Blog Archives
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | 3 Comments on The Grill
Driving down Washington Street on Charleston’s West Side, you may have noticed an unassuming brick building front with blackletter type, reading “The Grill.” What you might not realize is that this is the most popular dining spot in Charleston you’ve never heard of. Wander in during the lunchtime and you will find the place well-attended with regulars, from the young professional crowd, to Charleston’s movers and shakers, to retiree lunch clubs who have been frequenting for decades. The Grill has been a staple on Charleston’s West Side for 65 years.
Roger Arthur opened The Grill on the West Side in 1955, where it then moved to its current location on Washington Street to accommodate interstate construction. His son Dave has carried on the family tradition of home-cooked food with a friendly smile, where both the staff and customers give it a downright neighborly atmosphere.
Everybody has their favorite dish, and each visit you will discover something new and delicious-sounding slapped up on the daily special board. The burgers (made with grass-fed local beef!), hotdogs, and fries are easy wins that can’t be beat. But you might also try the famous wings and cornbread, the chicken salad platter, or the crunchy taco salad.
No matter what you order, you will get that extra something special that enhances your plate—whether it’s the freshest tomatoes sourced straight from the Capitol Market, or sweet iced tea served the old-fashioned way with a long serving spoon. These small touches will make The Grill one of your new favorite stops.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food, Things To Do | 2 Comments on Route 60 Ramble
Many people are yearning to travel again. Yet, they are cautious and not ready to go. Lucky for you, we have the perfect staycation ideas. Experience things you love while exploring new places between Charleston and Huntington. Follow the Route 60 Ramble on Instagram for all the wonderful ideas.
By Leslie Smithson | Categories: Food, Things To Do | 4 Comments on Taylor Books
Set in the heart of Downtown Charleston, Taylor Books is so much more than just an independent bookstore. Visitors can browse for art, literature and gifts and listen to live music or author presentations while sipping a latte or glass of wine.
The Capitol Street bookstore opened in 1995 and quickly became a must-visit destination in the Capital City. The store carries a broad selection of reading material, including local and regional fiction and nonfiction, used books and hard-to-find magazines. A unique collection of cards and gifts ranging from toys and games to writing materials rounds out the inventory of this eclectic shop.
The hub of Taylor Books is its café. The menu features a broad selection of gourmet coffee and teas, smoothies, pastries, soups and sandwiches and other light fare. In recent years it has expanded to include wine and local craft beer – ideal for evenings when the café hosts its regular open mic nights or other live performances.
The Annex Gallery features rotating exhibits by local artists and artisans, and the store also offers art classes in its Annex Studio.
As if that weren’t enough, this cultural mecca seemed like the ideal location for an independent cinema. Operated as a separate business, the Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema can be accessed through the Annex Gallery or from the alley behind Taylor Books. The micro-theater hosts the West Virginia International Film Festival and showcases independent films and shorts.
Don’t forget to follow the guidelines while enjoying Taylor Books. Maintain social distance and wear your mask!
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | 2 Comments on Vegetarian Finds
In Charleston, fantastic food is our specialty. There are plenty of great burgers and chicken sandwiches to choose from, but we want to also make sure to give a nod to all the unique and flavorful vegetarian dishes. We know our favorites—but if you want to find to find the true hidden gems in a destination, always ask the locals. So, this list came from a poll of your top picks!
- Nawab
- Vegetable Korma
- Chana Masaa
- Creperi Café
- Coco’s Kitchen
- Vietnamese Noodle Salad with tofu
- Lola’s
- Margherita Pizza
- Hummus Platter
- Spinach Feta Pizza
- Sangria
- Pies & Pints
- Garden Grinder
- Black Bean Pie
- Pesto Pie
- Chow Thai
- Books & Brews
- Treasure Island Pizza
- Secret Bunker
- Ichiban
- Singapore Noodles
- Seaweed Salad
- Cold Spot
- Falafel Burger
- Greek Salad
- Hummus Plate
- Sitar of India
- Saag Paneer
- Navratan Kroma
- Barkadas
- Hernshaw Farms Mushrooms Bowl w/ Pancit Noodles
- Aladdin
- Black Sheep Burrito
- Roasted Beet Tacos
- Fried Avocado Tacos
- Bluegrass Kitchen
- Tofu Wings – BGK is currently closed, but the wings are available at Tricky Fish
Let us know what other great vegetarian meals we are missing.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | 4 Comments on Dining Around
No trip is complete without checking out the food scene. Charleston has vibrant dining options. Everyone in your family will be pleased with any place you pick. Let us guide you to some Undiscovered food in #CWV.
