Hole in the wall sushi shop, that's what Sushi Atlantic is. Located near the hospital downtown, Sushi Atlantic would be easily missed if you weren't paying attention. I've passed it numerous times going to Capitol Market, but I never noticed it was there. 

My friend Karie and I walked inside to an empty restaurant. It was just us and a single, older gentleman who asked us what we'd like to drink.

He came back with a few mismatched glasses and some menus.

Looking around, it looks like the restaurant could handle a good scrubbing. It just looks as though it's old and has accumulated dust and other things.

I looked through the roll sushi, and I decided on the classic philadelphia roll, with smoked salmon, and I tried their West Virginia Roll, which has sour seaweed, cucumber, crab stick, smelt roe and shrimp.

The older man was the only person in the restaurant, and he handmade our rolls, too. So, it did take some time, and I imagine if others were here, it would take even longer.

Eventually, he brought our rolls out. He was really sweet, and he clearly has been doing this for a while. Because they were great.

The Philly roll - salmon tasted fresh. So important. Simple flavors, but fresh and tasty.

The WV roll - little bit more complex here. If the sour seaweed scares you, don't let it. The slight, slight tart flavor really made the flavors shine here. It's like a california roll, but with shrimp on top and the slight tart taste. Really good.

The local sushi place that's down-to-earth, find sushi. A lot of classic rolls here with some fancier ones, too. I can see how others would say it takes a long time, but I guess I lucked out.

They DO accept Mastercard and Via. Minimum charge of $6. Their hours are a bit tough: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday for lunch. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday for dinner. They're closed Sunday and every third Wednesday.

Grade: A

Just as an FYI:

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department makes it pretty easy to see how a restaurant has done with its health inspection: http://www.healthspace.com/clients/westvirginia/kanawhacharleston/kanawhacharleston_web_live.nsf.

In my experience, it's not always easy finding a nice, sit-down Chinese restaurant in West Virginia. Half are takeout, and the other half are buffets. Somewhere inbetween those are the ones you can actually sit down to enjoy a meal.

Chin's fills that void for me here in Charleston.

It was raining this particular day so my friend and I ran inside. As soon as we entered, she was recognized and warmly welcomed.  Chin's is run by a family, and my friend is from the area. She has been going to this restaurant for a long time.

This is one of the best things about eating locally - actually knowing the people who are cooking and supporting local families and having that connection.

Chin's has every kind of dish you can think of, but if you're wanting a real treat, check out their chef specialties. Yum.

I decided to go with a dish that just about every restaurant has, so it's a solid benchmark to provide a sense of consistency for judging: sweet and sour chicken.

But before that, it's eggroll and crab cheese rangoon time.

Chin's is known for their eggrolls. Crispy outside and packed with hunks of cabbage, carrots and steamed veggies. Must try these babies.

The crab cheese rangoons are always good, and that's no exception here. Who doesn't want a crunchy coating filled with oozing cream cheese and crab meat?

But let's get to the main attraction here: sweet and sour chicken. I love love love the sauce it as cooked in. The tangy sweet sauce with cooked veggies - tomatoes, green pepper and pineapples. Everything was so fresh and so hot.

The sauce spread to the fried rice - a welcome development. I would pour the sauce on everything, if I could. And for whatever reason, I can never find an equivalent in the grocery store. Just too good.

Grade: A

The Nelson Ratings
Get it? Like the Nielsen Ratings? I thought it was clever - compliments to my friends for the wordplay. But anyway. Around this time of year, we see tons of award shows - Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys, etc. or we'll at least be hearing about them soon. Even Morgantown Magazine will come out with their Best Of Morgantown list. I often get asked "what's your favorite restaurant in Morgantown?" Well, here you go. I'm hoping I didn't forget many or leave many out. Let me know your favorites!

Pizza
1. Pizza Al's
My first experiences in Morgantown began living in Pierpont my freshman year. It didn't take long for my roommates and I to discover Pizza Al's, then subsequently stuff our faces with an entire pizza at least once a week. Huge, flat slices with a perfectly seasoned sauce and tons of cheese make this my #1 choice, hands down.
> Runners-up: PeppeBroni's, Milano's

Pizza II - Specialty Pies
1. Mountain State Brewing Company
Specialty pies get a special category because sometimes you just want a typical cheese pizza. Other times, you're feeling more adventurous. Mountain State has probably the coolest environment in town - laidback, relaxed, cool craft beer and delicious, creative pizzas. Try the Cuban if you haven't already.
> Runners-up: New Day Bakery, Vintage Room

