Hell's Kitchen - Tuesday June 17, 2008

Last night’s episode wasn’t as hilarious as the previous ones. When it gets down to the final four they are generally the cream of the crop and less mistakes are made.

Last night's episode started off with a reward challenge, which Christina won by only 2 votes. Petrozza who was the runner-up was enormously disappointed. Jen thought she should have won hands down, but she only came in third place. Corey had no chance at all she wasn’t able to plate all her dishes within the allotted time.

Christina’s reward was a $1000 dollar shopping spree at Lisa Kline’s. To top it off she was actually dressed by Lisa Kline herself.

Side note: I wasn’t too impressed by the pieces that Ms. Kline picked for Christina. I expected to be blown away instead I was left feeling unenthusiastic.

As the other competitors remained at Hell’s Kitchen to complete their chores I noticed something strange. And maybe you did too. Jen was eating off the leftover plates left in the dining room. All I could do was curl my lip and say, “yuck.” You just don’t know what people do to their plates.

Chef Ramsey proclaimed that tonight’s service was the best ever in Hell’s Kitchen.

Still, there were a few mishaps in Hell’s Kitchen. Christina kept burning Chef Ramsey’s hand by leaving the pot handle over the heat. Chef Ramsey was hot about that.

Jen was inconsistent with her risotto and Petrozza had a sloppy station. Disturbingly, Corey sent raw fish to the window and out to a customer. She knew her order wasn’t right, but she sent it out anyway. I would never knowingly eat at a restaurant where the Executive Chef did those types of things.

Great News! It came back to bite her in the buttocks. She should have taken the yelling from Chef Ramsey about being late with her food. Rather than being caught sending up raw food.

With such a successful service it was a difficult decision as to who to put up for elimination.

But as usual Jen was put on the chopping block. The other competitors strategized as to who would have the best chance against Jen. And they chose Corey.

Luckily, for Corey their move paid off as Chef Ramsey sent Jen home.

I do believe of the final four remaining Jen was the better chef. She was creative and original and her dishes seemed to please the palates the most.

Although, I do believe Chef Ramsey was right in letting her go. You just never knew which Jen was going to show up at service that night. It’s extremely hard to work with a person like that.

Until next time Bon appétit!

How to Save Money on your Prescriptions

Always comparison shop if you can.

Unfortunately, people generally assume that they are getting the best deal on a prescription if they only have to pay co-pays. But sometimes co-pays can be higher that the actual cost of the prescription drug.

A very good way to save is asking for the generic brand whenever you can.

Always consult with your physician first to see if a generic brand will be suitable for you.

Consult your pharmacist. They can explain in detail if the generic contains the same ingredients as the name brand drug. The pharmacist can also let you know how generic brands differ from the original if they do at all. This gives you the chance to make an informed decision.

Physicians are often courted by drug company representatives. They are given free samples for their patients to try. Once the patient has tried the product and it works for them they generally begin to ask for the prescription by name. It is usually because the patient begins to identify that name brand with what ails them at the time. Why would they ask for anything different if that product works so well?

If all goes well with your physician and pharmacist. I know a great way you can save money on your generic drug prescriptions.

It’s Wal-Mart. Yes, that’s right Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart offers many generic prescriptions for only $4 dollars. And they’ve also recently began to offer 90 day prescriptions for $10 dollars.

If you are insured and paying $25 dollar for your co-pay by requesting the generic brand you can save $21 dollars.

If you are uninsured and paying anywhere from $15 dollars and up, imagine how much you can save if you requested the generic brand and only paid $4 dollars per prescription. An even greater savings is $10 dollars for a 90 day prescription.

Visit a Wal-Mart store or go on line and obtain the list of all the generic $4 dollar prescriptions that Wal-Mart offers.

They offer a variety of medications that they have listed in specific categories. Ex. Diabetes, hypertension, Women’s Health, thyroid, mental health etc…

I recommend checking Wal-Mart’s list frequently if your prescription isn’t currently there. Wal-Mart adds new prescriptions and categories as they become available. Hopes this helps you.

Until then save save save!

Footnote – Target has recently added $4 dollar generic prescriptions.

Grace After Midnight By Felicia "Snoop" Pearson

The most chilling chapter I have ever read in any book was in Felicia Pearson’s memoir. It was the chapter called, “That’s why they call it Grandma’s House.”

After reading that chapter I had to immediately close the book. Imagining what happened was horrific and I knew I needed to end my reading for that night.

I first picked up this book because I was a fan of HBO’s “The Wire” and the series had just ended.

I wanted to know how someone so young could fill up the pages of a memoir.

My interest was piqued and that began my quest of finding out about this character they called, “Snoop.”

What I respected about her memoir was her honesty. No pretenses, no dressing it up—just plain truth.

This memoir takes you from the birth of “Snoop” who was a three pound cross-eyed crack baby. It takes you through her formative years, adolescence, to where she is today.

You are a fly on the wall of the life of an urban teenager growing up in the streets of East Baltimore.

Ms. Pearson grants you all access to her life. She shares her sexuality, her criminal past, her heartbreaks, and her loves.

This is a gritty in your face memoir well deserving of a read.

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!

Are Black Men Expendable in This Country?

It is sad that in this country a black man must walk down the street practically naked in order to be safe from the people we pay to protect and serve us.

Public service announcements will soon read as this:

Attention All Black Males!

Please remove anything shiny from your person. Leave all cell phones, blackberries and keys at home. Keep your mouth shut; don’t even move your lips. Make no sudden movements, please. Or this may be construed as things that would make an NYC police officer fear for his life. If you don’t adhere to these precautions NYC police officers will aim and shoot. Not once, not twice but possibly fifty times or more. These officers will then appear before a judge and be acquitted of all charges. This concludes our public service announcement

Fifty bullets were fired. That’s right fifty bullets.

I shook my head back and forth when I heard the guilty verdict. But what was really disturbing was the fact that I wasn’t surprised by the verdict. My first thoughts were, ‘Are black men expendable in this country?’

But why wasn’t my first reaction outrage? It’s because unfortunately in this country we have been desensitized to verdicts such as these.

My heart cried out for all the men in my life; my fiancé, my brothers, nephews, cousins and extended family. But it also cried out for Sean Bell and his family.

Until we see white faces or hear names like John Smith, Jake Hall or Wyatt Long will we see a cry of outrage in this country.

Clearly, it is evident that policeman are afraid of black faces.

I understand what dangers policeman face everyday. I’ve lived in neighborhoods where I’ve had to watch my back as I’ve walked home from work some nights. I’ve carried paring knives in my purse for protection. I’ve had keys balled in my hand ready to strict if need be. I’ve had friends and family robbed, harassed and guns put to their heads.

But what is disheartening is where do we turn? It’s possible to be a victim of a crime any day of the week. And what’s more shocking is my friendly neighborhood policeman can take my life just as easily.

Sadly, I’d rather plead with a criminal to take all my money and my jewelry and spare my life. Than to say one wrong word or make one sudden movement in front of an police officer for fear I might be gunned down where I stand.

I think the Assistant District Attorney Charles A. Testagrossa summed it up nicely by saying, “We ask police to risk their lives to protect ours. Not to risk our lives to protect their own.”