Let’s start the day with a delicious cup of coffee at the Daily Dose Cafe. The Daily Dose offers a variety of coffee drinks, including cold brew, cappuccino, macchiato, and more. You can add a plethora of flavors and some CBD, for an extra boost.
Our next stop is breakfast at the Smokehouse. Most Charlestonians visit this West Side staple for lunch and dinner. Many don’t realize the amazing homecooked breakfast they serve. We recommend the biscuits and gravy.
Now it is time for a mid-morning snack. Everyone from WV knows pepperoni rolls are the best snack, and a quick stop for this snack is Swiftwater General Store.
We know you are still hungry, and it is time for lunch. Try CWV’s newest lunch spot, Coco’s Kitchen & Café. Keep an eye on their Facebook, as the menu changes weekly. Don’t forget to add on a smoothie to complete your meal.
For your mid-afternoon, take a step back in time at The Peanut Shoppe. This local staple is celebrating 60 years of fun on Capitol Street. Our favorites include the boiled peanuts and homemade caramel popcorn.
No dinner is complete without an appetizer and fresh air. The Tricky Fish patio is the perfect place to enjoy world famous hushpuppies- even Melissa Etheridge tweeted about how good they are!
The Hale House is another new CWV staple. They opened their doors in January, then two months later had to temporarily close due to the pandemic. We are happy to report they are back open and serving delicious burgers, steaks, and ahi tuna. In addition to their food, Hale House offers the largest bourbon selection in the Kanawha valley.
What better way to end your day of exploration of the Charleston food scene than with gelato from Caffe Romeo? Gelato is made fresh in house, and flavors change weekly. Trust us, you will find more than one that you fall in love with.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food, Things To Do | No Comments on What is Juneteenth?
What is Juneteenth and why does it need to be celebrated? Juneteenth dates back to 1865, and most people do not know about it. Juneteenth stands for June 19, the day the final slaves were actually freed in Texas, two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
The first celebration of Juneteenth happened on the one-year anniversary in 1866. These celebrations started in churches throughout Texas. By the 1920s and 1930s, this holiday spread throughout the southern states.
Due to COVID19 restrictions, celebrations will be limited this year. We can, however, honor this holiday by supporting African American owned businesses in the Charleston area. Thanks to Our Future West Virginia for help compiling this list of African American owned local businesses.
This Juneteenth, get out and shop local, responsibly wear your PPE and wash your hands!
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By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food, Things To Do | No Comments on Girlfriend Staycation
Grab your mom friends and take a getaway to a Charleston hotel! Several hotels are offering special staycation rates and are ready to pamper you after a long quarantine with the kids.
Start your evening of pampering with a mani/pedi or a hair appointment at one of Charleston’s spas. Please make an appointment and follow all the guidelines such as wearing your mask.
Next, you will need some retail therapy. Shops along Capitol Street and the Bridge Road Shops will provide you with the perfect outfit for dinner and drinks.
Before checking into the hotel, grab a bottle of wine, and champagne for morning mimosas, from The Wine Shop at Capitol Market. No ladies’ night is complete without getting ready together while pregaming.
Several of Charleston’s favorite restaurants are offering outdoor dining. Make your reservations early. Sit down, relax, and let someone else wait on you.
After dinner, take a relaxing stroll along Kanawha Boulevard’s riverfront.
Treat yourself to breakfast in bed. Either with room service or delivery of a local restaurant.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food, Things To Do | No Comments on Charleston’s Family Staycation
Tired of looking at the same four walls? Why not take a staycation at one of Charleston’s hotels? Most are offering special rates for locals. In addition to a change of scenery we can help make your trip fun.
Charleston has many outdoor activities, that provide plenty of space to social distance, that the entire family will enjoy.
Start your afternoon with a family picnic at the WV State Capitol. With so many of Charleston’s restaurants open for takeout, just pick up your lunch. After you get your belly full, explore the all the statues around the Capitol grounds and let the kids chase some squirrels.
Next, take a stroll down Capitol Street for a treat that children of all ages love, ice cream, at Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream. While downtown, do a little retail therapy. Just remember to wear your mask inside the shops and maintain proper social distancing.
Now it is time to check into the hotel. Enjoy a little family down time inside the room before heading out to dinner.
