I've Died and Gone to Georgia Brown's

Two major crimes preceded our visit to Georgia Brown's tonight: first I left my camera at home and had to use my generation-behind iPhone in the dimly-lit room to take our dinner pix. Second, how on earth have we not been here before?

I've had a dinner at Georgia Brown's on my To Do list for ages. Every time I'm looking for a new place to try with Jac Georgia Brown's surfaces as a prospect. Yet, somehow it wasn't until a mutual craving for "really good fried chicken" got us into this DC haven of homey Southern cooking.

Our meal started with corn bread and biscuits. I am an avowed biscuit-hater (one of the few breads in the world I want almost nothing to do with), but I devoured those tasty morsels*. I guzzled sweet tea lightly flavored with peach. Jac and I, for perhaps the third time in the past decade, ordered the exact same entree. We each got the fried chicken with asparagus and mashed potatoes. For an extra degree of decadence we ordered a side of macaroni and cheese.

When our chicken arrived, I winced. Had they brought me two pieces of dark meat which my unsophisticated palette would reject? Oh no they didn't, they had partially deboned the white meat chicken they set before me. And wow, was that chicken tender and fresh.

Jac had suggested the macaroni and cheese side and I was happy to accommodate him, figuring I could easily avoid the extra side if I found it bland or excessively "foofy". I have narrow standards for macaroni and cheese. To me, mac & cheese must taste like cheese, not be overloaded with eggs, and is better when left unadulterated by bacon, mushrooms or herbs. Well, the mac & cheese at Georgia Brown's was right in my cheesy sweet spot. The dish is so good that, sitting here writing about it, I'm wondering if it would be feasible to drive into town just to pick up a side of it to take home.

We finished dinner with a heavenly pecan tart topped with good vanilla ice cream and surreptitious tastes of a heavenly bourbon sauce. We can't wait to go back. It will be hard to order anything else.

*It is possible the slow return of my appetite mid-second trimester had something to do with my newly re-found appreciation for all things "carb".

A Crime Against Vanilla

Today the pantry revealed a violent crime against Pure Vanilla Extract. Her lid was smashed, her bodily contents exsanguinated at the scene. Bystanders did nothing. They stood, stalwart and silent, as Vanilla went down for the count.

The suspects:

Three prime suspects emerged. Pumpkin, Gus and Joe were in the vicinity, clearly had the means and opportunity, and were known to have a beef against vanilla.

After intense questioning and some very high-tech forensics that I can't show you here, Pumpkin confessed. It turned out saucy Vanilla had been stepping all over Pumpkin for years, making a mockery of it at holiday dinners and keeping it from stepping out in other courses. "America's Favorite Pumpkin" will be going into Cold Storage for a long, long time.

Tasty Tourist Trap

When we walked up to Virgil's BBQ in NYC, my heart sank. Just steps away from Times Square I wondered if we'd gotten ourselves into a forgettable, touristy dinner - stealing away one of the few precious meals we would have in the city on this visit.

We were meeting up with a dear old college friend I hadn't seen in years and years so I figured the company would easily distract from whatever we'd find inside. There was a crowd and a long walk-in wait forming around our reservation time but we were seated promptly upstairs in a lively dining room. The menu resembled a lot of chain BBQ restaurants we've been to, but one thing stood out: "Ten Dollar Hush Puppies!" That's not how they were titled on the menu of course, but in the week leading up to our visit, that's how they'd come to be known in our house and on Facebook as we anticipated the dinner with friends. "I can't wait for the Ten Dollar Hush Puppies!" I exclaimed repeatedly.

My quick phone picture can't compare to the awesomeness that is a platter of good hush puppies, but there was no time for artistry with corny bread goodness waiting. We followed it up with platters of barbecue and my own plate of fried chicken which was cooked perfectly. We did giggle at the school field trip near our table as chaperones attempted to help 25 high school students to split a check, but the crowds faded away as we enjoyed delightfully comforting company and food.

Modestly Named 'Cafeteria' in NYC

We needed a brunch spot to accommodate our shopping route and to fortify us after a night out on the town. My sister suggested Cafeteria in Chelsea. The menu was a perfect match for our diverse mid-day appetites. I ordered the Belgian waffle which came crisp, brown and loaded with fruit and creamy goodness.

A veggie burger and a salad loaded with shrimp and watermelon rounded out our romp through the menu.

My Perfect iPad Case

Since we got our iPads I've been flummoxed by the protection and transportation of the precious new device. I've had scratched and cracked iPhone screens before and I want to preserve this little goody as long as possible. The initial offerings from the Apple store were big and bulky -- taking all the sleek out of my mobile computing.

Fortunately, while in NYC, I found this mini briefcase which fits the iPad perfectly and can go anywhere. It's from Muji, a wildly cool Japanese home goods store.

Delish Dish in NYC at Amarone

I met my dear uncle for dinner at Amarone in NYC on the advice of a colleague. The recommendation was broad and confident and our experience was wonderful.

They were willing to modify the menu pasta to give me one of my all-time favorites, Angel Hair Pomodoro. We devoured an appetizer and salad, entrees, coffee and dessert but found the maitre d' hovering for our two top table.