I’ve long worshipped at the altar of pulled pork — even traveling to noted barbecue joints across the Carolinas in search of the “hoggy grail.” The version at Iron Oak is a gourmand’s dream, elevating each element with an eye to fine-dining technique. The salted pretzel bun is an inspired choice with more heft and resistance than the soft bread you normally encounter. The juicy, slow-smoked shredded Duroc pork is topped with creamy, crunchy house slaw, paper-thin shaved red onion, and a schmear of grainy mustard. And with dramatic flair worthy of Brutus, a serrated knife impales a pickle on the top as it thrusts through to the parchment-lined metal tray below. I combined squirts of two tabletop sauces (sweet maple-rye and vinegar with scotch bonnet) with divine results. 917 11th St., Palm Harbor. 727-754-7337, ironoakbbq.com. —JPC
Food & Drink: Feast on this massive celebration of local comestibles and imbibables.
- Runner Up: Ulele
- Runner Up: Columbia Restaurant
Eastern minimalist Asian desserts are usually too simple and underwhelming for a Western culinary sensibility. Happily, Pin Wok & Bowl’s choice to combine Banana Coins with coconut ice cream is an inspired mashup. Slices of banana are wrapped in little phyllo packets, fried till crisp and golden, then drizzled with honey and topped with a light sprinkle of white-and-black sesame seeds. House-made coconut ice cream is creamily scrumptious, drizzled with lightly caramelized condensed milk and paired with some fresh whipped cream. I urge you to try them together as we did by serendipity. It’s a match made in heaven, or at least downtown St. Pete’s version of Bangkok. 445 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-575-7167. —Jon Palmer Claridge
Thuy Le’s kitchen produces nuanced plates are often revelatory, and same goes for the edamame appetizer. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of these soybean pods over the years — and they’re mostly the same: steamed, sprinkled with salt and pleasant, yet notmemorable. Asie’s version knocks me on my ass. They’re simply superlative. The spicy pods are slightly charred and in a viscous soy-garlic sauce that’s as surprising as it is delicious. As if that weren’t enough, they’re garnished with tiny bits of crispy pork belly. Don’t miss ’em. 437 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-898-4300, asiepanasian.com. —JPC
- Runner Up: Clearwater Bagels
- Runner Up: Dunedin Bagels & Deli
- Runner Up: La Segunda Central Bakery
- Runner Up: Publix
- Runner Up: Bad Santa Bar Crawl - St. Pete
- Runner Up: Tampa Noles Pub Crawl - Ybor
- Runner Up: Engine No. 9
- Runner Up: Clear Sky Draught Haus
