Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email [email protected]
49: Manti from Golden Valley
It is said that sackfuls of manti, a type of dumpling, were taken across Central Asia to Anatolia by migrating Turks, and that Turkic and Mongol horsemen carried them frozen or dried because they could be quickly boiled over a campfire.
Sans campfire and freshly prepared, we ate ours at Golden Valley, the new restaurant near the intersection of 19th Avenue and Northern serving up Uzbek and Mediterranean cuisine, and understood how these gift-wrapped packages of goodness would make any journey delicious.
Given its legacy, there are several variations of manti. Ours were filled with tender, seasoned lamb, onions, herbs, and cumin seeds wrapped in dough, steamed, and topped with sprinkles of parsley.
To eat one like a pro, bite of a corner, then lift it up and let the juices drip into your spoon -- that's your first delicious taste of what's to come -- the rest is all fork and knife, and if you'd like, a bit of sour cream. Like a lightly-seasoned stew gift-wrapped in dough, the flavor is comforting, rustic, with the distinct aroma of cumin adding to its warm, earthy deliciousness.
Miss a dish?
100: Beckett's Original Grilled Cheese from Beckett's Table
99: Golden Gazpacho from Rita's Kitchen
98: The Med Plate from La Bocca
97: Cash Sandwich from Main Ingredient Ale House
96: Sonoran Hot Dog from Nogales Hot Dogs
95: Fattoush Salad from Al-Hana Restaurant at Baiz Market
94: Croissant from Essence Bakery Cafe
93: Funghi Pizza from The Parlor
92: Baynchaiv Crepes from Sekong by Night
90: Slice of Pepperoni Pizza from Mamma Mia
89: Hot Bollix Spicy Potato Balls from Rula Bula
88: Chicken Lo Mein from Desert Jade
86: Barra Vieja Shrimp from Mucho Gusto
85: Wild Mushroom Ravioli from Merc Bar
84: Cochinta Pobil from Taberna Mexico
83: Filet and Crab Cake from Cheuvront
82: The Dragon Roll from Stingray Sushi
81: Cornmeal Crusted Calamari from Kitchen 56
80: Mongolian Delight from Loving Hut
79: Pappardelle Bolognese from Amaro Pizzeria
78: Torta El Rey from Torta El Rey
77: Artichoke and Clams from Iruna
75: Gollo Burro from Casa Reynoso74: Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Ticoz Resto-Bar
73: Brussels Sprout Salad from Chelsea's Kitchen
72: Short Rib Hash from Bonfire Grill
71: Grilled, Double-Pork Chop from Tarbell's
69: Paprika Schnitzel from Haus Murphy's
68: Roast Beef Sandwich from Hanny's
67: Lebanese Chicken from Middle Eastern Bakery & Deli
66: Shrimp Corfu from Romeo's Euro Café
65: Hawaiian Butterfish from Trader Vic's
64: Barbecue Rib Tips from Stacy's Smokehouse
63: Meatball Sandwich from DeFalco's Italian Grocery & Deli
62: The Chicago Brizza from Scramble
61: White Braise de Clams from Cave & Ive's Portico Grill
60: Chicken Quesadilla from Papago Brewing
59: Asparagus and Havarti Panini from Bertha's Cafe
58: Foie Gras Creme Brulee from Petite Maison
57: Italian Sausage Sub from Calabria Italian Kitchen
56: Caribbean Candy Bar from Havana Café
55: The Oggie from Cornish Pasty Co.
54: Chicken Handi from the Curry Corner
53: Chocolate Fry Bread from The Fry Bread House
52: Gruyere Popovers from BLT Steak
51: Pho Filet Dac Biet from Pho Thanh
50: Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits and Sausage Gravy from Over Easy
Stomach full? Get some eye candy for dessert over on Jackalope Ranch with our Imagine PHX series.
