Most people like to wrap up their year with reflections on things they’ve achieved, progress at work, family moments and resolutions they’ve managed to keep. However, I keep finding myself reflecting on all of the excellent food I’ve eaten this year! So, I’m coming to you today with a summary of my top eats of 2019.
Inspired by Sophie over at Sophie etc, I felt that the best way for me to end the year was to reminisce about all of the excellent food I’ve eaten this year – it is what I like to write about, after all! 2019 has seen me visit London, Cornwall, MK and Corfu – and of course lots of lovely parts of Hampshire. So, my 2019 wrapped up will feature eats from all over the UK and not just Hampshire.
In no particular order (except for the first, which is our favourite from this year), here are my best eats of 2019!
Prawn on the Lawn – Padstow, Cornwall
Our visit to Prawn on the Lawn had so many excellent dishes for me that I simply couldn’t narrow down to just one that outshone the rest. We had the most beautifully fresh seared tuna, deep fried oysters that were delicate & delicious, spider crab in a lime & coriander butter that was a feast for both the eyes and the tastebuds – and fillets of Weever fish in Chinese spices. All four of these were highlights for us and we’ve talked about them all year.
I’m pleased to say that Prawn on the Lawn was by far the best meal we’ve had in 2019!
Scallop & Bacon Bap at Southsea Beach Cafe – Portsmouth, Hampshire
This. This! Southsea Beach Cafe has been one of my favourite discoveries of the year – a firm favourite among Portsmouth locals, and for good reason. The standout dish for us has been their iconic scallop & bacon bap – juicy scallops served atop crispy streaky bacon & aioli, all tucked up in a soft brioche bap. This is all sorts of delicious and one of my favourite flavour combinations.
Fried Chicken & Truffle Fries at Dirty Bones – Carnaby Street, London
The BEST fried chicken we’ve had – hands down – has to be from Dirty Bones. Crisp, spiced, herby and juicy chicken – served simply with a dip of your choice. We visited the Carnaby Street location back in January and the memory of that chicken has stayed with us all year! Coupled with delicious cheese truffle fries, it was a meal to remember and we’re dying to return soon.
Mega Roast at Nonna’s – Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes
A more recent discovery, and a recommendation from Sophie – Nonna’s serves up a seriously good mega roast. Possibly the best roast I’ve ever had! On your monstrous platter you’ll find chicken supremes, pulled venison wrapped in bacon, lamb cutlets and beautifully tender sirloin steak. A mouthwatering feast, served with brussels, carrots, yorkshires and the best roast potatoes.
If you live near MK, this is one you do not want to miss! Head over to Sophie’s blog for more great recommendations.
Salmon Tartare & Crispy Duck Salad at HarBAR on 6th – Southampton, Hampshire
The Southampton Harbour Hotel has become an iconic part of Southampton since it was built a few years ago, and I’d been hoping to visit HarBAR since it’s opening. Offering fine dining with panoramic views over Southampton, our meal at HarBAR is one we constantly reflect on as it was just so good. The standout dishes for us were the salmon & avocado tartare and the crispy duck salad.
The salmon was delicate and paired so well with the creamy avocado – my first time trying tartare, and it probably won’t be my last! T had the salad and it was salty, crispy and fresh – a joy to eat and the best salad he’s ever had!
Pho – Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Now, I wouldn’t have normally wanted to include what would be considered a chain restaurant in my round up of our best eats of 2019 – but our multiple visits to the new Pho in Portsmouth really have been some of our best meals of the year. Everything from the service to the quality of food is spot on at Pho, and all of the food we have tried has been incredible.
Our favourites are the Nem hải sản and any of the Pho on offer! They’re all delicious.
Ricotta Hotcakes at Granger & Co. – Chelsea, London
Back in January we visited Granger & Co. in Chelsea and had one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had. I’d heard rave reviews of their ricotta hotcakes and they were not wrong! I think about these pancakes most days.
Fluffy, thick pancakes topped with a honeycomb butter and with maple syrup to drizzle over the top – these were nothing other than incredible and I hope to recreate them at home some day!
Fifteen Cornwall
I felt I had to include Fifteen Cornwall in this round up, as it really was one of the best meals we’ve enjoyed this year – but sadly the restaurant closed at the beginning of December, which is such a shame. So, with that in mind, this is an honourable mention to an excellent restaurant, serving delicious food and celebrating the best of Cornwall – here’s hoping it can open again one day.
So, there we have it – my top eats of 2019. It’s been the best year in food I’ve ever had, with so many new discoveries and favourites. I’m excited to see what 2020 holds!
PIN IT FOR LATER
Amazing recommendations pictures and comments, can’t wait to try some especially the Cornwall venues…..👍great.