Monday, October 22, 2018

The Prime Smokehouse is the Prime Destination for Fantastic Food and Amazing Drinks

The Prime Smokehouse in Rocky Mount, NC
Listen to the Owners of The Prime Smokehouse on our radio show Restaurant Magic


Dish: Yalem's Amazing Cajun Gumbo

Critique:  This classic dish is named after Ed’s lovely wife Yalem.  Made with his own home-made seafood stock, this Louisiana favorite soup is packed with okra, shrimp, chicken, and flavorful sausage.  Hands down, according to Sweetly, this is the best gumbo sold in North Carolina! Classically made.  Go grab a bowl or three! 
  
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!










Dish:  Smokehouse Wing Dinner with Baked Macaroni & Cheese and Orange-Ginger Yams

Critique:  Did someone say wing dinner? Yaassssss!  Since these wings are not fried, The Hotness ate as many as she wanted.  Each wing is hand-rubbed in special spices, slow-smoked and brushed with The Prime House Signature Sauce.  Yummmm!  Mac n Cheese…y’all ain’t ready for this AWARD winning macaroni, melted cheese, and bread crumbs! The Hotness wasn’t ready for the deliciousness on her plate, the yams were flawless and tasted beyond perfection!   Of course, The Hotness didn’t share, she’s not about that sharing life!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  BBQ Pulled Pork Platter with Collard Greens and Potato Salad

Critique:  Someone call 911 because these greens should be illegal! Seasoned with a hint of garlic and smoked turkey, Sweetly couldn’t get enough but The Hotness managed to get a couple of forkfuls. The smokehouse potato salad and slow-smoked pulled pork were an impeccable match with the collard greens.  Sweetly tried ordering the pot liquor from the greens because she has no shame!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!



Dish:  Almond Cheesecake

Critique: All specialty cheesecakes are made in-house and made from scratch.  Sweetly did not leave a crumb on her plate, nor did she offer The Hotness the opportunity to sample her cheesecake.  Sweetly is a bonafide cheesecake lover and has made a vow to try every selection of cheesecakes made by The Prime Smokehouse.

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Dish: Made-from-scratch Peach Cobbler with Butter Crust

Critique:  This cobbler is served hot from the oven with double-churned vanilla ice cream…fresh peaches and butter crust all in one spoonful!  Y’all ain’t ready for this piping hot dessert, designed to please your taste buds.  The Hotness was ready because she’s already hot, but for those who think they are ready to participate in the scrumptiousness of The Prime Smokehouse…you’ll enjoy every bite!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!




Dish:  Cappuccino

Critique:  What a flawless way to end an evening!  A nice, sweet cappuccino made with the finest of coffee blends.  Strong, powerful, and robust…who knew The Prime Smokehouse is a connoisseur of fine coffees and teas?  The sweet tea and coffee were brewed with an absolute precision to produce the optimum flavor.

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!



Sunday, August 19, 2018

At Monell's...Sharing is Caring!

Monell's



Dish:  Field Peas


Critique:  The Hotness has been on this pea protein kick so she thought it was fitting that she up her pea game by eating Monell’s fresh peas.  Although peas are not The Hotness favorite vegetable, after tasting Monell’s unique field pea recipe, she became a pea fan!  That’ right…we’re not ashamed!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!











Dish:  Green Beans, Corn Pudding, & Pulled Pork


Green Beans
Critique:  We have to admit that we were not prepared for Monell’s family style buffet- it consists of possibly sitting next to a perfect stranger while grubbing! Say what?  Omg! Once we got used to the set-up we didn’t care who sat next to us as we stuffed our faces.  Once the food arrived, the instructions were:  “Take what you like out of the dish and pass it to the left.”  Sorry, there’s no pictures of the piping hot fried chicken- no one was willing to wait for Sweetly to take pictures…they wanted that chicken!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!






Corn Pudding





















Pulled Pork





















Dish:  Banana Pudding

Banana Pudding
Critique: Some of the best banana pudding in Nashville!  Bananas-check!  Pudding-check! Plenty of vanilla wafers-check!  The Hotness wanted to keep the bowl all to herself, but knew her life would be in jeopardy LOL!  She quickly took ten scoops and passed the bowl to the left :-)

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!

The Battle of Sweetness Takes Place at The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille
Dish:  Clam Chowder

Critique:  Since Sweetly is from Boston, she is the designated Clam Chowder specialist.  Sweetly wished the potatoes were less firm but The Hotness thought the chowder was perfect the way it was.  The Hotness is the clam chowder queen!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!






