Down Home with the Neely’s “Get Yo man chicken”

My sisters and I started a cooking club; it’s one of the worst organized clubs I’ve ever belonged to. We don’t meet regularly and we often bail out at the last minute. But it’s our cooking club nonetheless.

The concept behind the club is to prepare meals we have never made or tasted before. We can get recipes from magazines, cookbooks, friends or even television.

So one of my sisters had watched an episode of Down Home with the Neely’s. And one of the dishes featured was, “Get Yo man chicken.”

My sister explained to us how the Neely’s raved about this dish. With all the moaning and groaning they did she thought this was a dish we should definitely try.

Now with this particular sister she does a little research first. She logged onto the Food Network website and began her search.

She likes to peruse the recipe and read the reviews given by other viewers that have prepared the meal themselves.

The reviews were stellar so “Get your man chicken” was going to be featured at our next meal.

We decided to meet on a Saturday evening to sample this savoir faire.

I’m sorry to say to The Neely’s “Get Yo man chicken” was a total miss.

Listen in on a few responses from that evening:

“Are you sure you followed the recipe?”
“Yes.”

“Did you leave out any ingredients?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I’m sure.”

“So how do you like it?”
“It’s um edible?”

“Now, what man are you supposed to get with this chicken?”
“I think this is, “Man get away from me chicken.”

And it went on and on but we laughed and had a wonderful time.

We watched a movie, drank and talked till we couldn’t talk anymore.

Needless to say, thumbs way down to the Neely’s “Get Yo man chicken.”

I have watched their show and thought that their food would be quite tasty.

I definitely give a thumbs way up to spending quality time with my sisters.

Until Next Time Bon Apétit!

Monty's Seafood Grill, Charlotte, NC

Monty’s Seafood Grill located at 15205 John J. Delaney Dr, in Charlotte, NC.

Going to Monty’s Seafood Grill was a last minute welcome surprise. My family had been raving about this restaurant for some time. And their last two ventures I had missed, so I knew that the next time I definitely wanted to go.

I always felt that a personal recommendation beats out a generic restaurant review anytime.

Well, let’s get to it!

My first indication of quality began with the bread basket. The salads had already arrived and my sister inquired about bread. The waitress replied, “I’ll bring it right out to you—it just came out of the oven.”

Unless they have invented some new ovens that cool food instead of heating… I’m going to have to say she didn’t tell the truth.

We ordered fried calamari for our appetizer. I love calamari and I know what good calamari tastes like. And this wasn’t good calamari.

It was salty and greasy. Besides burning food the worst thing you can do is over salt it. Too much salt is an amateur mistake. No one should have to experience that while dining out.

For my entrée I had Roasted Lemon Thyme Chicken with home made fries, and collard greens.

The chicken was bland; the home fries were missing potatoes if that’s even possible. And the collard greens had some flavor but they were dirty.

My grandmother always told me, “You have to clean collard greens very well. Because if you don’t they taste gritty.” Someone should tell Monty this.

After our meal the hostess came over to the table and asked, “Did everyone enjoy their meals?”
My sisters piped up, “yes we did.”

Meanwhile one of my sisters’ had hid the fat from her filet mignon in the bread basket. And my other sister sent back her wedge salad because the dressing was disgusting.

But me, I didn’t answer.

So the hostess looked at my plate and asked, “And how was your chicken?”

My reply was, “It was all right.”

And her reply was, “well chicken is chicken.”

“Way to stand up for your restaurant,” I thought. But I really wanted to say, “Chicken can be tasty and seasoned.

I have three categories in which I put a dining experience in.

1. Recommended – Meaning I would eat there again and recommend it to others.
2. Toss up – Means you have to decide for yourself by visiting the establishment.
3. Drive By – Means keep on driving pass the restaurant.

So which category does Monty’s Seafood Grill fall in? I would have to say Drive by.

Until next time Bon appétit!