Indian
1. Mother India
Try their buffet on Sundays. Chicken Tikka Masala? Gulab Jamun? Samosas? Pakora? It's all there, and it's all delicious. And if you're unsure about what to try, nothing is better than a buffet where you get to try a little of everything and discover your favorites!
> Runner-up: Saffron

Mediterranean
1. Ali Baba's
In the mood for hummus or falafel? Why not enjoy it while watching planes take off into the sky? In addition to the excellent service and atmosphere, the food is delicious and of the highest quality.
> Runner-up: Mediterranean Market and Deli

Italian
1. Puglioni's Pasta and Pizza
Their pasta carbonara is the stuff dreams are made of - oh, and that bread! If you want to splurge on your carbs for the day, there's no better way to do it than Puglioni's. It's homey, cozy, delicious and there's no way to leave still hungry.
> Runners-up: Agresti's Tuscan Grill, Oliverio's Marketplace, Oliverio's Ristorante

Sushi
1. Volcano Japanese Restaurant
I fell in love with Volcano when I first wrote about its opening in town. I tried a few rolls - the West Virginia roll and the Candy Cane roll. To this day, I still order a West Virginia roll 90% of the time. It's just so good.
> Runners-up: Yama Japanese Restaurant, Ogawa Japanese Restaurant

Asian
1. Chaang Thai
> Runners-up: Peking House, WV Panda

Take-Out
1. China One
> Runner-up: Lavender Cafe

I started this list a while ago, but then I got a job and moved, so I wanted to at least publish what I have so far. And if I find the time to finish this up with the other categories I had or start a Charleston one ... we'll see.

Someone explain to me the difference between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. Because what I usually associate with each seems to be interchangeable. And Greek food for that matter.

I tend to think of olives, pasta, feta as Mediterranean. And hummus, falafel, kebabs as Middle Eastern. But that's not a hard and fast rule.

Regardless, Sahara Restaurant is a Middle Eastern restaurant in downtown Charleston. They have a nice lunch buffet - which isn't too far from work - so a friend and I decided to fill up on pita and roll ourselves outta there.

The lunch buffet runs Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Friday, the Buffet runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The dinner buffet is Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.




There's a long hot bar with some lemon chicken dishes, pasta, kebabs, rice, eggplant and others. To the side is a cold bar with some hummus, baba ghanouj, etc. plus some desserts. It's a pretty good spread with a decent variety for lunch. I do think there could be a little more. And it's the perfect time to try something new if you're not familiar.

I got some grape leaves, meatballs, garlic Parmesan pasta, curry, hummus and pita. It seems to spread to some American dishes, so a hybrid of sorts. The buffet offers a variety of flavors and dishes to choose from. Great quality ingredients, spices and recipes here.

I was a fan of mostly everything I tried, and nothing stood out to me as undesirable. That's rare - usually I try one or two things that I'm not crazy about. Pretty good all around.

It's not a bad price, but if you're not used to spending $10 or so on lunch, you might look elsewhere.

Grade: A

Charleston loves a festival. I've written about all the ones I've been to earlier this summer. Multifest was held this weekend and celebrates the multicultural diversity of the state.

It has a storied history, as apparently the treasurer pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $300,000 festival funds between 2005 and 2010. The treasurer's husband was the founder of the festival and board president. The treasurer was sentenced to 21 months in prison, and the president resigned.

There was some uncertainty as to whether or not the festival would go on. Luckily, it did.

Then, just before the festival, there was a party that marketed itself as a "pre-party" to Multifest where a person was shot.


Despite this, I wanted to go see what it was about. It was held on the north side of the Capitol grounds - most of the others have been on the river side.

A few little booths were set up selling jewelry, clothes, wigs or other knick-knacks. We came upon this stand that had a bunch of drums that I just thought were super awesome. I waited around to see who was manning that area before a guy came over to me. He said "I like the way your hair smells." I awkwardly said thank you. He said "Did you just get out of the shower?" I laughed awkwardly, asked how much the drum was, handed him $10 and left to find food.

There were many typical food vendors - like Kona Ice and other general festival food places.

I saw only a handful of local places, and Dem2 Brothers and a Grill stuck out to me because I know I've seen them other places. Their menu says they are located at 5 Corners - 426 Virginia Street West. Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They deliver $20 or more plus a $5 delivery fee. (304)-550-4431

Their menu consisted of hot beef bologna, pulled pork and Italian sausage sandwiches. Ribs and chicken baskets. You can choose hot sauce or mild.

