Ep 5. Crazy Creations

The Best Thing I Ever Ate is back for its 12th season, and this episode is all about Crazy Creations. The premise of the show is simple: food experts and celebrities share their favorite dishes from restaurants all over the country.

First up is Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, who picks a dish from Cosme in New York City. It's called the Husk Meringue, and it's a sweet and savory dessert that's made with corn husk meringue, caramel, and corn mousse. Alex raves about how light and airy the meringue is, and how it contrasts perfectly with the rich caramel and corn flavors. She says it's like nothing she's ever tasted before.

Next, we hear from Chef Michael Symon, who selects a dish from a restaurant in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The dish is called the Lobster Roesti, and it's from a restaurant called Lola. It features a hash brown crust, chunks of lobster, and a poached egg on top. Michael says it's the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and briny flavors.

Actor Laila Ali is up next, and she picks a dish from a restaurant called N/Naka in Los Angeles. The dish is called the Sablefish Tempura, and it's a twist on traditional Japanese tempura. It's made with sablefish, which is a more buttery and flavorful fish than other types of tempura fish. Laila says the dish is light and crispy, and the dipping sauce is the perfect complement.

Chef Andrew Zimmern is next, and his pick sounds particularly interesting. He chooses a dish from a restaurant called Dusek's Board and Beer in Chicago. The dish is called the PB&J Foie Gras, and it's exactly what it sounds like: foie gras, peanut butter, and jelly. Andrew says it's a perfect example of how sweet and savory flavors can work together, and that the foie gras is cooked perfectly.

Next up is Chef Jet Tila, who chooses a dish from a Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles called Sari Sari Store. The dish is called the Halo Halo, which means "mix mix" in Tagalog. It's a dessert with shaved ice, sweetened beans, fruits, and jellies, topped with condensed milk and a scoop of ube ice cream. Jet says it's the perfect way to balance sweet and salty flavors.

Lastly, we hear from Chef Duff Goldman, who picks a dish from a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland called The Food Market. The dish is called the Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl, and it's a twist on traditional Korean kimchi fried rice. It's made with short rib, cilantro, and a sunny-side-up egg on top. Duff says it's the perfect comfort food, and that the flavors are bold and delicious.

Overall, this episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate features some truly unique and innovative dishes from all over the country. From sweet and savory desserts to twists on classic dishes, there's something for everyone to enjoy.