Every year, I resolve to try new things-especially when it comes to ballparks, restaurants and cuisines. Due to some dietary restrictions, I haven’t been as successful in trying anything too adventurous foodwise. Odd scheduling prevented me from visiting many new ballparks in 2022.

The upcoming Chinese New Year reminded me that I’ve fallen short in the Asian food department in recent years. I haven’t had any Chinese restaurant adventures in a few years because I haven’t dined with my two adventurous companions in about five years.

As such, I’ve been enjoying more meals centered around comfort food-regardless of the ethnicity. In fact, the best meals-either before or after a baseball game, or anytime were of the Italian variety. While exceptional in many aspects, none were cutting edge, rather they were more traditional, but delicious.

It’s been years since I really enjoyed something interesting around Wrigley Field. Unless I’m hanging around the park for a postgame pop, the better dining options are a car ride away. Likewise, it’s been years that I’ve enjoyed anything spectacular around Guaranteed Rate Field and if I did venture to Chinatown, I’d probably default to a familiar haunt instead of something outside my comfort zone.

Easily the best postgame meal was at Caro Mio, with Nella and the two Jims. I loved the atmosphere’ small neighborhood with excellent artwork adorning the walls. I devoured the gnocchi Bolognese as quickly as you can say Ed Armbrister.

A month later, but on a Sunday afternoon after seeing the Cubs win, I made it to one of my favorites; LaVilla. Sitting at the bar and enjoying some irrelevant NFL game, I enjoyed the benefits of an old-school Italian dinner. LaVilla is one of my favorites because I can thoroughly enjoy multiple items on several visits and they’ll try and accommodate special requests. Ergo, an excellent rendition of beef stroganoff.

On my trip to Columbus Ohio, I veered off the highways and enjoyed a highly recommended meal at Milano Cafe in Lima, Ohio. The family has been in business since 1931, but has updated their look and menu. The stuffed (with ricotta) chicken parm was outstanding and the marinara sauce was the richest and most flavorful I’ve ever had (Sorry Mom). The accompanying salad and sweet tea (default) were nice but their unique bread service was addictive.

Because I didn’t make my usual trip to Arizona this past fall, my last game of the year provided me with a bonus, postgame meal. After watching the Phillies eliminate the Braves, and before my flight home through Pittsburgh, I enjoyed an excellent bowl of short rib stroganoff at Bud & Marilyn’s PIA location. The horseradish, crème fraiche sauce may have been the most exotic thing I ate and enjoyed this year.

Because most of my road adventures this season were for day games, the majority of my baseball dining has been of the breakfast variety. I prefer diners to restaurants with punny egg names. While nothing popped this year, I did have some great breakfast experiences this season, although they were old standbys.

For the first time ever, I got to enjoy a more leisurely repast at the Triple XXX Family Restaurant in West Lafayette, Indiana. There’s nothing like a hearty breakfast and crossword puzzle to start a day. A month later, I was savoring a wonderful breakfast at Cindy’s Diner in downtown Fort Wayne. I think everyone working within 2 blocks of Cindy’s came in that morning as I was talking with owner-grill master, Angie. Hardly a sports bar, Cindy’s is the place for minor league baseball conversation. It’s also a pleasure to watch an expert short order cook.

I hope that I’ll be spending more time on the road in 2023 with more opportunities for dining on the road. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing some of my non-baseball best meals of the year.