The Best Things We Ever Ate in 2014

Happy New Year to our fellow followers and foodies!

It's that time of the year again! We would like to share with you the top and best of 14 things we've eaten in 2014 and where you can find it.

2014 has been a great year and I had the opportunity to try and experience a lot of different foods and cuisines with my family, Will, and friends. So here's our countdown list and be ready to salivate -

Please note: These foods/dishes aren't in any specific order.

Lamb Hanteeth

14. On the last day of my Dining Room class, my professor and my class met at Yemen Cafe (Downtown Brooklyn) and I've actually never had Middle Eastern cuisine before, so this was completely new and different for me.

I read that Lamb Hanteeth was one of the popular menu items so I tried it out. I was really excited in trying this dish and everything was truly yum! Lamb was moist and off the bone and everything was up to par!

Baked Minced Beef over Spaghetti

13. This year I decided to give HK Tea & Sushi in my neighborhood a chance since I haven't been here in a long time. I ordered the Baked Minced Beef over Spaghetti and man, it was one of the best baked dishes I've had so far. It's really satisfying, cheesy, and scrumptious.

Banh Xeo

12. I've been wanting to try Banh Xeo for the longest time and I finally did last September at Pho Vietnam in Chinatown. So far I've only had one good Banh Xeo. It really does look like an omelet, but better because there was a combination of ground pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. It had a nice crunch and bite to it. I was very satisfied with it.

Dilled Shrimp Salad

11. Every week in my culinary class we always had a different salad of the day. My favorite salad of all was the Dilled Shrimp Salad because this is a different salad compared to the ones we've had in class previously. I really like this salad because it's simple and not crowded with greens and etc.

The shrimps were plump and juicy! The dressing is just mayonaise and fresh dill. If you would like the recipe I can send it to you, just e-mail us at: ambitiouseats@gmail.com.

Spiced Pumpkin & Apple Crisp ice cream

10. I didn't have a chance to write about OddFellows yet and the ice cream I had, but a month ago Will and I had brunch with our friends in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and we also stopped in Odd Fellows for dessert where I had the most excellent spiced pumpkin and apple crisp ice cream.

The spiced pumpkin was literally pumpkin heaven because it was light and you can really taste the pumpkin flavor. The apple crisp was perfection and you can taste the apple chunks.

Crab Cakes with Sweet Potato Fries and Cole Slaw

9. As you may know last Summer, Will, our friends, and I went to Ocean City, Maryland for Labor Day Weekend. The trip would not have been complete if I didn't have Maryland Crab cakes. The first crab cakes I had were at Harborside Bar & Grill. The crab cakes were fried to golden brown and super moist inside. They were absolutely delicious!

Shrimp and Grits Benedict

8. I am a huge fan of grits. I am a huge fan of Eggs Benedict. When I saw that there was a Shrimp and Grits Benedict at Green Eggs Cafe in Philadelphia, PA I just knew I had to have it. I fell in love with this dish! It was literally the best brunch meal I've ever, ever had! Everything was seasoned just right and tasted just perfect. I still dream about it til this very day.

Beef Tongue Ramen

7. I tried the Beef Tongue Ramen at a special event at Mitsuwa last year. I really enjoyed the beef tongue ramen. This version of the beef tongue melts in your mouth. The noodles were different. It wasn't wavy or straight, but it was just flat. The broth was light and seasoned just right. This was probably one of the best ramen I've had.

Chocolate Green Tea Lava Cake

6. My boyfriend and I visited Spot Dessert Bar last year and we tried three desserts,but our most favorite one was the Chocolate Green Tea Lava Cake. It was warm and moist, dark chocolate filled with green tea ganache, and green tea ice cream on the side. I thought the presentation and everything about this dessert was just top notch! I would definitely come back to try this again.

Eggs Saporite

5. Last Summer, Will and I had brunch at a restaurant called Sotto Voce in Park Slope where I had the Egg Saporite which consisted of poached eggs with ham and portobello mushrooms with Hollandaise sauce. I like Sotto Voce's approach to the Eggs Saporite because instead of an English muffin you would receive in an Eggs Benedict, you get a portobello mushrooms instead. This dish was very yummy and everything came together well. 

Hakata Ramen

4. My friend brought me and Will to this ramen spot called Ise Menkui-tei and I ordered the Hakata Ramen which was possibly the second best ramen I've had so far. It was very savory and delicious. The broth was fantastic and rich with flavors from the pork bone. It had a slight garlic-like taste and aroma to it, but I enjoyed it. The noodles were slightly al dente which I also liked too. 

Mixed Berry Pancakes

3. I haven't reviewed this restuarant on the blog or Yelp yet, but last month, Will and I had brunch in Cafe Luluc and I've been told that the pancakes here are bomb! Will ordered the Mixed Berry pancakes and they were fluffy deliciousness! I'm not a huge fan of pancakes, but these were amazingly and surprisingly good. I really like the slight crunch and bite in the pancake and fluffiness. Although these babies will sure fill you up, I want to return soon and order these for myself.

Spam Fries

2. I've been wanting to try Maharlika for the longest time and finally did last year. My co-worker recommended for me to try the Spam Fries and we did. This was possibly one of the best appetizers I've tried so far. It had a nice crispiness and the juices and fat from the spam fries was delish!

Chicken Leg over Rice

1. The first time I had the Chicken Leg over Rice from May Wah, I fell in love and really enjoyed it. The chicken leg was crispy, moist, and tender. There's a special sauce the chefs use but I don't know what it is, but whatever it is it's the bomb!

So there it is folks, our very own detailed list of The Best Things We Ever Ate in 2014! What's one of the best foods you've tried last year?