Have you ever had one of those meals that you just can’t get out of your head? Do you keep dreaming of returning to that one restaurant? Did you recently discover a recipe that you can’t stop cooking on repeat, because it’s just that good?This week, we're wrapping up 2023 by reflecting on our most memorable dishes – these are the foods that inspired us, connected us to friends, or added a new dish to our repertoire. We’re exploring what makes a meal stand out: is it the ingredients, the recipe, the ambiance, the company? All of it?! We’re sharing the dishes we want to return to again and again, whether it’s traveling back to an amazing eatery or recreating a dish in our home kitchens.Before we step into the new year, we’re taking a short break over the next few weeks, but we can’t wait to reconnect in 2024. We wish you all a peaceful, wonderful holiday season and a new year ahead full of food, friends, and memorable meals!***Links to from this week’s show:Buck & Johnny’s in Beaux Bridge, LAChef Josephine LaCosta’s Elbows Catering in Portland, ORLa Merenda farm heirloom beans Kenji Lopez-Alt’s Crispy Bar-Style Pizza via Serious EatsMonical’s Pizza in Illinois Rusa PDX and Sonya’s article about Chef Sasanna and her foodTamaliza Cafe in Sedona, AZHow to make tepache at home by Mely Martinez/Mexico in my kitchen Instant pot congee by Maggie Zhu/Ominvore’s CookbookStovetop congee by Fuchsia Dunlop via the NY TimesFind out more about Chef Minh Phan of Porridge and Puffs, and Phenakite***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Order Sonya’s debut cookbook Braids