Things you must eat in 2010

If you were lucky in 2009, you probably had a few darn good meals. And if the food gods really shone on you, maybe you had one or two phenomenal finds, the kind that inspire cookbooks and make for the start of love affairs (even if they're with ingredients).

If not, then make 2010 a better food year. Make this the year that you:

Let omakase sweep you away--Once upon a time, in a land far, far away I let a wild, white-haired man order for me in a traditional Japanese restaurant called a yakitoriya. It was the most memorable meal of my life, that is, until I tried the chef's tasting menu at Morimoto's. I feasted on some of the most incredible foods I've ever had, including sushi, sashimi and lobster on a half shell. Please note that until that night, I'd never met a lobster that I enjoyed. My eyes are opened to a whole new way of eating, and I have Moriomoto to thank for that. You can too, for $80, $120 or $150.

Mix your messages--Say goodbye to the era of chocolate desserts dominating a menu. Now it's all about fruits and spices and actual, individual flavors, which mix and mingle on a plate. One that will drive you crazy is the banana bread pudding, topped with pumpkin ice cream from Chloe. This is the dessert that will redefine your expectations of what belongs together.

Family dinner--You had great memories of eating as a group from your childhood. Relive those with the Sunday Suppers at Supper. On the first Sunday of the month, you can gather for a family-style prix fixe menu that utilizes local, fresh ingredients. This is not to be missed.

Surprise me--OK, those are my big hits for the year, but I've found that food is that much more amazing when you're least expecting it. If you start your day like any other and end up discovering the unique, well, there's no comparing it. That's my last wish for 2010--uncovering a true gem.