Fox Hops Brewery is a new, award-winning brewery in Elkins that has a unique claim to fame: "We are home to the only certified female brewer in the state of West Virginia, bringing unique perspective and innovation to every batch." In addition to a variety of beer styles including Amber Ale, Brown Ale, Chocolate Stout, IPAs and more, the brewery offers up some delicious noshes. "Fox Hops offers a unique food menu designed to pair perfectly with your pint — from bratwursts made with our own house Amber Ale to specialty burgers like the unforgettable PB&J burger," reads the website. First things first, I ordered a growler of RAMP beer. I repeat, RAMP beer. Using locally sourced ramps. Named "Mountain Music," it has an intense aroma but fairly light in flavor. On the food side, I ordered pimento cheese bites, that are honey pretzel crusted bites filled with pimento cheese, drizzled with honey sriracha. These were addictively good. I also did the PB&J burger, which includes a 1/3 lb. burger topped with bacon, pickled jalapenos, cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly - definitely an interesting combination! That's precisely what drew me to it. It was a solid combo. I almost wish the jelly was a dipping sauce on the side, so I could control the level I wanted. I wanted more! Cool beer. Good food. Locally owned. What more can you ask for? Grade: A

While driving through Ripley, I spotted this funky little camper off on the side road. CampGrounds Espresso offers espresso, tea and refreshers, plus some small snacks. I ordered a lemonade refresher with peach and cherry. These are flavors I absolutely love, the texture was on point, and it lived up to its "refreshing" name on a particularly warm day. Grade: A

Calming Goat Coffee Co. is a small, local coffee shop in Point Pleasant that has a playful “goat” theme throughout its menu and branding. The shop leans into specialty drinks and creative seasonal items — things like flavored lattes, cold brews, matcha drinks and more. The décor leans into a modern farmhouse style with modern lighting, metal seating, wood tones, and lots of little decorative touches. For food, their offerings include hot sandwiches and paninis, wraps, bagel sandwiches, and flatbreads, along with lighter options like protein bowls, egg bites and soups that rotate depending on the time of year. They also have a playful “boujee toast” selection that elevates simple toast with creative toppings, plus grab-and-go lunch items for convenience. On the sweeter side, the bakery program is a major highlight, with daily rotating pastries such as cookies, brownies, scones, danishes and occasional specialty desserts inspired by trending flavors. So, I wanted to try a little of everything - drinks, food & bakery! Let's get into it. I ordered a strawberry banana smoothie, which is basic, but also a sure-fire winner. Lightly sweet and fruity. I also did a rice krispie treat that was sticky and satisfying. We didn't really do rice krispie treats growing up - maybe that's why I love them - but I always pick one up when I see them for sale. The avocado toasted bagel had avocado, everything seasoning, cream cheese & balsamic glaze. It was simple, but nice. Creamy but acidic. Good balance. Grade: A

DiCarlo's Original Pizza has expanded into Knoxville, Tennessee. Of course, I followed shortly thereafter. The iconic Ohio Valley pizza is near and dear to my heart. It's baked with sauce, then fresh provolone is melted on top afterward. It's nostalgic -- but above all else, delicious. It's a crispy, square-cut crust that is topped with sweet tomato sauce and then finished with a mound of cold shredded provolone cheese and mushrooms after the pizza comes out of the oven. The contrast between the hot crust and sauce with the cool, slightly melty cheese is everything. Knoxville is doing this Ohio Valley pizza justice. Grade: A

Nomi's Nibbles is a mobile charcuterie cart with cheeses, meats, fruits and even candy. They were set up recently where I could get a little mix and match of different items. You can get themed options, like one full of bubble gum, gummi worms and blow pops. I went a more traditional route with skewers of grapes, salami, cheddar, colby, tomatoes and more. Have you tried it? Grade: A

In downtown Sevierville, The Appalachian is known for its Appalachian cooking. The restaurant builds its menu around regional ingredients, and a wood-fired hearth is the centerpoint of the kitchen. The menu changes regularly, but the throughline stays consistent -- Appalachian ingredients, a lot of creativity and plenty of comfort. You’ll see mains like rainbow trout, dry-aged steaks, pork chops, often paired with seasonal vegetables. Plus, there are starters like fried chicken skins, pimento cheese and cornbread. Inside, the space is full of wood, stone and low lighting. And plenty of bourbon options. I enjoyed a "Prickle Me Pink," which included prickly pear. That intrigued me, since that's a flavor I've typically seen out west. It was lightly sweet and brightly colored. For my entree, I went with shrimp & grits, with andouille sausage, lunchbox pepper, shallot and fermented peppers. The grits were very good and the perfect consistency. The shrimp gave a clean, slightly sweet flavor. The sausage brought some smokiness. The cornbread was risp-edged and golden on the outside, soft and slightly crumbly inside. More savory than sweet. Have you been?

Grade: A

Oddfellers' Fine Foods is a Richwood restaurant under the direction of Chef Libby Nolle, who has recieved statewide recognition for her food. The restaurant held a fancy ramp supper - it is Richwood after all - for $80/person. "These ain’t your grandma’s ramps, perhaps, but we are all super proud and excited to be able to host our first annual “Oddfellers’ Fancy Ramp Feed.” Libby has gone above and beyond in creating an intriguing and delicious six course menu that celebrates our Appalachian culinary traditions in a manner that is elegant and refined, yet bursting with flavor at every turn. A dinner worth changing your plans for," the event read. Cornbread Crostini with Whipped Feta, Ramp Jam, and Toasted Pine Nuts Creamed Ramp and Potato Soup with Fresh Chives and Truffle Oil Baby Kale Salad in Citrus-Ramp Vinaigrette with Mandarin Oranges, Goat Cheese, and Toasted Almonds Salmon Cake with Hominy Succotash and Dilly Ramp Crème fraîche Porchetta with House-made Ramp Tagliatelle, Roasted Asparagus, and Ramp Gremolata Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Sweet Cream

This was a really thoughtful meal with some creative flavors.

Grade: A