Brie Berry Salad
Otto’s
Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, blue cheese, brie, candied pecans, and mixed greens tossed in honey vinaigrette. Girlish good looks, sophisticated flavor.
521 Main St., Covington, (859) 491-6678, ottosonmain.com

Yellow Pepper Soup
Via Vite
Yellow peppers, stock, seasoning, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Proof that the concept of restraint can result in the most exquisite flavor. In the same vein, the potato leek soup and spicy cioppino (Italian seafood stew) often vie with the yellow pepper as favorites.
520 Vine St.,downtown, (513) 721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com

Sopressata Salad
La Poste
Greens and goat cheese are prudently dressed in a truffle vinaigrette, wrapped in sopressata, and served with caramelized apple and berry coulis. Chef Dave Taylor gives it a gorgeous vertical presentation and omits the preciousness.
3410 Telford St., Clifton, (513) 281-3663, laposteeatery.com

Gobhi Manchurian Cauliflower
Amma’s Kitchen
The humble cauliflower sings in this classic Indo-Chinese appetizer steeped in ginger, garlic, and chilies, and is so texturally beguiling it’s been mistaken for chicken wings.
7633 Reading Rd., Roselawn, (513) 821-2021, ammaskitchen.us

Chorizo Tacos
Lime Taqueria
Chorizo from Kroeger Brothers in Findlay Market, plus housemade mandarin citrus salsa and pickled radish topped with queso fresco. Sí, más, por favor.
522 Main St., Covington, (859) 360-7420, limecovington.com

Dragon’s Breath Wontons
AmerAsia
File these under A for Addiction: seasoned ground pork, onion, and cilantro meatballs wrapped in egg dough, wok simmered, and cloaked in spicy red pepper sauce.
521 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 261-6121, kungfoodchu.com

Simple Roast Chicken
Wildflower Café
I’m a big fan of this little café, and while I love most of the menu, nothing represents Chef Todd Hudson’s farmstead fever better than his Gravel Knolls pastured chicken beautifully roasted in Burnet Ridge Sauvignon Blanc atop goat cheese risotto. Happy local chickens do taste better.
207 E. Main St., Mason, (513) 492-7514, wildflowercafeandcoffeehouse.com

Chocolate Pot de Crème
Honey
Problem: Your chocolate pudding isn’t decadent enough. Solution: Pastry Chef Summer Genetti will crown it with salted caramel and toffee popcorn.
4034 Hamilton Ave., Northside, (513) 541-4300, honeynorthside.com

Pan Seared Duck Breast
Daveed’s at 934
Perfectly—and I do mean perfectly—prepared duck breast by the master, Chef David Cook. Seasonal preparations, but I dug it one evening with wild mushrooms, truffle, and white cheddar, and with braised cabbage, kielbasa, and potato another.
934 Hatch St., Mt. Adams, (513) 721-2665, daveeds.com ‎

Smoked Curried Trout Salad
Nectar
Partnered with frisee salad, a gorgeous burst of Maine cranberries, and crostini courtesy of Blue Oven Bread, all brought to you by the immensely talented Chef Julie Francis.
1000 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout, (513) 929-0525, dineatnectar.com

Arancini
A Tavola
Fried risotto balls. Let’s repeat: Fried. Risotto. Balls.
1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 246-0192, atavolapizza.com

Arugula Salad
Via Vite
How is it that one simple salad can taste like it was handed down by generations of great Italian cooks? Pristine peppery baby arugula, shards of Parmigiano Reggiano, and toasted pignolis dressed in a gauzy citronette (lemon and olive oil). My favorite companion to any of Via Vite’s soups for lunch, and perfect with Chef Cristian Pietoso’s steak preparations at dinner.
520 Vine St., downtown, (513) 721-8483, viaviterestaurant.com

Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake
Annabel’s
Moist with almond paste and sour cream, plump with blueberries….OK, STOP. This was just to reel you in good people. The truth is there may be no better concentration of great cakes in the city than at this adorable (and tiny) cafe. Yes, it’s true I’ve loved the above coffeecake this past year. And it’s a pie-eyed beauty of a cake to start with. But you’ll want more. Oh yes, you’ll want more.
1104 Delta Ave., Mt. Lookout, (513) 417-8669

Dry Pot Whole Fish
Sichuan Bistro
HolymotherofGodsweetbabyJesus is what I believed I uttered after my first bite of this whole fried tilapia served in a hot pot with vegetables. (Call ahead; this is not on the regular menu.)
7888 Mason-Montgomery Rd., Mason, (513) 770-3123, sichuanbistro.com

