Favorite Things of 2009

Happy New Year!

Following last year's entry, I figured I'd take a few minutes to look back on my favorites of 2009. :-)

Food Related:

Favorite dessert: Anything from Jean Philippe in Las Vegas (at the Bellagio). Amazing.

Favorite alcoholic drink: Lychee Martini from Graffiti. No matter how hard we try, ours just doesn't taste as good as Jehangir Mehta's.

Favorite non-alcoholic drink: The virgin Lychee Martini from Graffiti. (Oh yes, it's that awesome.)

Favorite frozen yogurt: This one remains the same as last year-- Half coffee/ Half chocolate from Forty Carrots at Bloomingdale's. However, we've been having a lot of fun with our ice cream maker, and we can churn a pretty good yogurt ourselves!

Favorite ice cream: I'm going to have to stick with the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup sundae from Friendly's. The peanut butter sauce is just too good to only stay on the list for only one year. :-)

Favorite burger: 'Shroom Burger from Shake Shack (2nd year in a row!)

Favorite Mexican restaurant: La Cantina Laredo (it's a small chain restaurant--fantastic if you can find one near you!)

Favorite Thai restaurant: Chu Chai (a fantastic vegetarian Thai place we just tried in Montreal!)

Favorite Italian restaurant: This one has taken a total turn in 2009. Since moving to Boston, I am officially in love with just about every italian place we visit in the North End. I can't choose just one.

Favorite Pizza: I still love all of last year's spots, but Figs certainly tops my list for Boston. There are still a few pizza places we have left to try, so perhaps one will make it on the 2010 list.

Favorite Indian restaurant: Amma.

Favorite Chain restaurant: It's a tie between Roy's and La Cantina Laredo. Both smaller chains, but absolutely delicious.

Not Food Related:

Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother -- definitely the same as last year.

Favorite Movie: Probably "The Blind Side." Haven't been blown away yet.

Favorite Event: Valentine's Day 2009--it was a fantastic night. A romantic dinner with Ash, and then meeting up with Priya and Vinny at Brandy's--a night that was full of love and laughter.

Favorite New Thing: Chaco shoes. I can't believe it's been less than a year that I've been wearing them. Between them and my Merrells, I wear no other shoes. (The new 100% Pure Skincare line I recently purchased is a close second.)

Favorite Book: "Better" by Atul Gawande.

Favorite Blog: This one stays the same as last year-- Jennsylvania. (Jen Lancaster's Blog.)

Favorite Single Moment: When we found out my Dad had successfully completed his Everest base camp climb. The relief and pride I felt just can't be put into words.

Well, that's it! A very happy new year to you and yours!