As the year draws to a close, many look back at what they've experienced or accomplished in 2015 and here the two of us think about what amazing things we've eaten and cooked. Sometimes it's difficult to recall what happened when and where all we drove our faces into food but without a doubt, we had the best meal of our lives this past year. As we consume more and more on food adventures and plate after plate of creative dishes, we start to see the pattern and trends emerge among chefs. Occasionally, there are lulls of eating where the food no longer tastes inspired but rather follow a train of thought that was already seen at another restaurant. Innovation, where are you? we ask every once in a while.

That was not the case a the end of July though. No, we had a reservation at n/naka in Los Angeles. I had just come off of a flight from New Orleans where fantastic food is bounteous. Duc picked me up from the airport where I had changed into an appropriate evening dinner dress, and we headed to the notorious restaurant with a friend...and it was mindblowing.

37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual, Dressy Casual | Cuisine - Italian (Northern)
http://unionpasadena.com/

I had expressed to Duc one day that it had been years since I had ventured to downtown Pasadena so in an effort to re-expose me to the wonder that is the street of Colorado Blvd and its offerings, he set aside a walking plan for us both which included an early dinner stop at a restaurant whose name he didn't want to reveal to me. That restaurant turned out to be Union which is a sweet 50-seat modern take on northern Italian cuisine combined with the power of sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly. The seasonality of the menu reflected the nuances of Californian cuisine and produce as transposed on what would be classically northern Italian food. I for one am a big fan of both styles so was pleasantly surprised not only with the intimate but chic decor inside but also the food and service.

We love farmers' markets. It's a guaranteed destination for any traveling that we do and originally started off as just research for an ongoing "Finding Farmers' Markets" series for Orange County. These markets have seen a revival due to the increased interest people have in where their food comes from and finding the freshest they can get. Where better than from the source? When we traveled to Durham recently, we just had to schedule time for one and despite the on-and-off rain, the Durham Farmers' Market on Saturday morning was still open. Though small, the essentials were present and the people mightily friendly!

Did you know that Yard House made its debut 19 years ago in Long Beach at the Shoreline Village? Though I knew it was a restaurant chain, I was not aware of its roots so close to Orange County nor how long the company has been slinging brews and food at people. To celebrate its 19th anniversary, the flagship Yard House tapped a limited edition, limited release beer created in collaboration with Rogue Brewery from Oregon - the Spruce Tip IPA. Known for its hundreds of beers on tap and the beer yards they serve, Yard House's step into anniversary collaborations is well-welcomed and just the next step they have taken in providing their communities with as much craft beer as possible. We were invited in to give their newest addition to their beer list a try as well as explore their winter menu available from November 2nd to January 3rd.

2001 Campus Dr, Durham, NC 27708
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - American
http://nasher.duke.edu/cafe/

Ah the Nasher Museum, what a destination spot for those visiting Duke University or even just Durham itself. The museum has several exhibits throughout the year that draw many visitors but what it also has that should get people's attentions is a wonderful cafe that focuses on sourcing from local farmers. The Nasher Museum Cafe was one of the places I enjoyed frequenting as a Duke student (previous write-up here), and on our visit back to the area during Homecoming, I made sure we would stop in to see how their delicious menu had progressed. The great thing was, it was just as fantastic as I remember it being.

A county staple, Five Crowns in Corona Del Mar has been celebrating its 50th anniversary this year throughout the year rather than on a single day. What an accomplishment to reach that milestone. For those celebrating special occasions, many a memory has been made in its dining rooms. Earlier this year, we previewed a commemorative menu by the Lawry's family and Executive Chef Steve Kling which showcased popular classics and modern soon-to-be favorites. This menu expanded upon existing beloved dishes by tripling the selection size, and the new winter season has only contributed more to their repertoire. This time, I previewed strong contenders for new favorites as ingredients ripe for the winter have been used, and it is no wonder they have been around for half a century. Their consistency to quality ingredients and food is complemented by their constant ability to change with the times and innovate where needed. Celebrate #FC50 with them before the year's out if you can!

