Here at Baltimore magazine, we pretty much always have local food on the brain. But it’s really at the forefront of our minds this time of year, when our annual Best Restaurants issue hits stands. As such, we’ve established a tradition of asking our staff about the best things they’ve eaten at local dining destinations within the past year. This time around, answers ranged from stuffed sandwiches and enchiladas at casual eateries to crab cakes and plates of pasta at special-occasion spots.

Read on for inspo for your next dining-out adventure, and pick up a copy of our Best Restaurants issue on newsstands to check out more best bites from deputy editor Jane Marion and her team of seasoned restaurant reviewers.

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor
A dish of smoked chicken and black mole at Blacksauce Kitchen, Damian Mosley’s Remington restaurant. Denzel Mitchell Jr., who often cooks there, smoked the chicken and made the mole, which I dearly wish he’d bottle.

Christianna McCausland, Special Editions Editor
The methi murgh (heat level 5) at The Mint Leaf in Cockeysville. Unassuming location, amazing Indian food.

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer
Golden West has a great sopapilla enchiladas that is terrific hangover food.

Ethan McLeod, Contributing Writer
The gnocchi at Daniela Pasta & Pastries in Hampden. Unforgettable.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor
Of all the great dishes I had this year (and there were many), I keep thinking about Little Donna’s pierogies—and that perfect bite of red chile garlic oil, lemon and buttery potatoes, and a dollop of sour cream. How you make an old-school pierogi taste so thrilling and crave-worthy is pure magic.

Lauren Cohen, Digital Senior Editor
The big-as-your-face vanilla yogurt bowl at Easy Like Sunday, which is topped with beautiful berries, swirls of honey, and handfuls of house granola. It’s just one of those combinations you can’t recreate on your own no matter how hard you try.

Lorann Cocca, Director of Marketing
Over the summer I had a sweet potato polenta dish from Water For Chocolate and have thought about it almost every day since.

Lydia Woolever, Senior Editor
Hands down the cabbage pancake at Little Donna’s. Such a delightfully surprising dish in a moment when so many menus feel the same.

Marie Bosslett, Editorial Intern
The best thing I ate last year was the rigatoni alla vodka from Tagliata in Harbor East.

Marty LeGrand, Senior Contributing Writer
Literally a bite of a dining companion’s succulent lamb chop at Rudy’s Mediterranean Grill in Columbia. Next time I’ll definitely order my own!

Max Weiss, Editor-in-Chief

This might be recency bias, but a few weeks ago I had the Italian Pork Sandwich special at Chuck’s Trading Post—slow roasted pork with rapini, chimichurri, provolone, and pepperoncinis on a sub roll. Add it to the menu, Chuck’s!

Michael Teitelbaum, President

The torta di melenzane appetizer at Limoncello is magnifico. (Translation: The eggplant Parmesan appetizer is magnificent.)

Mitro Hood, Contributing Photographer
Gertie’s crab cakes from Gertrude’s at the BMA.

Ron Cassie, Senior Editor
Favorite bite this year so far is Mera Kitchen Collective’s falafel sandwich—house-made pickles, cucumber, tomato tahini salad, plus a nice spicy jalapeño dressing—served in a toasty pita. Peak cold weather vegan comfort food.

In honor of our annual Best Restaurants issue, we polled our staff about the best things they’ve eaten at local restaurants in the past year or so. While some were blown away by the sophistication of a dish at a fine-dining destination, for others, nothing could compare to a simple (albeit well-executed) cheeseburger or cup of soup. Read on to browse for yourself, and pick up a copy of our Best Restaurants issue on newsstands to check out more best bites from deputy editor Jane Marion and her team of seasoned restaurant reviewers.

Alicia Corman, Assistant Art Director

Despite living only a few blocks away, we finally made it to CookHouse for dinner at the end of the year and were blown away by the steak frites, cocktails, and dessert (which we never go for, but everyone around us had these amazing concoctions and it was my birthday, so we had to indulge).

Amy Scattergood, Research Editor

My last dinner at NiHao in Canton, the outstanding Peking duck, was also my favorite—and the last I’ll have for a while, as the restaurant just closed for a reboot. They say they’ll keep the duck on the menu. Please. It’s the best version of the dish I’ve had, other than one in, well, Beijing.

Christopher Myers, Contributing Photographer

The cannoli at Vaccaro’s are just ridiculous. Can’t be in Little Italy without a pit stop there.

Isaiah Winters, Contributing Photographer

The vegan burger at Bar 1801 for me.

Janelle Erlichman Diamond, Home Editor

For me it’s the gambas al ajillo at Tapas Teatro. You can’t beat shrimp sizzling in olive oil, garlic, and parsley. It’s so simple, but like a punch to your tastebuds.

J.M. Giordano, Contributing Photographer

The smashburger at The Royal Blue.

Jodi Hammerschlag, Senior Account Executive

The French onion soup at Petit Louis Bistro…every bite is the best.

Lydia Woolever, Senior Editor

Last winter, Le Comptoir du Vin had this sourdough toast with braised leeks, Stilton, and anchovies—a seemingly simply but brilliantly decadent culmination of flavors that I’ve thought and talked about many times since.

Max Weiss, Editor in Chief

I’m cheating and picking four: the pancit bihon from Heritage Kitchen, the white pizza with sausage and hot peppers from JBGB’s, the clam spaghetti from True Chesapeake Oyster Co., and the sesame balls from Asian Court.

Michelle Coughlan, Senior Account Executive

The Greek avgolemono soup at Ouzo Bay. Tastes just like my YiaYia used to make.

Mike Unger, Senior Contributing Writer

The short rib at Thatcher & Rye in Frederick. It’s smoked then cooked sous vide, then grilled, and every bite is blissful.

Ron Cassie, Senior Editor

Don’t know which was the best bite, but I know it was at Little Donna’s.

Stephanie Shapiro, Vice President of Sales

My best bite was the matzoh ball soup at the Reisterstown Diner. Who knew.