Best of Flavor 2021 - Flavor & The Menu magazine

Welcome to the Best of Flavor 2021

This special “Best of Flavor” issue features 100 entries from our readers that showcase the flavor-forward innovation taking place in menu development today.

Welcome to the Best of Flavor 2021

This special “Best of Flavor” issue features 100 entries from our readers that showcase the flavor-forward innovation taking place in menu development today.

Welcome to the Best of Flavor 2021

This special “Best of Flavor” issue features 100 entries from our readers that showcase the flavor-forward innovation taking place in menu development today.

Pollo Chilango

Pollo Chilango with pickled vegetables, crushed tomato salsa and roasted corn esquites

Jerusalem Bagel

Jerusalem Bagel with smoked salmon spread, tomatoes, capers and labneh

Thai Fighter

Spicy Thai currywurst topped with wild arugula, pickled jalapeños and spicy basil aïoli, served on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls

Deli Benedict

Sliced pastrami or corned beef, poached eggs, hollandaise, Swiss, tomato and scallions on rye

Korean JJ Noodles

Korean JJ Noodles with crispy pork belly, onions, potatoes, zucchini and fermented black bean paste

Curry Nikutama Udon

Curry Nikutama Udon with Japanese curries, beef, caramelized onions, a soft- poached egg, tempura flakes and green onions

Turkey Dipper

Turkey Dipper: Roasted turkey, Provel cheese, flatbread and marinara sauce

Newk's Q Sandwich

Grilled chicken breast, Ammerländer Swiss, bacon and signature white barbecue sauce, on French Parisian bread

Jalapeño Ranch Fried Chicken Taco

Fried chicken, lettuce, cheddar and jalapeño-ranch, wrapped in a flour tortilla

Enzo Ferrari White Whiskey Sazerac

Stone-ground white whiskey, absinthe, lemon verbena-hibiscus simple, Peychaud’s bitters

Grilled Red Snapper Fillet

Grilled Red Snapper Fillet with mango-Sriracha butter over mango-rice madras, raisins and almonds

Omelette Evangeline

Three-egg omelette, mushrooms, cheddar, fried shrimp and Cajun hollandaise, served with Brabant potatoes

Big Red Torta

Spiced crispy chicken, pickled chiles, Chihuahua cheese, “Rooster Sauce,” lettuce, tomato, pickles and avocado

Goat Curry

Goat Curry with fideos, topped with cilantro, green onions, mango yogurt and “crunchy snacks”

Roasted Chicken

Roasted chicken with sweet corn soubise, Ozark Forest mushrooms, Boursin agnolotti and dark poultry jus

Braised Lentil and Vegetable Shepherd's Pie

Braised Lentil & Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie with bourbon-braised lentils, portobello mushrooms, mashed potatoes and white cheddar

Xocolatl Maize Cocktail

Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 100-proof bourbon, Nixta Licor de Elote, Aztec chocolate bitters and a roasted cinnamon stick

Roasted Kabocha Squash

Roasted Kabocha Squash with coconut milk glaze, fried shallots and garlic, fresh cilantro and slices of Fresno chile

Lambstrami Sandwich

Shaved lamb pastrami, coleslaw, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and sautéed peppers and onions on a hoagie roll

Mustang Burger

Half-pound grilled black Angus, pimento cheese spread, arugula and Fresno chile jam on brioche

Brisket

Brisket with optional sides: mac & cheese, pit beans, collards, potato salad, slaw

Chicken N’ Biscuits

Jalapeño-cheddar biscuits topped with Santa Fe hot chicken, poached eggs and pork chili, served with breakfast potatoes

Slow Cooked Lamb Shank

Slow Cooked Lamb Shank with Persian spices, caramelized onions, saffron, fava beans and dill basmati rice

Green Chorizo Quesadilla

Green Chorizo Quesadilla with smoked pecans, roasted mushrooms, avocado and black bean salsas

La Bomba

Strawberry ice cream and cream cheese mousse with fresh berries and almond cookie crumbles in an edible chocolate bowl, with tableside sauces

Family Taco Kit

Featuring cochinita pibil, birria, marinated grilled chicken, wood-fired portobellos, vegan “meat” or chorizo, two sides, tortillas, toppings, housemade chips and salsas

Cedar Plank Chocolate Brownie S'mores

Cedar plank-smoked brownie, milk chocolate bar, marshmallows, graham cracker, Grand Marnier-infused chocolate ganache and vanilla bean ice cream

