Was it just me or did 2016 seem like the longest year of all years?

From all the events that occurred in the world it seemed like 2016 brought a variety of events—good and bad—that made it seem like this year would never come to a close. In spite of it all, I was able to find some measure of happiness by visiting restaurants. As more and more African-Americans were wrongly murdered, I drowned my sorrows in cocktails. When the Olympics took place, I found myself celebrating at bars. As Trump was elected into office, I stuffed my face until his win felt less and less like my loss. Looking back on the year, I was able to visit and review close to 100 restaurants in Los Angeles and a few outside of the country! Of those restaurants, there are a few that were incredibly memorable and it’s only right for me to list them all here as the best way to say goodbye to 2016. In no particular order, here are the Best Restaurants and Food Events of 2016!

Being invited to Papilles would introduce me to a quaint restaurant and an almost artistic menu by Chef Jordan Rosas. While each dish from the dinner was delicious, one of my favorites was the Hokkaido Scallops that was served with kohlrabi, grapefruit, sorrel, and a ginger lemongrass emulsion. This dish was simple yet stunning. Each part of this plate tasted like it was made in heaven and brought down to the Papilles’ guests by tiny cherubs. The scallops were thick, gentle, and carried a wonderful taste that showed it wasn’t overdone or overly seasoned. This plate, along with others from the evening,was a great way for me to become familiar with the restaurant and excited to visit them again.

[Drool over all their dishes with the full review here!]

Bianconi is the type of restaurant that creates amazing cocktails and plates that are easy to fall in love with. That was the exact scenario I found myself in as I enjoyed each drink and dish that came from the bar and the kitchen, respectively. From the gorgeous garden inspired Sweet Valentine cocktail to the wood grilled 34oz Tomahawk steak, I found it hard to put my fork down.

[Check out the full review, here!]

Earlier in the year, well-known LA chef Neal Fraser held a dinner for food influencers. Since I had been to his restaurant Redbird, I was excited to try more of his plates. With each dish that arrived to the table, I found that it didn’t taste as great as it should have. Turns out, it was because all of the food was cooked with McDonald’s ingredients and not those Chef Fraser would use in his own kitchen. Ultimately, all the attendees (myself included) were part of experiment to see if we would notice anything odd. Thankfully I did while a few others didn’t. Even though I was still hungry after this dinner it was fun after it was over and the mystery was revealed.

[Check out how we were all lied to right this way!]

Urban Radish is a small grocery store in Downtown LA that can catch people off guard with the fact that it has a restaurant and offers live jazz music. When I was invited to check them out, I ended up being pleasantly surprised with how relaxing the atmosphere was and delicious the food tasted. From the Cheese Board with one of the creamiest goat cheeses and strawberry jams I’ve ever had to the succulent Lamb Chops with Herb Chimichurri it is such a great place to stop, eat, and enjoy live music!

[Want to see more of their food and watch the band perform live? Then check it all out here!]

Although Status Kuo in Mar Vista has gone through a rebranding and is now Little Fatty and accomplice, I can’t forget how great of a dinner I had! Their Spanish Octopus, Roasted Cauliflower, and Tai Snapper were the type of dishes that you have in your dreams. To see myself cleaning the plates while in the restaurant made me realize that they could take all my money. With such strong dishes that won me over almost immediately, it seemed that I should direct deposit my paycheck into the restaurant’s bank account. If you could have tried the food yourself, you would do the same.

[Click here to read why I would give Status Kuo all my money.]

Any restaurant that serves some of my favorite dishes will quickly become sick of seeing me every day. That was the scenario once I discovered Birdies in Downtown LA. From one visit, I became hooked on their donuts, chicken sandwiches, and coffee so much! While it seemed like it would be an occasional visit, it wouldn’t take long for me to walk through the doors so often that I got to know some of the staff personally. Wes, in particular, was a great help at being my Birdies enabler and thanks to him and others behind the counter I’ve found a restaurant that I am obsessed with.

And no, I don’t need any help with this addiction.

[Read why I love them so much by checking out the full Birdies review here!]

I’ve always said that I’m not much of a breakfast or brunch person. While I’ll eat it if I have to, it hasn’t really been the meal of the day that I look forward to. That was the case until I had brunch at Osteria La Buca. From start to finish, the plates I had at the restaurant on Melrose Boulevard were perfect! The beautifully simple House Ricotta Toast to the filling Neighborhood Pizza and every dish in between turned me into a breakfast person faster than I could have expected.

[See all the photos of how they made me love breakfast by clicking here!]

Ice cream is one of the fastest ways to my heart. With cookies and cream, cookie dough, and mint chocolate chip as staples in my ice cream Rolodex I was excited to find a place that created exotic flavors that I’ve never had before. Helados Pops in San Fernando serves flavors like mamey, tamarind, walnut, Lucama and so many others that you will quickly fall in love with. Even better, they serve ice cream inside coconuts and top the scoops with your choice of syrup and coconut shavings. It’s unlike any other ice cream I’ve had and I am so glad I found them.

Or did they find me?

[See more of their delicious flavors by clicking here!]

I have to give full credit to my friend Gian for introducing me to Salazar. One of the latest restaurants to open in Los Angeles, Salazar has been hailed to have the best Mexican food in LA. Hearing that and with his recommendation I had to find out for myself. It turns out Salazar is as great as people describe it. From their Al Pastor Tacos that tasted as if Jesus made them by hand, sweet and juicy Esquites (street corn), all the way down to the beautiful and flavorful Rainbow Trout, I had to agree that Salazar’s is incredibly delicious!

[See more dishes from Salazar here!]

While I was running around Southern California trying new restaurants I took a vacation with a friend to Mexico City. On that trip I got to dine at il Becco inside the Four Seasons Hotel. The restaurant gave me possibly the best dining experience I had all year! Should you be looking for restaurants in Mexico City, il Becco has to be one you visit. I say that with such enthusiasm because their Artichoke Risotto, Tuna Tartare, and Ravioli are so incredible and have such an unforgettable taste that I hope you can have the same experience.

[Read more about my experience at il Becco, by clicking this link!]

Looking back on the past year I am so thankful that I got to visit so many restaurants and that I found a few that were amazing. While there are others that weren’t mentioned here, they are still just as great. Reflecting on the great cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and dessert in the Los Angeles area and Mexico city throughout 2016 makes me even more excited about all the things I will get to have in 2017. Seeing that the new year starts tomorrow, I’m already ready to get the ball running. Stay tuned to read it all!