Sirloin and Salmon, but pitch the casserole.

Dinner this evening was at our most frequented spot: O'Charley's.  Armed with advice from one of Blaine's clients, we ordered completely different entrees.  He took the Louisiana Sirloin, and I opted for the Cedar Planked Salmon.  The steak was masterfully seasoned (not in the South Louisiana sense.  Herbs here.  Not Cayenne).  We suspect an enchanted marinade  that imbued the entire cut with flavor.  Garlic butter topped the steak.  Regarding the fish, we theorized last weekend that the wood not only infused the fish with its smokey flavor, but also should draw out any hint of fishiness.  Correct on both counts.  The plate itself brought with it an amazingly tasty aroma.  The generous portion offered bold salmon flavor accented with a hint of lemon pepper.  One of the most delicious pieces of salmon! 

De rigueur: Caesars.  One can quite easily make a meal of salad alone at O'Charley's.  The dressing is extra creamy with plenty of anchovies, cheese shavings and croutons -- all tossed properly so that the final bites are just as tasty as the first. 

Blaine and I very often opt for identical sides without consulting each other first.  As our second, we chose the "Broccoli Cheese Casserole".  I was envisioning an individual serving in a ramekin of something similar to quiche.  Far from that.  What arrived was that pedestrian microwaved concoction typically served from a covered Pyrex dish that consists of sticky rice, Lipton cream of something, frozen broccoli crowns, and some sort of white cheese.  The result: a bland combination of lumpy wallpaper paste, tapioca, and shamrocks.  But chin up, casserole: if you continue to be a menu failure, at least your left-overs might be used to spackle fractures along the inner surfaces of fiber glass swimming pools.

We suggest: instead of the casserole, choose a potato or the asparagus, and, unless you're a loyal subject of Caesar, split the salad.  One is more than plenty to start.  Price?  $32 for two, including one glass of beer for each of us.  Amazingly good price point here, considering the quality of the entrees and size of the portions.