Several local favorites are open for outdoor dining. Sit down, relax, and let someone else serve you a meal, that you do not have to cook or clean up after! Please call ahead and make reservations to ensure your table is ready.
End the evening with a relaxing stroll down Kanawha Boulevard before heading back to the hotel.
Wake up the next morning to breakfast in bed. Order room service, if available, or send your spouse to pick up breakfast at First Watch.
By Lauren hunt | Categories: Food | No Comments on Quarantine Cocktails
You’re social distancing. We all are, hopefully! But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on your favorite cocktails, provided you have a well to moderately stocked liquor cabinet.
Drew Smith of Bricks & Barrels is a two-time winner of our people’s Choice Award for Charleston’s Favorite Bartender. He’s here to help with some simple to more complex drink recipes so that we can enjoy a classed up happy hour from the comfort of our homes.
You can find Drew, and a whole lot of other people, in the Kanawha Valley Tip Jar data base. We encourage you to scroll through the list, sorted alphabetically by establishment, find your favorite bartenders and servers from your regular haunt and show them a little love while they’re on the sidelines. You’ll also find barbers, hair stylist, nail techs and more on there. Let’s take care of the folks who take care of us in normal times!
Without further ado, here’s the first installment of Drew’s Quarantine Cocktails!
The Old Fashioned
- 3 oz of your favorite whiskey
- Pinch of sugar
- Dash of bitters
- Muddled orange and cherry
Pour muddled ingredients over ice and enjoy
The Gimlet
- 2 ½ oz vodka or gin (personal preference or availability)
- Fresh squeezed lime juice – half a lime if it’s juicy, a full lime if it’s on the small side
- Pinch of sugar
Shake ingredients over ice and serve chilled
Kentucky Derby Drink
The Mint Julep
- Mint springs (leaves and stems)
- 2 oz of whiskey
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- Crushed ice
Throw the mint springs in a mixing tin. Pour whiskey and simple syrup over the mint. Muddle vigorously! Add ice and shake. Serve chilled.
Cinco De Mayo Cocktails
Mariachi Mule
- 2 oz of tequila
- Jalapeno
- Lime
- Ginger Beer
Mix tequila, jalapeno and lime. Muddle together. Top with ginger beer. Serve over ice.
The Cactus Jack
- 1 oz tequila
- 1 oz whiskey
- 1/4 oz of agave syrup
- Sour mix
- Soda
Mix all the ingredients, serve chilled.
Keep an eye out for more of Drew’s Quarantine Cocktails down the road!
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By Leslie Smithson | Categories: Food, Things To Do | 3 Comments on Bar Hopping? Just “Dive” Right In!
Want to see a city’s true colors? Check out its dive bars.
Start your Charleston-area “Dive Bar Tour” in Nitro with a Bloody Mary at Castaways – served in a solo cup, of course. You’ll feel like you were picked up and dropped in the middle of Key West.
Next, you’re just a short Uber or Lyft ride from Drummy’s Bar and Grill in St. Albans, a local institution serving up the coldest beer in town. Flat-screen TVs on every wall make this a great place to catch a game. Don’t leave St. Albans until you’ve visited Club El Dorado Bar and Grill as well. Sit on the lounge side, surrounded by velvet paintings of bull fighters, or grab a spot outside to enjoy a cold drink on the patio.
Your next stop needs to be Denver’s Depot on Charleston’s West Side. This train-themed local bar features Charleston’s best pool tables – but fair warning, it’s cash only, so be prepared.
After you work up an appetite shooting pool, head downtown to Big Joe’s on Capitol Street for epic burgers and the region’s best homemade soups. Order the chicken tortellini and kale soup, you’ll thank us later.
Just a few doors down from Joe’s is Sam’s Uptown Café, where you can grab a drink downstairs or head up to the second floor to hang out on old sofas, play Connect Four and listen to an assortment of old vinyl records on the in-house turntable.
As we fade into the homestretch of our tour, it’s off to Charleston’s East End and two of the city’s most iconic dives. First up, The Red Carpet Lounge. In the shadow of the Capitol dome, you’ll rub elbows with legislators, government employees, reporters and neighborhood folks who love “The Carpet” for its great beer selection and popular outdoor patio.
Cap the day, which has now become the night, with live music at the world famous Empty Glass. Don’t let the low ceilings and the wooden floor fool you, more award-winning artists have played this venue than anywhere in the city.
Cheers!
