Best of Flavor 2024
Flavor & The Menu’s 2024 “Best of Flavor” edition is a collection of 100 menu inspirations from our readers, showcasing the flavor-forward innovation taking place in menu development today.
A Modern Styling of Guava Empanadas Bésame | Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Puff pastry filled with guava paste, aji amarillo purée, manchego and queso asadero; finished with...
Pancakes Turned Breakfast Tacos IHOP | Based in Pasadena, Calif.
Pancake Tacos in four sweet and savory flavors; available as a combo ...
Atlanta’s Answer to the Japanese Highball Brassica at The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead | Atlanta
Whiskey, soda water, peach shrub and acid phosphate; finished with a floral spritz ...
Reviving the Red Wine Float Mya by Medi | Chicago
Bandido reposado tequila, apricot liqueur, peach syrup, ginger and red wine float, with flower...
Bringing Smoky, Sweet and Tart Notes to Bean Salad Rosie Cannonball | Houston
Blistered Bean Salad with pea shoots, pickled shallots, Fresno peppers, Castelvetrano olives and...
French Fried Challah Bites Mitch’s Downtown Bagel Café | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Fluffy pillows of challah, cinnamon, and vanilla, doused in maple syrup ...
Upping the Umami in Korean BBQ Genesis House Restaurant | New York
Yangnyeom Gui Grilled marinated pork ribs infused with doenjang, served with seasonal vegetables...
Putting Pork Belly in a Gyro Nick the Greek | Based in San Jose, Calif.
Marinated pork, red onions, Roma tomatoes, paprika- seasoned fries and tzatziki in a soft pita...
Martinis Go Mediterranean Balos Estiatorio | Washington, D.C.
Balos Martini made with crop cucumber vodka, Skinos mastiha, mint, cucumber and fresh lime Photo...
Tuna Chop Swap Lakeside at Wynn Las Vegas | Las Vegas
Dry-Aged Big Eye Tuna Chop with yuzu-soy glaze ...
Reuben Reinvented Mr Brews Taphouse | Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis.
The Brew-Ben with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and house sauce ...
Pork Chop With Gulf Coast Vibes Ovide | Miramar Beach, Fla.
Pork Chop with Carolina rice grits, roasted carrots, shaved heirloom tomatoes and chicharrón...
Sesame-Crusted Korean Short Ribs KYU | Locations in New York, Las Vegas and Miami
Beef Short Ribs with sesame crust and sweet soy; served with housemade sauces, lettuce and pickled...
Banana-Infused Sherry Cocktail Spago | Based in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Banana-infused oloroso sherry, Irish whiskey, brown butter-infused falernum, blanc vermouth, nocino...
Mushroom Marvel Third Kingdom | New York
King Royal Trumpet with broccoli-spinach sauce,beet-infused pasta dough, almond “ricotta” and...
Seven-Layered Sicilian Cake Scoma’s | San Francisco
Chocolate cake, hazelnut Bavarian cream, chocolate mousse, praline crunch and chocolate ganache...
Grand Marnier-Glazed Lamb Chop Supper Club | Nashville, Tenn.
Extra-large frenched bone-in lamb lollipop with signature Grand Marnier sauce Photo Credit: Supper...
Japanese Noodle Bowl With Southern Flair Nanbu Noodle Bar | Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.
Kurobuta pork shoulder, collards, corn, soy-seasoned egg, scallion and double broth...
Basque-Style Cheesecake Edan Bistro | North Miami, Fla.
Tarta de Queso: Creamy Basque-style cheesecake ...
The Gin Cocktail Fit for a Goddess Parche | Oakland, Calif.
Alkkemist gin, Lewis and Clark gin, passionfruit, St. Elder elderflower liqueur, orgeat and lemon;...
Scallop Espuma-Topped Soft Egg MaryGold’s by Brad Kilgore | Miami
The Soft Egg with sea scallop espuma, truffle pearls and Gruyère ...
African Crab Stew Turned Global Mash-Up Dirty Habit | Washington D.C.
Halibut with crab curry, red cabbage pikliz and plantain Accra ...