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me..." quite a lot of gifts that are random. What does one do with eleven pipers piping? I suppose if you're Chef Jason Montelibano, you just get inspired to whisk up a delectable dessert in honor of the phrase. Hotel Irvine's own EATS Kitchen & Bar led by the gregarious chef is celebrating the well-known song and holiday season with creative specials starting December 12th, running up until Christmas Eve and Christmas day (when guests can reserve seats for a five-course prix fixe chef's tasting menu). These supplemental specials all pay homage to the different days in the carol and run the gamut of types with cocktails priced at $10 to dishes ranging from $12 to $20 each. Curious yet? Well you better mark your calendars because they'll only run on their designated days, and based on the preview I got, you're in for some treats.

With barely a year under its belt, Lillie's Q in downtown Brea launched a Southern brunch September 20th to take place every Sunday from 10AM-2PM, and they are no stranger to Southern hospitality. The boastful buffet comes with mimosas, endless amounts of food including their signature smoked meats, and an easy-to-swallow price tag: $24.99 per adult. There is also a short order menu on hand in case you want the chefs to whip you up something wonderful from their brunch list as well as specialty drinks for an extra charge. Started by Chef Charlie McKenna, Lillie's Q has a national reputation along with the chef so it was big news for Orange County when the restaurant opened a southern California location right here in Brea. Now with brunch on its rotation, we're guessing many more people will flock to it because that is an important mealtime around these parts. If the smoked meats and Southern dishes don't pull you in, think of the other goodies in store. We stopped in upon invitation one morning to indulge ourselves and take a look at what Chef de Cuisine Kody Havener had in store for brunch that day.

112 S Duke St, Durham, NC 27701
Pricing - $ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - American, Sandwiches
http://www.parkerandotis.com/

Ah, Durham. The old haunt. In all the years since I graduated from Duke, I hadn't traveled back to the area despite all the news I heard about the changes happening to both the culinary scene and city overall there. I had been meaning to return with Duc in tow since he had never been there so when our schedules opened up for an opportunity (and opportunely, it was Homecoming Weekend), we decided to go! Though there were new spots in town that had opened up, I wanted to make sure we visited Parker & Otis because I had enjoyed it so much (old review here). It's the perfect lunch spot and with so many sections of gifts and products at their location, it's just a fun place to browse. The restaurant still stood and was just as busy as ever; we plopped down for lunch one afternoon, and I still really enjoyed what they had to offer.

7192 Kalanianaole Hwy, Suite D 101, Honolulu, HI 96825
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Breakfast
www.moenacafe.com

When your friend tells you there is a brunch place that serves Kalua Pork Benedict, you go. You just go. The lines at Moena Cafe are well-known so even though we thought we got there early on a rainy morning, there was still a decently long wait. No matter - we were in good company. The menu sounded delicious from what we read so it was difficult to decide finally on what to get. Good thing we had the wait outside to figure it out. There are several signature items here so we made sure those made it to our list. This small restaurant is known for its unique breakfast items done well and with a mom-and-pop feel to it. Once we got seated, we knew we were in for a treat.

"When we eat, we can make a positive change with every bite we take. What we sustain ourselves with everyday is damaging this beautiful planet; we can change that."- Evan Marks, Founder, The Ecology Center

Fifteen years ago, Evan Marks was inspired to become a farmer and attempt to turn around the negative impact that agriculture and human living was having on the planet. From this motivation came The Ecology Center which resides in San Juan Capistrano on an acre of land that includes the historic Congdon Farmhouse erected in 1878. A non-profit, dynamic educational facility that allows people to roll up their sleeves and build a self-rejuvenating community for the environment, The Ecology Center hosts a variety of events from workshops to school programs to even the beloved Community Table dinners for both members and non-members. While their annual Green Feast event is well-known, the quarterly (sometimes monthly) Community Tables are more low-key but still fuel the discussion on what it means to eat consciously. On Sunday, November 15, 2015, they hosted their last dinner for the calendar year, featuring Chef Ryan Adams of Three Seventy Common and Cook Pigs Ranch as the partnered farm source. We joined others that long afternoon to indulge on the chef's creations and to learn more about how we could make each bite we take it worth it for our bodies and for our planet.

