After overcoming a serious bout of laziness lately, I've finally put together my list of most memorable and/or enjoyable things I ate in Chicago, outside of the confines of my home, in 2005.

Many of these items came to my attention thanks to the membership of LTHForum. Thank you. You have all helped make 2005 a very delicious year.

This is not a top 10, these items or meals are in no particular order. Forgive me if some of them have already appeared in other lists, but a few of these things are just that good!

Ma Po Tofu @ LSC
Rib Tips Honey 1
Roasted veal, spazele, red cabbage @ Laschet's
Go-mae, Hamachi Kama, Agedashi Tofu @ Renga-Tei
Every damn taco at @ TdP
Matsutake Mushroom Soup @ Katsu
Matzoh Ball Soup @ Finkl's Deli
Fried Oysters @ Hagen's
Issan sausage @ TAC
Bowl o' Red, Mexican pot roast @ Chuck's
Chicken @ Lula's
Roast Pork, Hong Kong Style @ Sun Wah
Karii Puff, obtained by Erik M.
Oysters & tater tots @ Davis Street

Happy New Year.

Best,
Michael

Coming up with my Top Ten for 2005 has required a great deal of thought. I say that without a trace of irony, in a spirit of gratitude toward the many sincere LTH-er's and devoted professionals who have so generously (and often anonymously) contributed to my appreciation of life this past year. Special thanks go to Cathy2 for her many acts of kindness.

Here is my 2005 list:

10. Paper Masala Dosa at Udupi Palace
9. Rib Roast from my brother's farm, Christmas Eve at Home
8. Sticky Toffee Pudding -- Saveur, November '05 -- Christmas Eve
7. Honey 1 Combo and Fried Okra -- reopening night
6. Peach-almond Muffins -- made by my daughter
5. Pea-pod greens -- LTH dinner for Louisa Chu
4. A 6 lb. lobster -- from Lobsters-online.com eaten with pals
3. Ten Courses at Moto (this may be cheating- can't select one dish)
2. Meang kum at Spoon and Tub Tim (a Thai tie)
1. Quail-egg ravioli at Schwa (really no contest on what was #1)

Resolution for 2006: Continue exploring, and resist spending all my time mooning over the quail-egg ravioli. (Wish me luck).

10. Bouillabaisse--Balthazar, NYC
9. Steamed Hawaiian Sea Bass with Smoked Paprika Flavor--Moto, Chicago
8. Canned Peaches Flambe--Sabatino's, Chicago
7. Shrimp Creole--Mother-in-law's house, Chicago (by way of New Orleans)
6. Hot Fudge Sundae--Mom's house, Munster, IN
5. 28 Day Dry-Aged Coffe-Crusted NY Strip Steak, with Fourme D'Ambert and a Bourbon Butter Sauce--The Loft, Laguna Beach, CA
4. Scallop and Braised Oxtail over Cheese Grits--Sweets and Savories, Chicago
3. Cheese Pizza--Tottono's, Brooklyn
2. Hot Dog with Mustard, Relish and Onion--Jimmy's, Chicago
1. Pork Tenderloin Chimichurri--Our apartment, made by wife, Chicago

Dmnkly wrote:Skirt Steak with Chimichurri
Feast
1616 N. Damen
I've always considered Feast to be one of those spots that's always solid, if unexeceptional. However, a couple of months back I had their skirt steak with chimichurri (or however it's named on the menu), and was just thrilled. I don't know if it was exceptionally good or if it just hit me in the right spot at the right time, but it was definitely one of my favorite dishes of the year and it came out of nowhere.

I'm bumping this thread solely to agree wholeheartedly with Dom on this one. I've had feast's skirt steak in one of their salads a few times (and it's an excellent salad), but the entree version is superb. My one quibble is that it is, perhaps, marinated slightly too long, sacrificing beefy flavor for texture.

The mac and cheese is very good, too. I can otherwise do without Feast.. but those three dishes (the salad, too) have me coming back. That and the fact that I work directly across the street.