As is the tradition at Eater, our closeout of the year is a survey of friends, industry types, and bloggers. This year, we asked the group eight questions, from Meal of the Year to Top Standbys. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the week. Responses are related in no particular order.
Image of Boke Bowl by Dina Avila
Q: Describe 2011 in one word.
Ben Waterhouse, editor, Willamette Week: "Ramen."
Peter Szymczak, editor, NW Palate: "Momentous": Lots of expansion on the city's food and drink scene this past year, primed to wow visitors during the Wine Bloggers Conference and Feast in 2012.
Karen Brooks, restaurant editor, Portland Monthly: "Recharged."
Danielle Centoni, editor, MIX: "Predictable."
Tony Perez, food editor, Portland Mercury: "Tavern-y."
Don Bourassa, community director, Yelp Portland: Does "grand-opening" count as one word?
Allison Jones, Portland Monthly contributing food editor and Eat Beat blogger: "Pseudo-casual."
Brett Burmeister, chief food cart enthusiast, FoodCartsPortland.com: "Lardo."
Byron Beck, gossip columnist, radio and TV host, Eater contributor: "Transformative."
Michael Russell, restaurant reporter and critic, The Oregonian: "Filling."
Mike Thelin, Feast co-founder and Cooking Channel talking head: "Over."
