Pizza Vibes is a casual, locally owned restaurant along Route 60 in Barboursville with a focus on - you guessed it - pizza.
The menu goes beyond standard pizza offerings, including calzones, wings, pasta dishes, and a few unexpected items like chicken tikka masala.
I ordered the pepperoni roll, which comes stuffed with mozzarella and a side of marinara.
It's a giant roll with a few slits on top that could almost be mistaken for a baguette.
It's pretty tasty, though I think Graziano's has my favorite pepperoni roll in this category (giant, meal-sized) because they are absolutely stuffed inside and golden brown outside.
I wouldn't hate a bit more crisp texture on this one, and I like mine to have a bit more filling to bread ratio.
Grade: B
Thai Fusion in Barboursville offers "delicious, authentic Asian cuisine created by master chefs and served with a smile."
The menu is wide and varied, so I picked a few of my favorite dishes listed across the various categories: appetizer, entree & sushi.
Crab Rangoon (5) - Crispy wonton wrappers filled with cream cheese and crab mixture, served with sweet and sour sauce. These were a great version - a lighter fry, which saved the roof of my mouth and the integrity of the mixture inside.
Sweet and Sour Chicken - Stir fry with bell pepper, onion, pineapple and carrot. The Thai version of this dish has a thin sweet-and-sour sauce and usually a sort of shredded chicken. It is so craveable.
Lobster Tail Roll - tempura, avocado, cream cheese, eel sauce. this was quite the presentation. It was built with lobster tails, but the flavor profile was a familiar favorite. Creamy, a little sweet, crunchy. All fresh.
Grade: A
Bruno's Spotted Hare is a new restaurant in Barboursville that serves "internationally flavored Appalachian fare."
The space is grand in a sense. Like a classic cigar lounge meets stained glass. Tin ceilings and wooden bar tops. It helps create an experience.
The menu is interesting, as it features a number of rabbit dishes, which is fitting considering the restaurant's name, plus duck, venison, trout and catfish.
I started with the "Deviled Eggs" - Pastured Eggs, Smoked Pimentón, Trout Roe, Benton's Country Ham. These are strong flavors and textures. I enjoyed the smokiness and the briny flavor. Certainly less sweet and mayo-y than those common at church picnics and family reunions.
For my main entree, I went with the "Rabbit Loin Roulade" - Rabbit Loin, Prosciutto, Hernshaw Farms Mushrooms, Parsnip Purée, Field Peas, Mustard Cream Sauce. This dish was so well executed. The rabbit was moist, though it's such a lean meat. There was no hint of gaminess, and the prosciutto added a nice crispiness, while the mustard cream sauce added that rich crave-ability.
I really enjoyed the Appalachian influenced menu, as well as the creative ingredients and balanced components. I appreciate the effort and technique to give me something new - but familiar all at the same time.
Grade: A
Dave & Buster's is like a Chuck E. Cheese for adults. There are arcade games, large TVs, food, and drinks. it marks the first location in West Virginia and, they have some decent food options.
"THE STORY OF DAVE & BUSTER - Yes, they're real guys! Back in the late 1970s, Buster opened a restaurant known for its tasty food and friendly service. A few doors down, Dave opened an outrageous place for entertainment and games where adults were irresistibly drawn for fun. The two young entrepreneurs noticed people rotating between their establishments, and an idea started to form: What if they put both under one roof?" according to the website.
"FIRST STORE OPENS IN DALLAS, 1982
The two young men headed to "Restaurant Row" in Dallas where they found an empty 40,000 square-foot warehouse. Having been proclaimed certifiably crazy by many in the restaurant industry, Dave and Buster dove headlong into construction. With Dave’s name first because he won a coin toss, they opened the first Dave & Buster’s in December 1982."
"OVER 140 D&B LOCATIONS. Each store has more state of the art games than ever, more mouthwatering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound."
They have tons of shareable apps, wings, flatbreads, burgers, entrees and desserts.
I went for the cali caesar chicken bowl but subbed steak for the chicken. It was supposed to come with guacamole, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons and bacon. I was missing the guacamole, which was my main draw for the salad, so that was a bit of a bummer. But it was still huge and not bad. Have you eaten here before? What's the best thing?
Koerber Beer Company is a new microbrewery in Barboursville.
Hidden down an alley lined with umbrella tables, the brewery has a very chill indoor-outdoor feel with folks inside at a small bar, off to the side with the larger bar and open door, and then finally outside.
I purchased a growler to add to my collection, and I got a "walk around cup" of the Hustle & Bustle sour beer. This means you can walk outside the bar with your cup! It's the new PODA rules where you're able to drink outside in a designated area.
I'm a sour fan, so I really enjoyed the tartness, and it had some slight peachy flavor.
They don't have food, but they do invite food trucks frequently, and there are several good restaurants just down the street.
Grade: A
The Peach Cobbler Factory is a cool little dessert shop that offers everything from cobblers and banana puddings, to cinnamon rolls and shakes. There are only two locations in West Virginia – Huntington and Barbourville. I enjoyed cobbler at the Huntington location, so on this visit to Barbourville, I went with a banana pudding.
I ordered the New York cheesecake banana pudding, and it was filled to the brim. I carefully removed the lid, and a New York cheesecake with cherries in pudding form stared back at me. Sometimes, cheesecake can be pretty dense and heavy. Here, I enjoyed all those same flavors, but in a light pudding ... 10/10. Slightly messy, but worth it.
Grade: A
Booktenders is a funky bookshop in Barboursville that also boasts a coffee and drink counter. Cappuccinos, lattes, etc., are all available - though vanilla is the only flavor option.
I did a iced latte with vanilla, which was simple. I do love having a coffee option in the middle of a bookstore because it gives all the cozy ~vibes~. While more options would be nice, this was just fine.
Grade: B
Tequila Grill in Barboursville sets itself apart from other Mexican-inspired restaurants in the area with its bright orange facade. And, it may be that - or their mix of traditional and innovative dishes - that is working for them because they have been voted a fan favorite of the county in the past.
Set inside a shopping plaza, the restaurant has plenty of parking and some robust Mexican decor that is like a cross of cantina and neon nightlife. The menu features classic favorites like tacos, burritos and quesadillas. But I do appreciate that they also have things like specialty egg rolls, fish tacos, and more.
Chips & salsa = standard. Chimichanga with all the fixins = decent. I took this meal to go, so part of the lack of texture is on me. I took this meal to go, so part of the lack of texture is on me. But, it was chock-full of veggies and protein, and a big heaping portion overall. I just wouldn't hate somethin' a little extra next time.
Grade: B
Grindstone Coffeeology is a Huntington-based coffee shop that takes its craft seriously. This mall location is its second spot, with the first being on 8th Street in Huntington.
The coffee shop offers specialty coffee drinks, iced teas, fruit protein smoothies & frappes.
Snacks of both the sweet and savory variety are available: donuts, muffins, oatmeal slices, bagels, breakfast burritos, etc.
I went with a veggie quiche, which wasn't bad! I think they're maybe baked earlier or off-site and reheated, which made it a bit rubbery. But that's a bit nitpicky; it was tasty enough that I hoovered the whole thing.
I also ordered a caramel frappe, which is a blended coffee milkshake essentually. It's smothered with caramel, so it was sweet with just a touch of roasty flavor.
Also, I love their cool, modern cafe vibe. Despite being in a busy mall, it is like a little chill oasis.
Grade: A
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