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In no particular order, here are my top five indulgences from 2007, each produced locally, or with close regional ties. If you've missed them this year, don't waste any time in January checking them out. In fact, resolve to do so. Here we go.

Favorite Farmers Market fare: Belle Ecorce of St. Martinville produces exceptional chevre, many of it intensified with outer layers of fresh herbs and handmade sun-dried tomatoes. The care and detail in each wheel comes through in the inspiring taste. To boot, they make a helluva good, fresh, handmade ravioli filled with the signature cheese. Find them each Saturday at the downtown Red Stick Farmers Market.

Favorite dessert: Nannette Mayhall's white chocolate raspberry cake. It was always Nannette Mayhall's dream to become an independent baker, despite lacking formal training and personal wealth. Today, the 20-year veteran churns out amazing cakes for many a client, item by item. She'll pass on quantity to insure quality. Her pillowy king cakes with hand-dyed sugar and signature white chocolate raspberry cake are lovely, indulgent and give you the feeling of free-falling into something impossibly sweet and soft.

Favorite dish: La Reyna's fish tacos. God bless this new wave of taquerias and authentic Latin spots we're suddenly privy to. At La Reyna, the fish tacos are simple, sublime and fresh. They're accompanied by chimol, pico de gallo's cousin. The menu is all Central and South American, a real delight for those in search of real McCoy south-of-the-border flavors.

Favorite wine: Chateau Camplazens Via Domitia, 2001 Syrah: This French winery is run by a couple who lived in New Orleans for many years, whose children now live in Baton Rouge. Chateau Camplazens produces fine, silky wines from France's Languedoc appellation, many at great values. The Via Domitia, in particular, is a winner, featuring a velvety mouth feel with hints of berry and chocolate. I also find it musty ("wet dog" it would be on the wine-tasting wheel), which I mean in the loveliest of ways.

Favorite restaurant: In January, I'll no longer review restaurants for 225 -- my decision. Time to shift my focus in our print version to a new wine column and food features on indigenous producers. But in 2007, I had the pleasure of reviewing some stellar local restaurants, including Koto (fab fatty tuna), Pho Quynh (steaming, medicinal Vietnamese fare) and the St. Francisville-based Oxbow (amazing short ribs). But my favorites of the year were the steady-as-she-goes traditional French and very cozy Brandt's Maisonette, and because I love an underdog, A Taste of Asia, for its plucky sensibilities and fresh, diverse non-buffet menu.

Let's hear your year-end picks -- and what you'd like to see in the local food-o-sphere in 2008.

Here's hoping your holidays are filled of swoonworthy food-and-drink.