The "Original" Honey-Rosemary Fried Chicken
I am risking popularity for honesty. Local 463 left a bad taste in my mouth.
Since it’s opening last year, Local 463 Urban Kitchen has grown firm roots. Due to my undying adoration of Walker’s Drive In, I had eagerly anticipated it’s sister restaurant and latest venture of chef Derek Emerson (and company). When the opportunity arose, Ben and I headed north on I-55 for a family birthday dinner.
Celebrating on a weekday evening, I was surprised to see a full parking lot which was reflective of the jam packed, elegantly decorated dining room. To accommodate our party of nine we were escorted to a side room near the rear.
A leisurely pace was set at the start of the meal because of late arrivals and our large party. Lingering over the menu we dove into the bread basket.
The group ordered a total of four different appetizers to split among the table; we had Tamales, a Fried Green Tomato Napoleon, a pizza special with crawfish tails and a special featuring quail. The tamales seem to be replicate of the Walker’s version and the moist filling, tangy sauce and fresh pico de gallo never fails to please. The fried green tomato was perfectly seasoned and had a good crunchy crust. Due to scarcity of cheese and sauce the pizza was more like a flat bread, it was okay. (The quail disappeared quickly and I only snagged one small bite.)
I could be wrong, but it looked (and tasted) like the same sauce was used on the tamales, fried green tomatoes and quail special. Nevertheless the plates were scraped bare. Meanwhile Ben and I split a half a Wedge Salad and fought for every bite. Dressing blanketed a crisp hunk of iceberg dotted with bacon, cheese and incredible oven-dried tomatoes.
Craving fried chicken, I averted the braised short ribs, shrimp, and scallop dishes for the “Original” Honey-Rosemary Fried Chicken, against my better judgment. Ben got a veal chop special and I steered his brother toward the Southern Pecan Braised Beef Short Ribs.
Such as when Romeo and Juliet discover they are from rival families, this is the point in the meal where the conflict is introduced.
It started off promising. A golden brown fried chicken breast surrounded by green beans and poised upon a throne of cheese grits (not polenta per the online menu) was placed before me. The soft scent of rosemary drifted into the air. Gathering a bit of everything, I lifted the fork to my mouth and that’s where the romance ended. All I could taste was maple syrup.
I say maple syrup because I believe that’s what was printed on the menu that night. The descriptions on the online menu are slightly different from what we had.
The chicken was not solely “maple-glazed” (or honey-glazed), it along with the grits and beans were swimming in syrup. Hoping the level of sweetness would change or the savory elements would create balance, I kept eating but tragically neither happened. In hindsight the dish was so unpleasant that I should have sent it back to the kitchen, but by then one-third was gone. Yes, I should have spoken up.
Unfortunately Ben’s entree wasn’t much better because a majority of his veal chop was fat. Most likely this was a fluke considering his cousin also ordered the veal special and the disparity was clear when comparing the two chops. To be fair, a manager kindly amended this by comping the meal and offering a free dessert.
The Louis’ White Chocolate Pecan Bread Pudding dulled the pain. It was dense, decadent and drizzled with a banana run caramel sauce.
The following day at work, I commented that I must have ordered wrong because my meal was terrible. A friend pointed out a restaurant should stand behind every dish on their menu, so there isn’t such a thing as picking “the wrong dish”.
Mulling over his words, I have come to agree and hope you have a better experience. As for me, I’ll stick to Walker’s.
Local 463 Urban Kitchen
121A Colony Crossing
Madison, MS 39110
Phone 601-707-7684
http://www.local463.com
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- Local 463
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- Side room view
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- A special appetizer with quail
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- Tamales
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- A crawfish pizza, another app special
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- Fried Green Tomato Napoleon
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- Half a Wedge Salad
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- The “Original” Honey-Rosemary Fried Chicken
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- Veal Chop special
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- Southern Pecan Braised Beef Short Ribs
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- Red Fish 463
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- Louis’ White Chocolate Pecan Bread Pudding
There is a reason as to why the dish is named the “original” honey-rosemary fried chicken. It is my understanding, that a local chef “borrowed” chef emerson’s recipe. While I do agree with the previous statement, that juliep has good food, I’ve yet to receive decent service in that establishment. Honestly, I’m not a fan of Rosemary so I’m not anyone for the chicken. But nonetheless, the chef at local 463 is talented, and I enjoy the diversity of the menu. Personally, I’m biased to the veal meatloaf.
Peace,
Posted by Rusty | April 9, 2011, 2:13 amAh, I hadn’t noticed the deliberate word choice. It would be interesting to compare the two dishes. Despite this one dish, I’d eat Chef Emerson’s food any day.
Posted by Gidget Eats | April 12, 2011, 8:44 amMust say that this is a true treat. Food selection is excellent, presentation superb, atmosphere inviting! Local would be a success anywhere!
Posted by Tone Garrett | March 11, 2011, 9:49 pmThis is all true and they had a full house the particular evening we went, I just would never get the fried chicken again.
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 14, 2011, 10:17 amI had a similar experience. My husband and I both ordered the short ribs: his was moist and delicious while mine was dry.
Posted by Lauren | March 8, 2011, 11:57 amOh and does that “original” honey Rosemary chicken remind you of Julep’s?
Posted by Lisa Blair | March 6, 2011, 9:12 pmWalker’s is easily my favorite restaurant in Jackson, and my meal at Local 463 was just so so. I had a flounder special that the waitress described as pan-fried, but I seemed to me that deep fried would have been the correct description. I kinda feel like you, that I “picked the wrong dish” that night. I’ve only eaten there once because Madison is out of the way for us. I probably won’t go back.
Posted by Lisa Blair | March 6, 2011, 9:10 pmEverything you said rings true for me as well – it’s out of the way and second choice to Walker’s.
I’ve never had Julep’s fried chicken, but if I ever end up there again that’s probably what I would order. How’s their version?
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 7, 2011, 11:00 amI love Julep’s fried chicken breast. I’ve never been disappointed with it, and I probably order that half the time we go there.
Posted by Lisa Blair | March 9, 2011, 1:30 pmThanks for the tip! I’ll definitely remember that for next time.
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 10, 2011, 2:08 pmI’ve been wondering about that place.
Posted by Lauren | March 4, 2011, 5:03 pmWe had an enjoyable meal, I would just recommend ordering a different entree.
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 7, 2011, 10:54 amThe bread pudding!!!
But back to the food discussion, I felt that way about Char.
Posted by Angela S | March 4, 2011, 4:58 pmI suppose nearly all establishments take chances with dishes on their menu, but this one (in my opinion) was not successful. What did you have at Char?
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 7, 2011, 10:52 amWe had the filet, and it was just eh. Patrick’s was overcooked and literally “charred.” Appetizer, salads, sides, and dessert were good, but I expected more from my entree. I’d much rather have Shapley’s or Ely’s anyday
Posted by Angela S | March 8, 2011, 4:45 pmI’ll be on the look out for when you get to Luke.
Ah, yes, I had the same high expectations for Local 463. Shapley’s has the best steaks!
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 10, 2011, 2:07 pmI don’t think you are going to sacrifice popularity for honesty. I respect people more when they are accurate and I think you were very fair about what you didn’t like.
If you hadn’t liked anything, I might have questioned it…..but that’s just because you had the Wedge Salad and I know how good it is
Posted by Angela S | March 4, 2011, 4:34 pmIt wasn’t a bad meal, just a surprisingly poor entree for such a nice, mid-range $$ establishment.
You were right about the bread pudding though and having to resist the urge to lick the bowl!
Posted by Gidget Eats | March 4, 2011, 4:54 pm