Truffled Pepperoni Pizza Fries

Truffled pepperoni pizza fries with marinara and Mornay sauces

Pineapple Upside-Down Pancakes

Buttermilk pancakes with caramelized pineapple chunks, housemade vanilla crème anglaise and cinnamon butter

The South Beach

Crème brûlée ice cream with chocolate wafer clusters and Havana Club rum

Mumbai Mariachi Bowl

Spice-rubbed steak with spinach, roasted potatoes and peppers, corn, feta, mango chutney, spiralized carrots, coleslaw and green onions, served with a mango-chipotle sauce

Hot Chicken Sandwich

Fried chicken thigh, spicy “mud” sauce, housemade coleslaw, pickles and comeback sauce on brioche bun

Cinnamon Roll

Cinnamon Roll with a dollop of cream cheese icing

Bacon Smashed Hatch Chile Burger

Hand-smashed patties seared with bacon, American cheese, Hatch chile peppers, caramelized onions, pickled Fresno chiles, Hatch chile aïoli, on a challah bun

Our Famous Tomato-Basil Soup

Our Famous Tomato-basil Soup with vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh cream and basil

We Have The Blues Salad

Romaine hearts, mixed greens, red onions, feta, honey-toasted almonds, blueberries and a lemon-blueberry vinaigrette

Texas Brisket-Egg Sandwich

Cage-free fresh-cracked griddled eggs, smoked beef brisket and cheddar with smoky chipotle aïoli on a gourmet jalapeño-bacon bagel

Pretzel Bites

Pretzel Bites with Wisconsin cheddar cheese sauce

Chicken Liver and Spring Pea Ravioli Doppio

Chicken Liver And Spring Pea Ravioli Doppio with Marsala, Vidalia onions, mint, ricotta, egg, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a butter-basil-pine nut sauce

Spiced Pineapple Mezcal Margarita

Montelobos Espadin mezcal tequila, Hanson Habanero vodka, pineapple syrup, fresh pineapple juice, cold-pressed lime juice and jalapeño-hellfire popsicle with Ancho Reyes Verde

Spice-Rubbed Korean Short Ribs

Spice-Rubbed Korean Short Ribs with smoked Gouda grits, roasted carrot, mushrooms and micro greens

Be Well Salad

MIXT greens, avocado, chickpeas, quinoa, lentils, carrots, edamame, cucumbers, scallions, fresh herbs and cilantro-jalapeño vinaigrette

Khao Tod Nam Sod

Smashed deep-fried rice cakes with chiles, fish sauce and lime, served with pork sausage, ginger, cilantro and chiles

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with wasabi oil, fried allium and chive tips

Smoked Oyster & Artichoke Dip

Smoked Oyster & Artichoke Dip with Boursin and Georgia Gouda, served with French baguette slices

Pulled Pork Thepla Tacos

Pulled Pork Thepla Tacos with sour cream, micro greens and pickled red onions

Grilled Salmon with Turmeric Quinoa Pilaf

Grilled Salmon With Turmeric Quinoa Pilaf and steamed asparagus

Wahoo in Corn

Wahoo In Corn with corn-squash-zucchini succotash and a corn-jalapeño purée

Wishful Thinking cocktail

Walter Collective vodka, Amaro di Angostura, charred grapefruit and passionfruit cordial, Thai basil, lemon and ponzu

Crab Tostada Benedict

Crispy-fried white corn tortillas topped with refried beans, smashed avocado, crab salad and a soft-poached egg, finished with chipotle hollandaise, served with papas rancheras

Lebanese Labneh Dip

Lebanese Labneh Dip with za’atar-spiced honey drizzle, served with honey-grilled pita

Key Lime Pie Bars

Graham cracker crust filled with Key lime custard and topped with sweet whipped cream and lime zest

Housemade Ricotta

Housemade Ricotta with olive oil and rosemary honey, served with lavosh

Chicken Poblano

Suprema de pollo, papas rajas, poblano béchamel

Ray's BBQ Meatloaf

Beef and pork meatloaf glazed with barbecue sauce

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower with romesco sauce, toasted almonds, pine nuts, garlic, capers, chives and parsley

Bento Box

Bento Box with nigiri, makimono and sashimi

Banana Cream Napoleon

Banana Cream Napoleon with warm caramel, phyllo, banana filling and vanilla whipped cream

