15 best dishes from Wilmington-area restaurants this year to add to your list
One thing I’ve learned during my work covering local restaurants through the years is that people love to talk about food. And most of them are excited to discuss (and sometimes debate) their favorites.
The dishes here (in no particular order) represent some of the best I’ve had this year, and some of those I've talked about. It is, of course, just a small sampling of the delicious things I’ve tasted this year. I tried not to replicate those restaurants I included in last year’s list, for example.
If I missed your favorite dish found at restaurants in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender counties, there’s good news. I’m already compiling a list of things to try next year. Email aballard@gannett.com.
Italian salad, manna
Considering the great food this downtown Wilmington restaurant creates on an ever-evolving, seasonal basis, it seems silly to gush about a salad. But the thought I had when eating this one was that I could enjoy it every day. It's one on so many menus with sturdy greens topped with meat and cheese. But the details set this one apart – fried chickpeas, house-pickled eggs, salumi and a generous covering of cheese and red wine vinaigrette.
Flounder Piccata, King Neptune
With the caveat that I didn’t order this dish as it appears on the menu, it was definitely one of my favorites this year. I love a good piccata, I just wanted more of the broccolini (one of my favorite vegetables) in lieu of the pasta. But a friend also got this with the pasta. We both raved about it and the rebirth of this longtime Wrightsville Beach restaurant.
Mezze, Salita
Speaking of caveats, this also comes with one. It’s not technically one dish – but it can be ordered as one. Separately, the menu of this occasional pop-up from this Cargo District pizza bakery includes three dips, three side dishes, two flatbreads, fresh pita and soft serve. I was lucky enough to enjoy this with a couple of friends who wanted the whole Mediterranean experience. Highlights from our visit were the black garlic labneh and the tabbouleh, which was full of fresh herbs and studded with pomegranate.
Chirashi, Bento Box
This is another dish I wouldn’t have ordered solo. This style of sushi is typically offered for celebrations. It translates to scattered and usually a bowl or box of rice is the base, said chef Lee Grossman. It's then topped with a variety of fish, seafood, and tomago (the Japanese omelet). The goal here is for it to be beautiful and look like a garden.
Cinnamon Rolls, The Jelly Cabinet
Everyone needs a sweet treat now and then, right? I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I live so close to Sweet D's Cuisine on S. 17th St. (While the filled croissants are popular, I always recommend the slices of cake available in a variety of flavors for on-the-go snacking.) And there's always something delicious at Little Loaf Bakery & Schoolhouse. But this new bakery in Wilmington's Brooklyn Arts District in getting a lot of buzz. It sells out most days -- these frosting-topping rolls are usually the first.
Poutine, Pine Valley Market
You know it’s a good dish when you should be talking, and asking questions, during an interview but your hand just keeps going back to the plate. This Wilmington market, caterer and café frequently offers daily specials. This dish is a great example of why you should pay attention. This twist on traditional poutine is topped with shrimp, scallions, smoked blue cheese and a secret ingredient sauce that uses an assist from Emeril himself.
Oyster Sampler, Perla Raw Bar
Seafood is the thing at this new bright, fun eatery from restaurateur Ash Aziz. The shrimp spring rolls were great, as was the light-and-creamy smoked swordfish dip that comes with crispy potato pieces for dipping. But this sampler is kind of a "best of" for oyster lovers. Like them baked? Or fried or raw? There's a couple of each. The Perlas are dressed with mignonette, the baked are creamy with pimento cheese, and the fried are topped with a bit of country ham.
Chocolate Budino, Olivero
There were a lot of choices when it comes to this new restaurant on Castle Street in Wilmington. I could have included one of the starters, like the warm dates with nduja or the smoked eggplant. Or one of the pastas. But this dessert is also something special. Cocoa nibs and toffee add texture to the Videri chocolate pudding, and a mind-blowing, house-made marshmallow is toasted on top.
Ramen Soup, Pho Vanhly Noodle House
It's getting to be the season for this dish. If you're in need of some brothy goodness when the weather gets cool, this spot in Porters Neck is a great place to go. Their house noodle soup comes with Chinese broccoli, scallion, a boiled egg and a choice of grilled chicken, pork belly, veggies, tofu or shrimp.
Ray's Cuban sandwich, El Coqui’s
Who doesn’t love a great sandwich? I’ve had the chance to try a lot of good ones this year. From fried chicken sandwiches (I'm looking at you Fox's Hole in the Wall) and a great Reuben from Savor Southern Kitchen, Not to mention the Kano at Bahn Sai, which is opening a storefront soon, and a great Cubano at new Riverside Kitchen & Bar in Castle Hayne. In fact, I have strong feelings about Cuban sandwiches, and the many variations you can find locally. I also love this Puerto Rican version in Shallotte made with slow-roasted pork shoulder and pressed thin. They also serve a mini version, the Jarrod Sliders.
Cheese Souffle, Far From France
I also have a soft spot for French food and am always excited when we get more options in the Wilmington area -- which is what happened when this spot expanded to include a full bistro, in addition to a bakery and purveyor of European goodies. The menu includes options for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner and teatime. I'm just happy to have a light-and-decadents cheese souffle options.
Breakfast Burrito, Mess Hall
Sure, sure. The burgers here dominate the conversation. It’s just that I can’t stop thinking about their breakfast burrito -- a tidy bundle that's filled with tots, egg, cheese, bacon and chipotle mayo. They come with an option of a chopped patty or (my pick) fried chicken.
Crab Angels, Indochine
This year was not the first time I’ve had these delicious little appetizers. But I tasted them anew with an uninitiated friend. It’s this popular restaurant’s version of the crab Rangoon, cream cheese filled wontons that are a staple of Asian American restaurants everywhere. Sure, they're a guilty pleasure, and but I really do think these are the best. Plus, you can also get them at the Express locations in Southport, Leland and Monkey Junction.
Castle St. Burger, On Thyme
While locals love talking about food, they especially love talking burgers (and pizza, see below). This year brought some new options to our already abundant local options. That includes an awesome smash burger from Oklahoma's Original. This one from On Thyme surprised me, though. It shouldn't have -- 27,000 followers can't be wrong. But in the past, I've ordered the Philly Eggrolls. This burger, though, is now on my list, too. It's topped with cheese, bacon, pickles, caramelized onions and Thyme Sauce.
Pepperoni pizza slice, Fentoni's
I think pizza is one of the most difficult foods to judge -- because so many of them are so good from Slice of Life to Jay's Incredible to Brooklyn. This year, I got to try the gluten-free Detroit-style available at Benny's Big Time Pizzeria in Wilmington's South Front District, which I highly recommend. I'm also new to this spot on the Carolina Beach boardwalk. It recently was named one of the best in the state. And, yes, it's really good.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Best dishes of 2023 from Wilmington NC restaurants
