December is a time to look back and reflect on the year that was. Berks County Eats is taking a look back at the best of the best from more than 50 restaurants and 10 festivals we visited in 2014. This week: Our Top Five Favorite Entrees.

We started with appetizers and we have already tasted dessert, now it’s time to dig in to the main course as we present our five favorite entrees we have tried in the past year.

Chicken and Biscuits – Chef Alan’s American Bistro

Comfort food doesn’t always have to be familiar. Chef Alan’s proves that with their chicken and biscuits, a unique take on a classic American dish. The dish looked beautiful, and it tasted as good as it looked. The biscuits were nice and flaky and the chicken breast was seared to perfection, but it was the sauce—a creamy broth crossed with Marsala— that really brought it together and took it over the top.

Dazed and Confused – Tomcat Cafe

Breakfast is an often overlooked meal, but when done right, it can be a memorable dining experience. The Tomcat Cafe does it right with creative dishes—with creative names—like the Dazed and Confused: two slices of French toast dipped in Fruity Pebbles and topped with strawberries, bananas, strawberry syrup and whipped cream. The sugary shortstack was half breakfast, half dessert, and all delicious.

Evil Jungle Princess – Thaiwat

Not just the coolest sounding name of anything I tried this year, the Evil Jungle Princess at Thaiwat was delicious. Based on Thaiwat’s heat scale, I was prepared for a “stimulating kick to the lips and tongue,” and what I got was a sweet and spicy masterpiece, a blend of chicken and vegetables tossed with curry and coconut milk.

Italiano Burger – Frank & Diannah’s Arbor Inn

Frank & Diannah’s is one of the highest rated restaurants across all review sites, and our first Burger Night did not disappoint. The evening’s special was the Italiano burger, a thick meaty patty topped with capicola ham, roasted peppers and provolone cheese. At times it was like eating a pizza or a meatball sandwich, but always delicious.

Pasta al Parmigiano Romano – Mangia Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Mangia’s Pasta al Parmigiano Romano is much more than spaghetti and sauce: it’s an experience. The tableside show starts when the chef carves a layer out of the 80-pound cheese wheel, then pours flaming grappa (Italian liquor) on the shavings to melt them. The fettuccine and sauce are tossed right in, allowing the cheese to adhere to every bite in this truly inspired dish.