ASHLAND — I’ve been away for awhile and it seems I’ve eaten at every franchise restaurant in the area since my last column was published. And, as a result, my refrigerator has developed a pretty serious collection of carryout containers.

While the meals themselves were good (we encountered a couple of servers along the way who didn’t do much for the dining “experience”), two clear winners emerged from the “reheated the next day” category.

The first was from Cheddar’s in the big outparcel at Ashland Town Center. In a rare move, we both ordered the same entree, lemon pepper chicken, and it was delicious. It had been a while since we’d visited Cheddar’s and were again reminded the place has a lot of menu options accompanied by some of the most reasonable prices you’ll find in such an establishment. I reheated our leftover chicken for lunch the next day and I swear it was even better than the night before.

The second, and equally good, next-day meal came from Tres Hermanos Nunez on U.S. 60 in Cannonsburg. I’m not sure what I ordered, but it had shrimp, steak and two chicken breasts and was such a generous portion I couldn’t even think of finishing it in one sitting. I basically dumped the entire contents of my carry-out box onto a stack of nacho chips the next day and heated it all for about 15 minutes. I’m telling you, it was some good stuff.

Worth noticing

There’s absolutely no chance I’ll be buying a formal gown anytime in the near future, although I always make a point of looking at the window displays at Decadence “The Unique Boutique,” on the corner of Greenup Avenue and 16th Street in downtown Ashland. The ever-evolving window work simply adds an interesting element to the downtown scene.

Owners Drew Scott and Kevin Allen were among the local business people who were recognized Thursday morning during the 15th annual Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards, earning the 2012 New & Emerging Business of the Year award. I have always maintained the first year is the toughest for a small business, and the guys at Decadence certainly deserve the recognition. I distinctly remember Scott being on the verge of a nervous breakdown while in the midst of moving the shop from the Camayo Arcade to the more visible corner where I now enjoy watching the windows.

The boutique had some serious competition for the award. Other nominees were the owners of the sports-themed hair salon Sideburns; South Shore’s Ken Mark Lift Systems, which specializes in lift devices for the disabled; Gibbs True Value Hardware in Grayson; and Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods.

Congratulations to each for surviving the early days and earning the recognition of the community at the same time.

Say it right

Also from the small-business breakfast, it was good to see Ashland architect Vincenzo Fressola accept the Small Business Person of the Year award. I shook his hand afterward and joked I was going to do whatever I possibly could to help people learn to pronounce his last name.

I wasn’t really joking. I’m sure I mispronounced his last name (adding a few extra e’s in classic hillbilly fashion) for at least a year before someone corrected me, and Rob Johnson seemed to be adding an “h” to Vincenzo’s last name Thursday morning.

Fressola has gotten used to it, but he did laugh when I brought it up. Breaking it down, he said the last name is pronounced “Fress-Ola,” without a big O. I’m not sure that helped anthing, but I had to give it a shot.

Roadside seat

I was driving along U.S. 60 in Cannonsburg last week when I noticed a strange and massive wooden object beside the road across from Whayne Supply at the new location of The Log Cabin and a new consignment shop called Encore.

It was getting late and I couldn’t find anyone to tell me more about the big wood piece, but I got a call from shop owner Sue Griffith the next day. Griffith said the thing down by the road is the creation of a local craftsman who doesn’t want his name in the paper.

“He calls it a tree-trunk bench,” Griffith said, later adding the secretive artisan said the solid wood seat was made from “just a drift log floating down the creek —probably oak,” and weighs about 1,000 pounds.

The Log Cabin, at 12290 U.S. 60, is a family-operated business specializing in “primitives and antiques ... hard-to- find items,” Griffith said. Encore, the consignment shop at the same location, is operated by Lindsey and Trey Moore, featuring new clothing as well as “gently used” merchandise. While the consignment shop “accepts all merchandise” including furniture as well as lawn and garden items, Griffith said she has been impressed at how quickly the clothing on their racks comes and goes. She theorized the popularity of consignment-store clothes shopping is a combination of economic conditions combined with the fashion needs of young women.

Both shops are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (606) 585-0275.

New location

Lucy Mae’s Pet Spa, which has been doing business in Westwood for more than three years, has relocated to 1413 Diederich Blvd. “where the four lanes goes back to two,” according to owner Linda Quade.

Quade owns schnauzers and groomer Melinda Owsley competes with standard poodles, although they welcome all breeds and are happy to work with any dog weighing less than 80 pounds. Quade said the shop utilizes an ultraviolet sterilization system on tools, and dogs are allowed free reign of the shop unless owners request they be caged.

The pet spa also offers owners the option of a “bath and brush express” allowing practically unlimited grooming options at prices set according to each animal’s size and needs. The business, which is named for Quade’s black schnauzer, is open by appointment on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (606) 836-7387

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.