I’ve been meaning to do this for weeks, and many others already have. Very Good Taste has put out a list of 100 items that every good omnivore should have at least tried once. My job here is to bold the ones that I have tried, and then feel inadequate for those that I have not.
What, that’s not how this works?
Feel free to address any of these in the comments of this post.
Yes it’s link bait, but it’s interesting link bait.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison – This is nearly a Western Pennsylvanian staple.
2.Nettle tea
3.Huevos rancheros
4.Steak tartare – At Emeril’s place in the Venetian in Las Vegas
5.Crocodile Many years ago at crab shack outside of New Orleans.
6.Black pudding – On therecent trip to Scotland.
7.Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi – There’s a restaurant in Herndon, VA which used to make a kick ass version of this.
15. Hot dog from a street cart – in Columbus, OH, of all places.
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle – shaved on top of mushroom soup counts, yes?
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes – Blackberries.
19. Steamed pork buns – Hum Bows here in Seattle.
20. Pistachio ice cream – Made my own as a matter of fact (and record).
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras – Several times.
24. Rice and beans – Also in New Orleans. With hot sauce. Yum.
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper – Never again.
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters – There’s an oyster bar not three blocks from my house.
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi – I’m not a fan.
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar – What’s a cigar have to do with food?
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O – From my misspent youth.
39. Gumbo – Made as a gift for me with a bit of king cake. That was a good day.
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects – I have no problem with this in theory.
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk – Raw goats milk, to boot. And yes, I’m bragging.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more – Let’s just say yes to this.
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala – In Glasgow, of all places.
48. Eel – Hell yes. I loves me some eel.
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut – Hot. Of course.
50. Sea urchin – Fresh Uni makes me weep.
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone – in a chowder.
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal – Most kids in America can lay claim to this I’m guessing.
56. Spaetzle – At a German restaurant in Whistler, BC.
57. Dirty gin martini – First made for my by Krysta back in 2002.
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips – Just to try them. Purchased at our local food co-op. Not a fan.
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian – I want to, but am actually a bit reticent. I want to make sure I get the best durian experience possible, which is not always possible when all the fruits are imported.
66. Frogs’ legs – Am I the only person who thinks these don’t taste like chicken?
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake – Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
68. Haggis – Good Haggis is a thing to savor. Bad Haggis is another way to describe paste.
69. Fried plantain – At a Cuban Restaurant in Alexandria, VA.
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost – I eat so much cheese that I may have without knowing. But I’ll leave this as a no for now.
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie – As a kid, these were highly coveted. Today they remind me of foods farmers use to fatten their pigs. How times change.
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong – There may be some left in my cupboard even now.
80. Bellini – A brunch without a bellini is like a cookout without hotdogs.
81. Tom yum – At a Thai place here in Seattle.
82. Eggs Benedict – Of course.
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. – I have not had the opportunity to visit a Michelin rated restaurant. I have eaten at several Beard award winners though.
85. Kobe beef – Hard to say. I’ve had Wagyu beef, but it’s unlikely they were raised in the Kobe style (regardless of what the menu said).
86. Hare – Rabbit, yes. Hare, no.
87. Goulash
88. Flowers In both soups and teas.
89. Horse – Nothing against eating horse, I just never had the opportunity.
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam – I do come from humble beginnings.
92. Soft shell crab – Deep fried, of course.
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish – I had a catfish sandwich just last night, oddly enough.
95. Mole poblano – First time was at a decent but short lasted authentic Mexican restaurant in Columbus, OH. They used chocolate.
96. Bagel and lox – Too many times to count.
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee – I’ve never splurged.
100. Snake – Made chili with it. Quite good.
So that’s 70 out of 100. Is that good or bad?
