Brenda and I just finished putting the girls to bed. We picked them up from Grandma's a little earlier because she was babysitting while Brenda and I celebrated our tenth anniversary. Just a brief opportunity to spend some time together on a school night. We went to a local restaurant that we've not been to for five years called Christopher's; a restaurant well respected for it's contemporary American cuisine. I had my dining fantasy fulfilled when I noted the grouper on the menu. Note to all Sarasota restaurants: All your grouper are belong to us! Specifically it was pistachio crusted grouper with granny smith apple risotto served with brown butter and pumpkin seed oil. My taste buds cried tears of joy and leaped out of my mouth and slapped me across the face for denying them this dish for so long. I understood and apologized. Typically, Brenda had the meal closest to meat and potatoes on the menu; that's just her way. Salads, bread, coffee, more coffee, a wonderful potato, bacon and leek pureed soup, and more coffee left no room for dessert. Which was a shame as they have warm blueberry cobbler with ginger ice cream on the menu. Or would I have chosen the Kahlua chocolate truffles with red wine carmel? Ah well, maybe in ten more years. A nice dinner for the exact date but we'll celebrate officially with a trip to theater in a few weeks. The Producers? All's Well That Ends Well? The Unsinkable Molly Brown? Theater in D.C. doesn't get much better outside of New York.


Three Replies to Ten Times Bliss

Scott Hardie | November 8, 2008
Sounds great! I haven't found grouper on a menu since you left.

Amy Austin | November 8, 2008
I think my taste buds just cried tears of envy... ;-( ;-)

Sounds delicious and delightful, and -- although the blueberry cobbler with ginger ice cream sounds worth a Monty Python's Meaning of Life moment -- the grouper dish sounded practically dessert-worthy itself!

Congratulations on ten years... you already have my best effort beat! ;-D

Lori Lancaster | November 8, 2008
[hidden by author request]


Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Where's The Winch?

We took the girls sailing today. Unlike last year, Olivia did not throw a winch handle overboard because of our diligence in preventing it. The sailing is still free because of the heart of the owner who offers this once a month during the summer. Go »

Things Remembered

When I was in kindergarten, a girl brought a doll to class. It was so pretty that even the boys liked it. Everyone played with it but I was the one who broke it. Go »

Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk

Vacation Tip #1: A 10,000 square foot, 3 level museum has opened in Springhouse, Pennsylvania devoted to The Three Stooges. Who knew you could assemble this much Three Stooges memorabilia? Then again, why not? Go »

Dumb Criminals And Other Court Type Stuff

Small potpourri of MENSA reject criminals, frivolous lawsuits and just dumb laws. Cupcake Burglar; Cheeseburger Lawsuit; Drunken Sock Eater; Saggy Trouser Law; and Goofy Streaker. The most shocking story to me is this last one in which a victimized Kirsten Dunst had her room burgled and items stolen including a $13,000 handbag. Go »

Halloween Post #7: Scary Movies

Movie moments are still stuck in my head from films I saw 30 years ago, moments that scared the crap out of me then and still run chills down my spine today. This web page has collected 100 of these scary film moments and tried to supply a Youtube clip for each one (not successful) and some interesting commentary. This site might hold you until Halloween. Go »

Early Valentine Gift

Brenda woke up Saturday morning and said, "I just dreamed that you gave me a beautiful necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?" I told her, "You'll know tonight." Go »