Happy New Year 2026!! Happy 10th Anniversary of Tablespoons and teaspoons. The mission shifted from creating economic friendly and healthy dishes using only a tablespoon and a teaspoon to restaurant recommendations based on the support received. I struggled getting legitimate followers while blocking spammers. Upon entering the 10th year of this blog, I am happy to share my top dishes of 2025, some of which are the best dishes that I’ve had at least the launch of this blog.

Best dining experience – Bridges – One star Michelin

This restaurant was one of the hardest places to get into. There was a cancellation for one person and I received a phone about 30 minutes prior to opening to ask if I was able to dine in on the spot. Thankfully this place was a bus ride away that I was able to capitalize on the opportunity. This tiny restaurant is address hidden in the middle of businesses in Chinatown. No wonder why it was one of the hardest spots to get into.

I started off with a mock sparkling wine called the Muri Yamile from Denmark. Then I had to have to their infamous Comte tart and it was my lucky day because this dish was topped with lots of Perigold truffles and mushrooms. One of the best dishes I’ve had this year to date. For my entree, I got the grilled king crab with lime leaf and daikon. I also paired this dish with an orange wine called Autre-Chose Les Calots. One of the best wine pairings this year as the buttery juices of the crab was chased and balanced with the chenin Blanc. To end the night I had the vin jaune gelato and it was amazing, absorbing the chenin blanc flavors. Service was amazing here. Staff were knowledgeable and proactive in making me feel welcomed and upselling wine lol. 

Best Red Meat Dish – Short Rib Pastrami Suya – Tatiana by Kwame Onwuwachi

The pastrami melted in your month. The dish was deconstructed to make a pastrami slider with the cabbage and coco bread. Everything put together made it a perfect slider bite.

Best Seafood Dish – well I have a top 3:

1) Khmer Fish Cakes at Bayon – these fish cakes tasted better than most Thai restaurants I have dined and I am half Thai. Flavors were pronounced and balanced, it is definitely worth ordering.

2) Seafood Wellington at Le B – this dish was served during the NYC Summer Restaurant Week. It is literally the seafood version of a beef wellington. Beautifully presented this dish has me wanting more and wishing that it was on their regular menu.

3) Txangurro at Chez Fifi – this Basque deviled crab served as a shared appetizer is to die for at one of the hardest restaurants to get into. I would return to this restaurant just for this crab dish alone.