There we many memorable meals of 2009, but here are 10 of my favorites:

1. Oleana: Boston, MA
   I love Chef Ana Sortun’s amazing middle eastern flavors. I also suggest her bakery Sofra, if you can’t get in to Oleana for dinner.
2. Tilth: Seattle,WA
   We got the red carpet treatment thanks to Em and Pete. I’m sure the food is fantastic, no matter what. I love the laid back atmosphere in this small cozy spot.  Gourmet Mag recommends it and so do I!
3. Le Farm: Westport, CT
   I fell for Chef Taibe’s cooking at Relish and I’m so happy that he’s settled into this small spot, with its rustic farmhouse decor. Napa & Co was a bit too much of a scene for me. Who cares about the NYTimes?  The dessert cornbread isn’t gimmicky. It’s delicious.
4. Restaurant L&E: Chester, CT
   I never got to eat at the well-known Restaurant du Village, so I didn’t mourn its change-over to L&E. We became fans of the Reid’s after a few meals at their Nantucket restaurant, American Seasons. We didn’t regret the 50 mile drive and can’t wait to return.
5. Point No Point: Sooke, BC
   What a view during the day. And great food to match!  I would love to eat dinner here in the summer, when the sun sets late in the day.
6. Sakagura: New York, NY
   Like a quick trip to an izakaya in Tokyo, but via the basement of a midtown office building. We went to sample the small plates of food, but the sake selection is tremendous, if not a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry… the staff couldn’t be more accommodating.
7. Yoko’s: Portland, OR
   What a hidden gem!  No frills and  no reservations. Just a small spot, with some seriously great sushi that’s tucked away in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
8. Schoolhouse at Cannondale: Wilton, CT
   Love the exquisite food in this one room schoolhouse nestled in the woods of Wilton. We finished  with dessert and port on the outdoor patio and it was the perfect end to the evening. Plus: extra points for printing personalized menus for the table (see left image above) after I made our reservation on OpenTable.
9. The Seafood Barge: Southold, NY
   Apparently this restaurant lost its lease, but I hope they get up and running soon, because I was pleasantly surprised by our lunch here last May. I can still taste the lobster knuckle sliders with vanilla bean. Amazing.
10. Scales and Shells: Newport,RI
    No bells and whistles, no credit cards or reservations… Just great seafood. My fish was cooked on a wood grill and it was simple perfection.

Where to in 2010? Still River Cafe in Eastford, CT, Le Bernadin in New York City  top my list. I hope to return to Oleana in Boston, Fore Street in Portland, ME and El Meson Taqueria in Austin, TX

Wishing you a year of good eats in 2010!