I ordered a pulled pork sandwich for $6. It was quite smokey - but in a good way. After just a minute or so, I had a plump sandwich in a styrofoam to-go container. When I got home, I opened it up to see what awaited me.

Between two pillowy, yellow buns was a plump heaping of smokey pulled pork topped with creamy cole slaw.

It was tender, smokey tangy sweet and the slaw was the perfect cool complement atop the steamy pork.

I've had a lot of good pulled pork at these festivals this summer, but this, I think, topped the list. It just seems as though it was thought out. It wasn't just good pulled pork and good slaw - it was good pork and good slaw that were great together.

Next time I'm at a festival, I will not hesitate to make a stop here.

Grade: A 

After a long day of reporting, my photographer friend and I were in search of something quick to fill our stomachs, but paramount, was finding a place with WiFi. Usually, this isn't too difficult, but in Mount Hope, it was trying. We bopped around to a few places before we saw a Boston Beanery and decided to try our luck there.

The Beanery has three locations in Morgantown: Downtown, Evansdale and at the Pines. So I had an idea of what I was getting myself into. I called beforehand and asked if they had WiFi. They confirmed that they do.

We were a little frazzled trying to connect to the WiFi with workers who really didn't have the slightest clue. I ended up connecting to a random business because for whatever reason, the Beanery network wouldn't work. But in the midst of this, I quickly ordered a grilled cheese (and curly fries) with a cup of lobster bisque.



I don't remember how long it took them to deliver the food, because I was still trying to fidget with the internet, which they weren't really helpful with. But sooner or later, I got my cheddar cheese grilled cheese.It was on two slices of thick, toasted bread. Cheddar cheese oozed out the edges. I plopped each bite into the buttery, sweet lobster bisque.

I was pretty satisfied with my meal. It was simple, comforting, but good. I just wish my service had been a little bit more helpful.

Grade: B

The Seoul of Charleston – what kind of restaurant do you think that might be? Korean? Soul?

Both are right. The Seoul of Charleston – which is actually now called The Heart and Seoul Bar and Grill – serves both Korean and soul food. Heavenly.

Seoul – because it’s the capital of South Korea. And the homonym “soul” as in, soul food.

It was located on Washington Street West, but is now located at 1634 6th Avenue. They’ve only been there for a few weeks, they said, and it’s because they wanted a liquor license to sell a Korean drink.

It’s in a VFW building that has seen better days, so a little hesitant walking in. Once we got inside, it seemed to cater more toward a bar crowd than a restaurant crowd. Lots of red, cement walls with a few black tables and a bar along the right side. It’s a little dark and looks like it’s seen some long, rough nights.

A few “limited” menus were in a clear casings on the bar top. Because they just moved recently, they said they didn’t have a full menu quite yet. We quickly looked over the menus, and I asked about one item. A worker checked with the kitchen and found out most of the full menu was actually available. Score!

Since half of the restaurant is focused on soul food, they have fried chicken, fish, ribeye, short ribs, bake beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and sweet potato casserole on the menu.

The Korean menu has beef and chicken bulgogi – Korean BBQ; chicken, shrimp and vegetable eggrolls; kimbap – Korean-style sushi; kalbi – Korean-style beef short ribs marinated in brown sugar, soy sauce and spices; kimchi - homemade, hot, pickled Napa cabbage with special spices, mandu – fried vegetable dumplings, and fried rice.

I wanted the best of both worlds, so I went with beef bulgogi and Granny’s Sweet Baked Mac & Cheese.

Visiting a friend of a friend freshman year, my friend’s mother made homemade, authentic bulgogi. And ohmygod.

We waited quite a while for our food, but I was okay with it. Sallie Shultz, who is half-Korean, has used her mother’s and grandmother’s recipes in the kitchen. She came out to talk with us and was very accommodating for my vegetarian companion and me.

Co-Owner Donald Williams and Shultz started the restaurant after making too much food after a party once and setting up shop. They noticed it was selling and the rest is history.

After a wait, she placed our plates in front of us.

Mine had half of it covered in pieces of beef, the other half, a square of pasta goodness.

This is some of the best bulgogi I’ve ever eaten. Bulgogi is essentially Korean BBQ. It’s thinly sliced beef, which has been marinated in brown sugar, soy sauce, and a special blend of spices.

The beef is of superb quality – no gristle, fat – only quality, moist, perfectly seasoned beef. It has just a hint of sweetness with a little tang. No condiments necessary – good pieces of meat. Just amazing.

