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By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Cafe’ Appalachia
At Cafe’ Appalachia, you’re getting more than a meal – you’re a part of a food initiative to provide wholesome, nutritious meals while also nourishing the soul of the community.
Café Appalachia is a social enterprise of Pollen8, a nonprofit organization that creates social programs for families impacted by the drug epidemic in West Virginia. The Café offers a breakfast menu all day Wednesday – Sunday, starting at 7:30am with their signature coffee infused with made from scratch simple syrups by a ReIntgr8 participant trained as a barista.
The lunch menu is served Wednesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Based on popular demand, the menu is filled with some of Appalachia’s favorites that is grown at one of our many grow-sites and rotates on a seasonal basis. Their menu is simple and delicious as to provide a structured learning environment for the women in the ReInteg8 program to master these recipes. You can view the menu on Facebook.
GROW:
All the food is grown onsite in their garden or locally sourced, as much as possible. Café Appalachia continues to expand community engagement and long-term sustainability through partnerships with local establishments that include Charleston Bread Company, DiTrapano Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Buzz Foods, Gordon Foods, and Paradise Farm which is a part of KISRA.
In addition, they are growing a movement through Citizen Farmers, a growing number of individuals who are volunteers, donors, helping change the narrative of addiction in West Virginia. This includes creating space for the community to come together to understand the difference of a person in active addiction and recovery, give support to those living in long-term sobriety, and sharing the mission and message of the organization.
TEACH:
Through the Cafe’, they teach valuable life skills to women in long-term recovery through programs and partnerships. We provide ongoing support and job training to help women return to their families and society with their greatest opportunity for long-term sobriety. Additionally, teaching people how to grow healthy foods, fix nutritious meals, and understand the importance of a balanced diet.
FEED:
By nourishing the body and the mind through quality food and service to others, the Cafe’ provides a holistic approach to help change the narrative in West Virginia as it relates to health and wellness.
Everyone eats at the Cafe’, so individuals who are hungry but can’t afford a meal can volunteer in the garden or provide additional services in exchange for the same warm, nutritious meals other guests receive.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Adelphia
Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille first opened its doors in May of 2011. At that time, Capitol Street had very few sit down eateries and was predominantly a successful “business class” area.
Adelphia’s goal was to bring an independent sports themed restaurant to the downtown area that served great food late night, every day of the year, with a spice of local flavor. Since that time, Adelphia has indeed become one of downtown Charleston’s premier destination locations.
Boasting an expansive menu from across the globe, a vast bourbon and scotch collection, dozens of kraft beers, and 30 state-of-the-art high-definition streaming televisions, this year, Adelphia celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
“Adelphia would like to graciously thank everyone for their love and support over the past decade. We look forward to many more years of success and memories for our customers, employees, local businesses, and West Virginia!”
When in Charleston, we highly suggest you stop in for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch (10am-2pm). Menu’s and daily specials are available online.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Barkadas
Though they opened this family-owned restaurant three short weeks before the pandemic hit, it was a dream in the hearts of the owners for more than 20 years. A neighborhood place where “everyone knows your name.” A place with amazing food and service in a cozy atmosphere that truly makes it feel like a home away from home. A way to bring the people of Charleston together and create a tight community within the community. They wanted to bring back “family dinner,” so they even created a special family table with that in mind. Note: Barkadas doesn’t take reservations, but for the family table because it’s the most requested spot in the place!
Owners Jay and Beth Cinco and Virgil Sadorra have blended their Filipino and American heritages into a place where, even during a global pandemic, regulars are frequenting and creating the little community of which the owners dreamed. Charleston continues to show up, and Barkadas is honored to serve the city with fresh fusion options and a neighborly welcome!
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Soho’s
SOHO’s at Capitol Market has been around for almost 20 years and has become one of those iconic restaurant’s in Charleston. They strive to provide they community with some of the finest Italian Cuisine and service in town. They employ over 30 Charlestonians, many of whom have worked at SOHO’s for several years.
During the past year they opened the first Beer Garden in town to offer the people of Charleston, and the surrounding area, the opportunity to create memories while enjoying a delicious meal in a safe and fun outdoor environment during this most challenging of years.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Bricks & Barrels
Since it first opened, locals have flocked to Bricks and Barrels. Diners love the restaurant’s interior, which includes wooden wine and whiskey barrels used as dining tables contrasted against the rustic brick façade. Many of the building’s original elements have been incorporated into the design, like a massive old safe that serves as the entrance to the walk-in keg cooler behind the bar, old freight elevator gates that make a rustic-yet-modern railing around the stage area, and pulleys from the antique elevator system refashioned into lighting rigs. Toward the back of the restaurant, private seating areas are tucked into rounded alcoves that are lined with wood, providing the illusion that the diner is sitting inside a giant wine barrel.
The atmosphere isn’t the only thing people love about Bricks and Barrels. The food is exquisite. To get the entire experience, you must enjoy several courses starting with an appetizer. This might be your hardest decision. We recommend either the calamari, bacon wrapped shrimp, or the signature fried green tomato napoleon. Why chose just one? Get all three! Next you will want to have something light and the burrata salad is the go-to. Even though you are probably stuffed at this point, you need an entrée. Also, a very difficult decision. Some local favorites include the PB&J burger, shrimp and grits, Chilean sea bass, or the bone-in ribeye.
