Just as Jay's Daily Grind changed to The Grind WV, former Jay's Getaway changed to Apothecary Ale House and Cafe. I'm not sure who Jay is, but it seems as though he's sold both of the restaurants in town that bear his namesake. Jay must be a hipster, because both of his places are great. And luckily, they both seem to be doing well even after the trade.

Rumor has it that a previous bartender took over Apothecary, so that would be a good thing. Always nice to have people who know what they're doing running the place.

So Apothecary isn't much different - from what I remember - at Jay's Getaway. It's still a super cool, laidback vibe with friendly bartenders. Have no idea what you're doing and want to try something new? Ask them. They're not judgey, so it's the best place to learn about craft beer.

Speaking of, they have one of the best selections in town. The beer menu is pages long. I've had a bunch of different kinds, including the Rogue Farms Pumpkin Patch Ale most recently. Yum. They even give you which fancy glass accompanies your beer. I won't try to pretend like I know the difference, but it makes me feel hip.

The crowd here is what makes it for me, I think. Not like most of the other bars downtown. Rather, it's mellow. And a little older than undergrads. And I appreciate that. 

There's a board showing what they have on tap, and it changes regularly. Also, they have a set of index cards that you can create one iwth your name on it and document all the different kinds of beers you've had. The ones with the most are showcased on a leaderboard. So, that's cool.

There's a very limited food menu which consists of a few appetizers and paninis.Appetizers include things like an olive, pepper and cracker platter, a pepperoni roll, basket of kettle chips, pretzel with beer cheese and pretzel with mustard or bleu cheese. Their kitchen seems to be this teeny, tiny corner of the bar, so it's nothing extravagant.

Paninis include a three cheese roast beef, a turkey bacon melt, a pepper sandwich, a gouda sandwich and a Cuban sandwich. They're all essentially lunch meat on New Day Bakery Bread, with chips, dip and a pickle.

I ordered the three cheese roast beef was pleasantly surprised with my panini. It had roast beef and onions, melted swiss, pepper jack, and cheddar cheese and mayo. It's simple, but it was actually tasty. And I wouldn't really put mayo on roast beef, but I will from now on. I also love love that the chips have dip with them. Otherwise, they probably would've gone to waste. Fairly solid, simple sandwich.

For specializing in beer, these sandwiches are not to be overshadowed. They're good and are a perfect addition to any beer. Maybe that's supposed to be the other way around .. Nah.




Grade: A

Jay's Daily Grind has switched ownership and is now known as The Grind WV. It's my understanding that one of the employees at Jay's bought the shop, which makes sense why it's in many ways the same as the previous restaurant -- but in other ways, totally different.

The Grind WV is located right off WVU's campus and is an easy walk for students. For those of us who have to drive there, it's a little more treacherous - though two small short-term lots are directly behind the building. Good luck finding parking there during peak hours, though.

I have to say - it's worth it.


It's a small, but cozy inside. You order at the counter and take a seat to the right (where there are a dozen or so tables) or left (just a table and the trash area) and wait for your name to be called. This is just like Jay's.

What's new, you ask?

Well, they take CREDIT CARDS. YES. CREDIT CARDS. This is revolutionary, people. They also have wifi and extended hours!

They also have a little bit more creativity going on. Daily soups are a new thing, as are a few prepared hummus and pita sandwiches at the front. They have specials on their Facebook that include baked goods and other delicious items.

That's what drew me in. I saw a photo on their Facebook about a tomato bisque, and a friend texted me to tell me about it. Tomato bisque with candied pecans, reggiano parm and local rendered bacon. Good. God.

I also grabbed a hummus sandwich and sat at the window to people watch.

Let's just start with this sandwich. As simple as it sounds, it is so, so good. It's a delicious hummus with delicious pita and delicious red peppers. I don't know if it's homemade or not, but I know if I bought all these at the store, I couldn't even assemble it as good as this. I was kind of amazed at the flavor of a small sandwich. And I've had some very meh hummus. This was tasty.

