Some meals I have to strain to recall, but others stay with me and I can recall the flavors as if I was eating the dish all over again. A recent example of this, is the Orange and Cauliflower Gnocchi I ate at Bar La Grassa. As I type this, the fragrant orange and caramelized cauliflower flavors come rushing back and I can almost feel the gnocchi melting on my tongue.

Another recent memorable bite for me is the Billi Bi soup from the amusement menu at Meritage in St. Paul. I have to admit – so many of my recent food memories come from Meritage. Chef Klein serves such amazing food!

The soup arrived at our table served in the cutest little tureen along with the tiniest spoon. But despite the small presentation, the flavor was huge – a richly infused flavor of mussels, cream and white wine. And as if the creamy soup isn’t enough, floating inside was a huge mussel with just the right amount of chew and saturated in the creamy soup’s flavors.