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 »

Toothpicks, They're Not Just For Club Sandwiches Anymore

Remember back in fifth grade when you had to build that bridge, vague geometric shape, outhose, etc. out of toothpicks? The project so fragile if the bus to school took a turn at more than 2 mph, it would crumble to pieces. Go »

Halloween Post #3: Haunted Houses

Getting scared for the fun of it. What a concept. Sorry to say I can't fathom it in the least. Go »

Dumb Criminals And Other Court Type Stuff Part 2

Another collection of dumb criminals/lawsuits. Over-salted burger; anger management irony; the writing is on the wall dope; porn = pain; and finally, from the "What Did They Expect?" department, Unwanted donation . Go »

I'm Like Tyson Without a Face Tattoo

Recent conversation with Brenda: Brenda: Where did you get that scar? me: Which one? Brenda: The one between your eyes. Go »

Have a Nice Day!

I'd like to get a part-time job now that I'm retired but can't seem to find any long-lasting energy (Damn MS!). Brenda suggested being a Wal-Mart greeter. "That doesn't take a lot of energy," she remarked. Go »

Odds And Ends (Definitely Odds)

Strange and wonderful stuff. Video of the week 1: Perfectville - Population 1 Nouvelle cuisine. Stuff a hamburger up your tailpipe. Go »