As 2021 comes to a close, I am recapping some of the most amazing, jaw-dropping dishes I’ve had in the last twelve months. These dishes inspired me, provided the utmost comfort, made me weak in the knees, and some left me smiling for days on end. Like a great relationship without baggage, drama, and dietary restrictions.

Here’s to all the great restaurants, brilliant chefs, and hardworking hospitality workers that made 2021 a great year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to remember what a treat it is to dine out and also saving me from my subpar Trader Joe’s meals that I’ve been cooking at home.

Cheers to 2022. May the New Year bring you happiness, adventure, and copious amounts of delicious food.

Best Bites of 2021

7-up Pancakes // hot chicken tenders + homemade brown butter syrup

Arnold’s After Dark, Nashville

If you follow Blonde Voyage Nashville on Instagram, you may think to yourself:” does she eat at Arnold’s every week?” Although that’s not a bad idea, I have a difficult time staying away from chef Kahlil Arnold’s food. While his fried chicken, cauliflower casserole, and deep-fried tacos can make a girl swoon, the best dish at Arnold’s is the 7-Up pancakes smothered with brown butter syrup. I discovered these during my first brunch at Arnold’s After Dark and have ordered them ever since. Between these and the bottomless mimosa that Courtney serves, it’s hard to find a better brunch than this around town.

Black Truffle Croissant

Kasama, Chicago

Not to be overly dramatic, but Kasama is doing the Lord’s work. You can’t tell me otherwise. I was first introduced to Kasama on Instagram when one of the many Chicago bloggers I follow posted about the pastries. As soon as I saw they had a Black Truffle Croissant on the menu, it was immediately added to the travel itinerary after coffee at the Wormhole (which is another gem worth checking out). While it was our first breakfast stop, it certainly wasn’t our last. In fact, I took one bite of this marvelous masterpiece and immediately canceled all other brunch plans for the weekend because I knew I’d be coming back. Aside from the Black Truffle Croissant, Kasama serves the most amazing breakfast dishes like the Kasama Combo Sandwich and the Filipino Breakfast. And I can’t forget the Calimansi Mimosa. OMG. Needless to say, I’m already plotting my next trip to Chicago, when I can experience their 13-course Filipino-style tasting menu.

I am not the only one who has a fondness for this restaurant as they have earned the following accolades this year alone:

Michelin Bib Gourmand
Chicago Eater Best New Restaurant
America’s Favorite Restaurant- The New York Times
Best New Restaurants in America- Esquire

Make sure you add this stop to your next Chicago trip!

Egg Salad Sandwich // smoked dukes + brioche + chives

The Bar At Willett, Bardstown

The Kentucky bourbon trail attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Many will make the pilgrimage to the bourbon capital of the world to learn about the art of producing bourbon and rye whiskey, while others are hoping to snag a vintage pour, making all their bourbon dreams come true. One of the best finds of 2021 is located two hours north of Nashville in Bardstown, Kentucky at the Willett Distillery.

Kentucky bourbon producer, Willett Distillery, is at the top of every bourbon enthusiast list. Guests will enjoy wandering the distillery grounds and sampling the Willett family of brands, but when planning your visit, do not forget to make reservations at the Bar At Willett for lunch, the true star of the show.

The Bar at Willett is serving up imaginative small plates, timeless cocktails, and vintage whiskies that allow guests to take a liquid journey throughout the ages. While the menu is quite seasonal, there’s one iconic dish that will always remain, the egg salad sandwich. Simply put, don’t leave the property without enjoying this magical creation. I never knew that egg salad could taste so good.

Pro-Tip | Given the seasonality of the menu, if you see a dish that piques your curiosity order it. You never know when it’s going to make an appearance again. Reservations are STRONGLY recommended.

Reuben // corned beef + pastrami + swiss cheese + kraut

Manny’s Deli, Chicago

Manny’s has been a Chicago institution since 1942, and quite honestly, I am trying to figure out how I just found out about them. For my Nashville people, think of Manny’s like the Jewish Deli version of Arnold’s Country Kitchen. You arrive early to avoid the line outside the door, grab a tray and tell those individuals working the line what you’re in the mood for.

