Best Meal 2012 #2 Daniel Boulud Burgundy Dinner @ db Bistro Moderne

 

I decided mid way through the year that I wasn't going to do a best meal or best dish list this year because there were already way too many great ones in the mix. From the delicious and fun visiting chef Pop Up Series hosted by chef Michael Schwartz at Harry's Pizzeria, to the great monthly themed dinners hosted by chef Aaron Brooks at Edge Steak & Bar, to some wonderful wine and champagne dinners along the way and of course, the "underground and experimental" dinners we throw with some creative and talented chefs over at Cobaya Miami.

But some of these meals were truly exceptional and memorable. And I wanted to go back and give them the credit they deserve.

I must admit that ranking these meals was very difficult as all were truly outstanding. As with my normal "tiers", these rankings take all facets of the meal into consideration. While food is the primary component, phenomenal wine or simply a great time will bolster ones rating.

I intended on limiting the list to my Top Twelve for 2012 but it was impossible to cut down to 12. Thus, I went with my top Fifteen plus a tie.

Big thanks to all of the chefs, kitchen crews, managers, sommeliers, bartenders, servers and support staff for making 2012 another happy year for my belly!!

Rankings:

#15 Cobaya Dunch @ neMesis Urban Bistro

#15 J & G Grill Tasting Menu

#14 Hurricane Sandy Relief Dinner @ The Dutch

#13 Chateau Palmer Dinner @ Edge Steak & Bar

#12 Animal (LA) + Harry's Pizzeria = Animal Pizzeria 

#11 Cobaya "Dundee" @ Edge Steak & Bar
#10 Tasting of Bordeaux @ Bourbon Steak
#9   Barbuto Pizzeria, Jonathan Waxman @ Harry's Pizzeria

#8   Empire State South Pizzeria Hugh Acheson @ Harry's Pizzeria

#7   Omakase with Jeffrey Brana @ Tuyo

#6   Billecart Salmon Seafood Dinner @ Edge Steak & Bar

#5   Brad Kilgore "Anatomy of a suckling Pig" 

#4   Krug Dinner @ Michy's

#3   Rapid Fire with José Andrés @ The Bazaar

My second Best Meal of 2012 was perfection on a plate courtesy of master chef, Daniel Boulud and his new executive chef, Matthieu Godard.  Daniel was in the house to introduce his new executive chef at db Bistro Moderne to Miami.  Not only were we treated to the flawless food of Daniel but he tossed some amazing Louis Latour Burgundies into the mix.  

This was a very special night that featured five star cuisine and five star Burgundy wine. 

This was yet another meal that I neglected to post about.  Too busy eating and no time for writing.  As I've done in my prior Best Meal posts, I've included my Tweets from the night to accurately capture my immediate thoughts on the dishes.

Daniel introducing Matthieu to crowd

The evening started with some outragoeusly good canapés. I had a flute of Crémant de Bourgogne in one hand and the canapés in the other so I was unable to snap any shots or take any notes. Trust me, they were incredible.

Wow! Awesome canapés to start the @dbBistroMiami burgundy dinner w @DanielBoulud in the house.

The man & the new chef @dbBistroMiami.

The first course featured a dynamite Alaskan king crab with an avocado wrapped salad, cavaillon melon, baby fennel and lime gelée.

We were treated to two outstanding pairings with the first course.  A Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Morgeot 1999 and a Pugligny-Montrachet 1er Sous le Puits 1999

The second course was a Rouget A La Provencale. This featured a wonderful red mullet along with a stuffed zucchini flower, sauce vierge and a tapenade.

The wine pairing for this course was a Corton-Charlemagne 2006.

The last savory course was Canard Aux Cerises.  It featured a phenomenal tasting of peking duck including a roasted breast, braised leg and pastilla. Rounding out the dish was a rainbow Swiss chard, confit shallots and bing cherry duck jus.

Enjoying meal of the year thanks to @DanielBoulud and new chef@dbBistroMiami photos later.


                                                       

A dynamite vertical tasting was paired with the duck.  Here we were treated to Corton Grancey 2002, 2005 and 2006.  All three were delightful but the 2005 was the standout for me and easily the best of the night.

Dessert was a "Peche Melba" Vacherin.  It was comprised of  vanilla merengue, raspberry foam, candied almonds along with a hello peach sorbet and framboise ice cream.

The last our of the evening was a Simonet-Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé.

Warm madeleine's provided a sweet send off.

Freakin fantastic meal via @DanielBoulud & new chef Matthew Godard @dbBistroMiami.

255 Biscayne Blvd Way
JW Marriott Marquis Miami
Miami, FL 33131
Neighborhood: Brickell
(305) 421-8800