Fried Chicken

I don't want to start any fights with anyone's momma, but I just had the best fried chicken I have ever tasted in my entire life. And it was in Washington DC, cooked by a Frenchman!

Now in my defense, I have never eaten fried chicken in the Southern US so perhaps I have no real basis of comparison (and KFC certainly does not count). But nonetheless, this was probably one of the tastiest meals I have ever eaten! Honestly, I was dreaming of this chicken for weeks after tasting it and if it hadn't been my last night in DC I would have gone right back the next day and ordered it up again.

Central is the name of the restaurant - Michel Richard is the chef. And at $21 the fried chicken with mustard sauce, which comes with whipped potatoes (that taste like an entire stick of butter is melted in them) and a side salad with a light vinagrette, is a STEAL!

When the waitress came to clear my plate, she asked me if I enjoyed my meal. I told her it was unreal how good it was and asked her if she has had it before. She told me that it's the only thing she eats there because it was the first thing she had and she loved it so much.

PS. I also hit up the Amsterdam Falafelshop for some delicious falafel-filled pita while I was in DC. I went out of my way for a second one on my way to the airport and it made me late for my flight home. But it was worth it - yes I am a glutton!

Vote for Tyson!

For those of you who have not had the opportunity to meet him, this is my dog Tyson.

He's a Goldendoodle - half Golden Retriever and half Standard Poodle and I love him to pieces. He is so sweet and very entertaining. I really couldn't ask for a better dog.

I entered him in Bissell's MVP pet photo contest and would love for you to vote for him: http://www.bissell.com/redirect.asp?page_id=47081&Pet=10116

Wouldn't you buy the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser vacuum with this smiling cute face on the package? I would!

Florida 2008

After Vegas we headed to Florida to enjoy the condo that Chris's parents rent each January in Longboat Key. Last year I was sick as a dog during our visit. This year after several late nights of Texas Hold 'Em in Vegas Chris was the one who needed some R 'n R.

During our week-long visit I finished a really great book that Chris's mom gave me for Christmas, The Other Boleyn Girl. I have already put the follow-on books on hold at our local library, and I can't wait to see the movie!
We also enjoyed some wonderful food. Some notables were: Chocolate croissants from the C'est La Vie cafe in downtown Sarasota, soft-shelled crab at Barnacle Bill's, and the Star Fish Company for grouper sandwiches and fried oysters.

Christopher's parents have quite the social circle down in Florida. One of their friends is a volunteer at the Mote Aquarium and on a rainy afternoon he took us on our own personally-guided tour. I was really impressed with the variety of the exhibits and actually took some pics (which is rare for me, but I am trying to train myself to take more pictures of things).