A meal at Bricks and Barrels is not complete without an adult beverage from Charleston’s favorite bartender two-time champ Drew Smith. In addition to having an award-winning bartender, the bar includes craft beer from several West Virginia breweries, top rated wines, and tasty cocktails. If you are unsure of the best drink to pair with your meal, just ask Drew!
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Leonoro’s
Leonoro’s Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Charleston! Third generation, the Leonoro family strives to cook like their family in Sezze, Italy. The sauce gets started at 7am every morning and meatballs are rolled shortly after. Although the menu is small and sauce is still the same recipe as 1915, their authentic recipes thrive in the ever changing society. You won’t find fancy plates or decorated dishes, but you will get simple, delicious home cooked Italian like their ancestors cook in Italy.
Leonoro’s has daily lunch specials Monday-Thursday 11-4. Your choice of pasta and meatballs, fresh salad and bread.
Take out, dine in and Grub hub 304-343-1851
Open Mon-fri 11-8, Sat 2-8, closed Sunday.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Swiftwater Cafe
Right in the heart of downtown Charleston, Swiftwater Café on Capitol Street is a convenient, welcoming stop for a quick meal. In his college years, owner Teddy Queen worked as a guide on the New River and opened Swiftwater Café in 2003, with the name being a nod to his love for West Virginia and the swiftwater rivers that flow through the state.
The café expanded in 2013 to the adjacent Swiftwater General Store. There, you’ll find all the standard essentials of an old-fashioned general store, plus West Virginia souvenirs and all manner of snacks—like Swiftwater’s delicious take on pepperoni rolls.
You can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches and salads, but some say Swiftwater’s breakfast is the best-kept secret in town: The creative Breakfast Dog has sausage, scrambled egg and cheese, a bite of skillet-fried potatoes, and a little sausage gravy on an English-style hot dog. And, when asked about Charleston’s best soup for the cold winter months, Swiftwater’s Soup of the Day was an overwhelming fan favorite.
Swiftwater Café is located at 405 Capitol Street and open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-2pm. Curbside pickup is also available, which makes it so easy as a grab ‘n go option!
By Leslie Smithson | Categories: Food | No Comments on The Pitch
The Pitch is a hit! This cozy sports bar opened just prior to the pandemic, so for many diners in our area it remains undiscovered. When you’re ready to head over to the Shawnee Sports Complex for a dine-in meal, start with a loaded Bloody Mary and Pretzel Bites & Beer Cheese. This beer cheese is the Pitch’s own Kolsch Queso, a delightful upgrade to traditional beer cheese. The portion was more than ample for two, and the pretzel bites were equally delicious the next day when reheated.
The Bases Loaded Pizza is a homerun with this diner! Featuring house red sauce, cupping pepperoni, local Angelo’s sausage, chopped olives, roasted red peppers, and fresh mozzarella and parmesan, this pizza goes on the list as one of the best in the Valley! The Detroit-style crust, which is thinner than Chicago-style, lends hearty support to all those toppings. Like the pretzel bites, this pizza is great reheated at home, so be sure to have the staff box up your leftovers.
Hungry for a hotdog? The West Virginia Boom Stick is on the menu! A large hotdog split and grilled. Topped with house chili and slaw, green chile queso and chopped onions. On a buttered bun. It is amazing, but messy. Be ready to use your utensils to dig into this dog!
The Pitch offers dessert – if you have room – plus a kids’ menu.
For a complete beer list, visit The Pitch’s Facebook page.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Soho’s
January is National Soup Month. Soup is becoming one of the most controversial meal topics on social media: Is it a meal or not? In CWV, we believe it is a meal, and it is a meal that makes you warm and cozy on a cold winter day!
One hidden soup treasure in Charleston is Soho’s. Every day you will find made-from-scratch Minestrone and Escarole e Faggioli, plus a soup of the day. These soups are created and mastered by Soho’s seasoned cooks adding to the authenticity. Follow their Facebook page to get the daily specials.
If soup isn’t your thing, Soho’s offers other delicious dishes, including pasta and pizza. Plus, with the addition of the outdoor beer garden, you can safely enjoy a meal while dining outside this winter. If you are worried about the cold temperatures, you can carry out or get Soho’s delivered.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Charleston Needs: Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream
During the Pandemic, Ellen’s has discovered that ice cream really is a comfort food. Their customers are so happy to be able to get ice cream and have been so appreciative of the efforts to serve them safely. They are serving ice cream, gelato, sorbet, sherbet and fabulous seasonal flavors. These are all available in cones or cups, and pints and quarts.
Ellen’s also continues to serve lunch. Again, they are striving to stay safe by limiting the number of customers in the shop, no indoor seating, masks are required, employees wear masks and gloves, and are separated from customers with a plexiglass shield. Touchless payment is always available. They continue to accept phone orders and are happy to deliver curb-side. Their lunch menu includes soup, salads, wraps, grilled cheese, hummus, pita and veggies. If you want a quick, high quality lunch, Ellen’s has that for you.
They are anticipating the arrival of a couple of propane heaters so that if you wish, you may be able to sit outside, at least until it gets bitterly cold!
The highest priority in 2020/21 is to keep customers and employees safe. Ellen’s is happy that they can still offer you delicious ice cream, lunch, coffee, espresso and cookies during this craziest of times. Ice cream really does seem to make people feel happier!! When there is nowhere anyone can go to celebrate, take the celebration home with Ellen’s Ice Cream!!
Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream is also available at, Drug Emporium in Kanawha City and Patrick Street, and at Tamarack.
Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream
225 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV
