I ate a lot of good things this year. This is an exciting time to be writing about food in Clark County. Vancouver’s booming downtown and the developing waterfront area will continue to keep me well fed next year. To choose my favorite meals, I looked at the three things I think most of you look for: food, service and atmosphere. It is hard to tease one thing out of those three categories because going out to eat is an experience. When we are happy and comfortable, food tastes better.
1. Su Casa Marquez. I often find myself at Maurilia Marquez’s cozy Mexican restaurant on Fourth Plain Boulevard. The food is what you expect to be served in the home of a great cook. I came to try the tacos, but I keep returning for the papusas. When they arrive fresh from the grill they are a masterpiece of earthy grilled masa filed with gooey cheese and a variety of other fillings. I like the ayote — strips of shredded squash swirled into the creamy cheese. The side of curtido (pickled cabbage relish) that accompanies the papusas, cuts the creaminess with its fermented complexity.
2. Little Conejo. Mychal Dynes and Mark Wooten have taken tacos to a higher level with their friendly, modern rabbit-themed mezcal and taco restaurant on the corner of Washington and Sixth streets. Their obsession-worthy tortillas start with gold corn kernels from Chihuahua and end on the grill as steaming earthy tortillas filled with velvety slow cooked meats (and a vegetarian option). Most Fridays, you will find me eating more tacos than would seem humanly possible, washed down with their citrus-y smoky margaritas.
3. Smokin’ Oak Pit & Drinkery. Co-owner Bryan Rodgers brought his family recipes and barbecue expertise to this swanky pit and drinkery located next to Loowit Brewing Company. Don’t let the fancy digs fool you, this is real-deal Central Texas barbecue. Brisket is king in Central Texas and this brisket is exceptional. The spareribs and generously portioned sides also make for good eats and are best washed down with one of the smoky cocktails created by co-owner Erick Gill.
