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Esquire's List of the Best Food and Drink in 2012

As we near the close of the year, fifteen superlatives awarded to the top performers of the last twelve months.
By John Mariani
<div class="imageContent"> <p><em>The roast chicken stuffed with foie gras and truffles at Nomad, NYC, </em><em><a href="http://nomadny.com/" target="_blank">nomadny.com<em></em></a>.</em></p> </div>
Courtesy of Esquire
As we near the close of the year, Esquire has awarded 15 superlatives to the top food and drink performers of the last twelve months. Looking for more of the nation's best eats? Check out the best french fries around the country and the country's best pizza places.
1

Celebrating the Best

<div class="imageContent"> <p><em>The roast chicken stuffed with foie gras and truffles at Nomad, NYC, </em><em><a href="http://nomadny.com/" target="_blank">nomadny.com<em></em></a>.</em></p> </div>
Courtesy of Esquire
In a year punctuated by presidential barbecue campaigns, bacon shortages, rising food prices, and Doritos Locos becoming a thing, it's important to consider that the food world managed to give us delicious, comforting, and well-executed moments, too. In the spirit of looking back, here are fifteen of those, from John Mariani.
2

Best New Restaurant

<p><em>The Optimist, Atlanta, GA, <a href="http://theoptimistrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">theoptimistrestaurant.com</a></em>.</p>
Andrew Thomas Lee

The Optimist, Atlanta, GA, theoptimistrestaurant.com.

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3

Best New Pizzeria

<p><em>Bar Toma, Chicago, <a href="http://www.bartomachicago.com/" target="_blank">bartomachicago.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Bar Toma, Chicago, IL, bartomachicago.com.

4

Best New Dish

<div class="imageContent"> <p><em>The roast chicken stuffed with foie gras and truffles at Nomad, NYC, </em><em><a href="http://nomadny.com/" target="_blank">nomadny.com<em></em></a>.</em></p> </div>
Courtesy of Esquire

The roast chicken stuffed with foie gras and truffles at Nomad, New York, NY, nomadny.com.

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5

Best New Steakhouse

<p><em>Southern Steak & Oyster, Nashville, TN, <a href="http://www.thesouthernnashville.com/" target="_blank">thesouthernnashville.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Southern Steak & Oyster, Nashville, TN, thesouthernnashville.com.

6

Best Sandwich

<p><em>The croque monsieur, made with thick brioche bread sandwiching an ooze of Mornay sauce and incredibly rich Saint André cheese, with a sunny-side-up egg on top at Miel, Boston, <a href="http://www.intercontinentalboston.com/html/boston-restaurant-landmark.asp" target="_blank">intercontinentalboston.com</a>.</em></p>
Courtesy of Foodspotting

The croque monsieur, made with thick brioche bread sandwiching an ooze of Mornay sauce and incredibly rich Saint André cheese, with a sunny-side-up egg on top at Miel, Boston, MA, intercontinentalboston.com.

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7

Best Burger

<p><em>BBQ bison burger gets a layer of smoked cheddar, jalapeño peppers, and BBQ sauce, Burger Me!, Truckee, CA, <a href="http://www.burgermetruckee.com/" target="_blank">burgermetruckee.com</a>.</em></p>
Courtesy of Esquire

BBQ bison burger gets a layer of smoked cheddar, jalapeño peppers, and BBQ sauce, Burger Me!, Truckee, CA, burgermetruckee.com.

8

Best New Whiskey

<p><em>Knob Creek Rye, <a href="http://www.knobcreek.com/lpa" target="_blank">knobcreek.com/lpa</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Knob Creek Rye, knobcreek.com/lpa.

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9

Best Bread

<p><em>The whiskey bread and cultured butter, which will cost you five bucks, at Gwynnett St, Brooklyn, NY, <a href="http://www.gwynnettst.com/" target="_blank">gwynnettst.com</a>.</em></p>
Courtesy of Yelp

The whiskey bread and cultured butter, which will cost you five bucks, at Gwynnett St., Brooklyn, NY, gwynnettst.com.

10

Best New Chinese Restaurant

<p><em>Gem, Yonkers, NY, <a href="http://www.gemchineserestaurant.com/" target="_blank">gemchineserestaurant.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Gem, Yonkers, NY, gemchineserestaurant.com.

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11

Best New Cookbook

<p>The Country Cooking of Greece<em>, by Diane Kochilas, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Country-Cooking-Greece-Diane-Kochilas/dp/0811864537%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJ7TIH2634L2Y6UZA%26tag%3Desquire05-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0811864537#h_id=%252Fhyperphoto%252F4106&pg_id=%252Fproduct_group%252F5235&pgp_id=%252Fproduct_group_product%252F5283&r_name=Amazon&p_name=The%252BCountry%252BCooking%252Bof%252BGreece&p_id=%252Fproduct%252F354275876/ref=as_at?tag=esq_autolink-20&linkCode=as2&" target="_blank">amazon.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

The Country Cooking of Greece, by Diane Kochilas, amazon.com.

12

Best New Wine Book

<p>Wine Grapes <em>by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and Dr. Jose Vouillamoz, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wine-Grapes-Complete-Varieties-Including/dp/0062206362%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJ7TIH2634L2Y6UZA%26tag%3Desquire05-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0062206362#h_id=%252Fhyperphoto%252F4105&pg_id=%252Fproduct_group%252F5234&pgp_id=%252Fproduct_group_product%252F5282&r_name=Amazon&p_name=Wine%252BGrapes%253A%252BA%252BComplete%252BGuide%252Bto%252B1%252C368%252BVine%252BVarieties%252C%252BIncluding%252BTheir%252BOrigins%252Band%252BFlavours&p_id=%252Fproduct%252F354275238/ref=as_at?tag=esq_autolink-20&linkCode=as2&" target="_blank">amazon.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding, and Dr. Jose Vouillamoz, amazon.com.

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13

Best New Imports

<p><em>Artisanal mezcals, like this one, Ilegal Mezcal Resposado, <a href="http://www.ilegalmezcal.com/" target="_blank">ilegalmezcal.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Artisanal mezcals, like this one, Ilegal Mezcal Resposado, ilegalmezcal.com.

14

Best New Resort

<p><em>Glenmere Mansion, Chester, NY, <a href="http://www.glenmeremansion.com/" target="_blank">glenmeremansion.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Glenmere Mansion, Chester, NY, glenmeremansion.com.

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15

Best New Foreign Hotel

<p><em>Four Seasons Florence, Florence, <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/florence/" target="_blank">fourseasons.com/florence/</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Four Seasons Florence, Florence, fourseasons.com/florence/.

16

Best Hostesses

<p><em>Brasserie Pushkin, NYC, <a href="http://www.brasseriepushkin.com/" target="_blank">brasseriepushkin.com</a></em>.</p>
Courtesy of Esquire

Brasserie Pushkin, New York, NY, brasseriepushkin.com.

From: Esquire US
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