Root & Bone

One of the most interesting vegetable dishes of the year, the crisp and charred butternut squash are the center of the plate, but it’s what’s around it that makes it sing. A sea salt and black pepper marshmallow is brilliant (closer to fluffernutter in texture) and adds both a sweet and savoriness to the tangy …

In a year of major fried chicken openings, Root & Bone (helmed by two previous Top Chef contestants) took best in show with an unusual brine of sweet tea and a dusting of cayenne and lemon powder that both sweetens and brightens the already succulent meat. Tabasco honey and bourbon maple syrup are provided on …