One of the beauties of art is that its ever-changing nature constantly redefines what beauty is. Throughout history, whether as an aspect of culture or a representation of a practical part of life, art has served some type of form or function, and capturing its path throughout the years has constantly been on the forefront of people's minds. At the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, their newest exhibition, The Red that Colored the World, documents the history of the color red and all the parts of life that have been affected by this hue. With its debut also comes the reopening of the museum's in-house restaurant, Tangata, which was closed for renovation and has now opened with a brilliant new design from renowned Los Angeles-based designer Heather Aston. The redesign of the space also brought in a revamped menu featuring Pacific Rim-influenced dishes by Executive Chef Donald Harris, a menu we were eager to try and did upon invitation.

"The best cooking is like Francine's: simple, fresh, and in full, flavorful view on the plate and on our palate."

One of the aspects I have always admired about Fig & Olive was that not only is their food a point of inspiration for myself as a cook but it is also consciously created with health and untainted ingredients in mind. So, when I found out that a cookbook was being released on their 10th anniversary featuring the many recipes of Chef Laurent Halasz, I was more than excited to see what was in store for this publication. What I got to see during the official launch party and dinner was a little more than expected as I was previously unaware of the massive influence that the chef's mother, Francine Halasz, had on him and his cooking. FIG & OLIVE: The Cuisine of the French Riviera launched in October in association with renowned publisher Assouline and is the first cookbook for Fig & Olive. It features stories about the chef's culinary career, its start, and the results (recipes) of such a journey. I joined many others one evening in early November to celebrate the launch and indulge in exciting inspired dishes derived from the book.

After a long week's worth of barbecue in North Carolina due to a recent trip, Duc and I were feeling almost at our limits for smoked meats...but then again, how could you deny the smoked meats after knowing just how much care and attention went into perfecting the art? We've always known others in Orange County to say that there isn't any decent BBQ in the area, or if there is, the restaurants are rare gems. I'm not surprised - it just isn't in the culture here in southern California. However, that shouldn't deny those who have brought the skill to the area and with 10 years under its belt, Bad to the Bone BBQ in San Juan Capistrano has gifted us just that around these parts.

Started in 2005 to fill the void that is BBQ in Orange County, Bad to the Bone smokes and grills their meats on site, serving up full-service goodness as well as delivery and occasionally catering. Not only does its food style set them apart due to a dearth of decent BBQ, the commitment to quality does too. Owner Marty Wells told us just that when we stopped in for an interview one morning -

"BBQ is hard to do consistently every day but we do our best to start with a quality product. All of our meats are Choice-grade and nothing is frozen. Everything's fresh as possible - 95% of the menu is made in-house from beans to BBQ to potato salad to fries. We even make our own hamburger patties which are 1/2 lb three-way mixes of short rib, chuck and brisket."

31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - American, Breakfast
www.finchandforkrestaurant.com

Breakfast - you need it, and you need it done well. Cast off the days of just grabbing a quick banana and granola bar on your way out. When my friends and I took a short trip up to Santa Barbara for a few days, we didn't want to default to the easy route for our breakfasts. We sought out places that specialized in this morning meal, and Finch & Fork at the base of Canary Hotel came up in our search. A simple reservation was made, and we waltzed into the neatly decorated, intimate restaurant when the time came, impressed by the choice in interior design and the superb service. How was the food though? You ought to drop in to give your tastebuds a ride sometime.

To say that you can find good sushi in Laguna Hills would likely cock a few heads in confusion. Not a city in Orange County that is typically known for restaurant diversity, Laguna Hills might be one of the last places you'd consider getting sushi from but that's not to say that there aren't gems hidden there. Shinkou Sushi & Poke opened in 2009 (under the name Shinkou Sushi) with a goal of changing that perception one roll at a time and to also provide quality sushi to-go in the area. I was invited in to give their menu a try and get a chance to hear their story - why a sushi chef decided to come to the area and build out delicious sushi offerings in a delivery-friendly format.