Watermelon-Caramel-Glazed Pork Belly Maypop | New Orleans In Collaboration with the National Watermelon Promotion Board
Watermelon-Caramel-Glazed Pork Belly with watermelon nuoc cham and watermelon seed crust...
Bacon, Lobster and Tomato Twin Peaks | Based in Dallas
Lobster, bacon, mixed greens, tomato, red onion, celery, green onions and lemon mayo on...
Light-as-a-Cloud Tiramisu Pancakes Fluffy Fluffy Dessert Café | Based in Toronto, Canada
Coffee-flavored pancakes with signature tiramisu cream, fruit and cocoa powder; served with coffee...
Tater Tots & Caviar The Ruxton | Baltimore, Md.
Housemade Tater Tots & Caviar with Kaluga caviar, chives, dill, Gouda and crème fraîch...
Bringing Herbaceous Notes to Roasted Branzino Joon | Vienna, Va.
Whole Roasted Branzino with sour orange, walnuts, barberries, Aleppo chile, onion, barberry...
Putting a Citrus Surprise in Tiramisu Bakery Lorraine | Based in San Antonio
Grapefruit syrup-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream and topped with fresh grapefruit...
Shawarma-Style Denver Ribs Linden | Los Angeles
Shawarma Denver ribs, spicy halal barbecue, lemon-yogurt sauce and puffed saffron rice; garnished...
Creamy and Crunchy Pretzel Parfait LoLa 41 | Based in Nantucket, Mass.
Layers of mascarpone cream, dulce de leche and pretzel-brownie crumble; topped with whipped cream...
White Chocolate Mole El Molino del Sureste | St. Louis, Mo.
Cayos en Mole Blanco made with sea scallops, white chocolate mole, fennel and herbs...
Poke Goes Luxurious With Lobster Pokeworks | Based in Irvine, Calif.
Lobster Surimi over white rice with cucumber, mandarin orange, cabbage and sesame seeds...
Salmon Makes a Splash on the Salad Menu Tender Greens | Based in Los Angeles
Grilled Salmon Salad with miso mayo, pickled cucumber and onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, papaya,...
Pimento Reinvented Lemon Cocktail Bar | Chicago
Pickled Peppadew, cream cheese, Serrano, celery, pecorino and pickled onion; served with saltine...
Taiwanese Congee Wows With Wagyu Win Son Restaurant and Bakery | Brooklyn, N.Y In Collaboration with Aussie Beef & Lamb
XIi Fan with Australian Wagyu ribeye cap and chile vinaigrette Photo Credit: Clay Williams/Aussie...
Floral-Forward Smoothie in Bloom Juice It Up! | Based in Irvine, Calif.
The Berry-Lavender Smoothie is made with a blend of blueberries, lavender, lemon, pineapple, soy...
Popcorn-Infused Margarita Platform 18 at Century Grand | Phoenix
Popcorn-infused Milagro Reposado tequila, Cointreau, togarashi, pandan and lime juice; served with...
Cucumber Turned Culinary Wonder Husk | Nashville, Tenn.
Tyria Cucumber with peanut, arugula, green coriander and goat cheese Photo Credit: Hunter...
Lebanese Libation With a Signature Brine ilili | Based in New York
A Little Pick‘le’ Me Up made with Jun gin, pickled shishito pepper and onion brine, arak rinse and...
Customizable and Shareable 42oz of Tomahawk Steak Goodnight’s Prime Steak + Spirits | Healdsburg, Calif.
Dry-Aged Bone-In Tomahawk accompanied by a choice of sauce and flavored salt Photo Credit:...
Brilliant Brunch Benedicts Ruby Slipper | Based in New Orleans
Combination plate of three signature eggs Benedict dishes: Bayou Shrimp, Eggs Cochon and Chicken St....
Chocolate Coconut Cake Molded to Perfection Stirrups | Ocala, Fla.
Chocolate Coconut filled with coconut cake, coconut mousse, bourbon-roasted pineapple and mango and...
Craveable Hand-Pulled Cabbage Warsugai | Portland, Ore.