Dish:  Salmon with Polenta & The Angus Cheeseburger


Critique:  Both dishes were exquisitely delicious.  Between the fantastic salmon and the wonderful cheeseburger, The Hotness could not contain her glee as she devoured every.single.bite.  Yeah Babe!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!












Dish:  Cheesecake & Espresso Chocolate Cake


Critique: In this dessert battle, it’s cheesecake vs. chocolate espresso cake!  Who won this Battle of Sweetness?  To be honest, we couldn’t decide!  The creaminess of each dessert was outstanding and unbelievable.  If you ever find yourself in Dessert Heaven at the Capital Grille, treat yourself to both!  You deserve it!

Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Otto's Restaurant: Trendy, Mouthwatering...You'll Want More!

Otto's Restaurant in Covington, KY

Dish:  Fried Green Tomatoes

Critique:  Panko breaded and cooked to absolute perfection.  Famous for their Fried Green Tomatoes, Otto’s tomatoes were some of the best that The Hotness ever had!  Yes, smack yo’ mama good!


Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!









Dish:  Vegan Pasta

Critique:  Pleasantly surprised that this wonderful pasta dish packs a flavorful punch.  The fettuccine was tossed in a walnut pesto sauce with cremini mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and roasted cauliflower.  So healthy and tasty that Sweetly licked her bowl completely clean!


Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish:  Seared Salmon

Critique: More flavorful packed explosions served with this salivating dish.  The salmon was glazed in a Thai chili sauce while served over a bed of sweet potato fries and topped with asparagus.  After eating this salmon, The Hotness wanted to move to Kentucky forever.  If you’re ever in Kentucky, be sure to pay Otto’s a visit…your taste buds will thank you!


Score:  4 Out of 4 Hotties!

Happy 4th of July! The Hotness and Sweetly 4th of July Feast!

4th of July Feast from The Hotness and Sweetly!
We love celebrating the 4th of July.  Happy Birthday America!  The Hotness believes Sweetly looks for any reason to cook plenty of food and as usual we out did ourselves.  We enjoyed every bite and really tried not to eat too many Chicago dogs...but we did!

Dish:  Beef Kabobs 

Critique: Fantastic!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish: Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Critique: Delicious!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish:  BBQ Chicken Wings

Critique: Finger Licking Good!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish:  Shrimp Pasta Salad

Critique: Yummy!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish: Baked Marinaded Chicken Wings

Critique: Scrumptious!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















Dish: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake

Critique: Wonderful!
Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!


















In Celebration of 4th of July, Please Enjoy the Lovely Star Spangled Banner!

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Darryl's Restaurant Bringing the Wood.Fired. Grill Taste to Your Plate!


Darryl's in Greensboro, NC

Dish:  House Salad with Darryl's Original Homemade Crackers


Critique:  When these crackers are dipped in ranch dressing, it’s a game changer.  Salty, unique, and definitely a treat.  A welcome companion to any salad, these homemade crackers put this house salad over the top!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!








Dish:  Tennessee Jack Black Chicken 


Critique:  Are you ready to serve your taste buds a party celebration of marinated chicken breasts topped with Darryl’s signature Jack Daniels bourbon honey mustard sauce with roasted pecan?  Why yes you are!  The Hotness never had pecans on top of her grilled chicken before, but it was fantastic.  The Hotness loves her mashed potatoes fully loaded with bacon, chives, and cheese.  Did someone say cheese?  The Hotness also got Darryl’s mac n cheese wedge.  Cheese always knows how to please!

Score: 3 Out of 4 Hotties!

"Hey, Hey, Hey..." What's Happening? Shirley's Diner That's What!


Shirley's Diner in Leland, NC

Dish:  Whiting Fish Special 

Critique:  Well-seasoned and crispy!  The Hotness savored each bite of the whiting as it well flavored throughout and the crinkle-cut French fries were served piping hot.  Let’s not forget about the hush puppies! Hey hush puppy! Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Yeah baby!  The green beans could have used some salt and pepper, The Hotness ate them to continue her healthy eats streak! 😊

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!



Dish:  Steak and Cheese Sandwich

Critique:  Mmm, mmm, mmm!  Sweetly opted for the steak and cheese sandwich, it surprisingly exceeded her expectations.  The steak and cheese proved to be a perfect match between the toasted buttery bread.  Shirley isn’t playing when it comes to home town cooking.   Shirley’s Diner is famous for their fried pork chops…The Hotness regrets that she didn’t have more time for the swine!

Score: 4 Out of 4 Hotties!