Crafts of Coal is a local ice cream shop with several locations around the Kanawha Valley. The original concept was a food truck in St. Albans, before moving to a brick-and-mortar location in the same town. Then, they expanded to Sissonville and, most recently, Dunbar. So, I stopped at the Dunbar location to get my ice cream fix. I opted for a "Turtle Trail" cone: SEA-SALT CARAMEL ICE CREAM AND SALTY CARAMEL SWIRL. WITH CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL TURTLES SWIMMING ABOUT. The generous scoop was rich and satisfying. Creamy, a little salty and 100% indulgent. 10/10 would order again. Pro-tip: Get a cup to avoid a melty mess. And while the ice cream shop isn't known for savory bites, I got a simple hot dog with ketchup and onion that hit the spot. Grade: A

Tucked into Huntington, Hill Tree Roastery operates as both a café and a working roastery, with coffee roasted on-site in small batches. The focus is on single-origin beans sourced from small farms, with an emphasis on transparency and bringing out the natural characteristics of each origin. You’re getting coffee that’s roasted on-site in small batches, which keeps flavors fresh and dialed in. The drink menu covers the expected espresso lineup (lattes, cortados, cappuccinos, pour-overs), but they also push into more creative territory with globally inspired drinks like spiced “Turkish Delight” coffee or dessert-style lattes built around flavors like honey cake or chocolate-hazelnut. I went for an iced mocha with all the whipped cream. The chocolate adds a rounded richness without overwhelming the coffee, while the ice keeps it crisp and refreshing. That soft cap of whipped cream melts slowly into the drink, adding a creamy, slightly airy contrast to the darker mocha below. Have you been? Grade: A

Tucked along Aurora Pike in Preston County, The Carriage House Bakery & Foods is small bakery and café is a relatively new addition to the area, opening in 2024 as a family-run business rooted in local heritage. The bakery sits on a property tied to the owners’ family history (once home to a grist mill, store, and post office), and the space is meant to feel like a gathering place for both locals and travelers passing through the area. The building looks like a modern farmhouse that blends seemlessly into the property. The outdoor space features rocking chairs, and the interior is simple but rustic-chic. They serve house-made pastries like croissants, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and cakes alongside coffee, tea, and simple breakfast and lunch items such as sandwiches, quiche, and salads. The focus is on fresh, in-house baking and approachable grab-and-go food, with gluten-free options available as well. The breakfast sandwich here is straightforward and built for consistency: egg with either bacon, sausage, or European-style bacon on a brioche bun or English muffin, with a gluten-free option available. It's a classic, no-frills bakery sandwich—moderate in size, reasonably priced, and designed for grab-and-go rather than indulgence. It's a solid, traditional breakfast sandwich that fits the setting—fresh, approachable, and more about reliability than reinventing the format. Have you been? Grade: A

Portland Coffee is a coffee shop in Terra Alta, serving espresso drinks, drip coffee and tea, as well as baked goods, pepperoni rolls, and biscuits and gravy. The name “Portland” references Terra Alta’s original name in the late 1800s, tying the shop’s identity to the town’s early history. Its coffee is made from small-batch roasted, responsibly sourced beans, and the business donates 10% of its revenue to community and outreach organizations. I love collecting locally roasted coffees, so I picked up a bag of the 1863 to take home:

"1863 is Portland Coffee’s best blend yet! You get all the flavor of a light roast and rich color of a medium roast. This blend is comprised of beans from Nicaragua and Ethiopia and is so good that we had to name it 1863 to honor the great state of West Virginia. President Lincoln signed the bill admitting WV on March 26, 1863, and it was officially recognized as a state on June 20th of the same year. Representation of our state helped to ratify the US Constitutional amendment to legalize the emancipation of slaves." I ordered a Caramel Macchiato Latte, which is a "Luscious Latte made from a blend of creamy caramel sauce and of milk." It certainly has those lightly bitter notes of coffee, and the caramel could have been more prominent for me. This is a coffee-drinker's coffee. I did get a slice of banana bread with nuts, which satisfied my sweet tooth. This place has charm. Small town, locally roasted coffee and quality food -- a perfect community gathering space. Have you been? Grade: A

Demus Italian Specialty Foods is a food truck fit for a carnival with its giant lettering and multicolored bulbs. Usually, though, it is stationed in a gas station lot off Exit 125 on I79.



