Charleston Restaurant Week 2020 was full of delicious food, great memories and amazing friends. I made it a point to dine out each night of the week. So here's a recap of all the delicious food of the week:




Day 1
Ichiban









Appetizer: Almost Heaven Maki with Blue Crab and Shrimp, spicy mayo, 9-spice and scallions.



Entree: Pork Fried Risotto with Grilled Salmon and Lemon Ginger Crema



Dessert: Strawberry Cheesecake



Day 2
Ristorante Abruzzi






Appetizer: Bruschetta: Charleston Bread Baguette topped with a Classic Tomato Topping and Balsamic Vinegar



Entree: Customer's Choice of Housemade Pasta: Any Pasta Dish on the Menu - Campanelle in a cream sauce with capers and sub smoked salmon for shrimp.



Dessert: Cranberry-Orange Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise Sauce



Day 3
Books & Brews



Appetizer: Fresh Veggie Roll - Green Peppers, Banana Peppers, Onions, Black Olives, Mushrooms, Spinach and Whole Milk Mozzarella rolled in Fresh Pizza Dough. Topped with Parmesan and Parsley and served with a Side of Marinara



Entree: Prime Rib on Ciabatta: Medium Rare Prime Rib served with Blue Cheese, House Horseradish Sauce and Onions on a fresh Ciabatta. Served with a side of greens, Dried Cranberries, and Parmesan with a House Vinaigrette



Dessert: Apple Crisp: Apples, Dried Cranberries, Sugar, and Maple Syrup topped with Oats and served with a Side of Vanilla Ice Cream



Day 3
Starlings Coffee & Provisions



Appetizer: Baked Fontina & Jarlsberg served with House-Made Bagel Crisps and Roast Crudites



Entree: Housemade Mushroom Duxelle Ravioli: Roasted Chickpeas, Pesto, Housemade J. Q. Dickinson Nigari Ricotta, Herbed Olive Oil and Housemade Garlic Knot



Dessert: Choice of Case Pastry - mini blueberry buttermilk pie
Appetizer: Pimento Mousse Potato Souffles with Crispy Pork Belly



Entree: Lobster Pierogies with Caramelized Onion Alfredo Sauce and Lemon Butter Asparagus



Dessert: Lavender Creme Brûlée with Stewed Berries, Buttermilk-Honey Espuma and Candied Pistachios

Appetizer: Maryland Lump Crab Cake with House Made Remoulade





Entree: Jumbo Scallop and Shrimp served with Creamed Spring Peas and Pancetta over Grilled Risotto Cake



Dessert: Bread Pudding served with a Warm Rich White Chocolate Sauce


Appetizer: Smoked & Salt Roasted Kohlrabi with Spring Gap Creamery Aged Cheddar Sauce and Buttered Bread Crumb



Entree: Ramp Fried Rice with West Virginia Mushroom Eggroll, Chicken Fried Shrimp and Whiskey Barrel Aged Soy Sauce Gravy





Dessert: Blueberry Buttermilk Pie

Gino's is a West Virginia institution - maybe not quite as much as Tudors - but you can find them in many West Virginia towns.

Gino's features pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and other appetizers.

The menus do tend to change a little bit from location to location, and while I was here, I wanted to try a few different items.

First, I went with cheesy breadsticks (and extra marinara!). These are garlicky and buttery and delish.

Then, I tried their lasagna for the first time. This thing is packed with cheese - mozzarella and ricotta. For fast food pasta, it's not bad.

The Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg is one of my favorite spots in the city. Not only does it have tales of hauntings, but it has boasted a delicious restaurant for years.

Recently, they changed it up a bit and introduced "Brunello." Brunello "features fresh ingredients, an open kitchen, pizza oven, and handmade pastas. This polished-casual dining experience is one you will not find anywhere else in the area."


"Brunello Bar features seating for up to 14 with an extensive wine list, six beers on tap, including brews from West Virginia and surrounding areas, and our drink menu, featuring classic cocktails and unique creations. Seasonally, the patio and courtyard provides an enjoyable atmosphere for dining, drinking, listening to live music, and sitting fireside at one of our new fire pits."


I was there for brunch and went with the "Smoke Salmon Bagel Platter," which had cold-smoked salmon, capers, onion, cream cheese, an everything bagel, and I opted out of the chopped egg.

And, I went for a yogurt granola parfait side.  Both of these were tasty for brunch. I'd love to go back during dinner hours and get a real feel for their Italian entrees, though.

There is a new Mediterranean restaurant in Parkersburg that is serving up gyros, shawarma, and even po' boys.

Gyro King is located on 7th Street and is a bright little space with geometric printed chairs and Mediterranean music playing.

Since gyro is in the name, I went for a gyro, as well as some hummus - two classics!

While waiting for it to finish up, I had a conversation with the owner, who is a renowned chef from Morocco who has worked all over. He's landed in West Virginia and looking to make a life for himself here.

The gyro had delicious strips of lamb with fresh lettuce, and a giant dollop of tzatziki. Easily one of the best gyros in recent memory. Fresh, flavorful and filling. The hummus was also phenomenal - it has a thicker texture (which I liked) and a bit of a kick. Flavorful and delicious.

Movies $4 Less at the LaBelle Theatre Movie Theater isn't a restaurant, no. BUT, I went with my friend Sara recently, and we got some snacks that I wanted to share.

This historic theater has recently taken on a new life as a discount movie theater. Movies that have just left the theater are played here at a steep discount - just $4 a ticket - and the concessions are all $3. Those snacks include unlimited popcorn, unlimited fountain drinks, candy, pepperoni rolls and pizza.

I went with a combo of drink, popcorn, and candy for $8. Plus my ticket at $4 - so this was a $12 visit! Sara went with some pepperoni rolls, too. I was under the impression these were regular pepperoni rolls from Gino's next door, but they're a bit more special.

They're made specifically for the theater and come in a set of four pinwheels. So, they have a nice crisp to them. Have you been yet?