2016 Hot Minute Awards

2 years ago we published our first Hot Minute Awards –  a year long compilation of our favorite food, drink, people and places. I think 2015 slipped right by us, and in reflecting on how monumental our last year has been, we felt compelled to remember and highlight the best of it.

So, without further ado we present our 2016 HOT MINUTE AWARDS:

Favorite Date Nights: Society Fair Demo Kitchen, Scott’s 33rd Birthday, our last date night in DC and our first WNY date night.

Favorite Restaurant Experience (cocktails + food):  Red Hen DC, and  Aro Bar de Tapas in Buffalo.

Favorite Restaurant Decor:  Homestead, DC

Favorite Event: Pink Tie Party, Rammys, Kentucky Derby Party

Best Mexican Restaurant Experience: Hacienda Sisal in Mexico, and Mariachi de Oro in Medina.

Best Winery:  Paradise Springs, in Virginia and Freedom Run in Lockport, NY. 

Best Winery Experience: Chateau Niagara in Newfane.

Favorite Restaurant Opening:  Bonfire DC, Ru’s Pierogi in Buffalo

Best Patio:  Brabo in Old Town, Alexandria

Best French Cuisine: Bastille, Le Diplomat

Best Appetizer: Bacon Onion Tart from Central, and the Tuna Package at Zambistro

Most Photogenic Cocktail: the Gaia (no longer available) at Magnolias on King, several from Stanton and Greene, DC

Best Brunch:  Earl’s Kitchen + Bar in Tyson’s Corner

Best Bakery/Cafe : Lait Cru Brasserie  in Buffalo and Junction Bakery in Del Ray, Virginia.

Vacation Spot:  Mexico, Adirondacks

Favorite Cocktail Bar: Buffalo Proper, PX in Old Town

Best Burger: Marble + Rye, Good Luck

Best Opportunity to Overcome Fears:  Ziplining in Mexico

Best Dressed: DC Fashion Fool, Simply Sylvia

Best Travel Bloggers: The Gay Traveler, Dining Traveler

Favorite Photographers: Joffoto and Lauren Werkheiser Photography

Local Rochester Blog: Pastiche

Local Buffalo Blog: Yeah! Buffalo

Favorite Instagram Account (and blog): The Farmhouse Project

Favorite Athlete: Tyrod Taylor – in Tyrod I trust!

Our Favorite Posts of 2016: I’m Not Political, I’m Human,  The 5 Mistakes we Made Moving Home, Dear Minnesota, The Grand Bedroom Reveal, and of course – our post announcing our move home, The Secret is Out.

And there you have it – the big winners of 2016. Sadly, there are a million other places and people that gave us so much to be thankful for this year, and it was hard not to mention each one. We’ve grown a lot and had our hands full juggling the excitement of finally being home and the grief of leaving DC, but we are better and stronger for it. Scott and I have some major projects lined up for 2017, and we are eager to continue to share all of our dating adventures with you. Thank you all for continuing to read and support us – love and best wishes to you all for an exceptional new year!