This soup. I hope for your sake that they offer it again because wow.

So silky smooth, and creamy and amazing. The bacon and cheese and candied pecans are not something you get in most tomato soups. Just so, soo good. Please put this on as a regular item, because I'm not sure what to do without it in my life. Now, serve up a grilled cheese and heaven.

Grade: A

The secret is out.

I finally visited Secret Sandwich Society, a Fayetteville restaurant I've been coveting a visit to for months now - ever since I first heard about it. Just the name of it incites some sort desire. Secret Sandwich Society - it sounds like a collection of elite individuals who are part of the secret. Like a speakeasy. They're in the know.

That "know" in this case is some damn good sandwiches.

Secret Sandwich Society is located in Fayetteville, a super cool, super hip little town that I've kind of fallen in love with. I have driven through Fayetteville countless times on my trips to southern West Virginia, but I've only stopped here two or three times. Once was to try the original Pies & Pints. This visit was much more deliberate - I drove from Morgantown to meet my friend Carl here, and we spent a few hours exploring the town, too.


The restaurant is located on Keller Avenue, next to the park at the corner of Keller Avenue and Court Street. The restaurant is on the bottom floor of the building, so it was a little hidden from view.

After taking the stairs down the bottom level, it's clear this small restaurant can get packed judging by the number of stools outside on the deck that folks could use for a waiting area. On this particular day, we were immediately seated. Only a handful of tables inside and a few outside, too.

Like any good foodie - if I dare call myself that, and I know I'll catch hell for it since I don't cook - I studied the menu and read tons of reviews before going. The menu features some appetizers (like fries), some soups (like their soup of the moment), salads (which are all women's names - more specifically, first lady names - Lucy, Martha, Eleanor), burgers and sandwiches - the shining star.

Most of the sandwiches are named after presidents. And they're not your deli store sandwiches. Take that and turn the sophistication way up with delicious combinations. The Ulysses has roasted pork loin, peach jam, swiss and greens. The Polk has roasted chicken breast, their signature bacon jam, aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted hamburger bun. The Quincy has seasoned and seared roast beef, balsamic onions, roasted garlic aioli and pepperjack cheese. The Lincoln is a create-your-own, and the Truman has turkey, peach jam, blue cheese spread and crispy onions. Mouth watering yet?



I ordered the McKinley - homemade meatloaf, their signature bacon jam, aioli and crispy onions. All sandwiches are toasted on a hoagie roll (unless otherwise stated) and come with Society chips and a homemade pickle.

They have local beer on draft - Bridge Brew Works! - as well some cool import bottles. And other beverages include natural soda, sweet leaf organic iced tea and coffee.

Interior was simple, but fun. They actually have a design and stick to it. You can see that in their website design - beautifully done. Unique, but comfortable environment here.

Our server was super cool and attentive. He was laidback and took the time to rattle off some of his favorite sandwiches when I inquired - instead of the canned "I love everything!" which doesn't help the customer at all. It's clear they put some consideration into the individuals they hire. Because he nailed it.


This sandwich: Comfort food with a fancy twist. Meatloaf was moist with a hint of heat. It had a bit of a different flavor to it in the best way possible. It was like my mother's homemade meatloaf with an extra dash of spices. The bacon jam acted as a nice sweet and smokey layer, and the aioli added that hint of garlic. Crispy onions perfect for the texture. Bread had a nice crunch to the top but soft inside. Delish.

Their homemade chips are a liiiittle thicker than store-bought, which I love. Thicker chips are the way to go. Decent flavor. Wish I had some extra sauce to use with them, though.

The pickle is homemade and has a different sort of sour. Very crisp and interesting. Unlike anything you'd buy in the store.

Carl got the Polk sandwich and thought it was really good. He was also a fan of the natural root beer pop. Root beer isn't my thing, but if it's yours, go for it. He seemed pretty pumped.

