2024 was dominated by quick bites. But we had quite a few legendary meals that go down in Frugal Foodies flavor history…
Here are my 4 most delicious meals of 2024!
4. Bye NYC! Dinner at Duzan
Duzan is a Middle Eastern spot in Queens that serves up the kind of food I dream about. Jeremy and I went the night before leaving NYC to head to our first contract at sea as future cruise consultants, and it was one of our most delicious meals of 2024.
The start, the arayes rattled my taste buds. Arayes is a Lebanese street food that consists of a grilled pita stuffed with ground meat. The meat had an absurd amount of herbs and spices with notes of cumin, paprika, garlic, and something warm…. cinnamon perhaps? The meat was tender and juicy, the pita was crunchy, and everything about it just worked.
We also got a falafel bowl with hummus, baba ghanoush, eggplant, and a mixed veggie pickled salad of sorts. Pita on the side. The falafel was mega crunchy without being dry, and both dips were smooth and creamy. Dips with bread is one of my favorite things, so of course I loved this platter.
The star of the show, however, was the chicken shawarma wrap. This sucker was LOADED with ultra juicy chicken, hummus, and the perfect amount of a tomato and onion salad. We also got some sort of spicy sauce added in that took it over the edge. Not to mention, it was a cool $11.89 which is an insane value for the quantity and quality.
3. Hello Hawaii! at Skull and Crown Trading Co.
Skull and Crown Trading Co. is a modern tiki bar in Oahu that has a mean menu and stellar cocktails. It’s dark and moody, and the ambiance masterfully balances the titter totter between kitschy and trendy.
The cocktail list is extensive, yet expensive. But the price tag seems justified by the fact that acquiring all the ingredients to make just one of the 15 options would likely earn me a “Are you sure this is you?” ping from Chase. We each got two, and the winner was the “Bird of Paradise” which had dark rum, coffee rum, campari, smith and cross (whatever that is) pineapple, limes, and bitters. It had an unusually beautiful symphony of flavors that I would have never expected to pair so harmoniously.
The food was just as impressive, with the highlight being the lettuce wraps. It had mega juicy roasted pork tossed with garlic chili, onions, herbs, crispy shallots, and pickles. Each bite had a blend of fresh herbs with pops of heat and acid. And the addition of the fried shallots and pickles added the perfect crunch factor.
We finished out the meal with a slice of ube tres leches. (Learn about the history of tres leches HERE!) The cake was delicate and moist, making the perfect canvas for the coconut ube whipped cream to shine.
This meal was not frugal. But the thing about doing a Hawaii cruise is that you have 5 sea days to get to Hawaii and 5 sea days back. A splurge seems warranted. Especiallly when it’s as delicious as Skull and Crown trading co!
2. Ciao Bella! Sandwich in from All’Atinico Vinaio in Milan
All’Antico Vinaio is a famous Florentine sandwich shop that has recently made a splash in NYC. Foodies have been going feral for the super loaded, super expensive sandwiches. I checked out the Nomad locale and thought it was fine, but not worth the hype. (Get my review HERE).
While wandering around Milan on our first day, we stumbled upon an All’Antico Vinaio. It was my frugal foodie obligation to check out the prices. Lo and behold, a nearly identical menu for nearly half the price
We went for the Paradiso, which has mortadella, stracciatella cheese, and pistachio cream for a cool 10€ total compared to $18USD before tax and tip. The bread was straight from the oven and they didn’t skimp on the mortadella and pistachio cream. Each bite was an epic mix of salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy. The one in New York wasn’t nearly as loaded nor as fresh
(Get the scoop on our two nights in Milan HERE!)
1. Hello 31! Meal in San Juan at Santaella
When I ponder the question, “What is the best meal you’ve ever had?” the dinner at Santaella for my 31st birthday comes to mind. It was during a Caribbean cruise on the Eurodam, and my parents just so happened to be sailing on a cruise that just so happened to have a late sail San Juan on my birthday.
The restaurant itself is cozy and dark, and the menu has modern Puerto Rican cuisine featuring flavors and ingredients found across the country. To start, we got ahi tuna skewers, a massive mushroom dish, fried shrimp bao, and a cubano. The ahi was about the best I’ve ever had with a clear flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The cubano had a unique twist of a donut-like bread that complimented the pork, cheese, pickles, and ham exceptionally well.
We were all full off the starters, but somehow made room for the mains. I got the whole fresh snapper, my mom got the pork shank, and I didn’t capture nor do I remember what Jeremy and my dad got. I do know everything was delicious.
The food was exceptional and the cocktails were superb. But was really made this meal special was the company and conversations. Working on ships means I miss a lot at home. Getting to spend a birthday with my parents and my (now) husband meant the world to me, and it’s why Santaella is #1 on my most delicious meals of 2024 list.
Cheers to my most delicious meals of 2024!
Read about my favorite quick bites of 2024 HERE and my favorite baked goods of 2024 HERE!