Egg Drop Soup With Wontons
AmerAsia
Better than the chicken and dumpling soup made by your Jewish bubbe.
521 Madison Ave., Covington, (859) 261-6121, kungfoodchu.com

Eggplant Sliders
A Tavola
Eggplant, tomato, and lemon herb aioli…good. Between miniature Blue Oven English muffins…bonkers good.
1220 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, (513) 246-0192, atavolapizza.com

Fig and Gorgonzola Crostini
Europa Bistro
An Umbrian classic of sweet-tart fresh fig jam and a kick of gorgonzola, a combination every good marriage requires.
616 Main St., Covington, (859) 916-5511, europabistrocafe.com

Maytag Blue Cheesecake With Port Marinated Pears
The Palace
Rarely do I find desserts that leave me speechless. This one left the entire table speechless.
601 Vine St., downtown, (513) 381-3000, palacecincinnati.com

Mysore Masala Dosa
Amma’s Kitchen
Potatoes and chutney rule again, folded into a crisp papery crepe as big as your forearm.
7633 Reading Rd., Roselawn, (513) 821-2021, ammaskitchen.us

New England Style Clam Chowder
Pelican’s Reef
Plump with sweet clams and silky with just enough brine and smoke to cut the richness of cream.
7261 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Twp., (513) 232-2526, thepelicansreef.com

Pulled Pork Sandwich
Eli’s BBQ
We’ve been singing the gospel of Elias Leisring’s love-me-tender hickory smoked pork and North Carolina–style sauce since he set up a grill last spring on Fountain Square. We sure miss our daily ’cue, but with his new restaurant, there’s more to love.
3313 Riverside Dr., East End, (513) 307-8318, elisbarbeque.com

Samosa Chaat
Brij Mohan Indian Sweets and Restaurant
Though I discovered this chaat room in 2007 (at the time it was in a different location and less than half the size it is now), it wasn’t until this past year that I rediscovered their glorious samosa chaat (fried potato-filled pastries topped with housemade chutneys, yogurt, and cilantro). Follow it with tarka dal (smoky black lentils), and the tamarind flavored puffed rice wonder known as bhelpuri.
11259 Reading Rd., Sharonville, (513) 769-4549

Shrimp or Oyster Po’boy
New Orleans To Go
Can I get an Hallelujah please? Because this classic New Orleans sandwich moves me to evangelical enthusiasm for its perfectly fried hot oysters or tender buttery shrimp dressed with mayo, lettuce, tomato, and pickles tucked into a toasted bun.
neworleanstogopoboys.com

Whipped Lardo and Nduja
Enoteca Emilia
A combination of cured pork fatback (lardo) and spicy spreadable salami (nduja) whipped into glistening meat buttery submission and resonating like a bong hit from hog heaven. Fatback is the new pork belly folks, so embrace the lardo.
2038 Madison Rd., O’Bryonville, (513) 834-5773, enotecaemilia.com

Plus, Three Products I Adore:

Caviar
Big Fish Farms
A former career server and wine director, Northern Kentucky resident Renee Koerner knew she was onto something when she taste-tested her caviar (made from her own farm-raised paddlefish) with Russian expats, who promptly accused her of appropriating Russian caviar and calling it her own. Yes, it is that good…and more affordable. You can find it featured on local menus at Jean-Robert’s Table, Nectar, and Bouquet, or order it directly at bigfishfarms.com

English Muffins
Blue Oven Bakery
As if it wasn’t enough for them to add a permanent inch and five pounds to my waistline with their hand crafted Bad Boy, Miche, Ohio Grist, Cider Raisin Rye, and Tortano breads, they had to go and bake the best English muffins I have ever—ever—eaten. And in two varieties! Proof that life is too short for skinny jeans.
blueovenbakery.com

Caramelized Onion Bialy
Pigasus Bagels & Breads
Ahhh…there’s nothing that reminds me of a former life in Manhattan’s Lower East Side than an onion bialy, bagel’s chewier cousin (bialys are baked instead of boiled, and have a filled depression rather than a hole). Find this savory newcomer at Madison’s in Findlay Market, Picnic and Pantry in Northside, and at Northside’s Wednesday Farmer’s Market.
facebook.com/pages/Pigasus-Bagels-and-Bread/135445396523604

Photograph by Chris Smith