Here’s a dish that at once establishes Shanik’s relationship to the astonishing Vij’s in Vancouver, BC—they’re sister Indian restaurants—and distinguishes itself. Unlike the creamy Vij’s version, this one places the beautifully sourced, popsiclelike lamb chops into a subtle coconut curry over a texture-rich split pea and spinach mash—rendering it both more Indian and more Cascadian than its admirable prototype. 

Here are more of my favorite dishes of 2013.