66-472 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - To-Go | Cuisine - Cajun, Creole

Cajun food?! Count me in! Food truck wrangle? Sounds intriguing. After an awesome skydiving adventure off the North Shore on Oahu, we were huuuuungry. The search for shrimp truck gatherings was on after we had heard how fantastic they were. On our way to another section of the North Shore, we came upon a large parking area where several trucks were set up. Surveying the scene, we were curious about all of the garlic shrimp dishes but what ended up really catching our eye was Dat Cajun Guy because it boasted New Orleans fare. It had been a long time since I had been to NOLA, and Duc had never had a proper po'boy before so we had to give this truck a try. I'm so glad we did.

Butternut squash here, acorn squash there, squashes everywhere! Though it does not quite feel like autumn here in sunny southern California, the season is certainly upon us and along with the chill we hope will soon follow are the fruits of farming labor - hardy, root vegetables. True Food Kitchen at Fashion Island in Newport Beach has embraced this change in produce and recently launched their fall menu that falls in line with their focus on health-conscious food. What does that mean? Roasted root vegetables galore! However, it's not just the entrees that have gotten a little switch - this seasonal change has moved in options on all parts of the menu. We were invited in to try out some of the new dishes which are available through mid-December. Some outstanding favorites: the Roasted Seasonal Vegetable Board and the Butternut Squash Pizza.

925 Isenberg St, Honolulu, HI 9682 (Neighborhood: Mo'ili'ili)
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Japanese
www.aguramen.com

When it is rainy out, you get ramen. It is practically a requirement of any rainy day, and our last full day in Hawaii was no exception. With the drizzle going on outside, we sought out a ramen joint that would sate our craving but also show us a little bit of Oahu in it. We settled on visiting Agu Ramen which happened to have other locations but was not really a chain. From the outside, it was certainly small and the parking could have been an issue if we had not luckily found a spot. We had been drawn to here too because of some limited availability dish, and we weren't let down.

Whether they're swinging out a bona fide brunch or a spot-on beer pairing dinner, Del Frisco's Grille in Irvine never ceases to catch our attention and deliver great food. No wonder this Texas-based restaurant group has thrived far enough to spread across the country. Their addition to Irvine Spectrum here in Orange County has been a welcome one, particularly with the nearby businesses and the booming traffic in the shopping center itself. Just because it has impressed those around the area doesn't mean that the restaurant will be stagnant with their offerings; they recently added new items to their menu and upon invitation, we got to find out what those delicious new additions were.

Hawaii draws people in with pristine beaches, a laidback attitude, and the cool feeling of relaxation. But what about the food? There are so many Hawaiian-only dishes around that really make the destination spot shine too. When we went to Oahu, we sought these out with our friend who grew up on the island, so you can bet that we ate a lot of poke that trip. However, that wasn't all that the beautiful vacation held in store for us. We got the local's pick that week on where to go to load up on some of the best snacks around. I mean, one of these places was already on my list of spots to check out but not the other two and boy oh boy, were we glad to have gotten our hands on those! So what are the three snack stops you must make on Oahu? Leonard's Hot Malasadas, Primo Popcorn, and Hawaiiian Chip Company!

As you might have remembered, Duc has become obsessed with jerky lately and making it to satisfy the salty snack urges he gets from time to time. Easy for me if he makes his own - I don't have to worry about doing anything! He recently discovered biltong, a South African jerky, through one of the jerky subreddits he subscribes to (yep, Reddit has everything) and purchased a sampler pack right away. I have had biltong in the past and really enjoyed it but he hadn't before so this was an exciting venture. It was like opening an early Christmas gift for him when the package arrived in the mail.

