Oct. 31, 2013. Return To Zea.

John, the computer guy, said that he had a new power supply on the way today for my computer, but that he'd installed a temporary replacement that I could use if I really needed it. I went over to his shop, copied my critical files, and let him finish the job. My plan to hunker down and get an edition of my newsletter out proved impossible. The old computer ran too slowly to take in the data. And the new one had nothing I needed to crank out a newsletter and a web page. Add to that the trip John's workshop and another one (with Mary Ann back at the wheel!) To Wal-Mart to collect my car, and the only thing I had time for was to write my column for CityBusiness. Which is already a day late. The stress continues. And, at an increasing pace, so did messages from my subscribers asking where my work was for these two days. This made me twitch, but in another way it was gratifying. If my writing is important enough to these people that they feel the need to look into its absence after only two days, I can take solace in the knowledge that something about it is worthwhile to at least some of my readers. The Marys and I took an early dinner at Zea. We haven't been there in a few months, after dining there a bit too often for too long a time. One can get burned out on a restaurant, and we did. [caption id="attachment_40329" align="alignnone" width="480"] Cobb Stack at Zea.[/caption] So we were doubly happy to see that not only does Zea have a new fall menu (something I don't think they've offered before), but that their entire main menu has changed. It doesn't even look the same. The Zea classics–rotisserie, burgers, ribs, hummus, double-cooked duck, and salads–were all still there. But a number of new dishes sounded worth trying. Mary Leigh liked the Cobb stack–a salad made into a cylinder from all the classic ingredients of a Cobb salad. (Chicken, crumbled egg, lettuce, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, and avocado.) I am not big fan of baked macaroni, but a truffled version of that kidfood grabbed me. And only me. [caption id="attachment_40330" align="alignnone" width="480"] Truffled mac and cheedse at Zea.[/caption] Mary Ann was intrigued by the new rice bowl with cochon de lait, but she found it disappointing. I don't know what she was expecting, but this was essentially a jambalaya, and she has always liked that. The couple of bites I took tasted good enough to me. [caption id="attachment_40331" align="alignnone" width="480"] Rotisserie Cornish hen at Zea.[/caption] I had the best entree of the evening. It was a rotisserie Cornish hen–a whole one, seasoned with a sharp Asian glaze with more than a hint of pineapple. This was a very large plate of food for the price (about $15) and very tasty. I always have had a taste for Cornish hen, even in these days when they're almost as big as chickens were before chickens grew to four and five pounds each. We were at Zea early enough to take advantage of the two-for-one price on cocktails from four until six. Yes. A martini. That's just what I needed after the last few days. But just one. That's my rule and I'm sticking to it, even though on my new radio schedule I can now avail myself of all the happy hours I've been missing. Zea. Covington: 110 Lake Dr. 985-327-0520.