Manny’s is known for their Reuben and Pastrami sandwiches, which are piled high with what looks like a pound of meat. Avoid looking like a novice and get a mixture of corned beef and pastrami on the Reuben and add the potato pancake to your order, you’ll thank me later. This sandwich is not for the faint of heart. Bring your A-game appetite and maybe even some Tupperware. It’s a beast!

Kale Salad // orange + pepitas + smoked ricotta + smoked honey vinaigrette

Scout and Scholar Brewing Company, Bardstown

On one of my first trips to Bardstown, I happened upon Scout and Scholar, the first craft brewery in Bardstown. Named after the two brothers who founded the city of Bardstown, Scout and Scholar serve a stellar selection of beer, a handful of single barrel bourbons, and some mouthwatering dishes. Scout and Scholar is the perfect place to stop if you need a break from bourbon and rest assured, this microbrewery takes their food as seriously as they do their beer. Guests who enjoy classic pub fare like Bavarian Pretzels or burgers won’t be disappointed, and those who seek something a bit on the healthier side can enjoy this amazing Kale Salad where all the ingredients are sourced from local purveyors.

If you know me, I’m far from a salad girl. It’s something that I occasionally order because my body is screaming that it needs nutrients, but I have to say that this is one of the best salads that I’ve had in quite some time. Maybe it was the freshness of the ingredients or the smoked honey vinaigrette, but it just hit differently. Add Scout and Scholar to your travel itinerary next time you visit Bardstown!

Space Torpedo // turkey + pastrami + smoked provolone + zesty pasta salad + shreddy letty + tangy onions

Big Kids, Chicago

Before social media, screen time, and smart TVs took over the world, there was the decade that gave us grunge music like Nirvana and Pearl Jam and fashion trends like chokers, acid-washed jeans, and Dr. Martens.

Ah… the 90’s. What a time to be alive.

Big Kids, located in Logan Square, is the quintessential love letter to those of us who grew up in the ‘90s. Big Kids’ menu features an assortment of stacked sandwiches and tots both of which are available for dine-in or delivery. During my inaugural visit, we ordered the Space Torpedo, Collard Melt, and of course, Big Totz. Let me tell you the Space Torpedo is what dreams are made of. I’ve dabbled here and there adding chips to my most basic sandwich, but pasta salad is simply next level. Some might say that this is fancy stoner food, but I’d argue that these chefs are creating elevated and creative sandwiches.

If I’ve piqued your curiosity, check out the full blog post HERE.

Buckwheat Pancake

lou, Nashville

Ok, so I may have a slight addiction to pancakes as this is the second dish of this type to show up on this list. What can I say, when it’s good it’s good! lou, located on the Eastside, delights the senses with natural wines, shared plates, and a banging brunch. Naturally, when I am at lou, I order a Buckwheat Pancake for the table (because y’all, it’s THAT good) and the Crispy Rice <add chorizo>. Even though I’ve sampled several different dishes, these are the ones that I continue to gravitate towards. lou continues to be one of my Nashville favorites, and as it grows in popularity, it becomes more difficult to score a table. Make a reservation, order several plates to share, and revel in every single bite. Remember, order the pancake!

Beef Quesabirria

Maiz De La Vida, Nashville

Chef Julio Hernandez, the owner of Maiz De La Vida, is truly changing the taco culture in Nashville. Hernandez focuses on authentic ingredients and uses a variety of heirloom corn that he has shipped from Mexico to make his tortillas stand out. While his food truck is posted up outside the East Nashville tiki bar, Chopper, Maiz De La Vida will open its first brick and mortar location in the Gulch in Spring 2022.

Maiz De La Vida serves an assortment of tacos, tamales, elote, and churros, but the star of the show is the Beef Quesabirria. Talk about life-changing. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and while there are several food trucks around town that are serving up beef quesabirria ( looking at you taqueria el gym), it simply doesn’t compare to Maiz De La Vida. I had never seen silence fall over the table faster than when the quesabirria was at the table. Take it from me, order a few things off the menu to share but when it comes to the birria, get your own, and don’t forget the consummé!

Until Next Time!

The Best Dishes of 2021