TOP TASTES OF 2010: THE H2 EDITION

It’s that time of year again, folks. Time to look back on what has been another fantastic year for eating, drinking and generally having a great time.

I may not have travelled as extensively as I did in the last three years, but it has been a no less momentous twelve months.  I got married, published my second book, EATING FOR BRITAIN, and was also fortunate enough to be selected as a judge on The Next Iron Chef.

Back in London, there were three very different DINE WITH DOS HERMANOS events; at Indian Zing, H.Forman & Son and of course, the latest event in October at the newest branch of Hawksmoor, in Seven Dials. There was also the now legendary ‘Blokes Eat Beef” event at Goodman in Mayfair where twenty-six blokes, er, ate beef (thirty six kilograms of it, to be precise) until we all lapsed into a smiley coma. Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of more events on my return visits to the U.K. next year.

There was an unforgettable journey through twelve states of the Good Ol’ US of Stateside with my chum, Neal. We ate enough ‘Q to beat the recession by ourselves, before ending up in the best of all American cities in which to eat and drink, New Orleans. I have more road trips planned for 2011 as I research what I hope will be my next book project. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you.

Despite my whining, there were still plenty of great meals to be found in my newly adopted home of Los Angeles. Most of them were to be found in the city’s astonishing array of ethnic restaurants and even more remarkably, some of them were even prepared in my own kitchen. I look forward to more investigation of what The City of Angels has to offer in the New Year.

And, of course, there were some journeys to foreign climes in the company of my wife, Sybil. Trips to Portugal, Singapore, Korea and Malaysia, which offered endless opportunities to stuff our faces with almost impossibly great food.

Below, in no particular order, are just some of the highlights of my year in eating. What is particularly noticeable is that many of my favourite tastes also go to support the notion that America's greatest contribution to world cuisine is making sandwiches something of an art form.

2011 is already shaping up to be another memorable year. If it is half as much fun as 2010, it’s going to be a cracker.  In the meantime, let me take the opportunity to thank all of the readers of Dos Hermanos for joining us for the ride and to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

In the words of Jose Feliciano

FELIZ NAVIDAD

Porchetta (Porkcamp, Germany)

Blokes Eat Beef (Goodman, London)

Prawn Pathia (Chez DH)

Martini Made By Alessandro Palazzo (Duke's Hotel, London)

Hamburger (Cassell's, Los Angeles)

The "No 19" (Langer's, Los Angeles)

Drop of The Good Stuff (Bushmill's, Northern Ireland)

Gribene Sandwich (Gorbals, Los Angeles)

Fresh Sea Urchin (Quality Seafood, Redondo Beach)

Whiskey Tasting (Bushmill's, Northern Ireland)

Brain Sandwich (Hilltop Inn, Evansville)

White Port & Tonic (Quinto Do Noval, Portugal)

Chilli Crab (Mellben, Singapore)

Samgyetang (Busan, Korea)

Leitão Assado da Bairrada (Pedros Dos Leitoes, Mealhada, Portugal)

Banana Shortbread (Valerie's Confections, Los Angeles)

Chicken Rendang (Rebung, Kuala Lumpur)

Pan Mee (Kuala Lumpur)

Pulled Pork Sandwich (Paynes BBQ, Menphis)

Garlic Soup (Bayona, NOLA)

Pasteis De Nata (Lisbon, Portugal)

Pastrami Sandwich (Johnny's Pastrami, Los Angeles)

Breakfast (Monell's, Nashville)

Shrimp Po'Boy (Parkway Tavern, NOLA)

Rojak (Donald & Lily's, Malacca)

Braised Short Ribs (Chez Moi, Los Angeles)

Dog & A Beer (Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles)

Lobster Roll (Grand Central Oyster Bar, NYC)

Snoots (Roper's Ribs, St. Louis)

Sunday Gravy (Chez Moi, Los Angeles)

Cheese Blintzes (Nate & Al, Beverly Hills)