Anyhow, from what I understand, there aren't many places that make biltong outside of South Africa so finding a company in the country that did was a neat find. The packages we bought were from Warren Pala at Braaitime which is based out of New Jersey; the flavors were Traditional, Peri Peri, Cajun, Garlic and Parsley, and BBQ Mesquite. If you're curious what makes this South African jerky unique, you should know that it is nothing like traditional American beef jerky. I would liken it more to bresaola or a dried prosciutto. It is tender but not juicy, flavorful but not salty, and not at all chewy. What's also interesting is that Braaitime's particular product is hand-sliced and all-natural.

348 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 (Neighborhood: Waterfront)
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Dressy Casual | Cuisine - Italian
www.sportelloboston.com

I visited Boston for the first time recently (for a work trip), and through the awesomely helpful service of Blacklane, got to the airport without a hitch and in style. Though I received my ride with them complimentary in exchange for this mention, I have used them in the past before and overall, it's a nifty car service that is easy to use, provides great customer service, and alerts you every step of the way so you are on-time and relaxed. That being said, once I landed in Boston, it was time to hit up the food scene and Sportello was on my list. Boy was I glad it was because it was just about the best meal I had the whole trip!

Waffle cones, waffle fries, waffle sandwiches - people seem to have an obsession with all things waffle. How about waffles with their accompaniments mixed right into the batter instead, whether savory or sweet? Inspired by the handheld, on-the-go waffle culture in Belgium, The Waffle Affair in Newport Beach sprung up to tackle this different style of battering up their guests - make everything right in the mix itself. Incorporating the ingredients directly into the batter allows for the 21+ varieties they serve to be presented in a more traditional Belgian way. However, if you are all about the toppings, those are options as well. We were invited to give some of their creations a try so we headed on down to the Bayside Center Shopping Center where they reside.

It's here - the rumors were true, and if you had seen the signs in the business plaza in Costa Mesa a few months ago, you were not mistaken. The Halal Guys have landed in Orange County. Don't know who they are? The cult following they've amassed from their New York City outpost would be shocked. As the most popular NYC food cart, The Halal Guys have certainly made a name for themselves out on 53rd St and 6th Ave in the big city, serving up gyro sandwiches and plates for 25+ years. Today, they opened their first West Coast brick-and-mortar location to much anticipation from the fans. We were invited to a preview event to see the digs and check out of their food held up to the NYC classics. You're in luck - it did!

Happy National Coffee Day! Did you remember your cuppa this morning? If not, there is still time to get a hold of a delicious, expertly brewed espresso from ChocXO who roasts and grinds its own beans. Though their coffee service started out with just two types (light and dark roasts), they have since expanded into single origin espressos and various other ways to present coffees to their fullest potential. Don't worry - if the choices seem daunting, the flavor profiles on the menu will help out; these descriptions also allow you to determine how to play around with your chocolate mix-ins (should you choose to do them), and there are educated baristas to help.

While most coffee shops serve a single espresso, ChocXO stands out for giving you choice and why not? There are such varying palates and opinions about coffee that having just one type is a waste of taste. Not only are the beans unique there for these espressos but so is the whole process they do of roasting and grinding their own coffees. We got a personal look at how Lead Coffee Roaster Matt Thornley creates these perfect roasts for their coffee.

"You always offer chai. It doesn't matter what time of day it is or if it is 100° out."

I don't remember exactly when I first started hearing about chai or when it became so ubiquitous but I did know that I initially did not enjoy it. There - I admitted it. However, my confession is not without reason. I want to say that the first time I had something "chai," it was astringent on my tongue, positively sharp and strong in aroma, and yet felt saturated in sugar. The scent of cinnamon was pervasive, and it just left a bad taste in my mouth overall. I'm not even sure where I first tasted it but it was not a pleasant first experience.

