Food Experts Share Their Best Meal of 2015

As per tradition, Eater asked a group of journalists, bloggers and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Here, experts share their favorite meal of 2015.

Nevin Martell, freelance food writer: Any date night meal I had a chance to enjoy out with my wife. Given our parenting responsibilities and work obligations, they were were few and far between, but they were all memorable.

Laura Hayes, freelance food writer/Thrillist DC: The hot pot meal at The Source. It's Scott Drewno in top form and the best thing to come out of the restaurant's major renovation. You bib up, take an Instagram photo, and then wait for five courses of land and sea treasures to arrive at your table, which you then cook yourself in a caldron of broth that's been bubbling for 20 hours. They could charge far more than $65 a person, but shhhh.

Svetlana Legetic, Brightest Young Things founder: Bolognese at Mintwood is my anytime single favorite thing in the city. But I did have a very great, very creatively beverage paired tasting menu meal at Iron Gate and I'd like to use this opportunity to give them a shout out.

Holley Simmons, Express: Garrison pretty much blew me away. I was on every wavelength of chef Rob Weland's cooking.

Bill DeBaun, DC Beer: Kyle Bailey's wild boar snout-to-tail dinner at Birch & Barley

Rebecca Cooper, Washington Business Journal: It's a toss-up between a special occasion and something routine: I had an amazing dinner at Crane & Turtle, especially the Goan trout vindaloo and the tataki. One the other end, one of my most memorable dining experiences of the year was a simple brunch on the patio during an Indian summer Sunday at Chez Billy Sud in Georgetown. Smoked fish rillete, rosé, perfect music and ambiance.

Alicia Mazzara, DCist: I feel like I was lucky to try many amazing dishes this year, but as far as an entire meal, the pork belly slider, baked oysters, steak with truffles, and peanut butter cake with celery ice cream at The Dabney.

Carole Sugarman, outgoing Bethesda Magazine critic: Dinner at Bistro Provence--oven-roasted organic peppers marinated in olive oil with fried goat cheese and nicoise olives; veal chop special; lemon torte

Eun Yang, NBC 4: Dinner at The Inn at Little Washington was wonderful, start to finish.

Tom Sietsema, Washington Post critic: A Friday lunch that edged into dinner at Galatoire's, the fabled New Orleans restaurant. The hours-long meal reminded me of the power of good company, good service — and a good Sazerac.

Warren Rojas, Roll Call: Three-way tie between dinner at Komi (the roasted goat is sublime), brunch at Woodberry Kitchen (So relaxed. So delicious.) and consuming every last bit of New Orleans during a buddy's bachelor party weekend.

Tommy McFly, 94.7 Fresh FM: Medium Rare (every time)

Jessica Sidman, Washington City Paper: I celebrated my birthday with dinner at Marcel's and then got engaged immediately afterward, so yeah, I really can't top that. The food and wine lived up to a really special moment.

Rina Rapuano, freelance food writer/Zagat: Blue Duck Tavern early this year. The highlights were the braised rabbit tagliatelle with smoked carrots, kale and rabbit liver mousse; crispy pork head cheese; and an upscale banana cream pie.

Stefanie Gans, Northern Virginia Magazine critic: Everything at Fiola Mare, except the prices.

Cori Sue Morris and Stephanie Covello, Bitches Who Brunch: We finally did the 24-courses at Rogue 24 and must say it was incredible.