Best of Dianderthal 2018 :: Hotels, Drinks, and Dishes

You’ve asked for it. [Not really.] You waited for it. [In my dreams.] It’s here! [That much is true.] The first installment of the Best of Dianderthal 2018.

As amazing of a year it was, I sucked at sharing some of my most memorable bites, sights, and experiences with you. With the Dianderthal universe – those eight of you who read my blog with semi-regularity. Luckily, my annual “Best of” posts skims the year for the most spectacular, photogenic moments that passed my way.

This post, we look at my favorite drinks, hotel stays, and dishes of the year.

Drinks

The Sandia Tajin at Tamayo
While in Colorado for volleyball, I happened across happy hour at Tamayo, which helped me happen across this blend of silver tequila, watermelon, simple syrup, and lime.

Purple Drank
Served at the country’s very first bar, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar in New Orleans, the Voodoo Daiquiri (aka Purple Drank) is the ultimate spirited slushie, subtle in that you can just barely taste the alcohol, but you definitely feel it after a few sips, putting the imbiber in danger of a hangover and brain freeze. – Featured in New Orleans 2018

The Mezcal Rose at Table 301
I can only describe the impact of this drink as a sweet, pleasant burn. It’s made with mezcal (note: all tequilas are mezcals but not all mezcals are tequila), lime, and pomegranate – aggressive, warm, and tremendously satisfying. – Featured in LWD :: Table 301

Hotels

Disneyland Hotel
I’ve stayed at the Disneyland Hotel before, but this visit was special (albeit short) as part of my youngest’s sixteenth birthday celebration. It’s hard to justify a stay here with the resort a mere 20 minutes from home (without traffic), but I’m sure I could think of a reason or two to stay again in the near future.

The Curtis, Denver
Kitschy doesn’t even begin to describe this place, each floor with a different theme. We got the hair floor. I fell in absolute love. – Featured in Sleepaway :: The Curtis in Denver

The Q&C
This place had one of my favorite lobby bars, and a little NOLA sweetness that made it feel like home away from my California home. – Featured in New Orleans 2018

The Moxy Chicago
This wins hotel of the year for me. It’s all things me and then some. I wrote, I colored, I ate tacos and drank dranks. I slept in. I showered long. I relaxed on a Michael Jordan throw pillow. I missed a little bit of Chicago because it was hard to leave my hotel a couple times, but it’s all good. The Moxy treated me very well indeed. – Featured in The Moxy Chicago and Gluttonous Chicago

Top 2018 Countdown of Best Dishes

10. Sweet potato tots at Brome Modern Eatery
I’m a sucker for a sweet potato, and I love myself a tot. How psyched was I to run into this carton of goodness in Detroit.

9. Breakfast Sandwiches
I’m, too, a sucker for eggs and cheese (and sometimes meat) between bread, and there were several options throughout these United States, including the Fairfax (turkey sausage added) from Eggslut Las Vegas, the breakfast sandwich (no sausage) on croissant from La Boulangerie in New Orleans [featured in New Orleans 2018], and, my favorite, the Petty Cash “breakwich” at San Francisco’s Bandit. Oh, and tied for favorite, the breakfast sandwich from Ellie’s Long Beach. That too.

8. Disneyland Nachos
The Obviously Nachos at California Adventure’s Studio Catering Co. serves chicken nachos with gooey, sludgy, splendidly spice cheese, chicken, and chipotle crema. A bonus is that it’s right by the Hollywood Lounge, so you can get your lighted-ice cocktail on with nachos before hoping in line for Guardians of the Galaxy.

7. A Peruvian Sandwich
The Pollo a al Brasa sandwich at La Bodega Sangucheria Peruana in the LBC is something special. It’s sumptuous and tangy and very filling. A trip to this nifty little spot (a “spinoff” of local Peruvian fave Aji) is a must for visitors to Long Beach and those who grew up in the city.

6. The Biscuit at Corinne
It was teeny, but packed in so much buttery flavor, and so much flaky goodness. The jam served along side just made this little bready bite unstoppable. Featured in Tasty Places :: Corinne

5. Breakfast Tacos
Groundwork Coffee’s brunch features a pair of breakfast tacos that Are. The. Shit. There’s a lot in them, but the balance is a unique and yummy assembling that hits the spot. Eggs, potatoes confit, pico, pickled onion, avocado, chipotle aioli, queso fresco, harissa hot sauce, and roasted tomato salsa, all packed into corn tortillas will make you a believer.

4. Fries at Q&C
One of the happy hour specials at the Q&C Bar at the same-named hotel is the French 75 & Fries. First, I ordered for the pair. The next several times I ordered was purely for the fries, the French 75 just a boozy bonus. – Featured in New Orleans 2018

3. Salad in Chicago
When it arrived, the candied shrimp & kohlrabi saladfrom Mott St. didn’t look the way I wanted my salad to look. Half a bite changed my mind. And a few bites in, mind blown, especially when I’d get a bit of crispy, briny dried bay shrimp. – Featured in Gluttonous Chicago

2. Pumpkin Soup at St. Francis
This soup gave my year a wonderful start. It’s unfortunate that a plane ride or six-hour drive keeps it in the distance. Hopefully, I’ll find myself in Phoenix again for business or pleasure. Or just for soup. This time, I know to bring my big Hydroflax or a couple gallon Ziploc bags so I can bring home leftovers to store and reheat over the winter. – Featured in Have Pumpkin Soup, Will Travel

1. Enchiladas at Beatrix
My biggest regret of 2018 was arriving to brunch at Beatrix with my tummy not completely empty having dined late into the night. So as much as I wanted to finish the savory, creamy, delightful green chili enchiladas, I could not. What a shame. What a shame. – Featured in Gluttonous Chicago

Next time, it’s the best brunches and experiences of 2018.