Hand-Pulled Cabbage with chile pepper, lap cheong and Sichuan peppercorn Photo Credit: Aubrie...
Dirty (Water) Martini Serena Pastificio | Locations in Boca Raton, Fla., and Atlanta
Martini Pastificio with Engine gin or Bustletown vodka, pasta water and olive brine; garnished with...
Korean-Style Barbecue Beef Short Ribs Haven Point Provisions & Spirits at Sonesta Irvine | Irvine, Calif.
Boneless Galbi Short Ribs with kimchi, pickled Fresno chiles, sesame seeds and green onion Photo...
A Maritime Spin on Mole El Naranjo | Austin, Texas
Mole Blanco featuring halibut with herbs, white mole, habanero and green onion oils, and...
The Ultimate Rib Fest Woods Hill Pier 4 | Boston
Crispy Lamb Ribs with Urfa pepper, red wine glaze, “crispy bits” and torn herbs ...
The “Poultrygeist” Chicken Salad Sandwich Kinship Butcher & Sundry | Atlanta
Smoked chicken salad, pickles, arugula and drunken mustard on a toasted brioche bun...
The Best-Selling Benedict Stationairy | Nashville, Tenn.
Two beef patties, country bacon, caramelized onion, poached egg, spicy hollandaise and brioche bun;...
Tuna Tartare in All Its Tasty Simplicity Hank’s Seafood Restaurant | Charleston, S.C.
Yellowfin tuna, jalapeño, shallot, extra-virgin olive oil, tomato, herbs and lemon zest; served with...
Duck Fat-Fried Chicken Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar | Indianapolis
Martha's Fried Chicken is deep fried in duck fat and served in a custom bucket with elevated sides...
Burrata at Its Best Mia Francesca | Based in Chicago
Burrata con Ciabattone with capers, olives, toasted ciabatta, tomatoes and fresh basil Photo Credit:...
LTO Bowl Turned Menu Hero The Greene Turtle | Based in Columbia, Md.
Chile-Lime Shrimp Bowl with marinated black beans, guacamole, pickled red onion, pico de gallo,...
Greeking Out Over Toast Toastique | Based in Washington, D.C.
Greek Toast with housemade hummus, fresh arugula, marinated tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata...
Lobster Gets Spicy The Amalfi Llama | Miami and San Diego
Lobster, bucatini pasta, spicy tomato sauce and fresh basil ...
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf The Back 40 | Nashville, Tenn.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf with smoked tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, Fresno peppers, Worcestershire...
“Cheeto” Shishitos Ranger Station | Atlanta
Blistered shishitos fried in beef tallow, Cheetos seasoning, lime crema and Cotija...
Lychee Milk Tea Ice Pop Camp | Greenville, S.C.
Lychee Milk Tea Ice Pop with matcha magic shell, coconut crémeux and raspberry crumb...
Cake as Light as a Cloud Tous les Jours | Based in Seoul, South Korea, with locations across the U.S.
Yogurt cloud cream, blueberry-colored cake and blueberry filling; topped with fresh blueberries and...
Sweetening Up Breakfast With Marmalade Jam El Bagel | Miami and Las Vegas
Guava marmalade, plain cream cheese, “papitas” and fried egg on choice of bagelRE ...
A Steakhouse Twist on Toast Points and Jam Izzy’s on the Peninsula | San Carlos, Calif.
Oxtail Jam with grilled sourdough toast points, pickled Fresno chiles and shallots Photo Credit:...
Briny and Beet-Bright Agnolotti Daisies | Chicago
Agnolotti with beets,...
Coastal Flavors Collide in This Old Fashioned Riff The Citizen | Alys Beach, Fla.
Pineapple-infused Glenmorangie X, Giffard banana liqueur, dry Curaçao, overproof Jamaican rum,...
A Spice-Forward, Herbaceous Mango Salad Ghee Indian Kitchen | Kendall, Fla.
Farm Mango Salad with mango, Persian cucumber, red onion,...
Turning Leftover Prawn Trims Into Tasty Bar Bites Aphotic | San Francisco
Spot Prawn Mortadella with roe, micro cilantro, brioche croutons and shrimp oil Photo Credit: Kelly...
