Countdown to 2009: Angela's Top 10 Meals Eaten in Philadelphia-Area Restaurants in 2008

10. Parc
This Steven Starr mega bistro is only making it on my list because of their stellar dessert offerings. The Pot de Crème is out of this world and the Profiteroles with bittersweet chocolate sauce will have you thinking you are at a street corner cafe in Paris. All of the food, is, well, "brown" would be the best way to describe it. Seriously, walk by and ogle the entrees perched atop the cafe tables. All have a brown tone to them, even the green salad. It's weird.

9. Melange Cafe (Cherry Hill)
This place has been around for years, but somehow I had never made my way to it until a few months ago. I advise that you not wait years to go, as it was a delicious lunch. I had red roasted pepper soup and grilled lamb chop salad, but there were so many other choices that it's surprising that I haven't been back already. They also have a new location in Haddonfield that I'd like to try soon.

8. St. Stephen's Green
The first time I had dinner with Jill and Ross was at St. Stephen's. Ah memories. It's a cute little pub with a terrific and inventive menu, located in the Art Museum area. It's places like this that make me lament the fact that I don't live in that neighborhood.

7. Il Fiore (Collingswood) (no website of their own, but here's a recent review)
Delicious Italian food, on the cheap. The place is owned and run by an Albanian gentleman, but by the style of the food you'd never know he wasn't from Italy. If you are accustomed to the overindulgent, Cheesecake Factory-esque portion sizes, you might be slightly disappointed that the plates here are on the smaller side. But any rational human should recognize that it's perfect portion control.

6. Coquette
Been here twice. The first time involved a nearly rapturous macaroni and cheese gratin experience. The dish was made with Gruyere cheese and deliciously crispy lardons. The second visit involved great disappointment as the preparation had changed from the Gruyere/lardon combo to a slightly greasy bechamel sauce with pieces of ham. Big bummer. I'll still return, because the quaint little bistro on Bainbridge pulls off the ambiance that Parc strives so hard to foster.

5. London Grill
Also in the Art Museum area, London Grill has that feel of neighborhood bar hangout mixed with a respectable dining establishment. Always interesting, the food has not disappointed so far. High points for me included the Vegetarian Harvest Trio plate and the butternut squash cheesecake.

4. Supper
A lovely little restaurant tucked in a small South Street space offers an unusual menu full of hors d'oeuvres, small plates, large plates and desserts. The food was above par, but it is the overall dining experience at Supper that will keep me returning, especially to try their Sunday Supper.

3. Positano Coast
If you didn't lean over the edge of the second story outdoor balcony to peer down to Walnut Street, you'd think you were somewhere in the Mediterranean. The food is high quality and served in various portion sizes (they have an Italian tapas-style menu) and was the perfect place to catch a quick bite before heading to a movie at the Ritz Five.

2. FARMiCiA
This is a great place to eat healthy, mostly local food while not sacrificing taste or inventiveness in menu design. Their "Mega Dose of Vegetables & Grains" plate (available vegetarian or vegan) provides a cornucopia of seasonal items, certain to leave anyone sated. But carnivores, do not despair, for FARMiCiA has a great selection of meat based dishes as well. Plus you can pretend you are being healthy and order one of their "tonics" which include alcohol in their mixes.

1. James
Oh James. How we love thee so. Tributes have already been paid to your honor here on these pages, but it was not until recently that I had the pleasure of making your acquaintance. From the tagliatelle with duck and dark chocolate to the salted carmel dessert, each dish was a surprise and a delight. I will be back. Often.

Image Credit: Flickr user avlxyz