2015 was one heck of a ride!

It was a busy, banner year for the Front Porch Gourmet. We increased our cooking class locations from one to FOUR throughout Atlanta; we incorporated personal and private chef services into our repertoire; we had our 20th recipe published in a National Hardback Cookbook, Taste of Home Holidays; we developed over 235 new recipes for sponsors; our page views and followers skyrocketed! It was a crazy, insane, beautiful mess, and I loved every second!

The comfort amid the chaos of 2015, was we were fed…and fed well. We were very blessed and fortunate to visit several of the trendiest hot spots in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. I have been completely spoiled.

I would like to say that choosing my favorite bites was no easy task, but in all honesty, it was. These are the bites that I still dream of. The bites that immediately come to mind when friends ask, “Where should we go for dinner?” These are the bites that won my heart and my taste-buds. These are the ones that were simply unforgettable.

With no further adieu, The Front Porch Gourmet Top Bites for 2015:

10. Marlow’s Tavern | Woodstock, GA

2015 Best Bite: Bartlett Pear Torte with Roast Caramelized Pear, Spiced Cake, Bailey’s Anglaise and Mint Syrup

What’s so special? This could possibly be the best dessert I had all year. The flavors are a beautiful combination of just delicious! If you’re not a fan of bread pudding, I’d bet my paycheck you will be after this.

Read more about Marlow’s Tavern here.

9. Holeman & Finch | Atlanta, GA | Chef Linton Hopkins

2015 Best Bite: The Holeman & Finch Burger

What’s so special? I can’t even. I have no words for this burger. Hands down the best cheeseburger on the planet. Hands. Down.

8. The Red Stag | Asheville, NC | Chef Scott Ostrander

2015 Best Bite: Mountain River Elk with Celery Root Puree, Swiss Chard, Maitake Mushrooms & Red Wine Glace

What’s so special? This was silky, smooth, flavorful and immaculately cooked elk. There’s a special talent associated with the preparation of wild game and Chef nailed this one.

7. The Oak Table | Columbia, SC | Chef Todd Wood

2015 Best Bite: Roasted Bone Marrow, Pickled Shallots, Rhubarb Mostarda, Crostini

What’s so special? I am a HUGE fan of bone marrow. The accompaniments with this dish were spot on offering sweet, tangy and savory enhancing the beauty of this dish.

6. The Blue Bicycle | Dawsonville, GA | Chef Guy Owen

2015 Best Bite: Lump Crab Cakes with Aioli

What’s so special? Crab cakes are a dime a dozen right? Wrong. Not all crab cakes are created equal, but these, are fabulous; Delicate, tender and delicious. This is the best crab cake of the year.

Read more about The Blue Bicycle here.

5. Yoon Sushi | Canton, GA | Master Chef Brad

2015 Best Bite: Uni Cocktail

What’s so special? If you have to ask this, you haven’t had Uni. It’s the perfect definition of taste of the sea. Amazing.

4. Campania | Alpharetta, GA 

2015 Best Bite: The Sophia Pizza

What’s so special? I have craved this pizza since the last bite. I would consider myself a pizza aficionado, and I am here to tell you, there is no pizza anywhere that can rival The Sophia.

3. Cobb Galleria | Atlanta, GA | Chef Nick Walker

2015 Best Bite: Creole Catfish, Pork Belly, Creamed Corn and Roasted Red Pepper Harissa topped with Okra Crisps.

What’s so special? I was willing to trade dessert for a second serving of catfish! That has never happened before, will never happen again. Enough said.

Read more about Cobb Galleria here.

2. Southern Art and Bourbon Bar | Atlanta, GA | Chef Art Smith

2015 Best Bite: Pate’

What’s so special? Made in house, I was so impressed with the flavors of the pate’ I purchased more to take home. I will go back again and again and again, just for that pate’!

Read more about Southern Art here.

The most ambrosial bite of 2015, and top honors belong to…

1. St. Cecilia | Atlanta, GA | Chef Craig Richards 

2015 BEST BITE: Gnudi with Roasted Corn in Sorrel Puree & Hazelnut Butter

What’s so special? Everything. This dish is everything. These were the softest pillows of fresh ricotta dancing in a light shower of the puree and Hazelnut butter. The taste was perfection. The presentation, spectacular. I would follow Chef Richards to the ends of time for another bite of THIS. This will be my last meal, on my last day on this Earth. Chef, you are something special.

Read more about St. Cecilia here.

There you have it. The best things I tasted in 2015. Will 2016 live up to the surreal dishes of 2015? I’m not sure, but I can’t wait to find out!