Spiked Cold Brew With Island Flavor Four Flamingos | Key West, Fla.
Tito’s vodka, cold-brew coffee, coconut syrup and Caffè Borghetti espresso liqueur; garnished with a...
Showcasing a Staten Island Staple Artichoke Pizza | Based in New York
Meatballs, cooked tomato sauce, red onions, ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino Romano,...
An “Edible Terrarium” With Chocolate Mousse and Pistachio “Soil” Soby's | Greenville, S.C.
Spiced rum-chocolate mousse, passionfruit, golden pine nuts and pistachio “soil” ...
Sweet, Spice-Infused Chicken Liver Mousse—and Donuts Sekoya Lounge & Kitchen | Palo Alto, Calif.
Chicken Liver Mousse with banana bread donuts, Espelette-spiced cherry compote and blackberries...
Sipping on Crème Brûlée PJ's Coffee | New Orleans
Honey-macadamia cold-brew concentrate, caramel crème syrup, sweet cold foam and turbinado sugar...
Hot Chicken Meets Cool Hummus Original ChopShop | Based in Plano, Texas
Hot Honey Chicken + Hummus Grilled Protein Bowl with brown rice, greens tossed in red wine...
Turning a Childhood Cereal Into a Sophisticated Cocktail The Yellow Pony Pub & Garden | Ocala, Fla.
Froot Loops-flavored vodka, citrus and spice; garnished with Fruity Pebbles Photo Credit: Maven...
Crafting a Carrot Tartare Walrus Rodeo | Miami
Cooked ground carrots, fermented diced carrots, carrot burnt mole, carrot top salsa verde, mustard...
Infusing Horchata Flavor Into Lobster República | Portland, Ore.
Poached lobster tail and horchata, with peaches, ground cherries, habanada peppers, butterfly pea...
When Carne Asada Met Blue Cheese Elote Cafe | Sedona, Ariz. In Collaboration with the California Milk Advisory Board
Grilled skirt steak with guajillo chile sauce, rajas and Point Reyes blue cheese ...
Turkish Surf-and-Turf Hummus Mediterranean Kitchen | Based in San Mateo, Calif.
Beef Soujouk & Prawn Skewer with grilled spicy sausage and prawns with couscous, seasonal tomato and...
Baklava Hits the Breakfast Daypart Medi Kitchen + Cocktail | Chicago
Challah bread, cardamom-rose royale custard, pistachio mousse, pistachio crumble, fried phyllo,...
Scallops Worthy of a Pedestal 1 Kitchen Nashville | Nashville, Tenn.
Hokkaido Scallops with acorn squash purée, fried Marcona almonds, crispy sunchokes, maple-sherry...
Burrata Through the Seasons Under the Sun Pub & Pizza | Boulder, Colo.
Burrata with housemade focaccia, mint-pea mash, asparagus, breadcrumbs, pickled shallots and micro...
PB&J Grows Up Sado | St. Louis
Black Sesame Semifreddo with matcha-feuilletine crust, blackberry reduction and candied white sesame...
Putting an American Twist on Schnitzel Union Hall | Valparaiso, Ind.
Turkey schnitzel, lettuce, onion and cranberry-mustard aïoli ...
This Floral-Infused Butter Is a Menu Game Changer Asheville Proper | Asheville, N.C.
House-Whipped Hibiscus Butter over grilled steak Photo Credit: Carrie Turner...
Marrying Pepper Jack and Pretzel Buns Hat Creek Burger Company | Austin, Texas
Two beef patties with pepper jack cheese, pickles, avocado and honey mustard on a pretzel bun Photo...
Taking Mezze to the Max Ladyhawk | Los Angeles
Mezze Table Platter with hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, labneh, batata harra, muhammara, olives,...
Ramen on a Roll The Trough Sandwich Kitchen | Orange County, Calif.
The Chasu Sandwich with braised pork, soy-marinated egg, pickled ginger, Japanese-style mayo and...










