depend on the trends. When the extravagance fades from our feeds, it will still be there, calling to you on a special occasion. My special occasion was a friend’s birthday and I can’t think of a better celebration than this caviar dip washed down with an icy martini. Just what the doctor ordered.

1. QUA: Sichuan Bang Bang Chicken
Best bite of the year is a big statement but I have no qualms about giving it to QUA. Newly opened and hailing from restaurant group Kei Concepts I would worry about a recency bias if the food wasn’t so unequivocally good.

Officially my best bite of 2025 is awarded to their bang bang chicken.

Served in the traditional style, this cold dish strikes the most tantalizing balance of aromatic, tangy, and salty. Since I get to make the rules, I’m also going to recommend several other dishes on their menu.

My essential dishes would include the shrimp cheung fun, bolo bao with Vermont butter, XO fried rice with char siu, stir fried beef with mustard greens, and dan dan sesame noodles. Lastly, order a few sauces to enhance your meal – I elected hot mustard and truffle for ours.

I’m entering the new year with an open mind and an open palette. My list of restaurants I hope to get to is long and growing longer by the day plus I already have some reservations booked. If you have recommendations for me, please share!