Southern cooking

 Our expeditions to eat and explore the south continued with a local trip to the town of Belmont NC.

A neighbor suggested southern comfort food at a place called Nellie's Kitchen.  So we tried lunch.  

Below is my humble assessment - after trying cajun chicken and pinto beans with corn bread

Porcelain doves watch over you as you eat

Cajun chicken with potato

Beans and Okra

For a place in the south serving southern cuisine - 

Food - Mediocre (I had to ask for Cajun spice mix on the side to pour over my chicken to get the oomph).  We have had much better food in Napa County in CA far removed from the south but with chefs that have heritage from here.

Ambience - 

• Eclectic and soothing, loft like with exposed ceilings and polished concrete floor - hardwood tables - no while cloth; 
• Payment is hi tech with touch less service via QR code (oddly menus are still paper which I appreciated)

Service - Mediocre (honestly think our server chap was hard of hearing having got couple things wrong on a two item order) 

Pricing - On the high side for value

Uniqueness - hip spot to try once with free parking.  The place draws some % of the crowd due I think in part to the owner's family having bred some boys that became a band and are somewhat popular among Gen Z (They are known as Jonas brothers).  One of them recently wed an Indian hot bod female actor and it garnered some eyeballs in the media.

Cardboard cutout and misc paraphernalia on sale at the door is to capture some younger demographic customers no doubt

The town of Belmont itself on the other hand was a great surprise.  About 15 miles west of Charlotte it is sort of place that no one might think of visiting for any particular reason. Once a booming cotton mill town that produced textiles in early 20th century is now losing that industry as China makes most of it.  The older mills that cover acres are getting converted to condos and high density housing along with boutique retail and food places.  However the charm of living on the outskirts of large financial center like Charlotte is drawing attention from retailers and homeowners.  Surrounded by Lake Wylie and Catawba River which makes the lake on its way south it is a leafy exurb worth a visit.

Some more pictures of the area below ..

International beer was to be had in many a local bar/ sandwich shop - gave it a European feel - we actually saw a gent downing an entire bottle of red on a patio at a local dive while kids at the next table were munching on baguette and salami

Notice the yarn spindle logo on the city street signs - a sign of the good times

We will come back to try some other food in the area.