Can't remember how much the total bill came to, but both of our sandwiches were around $10, so it's not bad for the delicious dinner and cool atmosphere.

I've heard they do a fancy macaroni and cheese theme on Mondays, which would be amazing. And I've been dying to go to one of their Supper Clubs. If I knew exactly how this worked, I'd probably have a better shot at it.

Apparently it's a sort of special dinner that brings together a group of 12 people for a multi-course meal at a flat rate. I think it's held once a month, and they allow the first 12 people who email the restaurant or respond via Facebook to attend. After 12, you're put on the waiting list. How fun does this sound? The last time I saw them post it was in July, and I emailed but didn't hear back. So not sure the current status on it, but I want it. So. Bad.

I've been told it might be a little weird at first, but everyone bonds over the food and wine, and I waaaant it.

Secret Sandwich Society is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (CLOSED TUESDAY) and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Check them out on Facebook, Urbanspoon, and Yelp.

There are a number of other restaurants here I want to try, including Diogi's, Cathedral Cafe, Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit, Gumbo's Cajun Restaurant, Swirl ... and more. I'll definitely be back.

Grade: A

Helluva burgers. Heavenly shakes.

I've had a few friends try Burgatory (get it? Purgatory, but with burgers?) and report back to me with amazing reviews - "You MUST go!" "Best shakes ever!" "Burgers to die for." So it's been on my radar for quite some time, and just recently was I able to dine at the heaven and hell-themed restaurant with Afton.


Burgatory has three locations - all of which are in Pittsburgh: Robinson, Fox Chapel/Waterworks, and the Consol Energy Center. Because we were heading up on a Friday evening, we went to the Robinson location thinking it'll be the least crowded.

The parking lot was swarming, so we knew we were in for a wait. Luckily, when you go inside, you give them your name and phone number, they'll give you an estimated time and text you when your table is ready. Genius. They told us we'd have about a 60-70 minute wait, so we went to a nearby plaza for some half-priced books (my fav!).

We were only gone about a half hour before I got a text saying the table was ready and we had 10 minutes to get back. Panic sets in. We weren't far, but traffic was a little iffy. It only took us about five minutes to get back, so no worries there.

We were seated at a fairly small table against the corner. This place gets packed tight, so be prepared to get to know your neighbor. Ours was a lovely couple who enjoyed their meal. It's kind of dark and cool inside. Very modern and hip.

After careful consideration of the menu, I first put in an order for a milkshake. Tell me this doesn't sound like heaven: caramel pretzel ($6). Classic combination of sweet and salty. They also have alcoholic milkshakes, but I passed on that this time.

It is a large helping with a thick straw suitable for sucking up all the crunchy goodness in that shake. They even give you the cup with the extra in it.

Okay, delicious. It's kind of like this shake was made for me though with caramel and sweet/salty. The caramel was the dominant flavor, but the pretzel had its moments throughout. Chunky pretzel and smooth, luxurious ice cream. Mmm.

We ordered an appetizer of truffled gorgonzola fries. Super good. Lots of gorgonzola all throughout - not just on top - and melty to the salty fries. Yum.

Okay, onto the main course. You can make your own burger with a custom creations menu. But Afton and I both chose something off the menu. I went with the Meat Your Maker ($13.5) - "Dry Aged Wagyu Beef with Sweet Onion Crust, Aged Gruyere, Roasted Tomatoes, Organic Field Greens & Truffled Shallot Aioli. So good you’ll think you died and went to heaven."

And it was pretty good. One of the best burgers I've had. It's clear they put some time and consideration itno the ingredients on each burger. Because this had a beautiful blend. Everything melded together seamlessly to create a fresh, hearty, tangy, well-balanced burger. I loved the onion crust paired with fresh veggies. The aioli and cheese topping the burger were savory. Burger was juicy - I got mine pink. You can get it red, pink, or cooked through. All in a well, a great burger and a much better option over Five Guys or other burger chains.

