I’m a savory foods person who won’t typically order desserts at restaurants – I just can’t commit to a whole portion! I do, on the other hand, love to share desserts. Less is more in my book.

In 2018, I was fortunate to have sampled some amazing desserts and below are my seven favorite desserts of the year.

Here’s the list in restaurant name alphabetical order.

Braun’s Tavern, Bloomfield, NJ – The Irish Car Bomb was everything I could have asked for: Guinness chocolate cake with Irish cream mascarpone and bourbon caramel. Oh, and tiny white chocolate curls to gild the lily.

Chloe by Haidar Karoum, Washington, DC – the Meyer Lemon Tart with Graham cracker crust, meringue and blueberry relish is not only Instagramable it’s light and citrusy and the perfect ending to the outstanding meal we had at this award-winning restaurant.

Common Lot, Millburn, NJ – The chocolate caramel tart for two was sublime at this popular restaurant and for good reasons. It’s decadent with great texture and shareable.

Heirloom Kitchen,Old Bridge, NJ – We were served the lightest, most velvety Japanese cheesecake with citrus flavors after an award-worthy meal and it might have been the star dish of the evening.

Luigi’s Ice Cream, Jersey City, NJ (and other locations) – I visited the food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar boozy rolled ice cream shop at its Ani Ramen location in Jersey City and was wowed by the product. My Frangelico Hazelnut Rocher concoction was incredible with the luscious Frangelico and chocolate cream and great crunch from the Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

Maritime Parc, Jersey City, NJ – Pastry Chef John Sauchelli personally delivered what might be my favorite dessert of 2018 – rhubarb cobbler ice cream sundae.

South + Pine American Eatery, Morristown, NJ – I try not to order the same thing twice at my favorite restaurants but I make an exception at S+P for the decadent butterscotch pudding. It’s a generous portion to be shared with friends that looks deceivably simple but packs a big caramel punch.

Here’s to a sweet 2019!

Veronique