2009 was a monumental year of eating and drinking that included trips to Atlanta, Baja, California’s Central Coast, Las Vegas, New York City, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego and San Francisco, plus daily forays to restaurants and bars in Southern California. Here’s my recap of the best bites and sips. Click links to find more info and photos.

Bacon of the Year: Sizzling Bacon – Peter Luger Steakhouse – Brooklyn, NY
Banh Mi of the Year: Pork Belly – Bunk Sandwiches – Portland, OR
Barbecue Meal of the Year: Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q – Atlanta, GA
Beer of the Year: BrewDog Atlantic IPA
Beer Bar of the Year: Beachwood BBQ – Seal Beach, CA
Beer Event of the Year: L.A. Beer Week Festival
Beer Float of the Year: The Golden State & Scoops Old Rasputin + Brown Bread – L.A. Beer Float Showdown
Beerzeria of the Year: Blind Lady Ale House – San Diego, CA
Brazilian Meal of the Year: Rio Brazil Café – Los Angeles, CA
Bread of the Year: Rosemary Garlic Focaccia – Liguria Bakery – San Francisco, CA
Bread Cart of the Year: Guy Savoy – Las Vegas, NV
Breakfast of the Year #1: Katy’s Place – Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
Breakfast of the Year 1A: Matt’s Big Breakfast – Phoenix, AZ
Brewery of the Year: The Bruery – Placentia, CA
Brunch of the Year: The Bazaar – Los Angeles, CA
Calamari of the Year: Salt & Pepper Squid – Heaven’s Dog – San Francisco, CA
Ceviche of the Year: California Sea Bass – Mo-Chica – Los Angeles, CA
Chicken Dish of the Year: Poussin – Poché Rötie – Guy Savoy – Las Vegas, NV
Chinese Meal of the Year: Chung King – San Gabriel, CA
Chocolate Overdose of the Year: Valerie Confections Open House
Churro of the Year: La Casita Mexicana – Bell, CA
Cobbler of the Year: Strawberry-Rhubarb – Water Grill – Los Angeles, CA
Cocktail of the Year: Tamarind Cocktail – Villa Saverios – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Coffeehouse of the Year: Intelligentsia Coffee – Venice, CA
Coffee Experience of the Year: PDX Coffeehouse Bike Tour
Cookie of the Year: Molasses-Golden Raisin – The Sentinel – San Francisco, CA
Dessert of the Year: Honey Bacon Apricot Cornbread – Le Pigeon – Portland, OR
Dim Sum Meal of the Year: Lunasia – Alhambra, CA
dineLA Restaurant Week Meal of the Year: La Casita Mexicana – Bell, CA
Donut of the Year: Apricot Cardamom – Dynamo Donuts – San Francisco, CA
Eggs Benedict of the Year: Chelsea’s Eggs Benedict – Chelsea’s Kitchen – Phoenix, AZ
Fig Dish of the Year: Seared Black Mission Figs with Jamón Ibérico Fermin – The Bazaar – Los Angeles, CA
Fish of the Year: Pescado Zarandeado – Mariscos Chente – Los Angeles, CA
Fish Taco of the Year: Ricky’s Fish Tacos – Los Angeles, CA
Foie Gras Dish of the Year: Foie Gras Cupcake – LudoBites – Los Angeles, CA
Fried Chicken of the Year: Fried Chicken with Basque Vegetables – LudoBites – Los Angeles, CA
Fritter of the Year: Zucchini – La Villa del Valle – Silvestre Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., Mexico
Gamebird of the Year: Squab – Café Pinot – Los Angeles, CA
Goat Dish of the Year: Birria – Flor del Rio – Los Angeles, CA
Grain of the Year: Farro con Frutti di Mare – Pizzeria Ortica – Costa Mesa, CA
Hamburger of the Year: Bradley Ogden – Las Vegas, NV
Hot Dog of the Year: The Bald Eagle – Fab Hot Dogs – Reseda, CA
Ice Cream of the Year: Coconut Jalapeno – Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream – Atlanta, GA
Italian Meal of the Year: Flour + Water – San Francisco, CA
Korean Meal of the Year: Don Dae Gam – Los Angeles, CA
Lamb Dish of the Year: Spiced Colorado Lamb Loin Medallions – Whist – Santa Monica, CA
Lobster Dish of the Year: Butter Poached Lobster – Fuego – Long Beach, CA
Mexican Meal of the Year (in L.A.): La Casita Mexicana – Bell, CA
Mexican Meal of the Year (in Mexico): La Querencia – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Middle Eastern Meal of the Year: Koko’s – Van Nuys, CA
Middle Eastern Flatbread of the Year: Zahtar-Chile-Onion – Old Sasoon Bakery – Pasadena, CA
Noodle Dish of the Year: Prawn Chow Mein – Chuen Hing – Rosemead, CA
Offal Dish of the Year: Lamb Liver Fritters – Abattoir – Atlanta, GA
Olive Oil Dish of the Year: Olive Oil Bonbon – The Bazaar – Los Angeles, CA
Opening Party of the Year: Bouchon Beverly Hills
Pasta of the Year: Oxtail Cavatelli – Michaels on Naples – Long Beach, CA
Peruvian Meal of the Year: Anticucheria Danessi – Norwalk, CA
Pig of the Year: Lorca – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Pizza of the Year: Tomato Pie with Sausage – Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana – New Haven, CT
Porchetta of the Year: Il Cane Rosso – San Francisco, CA
Pork Belly of the Year: marché L.A. – Sherman Oaks, CA
Pork Tenderloin of the Year: radioMILANO – Phoenix, AZ
Pumpkin Dish of the Year: Pumpkin Tart – Thyme Café and Market – Santa Monica, CA
Rabbit Dish of the Year: Slow Cooked Rabbit – Abattoir – Atlanta, GA
Ramen of the Year: Akamaru Modern – Ippudo – New York, NY
Sardines of the Year: Grilled Monterey Bay Sardines – Pizzeria Delfina – San Francisco, CA
Seafood Meal of the Year: Mariscos Ruben – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Sea Snail of the Year: La Guerrerense – Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Sea Urchin Dish of the Year: Tagliatelle, Santa Barbara Sea Urchin & Avocado – Chaya Downtown – Los Angeles, CA
Snails of the Year: Escargots de Bourgogne – Church & State – Los Angeles, CA
Shrimp Dish of the Year: Taco Camaron Enchilado – Mariscos El Mazateno – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Southern Meal of the Year: Woodfire Grill – Atlanta, GA
Sri Lankan Meal of the Year: Priyani – Northridge, CA
Steak of the Year #1: Hanger Steak – BLT Steak – West Hollywood, CA
Steak of the Year 1A: Porterhouse – Peter Luger Steakhouse – Brooklyn, NY
Steak of the Year 1B: Grilled Mishima Ranch Ribeye Cap – Mar’sel – Palos Verdes, CA
Sushi Meal of the Year: The Hump – Santa Monica, CA
Taco of the Year: Dessert Taco – Tacos Salceados – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Tequila Event of the Year: Tijuana Tequila Expo IX – Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
Tortilla of the Year: Tortillas Florales – Rivera – Los Angeles, CA
Vegetable of the Year: Cah Kangkung – Java Spice – Rowland Heights, CA
Waffle of the Year: Belgian Waffle – The Bruery – Placentia, CA