It started as a small neighborhood grocery store where they made their own house Italian sausage, building a loyal following for that signature flavor. Over time, the retail store closed, but the demand for the sausage never went away—so the business pivoted into a trailer/food truck operation. Now, instead of shopping for it in-store, people line up to get those same house-made sausages served hot, with peppers and sauce. Known for a coarse grind and strong seasoning, especially fennel and spices, the sausage is the star - but the steak hoagie is delicious, as well.



It's a foil-wrapped delight that's smoky, messy, and unapologetically old-school.

Grade: A

North-Central West Virginia is not wanting for wonderful Italian restaurants. So, when someone told me that Mama Di Roma in Fairmont is the best of them all, I got in my car and made a trip straight to the friendly city.



Outside, there are red, white and green stripes on the windows. Photos of the food. Lists of menu items. There's no mistaking what you're walking into. Inside, there are red vinyl tablecloths, placemats with a map of Italy, and some hanging baskets. Its decor is firmly rooted in an old-school Italian-American style, with no shortage of patriotic flair.



The menu at Mama Di Roma leans into classic Italian-American comfort, with rich red sauces, baked pastas, and plenty of pizza options. Think chicken parmesan, stuffed shells, hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and classic starters like garlic knots and wedding soup.



The complimentary bread comes out in the form of those soft, buttery garlic rolls—warm, lightly golden, and packed with enough garlic to make them just as tempting as anything on the menu.



The wedding soup is warm and comforting, with a savory broth, tender bites throughout, and a slight richness.



I ordered the Shrimp & Crabmeat entree - Sautéed Shrimp and Crabmeat in a Creamy Garlic Sauce over Rigatoni. Plump, juicy shrimp and sweet crabmeat are coated in a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every rigatoni tube. The sauce is rich without being heavy, coating the pasta nicely and letting the seafood shine. Every bite hits that comforting, garlicky flavor you want from a dish like this.



Grade: A

The Wine Down is Charleston's first true wine bar that specializes in a curated wine list, relaxed atmosphere and small bites. The space is designed to feel more like a living room than a bar, with sofas, accent chairs, and eclectic décor. Deep-colored walls, vintage mirrors, and small seating areas create a chill vibe. The wine list is "thoughtfully selected to be approachable, affordable, and simply enjoyable. Explore crisp, refreshing whites or rich, smooth reds," reads the website. White wines include: PINOT GRIGIO, SAUVIGNON BLANC, CHARDONNAY, MOSCATO and REISLING. Red wines include: PINOT NOIR, RED BLEND, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, and CAYMUS. They also offer prosecco and rose, in addition to mead, beer, non-alcoholic beer and sparkling water. I enjoyed a moscato and the "HOLDOVER," which is a personal charcuterie featuring an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, dried fruit & chocolate. It’s essentially a place to decompress —whether that means a casual date night, catching up with friends, or just enjoying a quiet glass of wine at the end of the day. Grade: A

Max on Main is a vibrant restaurant in White Sulphur Springs serving wood-fired pizzas and locally sourced dishes from partners throughout West Virginia. The renovated space offers a chic industrial ambiance with cathedral ceilings and an indoor-outdoor experience, complemented by a bar featuring West Virginia craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails. I ordered the 8 oz. Mountain Steer filet of beef with garlic herb butter, plus a house salad and macaroni & cheese. The filet was tender and buttery, with a deep, savory richness that soaked up the warm garlic herb butter as it melted over the top. The house salad was fresh and crisp, offering a cool bite between the richer flavors of the plate. The macaroni and cheese was creamy and velvety, with a mellow, slightly sharp cheese sauce that clung to each noodle. Grade: A