Then I started working for the couture events company I did a few years ago which had a basis in Indian weddings and celebratory events. Chai was everywhere, and I fell in love with the taste. Cast off your thoughts of "chai tea lattes" and "pumpkin chai Frappaccinos." Real chai is extraordinary with strong cultural significance to boot. We were extremely excited for the unique opportunity to join Chef Shachi Mehra of ADYA in Anaheim back in her kitchen to learn how to make masala chai the way she serves and drinks it. In addition to getting a behind-the-scenes look into how the drink is made, we then became privy to just how important chai is to the Indian culture and heard Chef Shachi's many memories surrounding the soul- and heart-warming tea.

8 E Cota St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Pricing - $$/$$$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Cajun/Creole
www.palacegrill.com

We needed to do it. We saw that there was a Cajun/Creole restaurant in Santa Barbara, and my friends and I decided it was necessary to visit. Not only that but there were rave reviews about how friendly Palace Grill was. That sounds like reason enough to drop by. Located right off of State St, the restaurant is easy enough to find and its loud, welcoming atmosphere welcomes everyone in right away. The decor inside is definitively inspired by New Orleans and the culture, making it a good time to be had by all. We went through the extensive menu and decided that we needed to not only get some of their most popular items but also to encourage the jokey and friendly staff to share with us their favorites.

[Giveaway details at the bottom of the post] Did you miss last year's inaugural Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival? If so, you better not miss this year's event which takes place October 2-4, 2015 at Oak Grill & Aqua Lounge on Friday and the Newport Beach Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday. The event itself is three days dedicated to celebrating food and wine as well as the beautiful setting that is Newport Beach. During the festival, be prepared to find live celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, master sommelier wine panels, book signings, Grand Tasting Pavilions with samples from Orange County's finest chefs, mixology classes, wine and cocktails, and live entertainment. Better yet, the event will donate its proceeds to its benefit charity partner, Project Hope Alliance, which serves to combat the homelessness cycle of children in Orange County. Whether you decide to go for just the Friday Launch Party or the Saturday and Sunday Daytime Festivals, you will likely find some unique and tasty morsels and drinks.

Every year that it has been around, Green Feast has inspired us to be more cognizant of what we eat and use, and it has made us envious of those who are able to get tickets to each highly coveted seat. Green Feast is an annual fundraiser for The Ecology Center located in San Juan Capistrano and adheres to true farm-to-table methods. Participants must source all of their ingredients within 250 miles of The Ecology Center including staples such as flour, salt, and sugar! This year, as with the past ones, the event sold out nearly immediately and was well-attended by more than 200 guests. That evening of September 12, 2015, they sat along tables and indulged in food-conscious dishes prepared by 17 of OC's best chefs. We did not partake in the dinner but did get to enjoy the precursor to the fabulous meal - the Eco App Off.

Farm to Table. Organic. Seasonal. Local. All these buzzwords have permeated our culinary culture these days, and every time we come across a restaurant that strictly adheres to these principles, it is worth talking about. True Seasons Organic Kitchen helmed by Chef Saifon Plewtong and located in Anaheim is one of those places. Need proof? Check out their social media channels or better yet, talk to the passionate chef herself when you sit down for your meal. Focusing on the simple goodness of ingredients, the restaurant is an organic hot pot joint that brings in the natural beauty of proteins and produce such as organic grass-fed beef, organic chicken, wild-caught seafood, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Opened just a year ago, True Seasons seeks not only to bring good and healthful food to its customers but also to help the community at large; in celebration of their one-year anniversary, a portion of their proceeds this month (September) will go to The Free Pantry, a local nonprofit that provides fresh, nutritional food to low-income families. We were invited in one evening to see what they were all about.

14845 Main St, Bellevue, WA. 98007
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Japanese
http://www.kukai-ramen.com/

Is it an issue that we are constantly looking for ramen everywhere we go? It seems like every trip we take, we wonder if the area has good ramen so we seek spots that seem promising based on reviews. When we went to Seattle, the spot was Kukai. We met up with a friend who had moved to the area recently, eager to see what there was to offer in that part of town. I had originally chosen this place because I noticed that had a yuzu shio ramen on the menu. Sounded interesting and unique so we had to go!