Afton got the Morty's Steakhouse, which was my second option I wanted. It was "Peppercorn Crusted Beef Burger with Horseradish Cheddar, Haystack Onions & Cabernet Sauce. Like the greatest steak dinner you’ve ever had reincarnated as a burger."

Hers was good, but I didn't taste the sauce as much. The dominant flavor was definitely the burger, and everything else kind of took a back seat. Not that that's a bad thing, but I liked that mine had a little more depth.

And at the end - you get a fortune cookie, of course.

Grade: A

Antonio's Italian Chophouse is the best new restaurant in Morgantown. Hands down.

The newest contender in Italian cuisine has taken up shop in the Seneca Center on Beechurst Avenue, in the location previously occupied by the beloved Glasshouse Grille. Glasshouse closed some time ago, and the space had been sitting empty for years.

Antonio's opened in June and has since been serving up steaks, seafood and Italian specialties a fine dining atmosphere.

Tony Ottaviani chose this location in 2011 to expand his family business, Ristorante Ottaviani, which is located in Cumberland, Maryland. Many of the recipes he serves in his restaurants are family ones from Italy.

The first obstacle in Morgantown is usually finding how to get there. Luckily, there is plenty of free parking at the Seneca Center, so it's not a concern. The building is lovely, and as you walk down the stairs to reach the restaurant, it's like you're walking into little Italy. At the bottom of the stairs, there are some tables for outdoor dining and dim lighting. Perfect for date night.

The inside is elegant and formal with thick white table linens and servers dressed in black shirts and ties. Maybe it was the environment, but Tony and I were feeling a glass of wine. I went with the Moscato, and he ordered a Riesling. Mine tasted like apple juice with a kick, so of course I was happy.

The menu had me torn between a few things, but after consulting Sher Yip, photographer extraordinaire and fellow foodie, my options narrowed a bit. They have pasta options like meatballs, alfredo, and bolognese (homemade meat sauce). Also some more sophisticated pasta dishes like Civitella (pasta in a mushroom and truffle cream sauce), Cacciatora (pork with carrots and onions in a red sauce), Del Nonna (olive oil, garlic, sundried tomatoes), and Sausage and Peppers. Turn your attention toward the right side of the menu, and there's seafood and a slew of meat dishes, including chicken parmesan, chicken marsala, filet, and lamb chops.

I ultimately decided on the Abruzzo Chicken, which is like the classic chicken paremesan but done in a more modern way. It's breaded chicken breast over spinach and mushrooms sauteed in a balsamic vinegar, topped with gorgonzola cheese and baked. Served with a side of pasta. $19.25

I was surprised to find out it didn't come with a salad - isn't that standard with many Italian dishes?

But then I saw the platter that arrived.

Two giant hand-breaded chicken breasts were slathered with a creamy gorgonzola sauce that had the perfect amount of bite and creaminess. Lightly browned on top, the cheese was perfectly baked and stringy and melty deliciousness. Between that creamy cheese and the crisp breading of the chicken, plus the hot white tender meat inside made for a flavor explosion.

Underneath added another level with the balsamic spinach and mushrooms. That tang was incredible with the creaminess. And the pasta on the side with some light cheese, olive oil, butter. Just fabulous. Incredible, delicious meal out of a simple concept. Divine.

They had a list of specials, from which Tony chose from. He decided on a shrimp pasta with spicy tomato sauce, and he was a fan.

For dessert, I ordered the cannolis. The waiter warned me that they're not super sweet and are instead more authentic to Italy. No problem. I actually really enjoyed these. The filling was thicker, chunkier - you could tell it was ricotta cheese. But it was still slightly sweet, not overpoweringly sweet, though. I liked it. It was thick and more filling. Not as processed.

I ended up spending a pretty penny on dinner, but it was worth it to me. I would definitely go back, and it would be an especially good place for family visiting or a significant other.


Antonio's is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.

Grade: A