As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, bloggers, and readers. We've already covered Best Standbys, Top Newcomers, Best Restohood, 2013 in One Word, and the Biggest Dining Surprises of the year. Now, Best Meals. Readers, please add your thoughts to the comments.
Mia Stainsby, Vancouver Sun restaurant critic and food writer.
"Every dish at Farmer's Apprentice over two meals wowed me, the beeswax ice cream notwithstanding."
Anya Levykh, CBC correspondent and food writer.
"Usually the last one."
Coleen Christie, is the anchor of CTV News week nights.
"Vij's."
Stephanie Yuen, seasoned food & travel journalist for both English and Chinese print and online publications.
"Terrafina at Hester Creek Winery – Delicious, simple, unpretentious, all local ingredients, nicely-executed, in a cozy,welcoming room, at affordable prices!"
Alexandra Gill, Vancouver Restaurant Critic for the Globe & Mail.
"My birthday dinner at Cioppino's. Every bite was moan inducing and the chef's menu included a tiny rack of rabbit. That's dedication to fine butchery."
Carolyn Ali, Travel/ food editor for Vancouver's Georgia Straight.
"In Peru at Gaston Acurio's Chicha restaurant."
Andrew Morrison, is the editor & publisher of Scout.
"A six course sunny day drunch (drunk lunch) on holiday in a small town in Tuscany. I remember only that it involved a rabbit, and that I was glad that it was a meal I didn't have to write about."
Joanne Sasvari, Writer and Editor of FLAVOURS magazine.
"The Araxi long table dinner at North Arm Farm near Pemberton in August. Terrific food and wine with exceptional company amid breathtaking scenery. I still dream about that beautiful baby beet salad."
Cassandra Anderton, Good Life Vancouver .
"Up in the Okanagan in Oliver/Osoyoos they do a yearly oyster festival. Dinner at Tinhorn Creek's Miradoro created by Chef Jeff Van Guest started with fresh oysters on the half shell shucked by Codfather's Fishmonger and owners Jon and Anne-Marie Crofts followed by oysters wrapped in pancetta and an amazing huge oyster paella cooked atop an outdoor fire. I adore oysters and this multi presentation at a vineyard restaurant on a crisp spring day seasoned liberally with BC Wine captured my heart."
Lee Man, a regular contributor to Urban Diner and a judge for the Vancouver Magazine annual restaurant awards.
"Outside of Vancouver, it was Le Bernardin in NYC. A testament to french techniques applied to beatifully fresh fish - with formal service that was not stuffy and conveyed passion to make sure the diner fully enjoyed their experience. In Vancouver, my favorite meal of the year was introducing a group of Vancouvrites to Chinese-style live king crab at Hoi Tong Restaurant. With leg's steamed with ginger and green onions, knuckles perfectly deep fried with spicy salt, and the noodles tossed with the crab juices - it was a powerhouse celebration of king crab (a great price) that is uniquely a Vancouver experience."
Eagranie Yuh, writer, author and chocolate expert.
"A smoked tuna salad that I had on my honeymoon, in Tasmania. We caught and smoked the tuna ourselves."
Sherman's Food Adventures:
"Tasting menu at West."
Mijune Pak, Followmefoodie.com
"I'll give it to Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar's Unsung Hereos Menu by Chef Frank Pabst. They do it every February and I'm already excited for it."
Sean Neild, Sean's Adventures in Flavortown
"The 12 course private Chefs Table dinner for my birthday at the Hyatt Regency."