Best of 2011: Runners-Up for Duck and Turkey

Eating our way through the city to determine the best of the best is no easy task. The hard thing about naming something the "best" is that we had to leave behind many very, very good dishes. So to honor those wayward souls, here are some great plates worthy of mention. Today: Duck and Turkey.

Kin Shop's super spicy duck laab won for best use of the bird, but other delicious ducky dishes include the duck lunch at Momofuku Ssäm Bar (with the rotisserie duck being a top fave), the super-tender duck salad at the just-opened Mas (la grillade), Soba-Ya's duck soba, and the delectable duck meatloaf at Buttermilk Channel.

Yes, turkey is primarily eaten for Thanksgiving and we rarely see it on dinner menus. That said, many New York City chefs are making killer turkey sandwiches. Court Street Grocers nabbed the win for Best Use of Turkey with its turkey club, which features duck-fat-cooked dark meat and herb-roasted breast meat. But you'd be wise to do a turkey sammy circuit, also checking out the sumptuous turkey-leg sandwich at Henry Public and the ultra-moist hero served at Torrisi Italian Specialties. Those are the clear two runners-up, but if you are feeling hungry for Thanksgiving, head to Oxley's Carvery, which makes a carved turkey sandwich topped with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It's just like Thanksgiving, only without the annoying relatives at hand.

For more dining news, head to Fork in the Road, or follow us @ForkintheRoadVV, or me @ldshockey.