IN New York

Welcome to “One Dish at a Time,” my fresh new blog about NYC chefs’ creations that taste so amazing they prompt me to close my eyes, dismiss every sensation other than the ones in my mouth, breathe deeply, chew slowly, swallow eventually and purr “mmm.” Between you and me, however, I don’t find the word “blog” particularly appetizing. It reminds me of the sound one makes when he or she is, shall we say, relinquishing what has already been ingested, perhaps after a multi-course meal and one too many lychee martinis (not that it’s ever happened to me, of course). So, please consider this my “mmmlog.” Come back often. I promise to spare no adjective, simile or metaphor as I share with you some of the most spectacular things I’m lucky enough to eat in restaurants big and small, fancy and humble, in the five boroughs.

And now, my Top 10 mmms of 2009:

1. A half-moon of creamy foie gras torchon glazed with hibiscus-beet gelée and blood orange at Corton

2) Celery root and almond panna cotta topped with peekytoe crab and grapefruit at Rouge Tomate

3) Foie gras torchon “PB&J,” an open-face riff on the classic lunchbox sandwich (peanut butter and jelly), consisting of velvety foie gras, two grapes coated with cornflakes and port wine, strawberry-vanilla jam, brioche toast and macadamia nut butter at The Oak Room at The Plaza Hotel

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