House Lacto-Fermented Giardiniera

Pickled vegetables, poached garlic and onions, and olive oil

Queso Frito

Fried queso blanco, offered throughout the menu, including in the Fritanga Burger with cabbage slaw and crema, or as a side dish, served with guava ketchup

Crawfish Pot Pie

Flaky crust filled with crawfish, seasonal vegetables, creamy dill sauce and Cajun seasonings, served with cornbread

Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits

Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits with paprika, garlic powder and nutmeg

Seared Diver Scallops

Seared Diver Scallops with pepita risotto, pomegranate beurre rouge and crispy Brussels sprouts leaves

Pizza Burger

Pizza Burger with marinara sauce, fried mozzarella and shaved Parmesan

Kulcha Chalupa Taco

Kulcha Chalupa Tacos with butter chicken and vinegared onions

Mediterranean Bowl

Grass-fed flank steak, cauliflower rice, chimichurri, red onion, cucumber, Kalamata olives, romaine and feta with a tahini and herb-yogurt sauce

Meat and Cheese Farm Board

Rotating selection of cured meats and cheeses served with fresh honeycomb, blood orange mostarda, crabapple and micro vegetables

Taco Kit

Build-your-own al pastor and achiote-lime chicken tacos, served with heirloom corn tortillas, Cotija cheese, cilantro, onion, lime and salsas

Chicken Karaage

Chicken Karaage with shishito peppers, wasabi aïoli, furikake and charred lemon

Chia-Lime Pudding

Chia-Lime Pudding with black sesame-coriander granola, passionfruit curd and macerated raspberries

Chimichurri Bowl

Grilled asparagus, roasted cauliflower, avocado, pickled red cabbage, tomato-basil bruschetta and grilled Gypsy peppers atop chimichurri jasmine rice

Gobhi Bezule

Crispy cauliflower, coconut milk, mustard seeds and curry leaf

AVOrita

Reposado tequila, housemade avocado cordial, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, agave syrup and a salt rim

Coconut Taco

Battered coconut meat, Mexican kimchi, carrot aïoli, micro greens

Vege Fi Burger

Fried patty of fresh vegetables, quinoa, lentils, caramelized onions, fontina, herbs and red wine reduction topped with white cheddar, on a multigrain bun with lettuce, tomato and BurgerFi sauce

Pabil Chicken Taquitos

Pibil Chicken Taquitos with housemade garlic ranch, salsa verde and Cotija cheese

Crispy Rice Salad

Crispy Rice Salad with sour sausage, baby kale, roasted peanuts and a fried egg

Pork Belly Grilled Cheese

Thick-cut pork belly, pimento cheese, jalapeño-bacon jam and pickled red onions on toasted sourdough bread

Miyazaki A5 Wasabi Steak Burger

Waygu beef patty and steak slices, wasabi leaf, béchamel, Gorgonzola, provolone, housemade sansho pepper sauce, beefsteak tomato, Boston lettuce and steak-truffle salt on an onion bun

Impossible Taco Salad

Plant-based ground meat, black beans, romaine, roasted corn, salsa fresca, tortilla strips, avocado and pickled jalapeño-ranch dressing

Watermelon Sushi

Watermelon sushi with fried shallots and lime dressing

Jalisco Summer

Silver tequila with a sour mix of hibiscus, prickly pear and red jalapeño purées and lime juice

Pepperoni Pizza Meatball Sub

Italian meatballs, marinara, provolone, crispy pepperoni and Italian seasoning on a toasted garlic bread roll

White Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake

White Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake on an almond-graham crust

Passionfruit-lemongrass curd and pandan crumble with dehydrated Thai basil meringue and coconut-mascarpone mousse, served with passionfruit-lemongrass sorbet, coconut jellies, pandan tapioca pearls and passionfruit leather

Pan-Roasted Halibut Cheeks

Pan Roasted Halibut Cheeks with artichoke hearts and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Dry Aged Tomahawk Steak

A 34-oz bone-in ribeye, dry-aged for intense flavor

Hot Chicken Buns

Hot Chicken Buns with Kewpie mayo slaw and a dill pickle on steamed bao buns

BBQ Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Pizza

BBQ Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Pizza with barbecue sauce and mozzarella cheese, topped with chicken, bacon, cilantro, red onions and a swirl of housemade ranch dressing