Granny’s Sweet Baked Macaroni and Cheese was also a recipe handed down to Shultz. The macaroni and cheese was cut into a hunk and was also slightly sweet, but in a way that just makes it taste authentically southern. It was full of cream and butter and all those things that make macaroni and cheese a legitimate side dish, rather than something from a box. Indulgent. Delicious. Fantastic.

They have specials each day of the week available after 2 p.m. Tuesday is cook’s choice, Wednesday is Ox tail, Thursday is pepper steak, and Friday is curry chicken.

They’re open until late in the night – I asked what time they closed on Wednesday and they said 2 or 3 a.m. So that’s an option for late night eating. Some menu items aren’t available after a certain time.

They also deliver. Call them for details.

They’re typically open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday 12 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., Saturday 4 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and closed on Sunday and last two Mondays.

They accept major credit cards. (304) 421-7685 for more info.

Just go there. And eat some of the best food Charleston has to offer.

Grade: A
 

Trying to gather a list of the current breweries we have here in West Virginia. What am I missing? And are all of these still open/or will open?

Mountain State Brewing Company (2)
Morgantown Brewing Company
Charleston Brewing Company
Bridge Brew Works
Brewstel Microbrewery & Hostel
Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
Blackwater Brewing Company 
North End Tavern & Brewery
Lost River Brewing Company
Chestnut Brew Works 
Big Timber (in planning)?
The Nook (in planning)?
Rustik Bru Brewing Company (in planning)?

And if you're interested, the Brew Skies Festival is coming up.

Links to some brewery news: 

• http://wboy.membercenter.worldnow.com/story/22930524/west-virginias-breweries-are-banding-together-to-raise-their-industry-profile
• http://www.wvtourism.com/spirits/default.aspx
• http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/list?c_id=US&s_id=WV&brewery=Y
• http://rustikbru.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/west-virginia-starts-a-brewers-guild/

 
 

As I've mentioned before, one of my main purposes for maintaining this blog is not only to satisfy my desire to experience a community through its food and try every place I can, but it also offers me a place to collect experiences with my friends and family.

Eating is a big part of our culture. And the people you choose to dine with are important.

I usually don't go into too much personal detail on my blogs. I have a line or two that suggests who I was with - if not a photo - and some hint as to what we talked about. Some of my friends love this, some don't. It's my own personal way of keeping a diary that can help others.

Warning: personal shiz here.

My first, and best, friend is Kristin. We grew up together. Being only children, we only really had each other. We fought a ton, but we always made up. I was a bit more rebellious and introduced her to her first cigarette. Her parents were very strict. As we grew older, I had other friends, but Kristin was always the one I could count on - like the sister I didn't have. We grew apart a little in high school when we both had boyfriends and eventually when I left Wellsburg for college in Morgantown.

I heard rumblings of how bad the drug problem became in Wellsburg. And it had. It wasn't pot or a painkiller - it was heroin. Heroin is so bad because of Pittsburgh to the right and Steubenville to the left. I never imagined how bad it would get there. But in the six years that I've been gone, I've had friends die from drugs and my best friend, Kristin, almost did.

The person who I was a bad influence on became the person I never thought I'd see. Who sticks a need in their arm? It's real. It's happening. It's happening to people I know. This isn't a far-stretch or crazy idea.

Kristin hit rock bottom, but she's climbing her way back up. She's in a halfway house down here in Charleston - closer to me to hopefully be a good influence. I got to see her for the first time in years a few days ago. I took her to Chinese - something she hadn't had in ages.

China Gourmet was close.

I wanted this to be the best experience. And it was a great one. The food could have been better, though.

Sushi had this weird film over it.

Some areas seemed blocked off, as if we couldn't eat there yet.

The grill area was void of a chef. 

Some of it was kind of old. Some of my classics were missing, and even with what was there, I just felt the quality was average. Service was spotty.

My company was amazing. The food was mediocre. Service meh. Anything special here? Not really.

Grade: C

Blues BBQ is listed as a unique place to dine, so I was intrigued. And, I mean, it's BBQ, so, yes.

"Blues is famous for its mouth-watering barbecue and ribs, smoked fresh daily right on the premises and served in a casual dining atmosphere. Or, choose from a variety of specialty salads and sandwiches, then top off your meal with a delicious hand-spun milkshake," as per WV Dept. of Commerce. 


My friend and I went to see what the fuss is about. It's a little off the beaten path - for me, that is. We had a few menus at our tables, which have some wear and tear. 

Looking over the menu, there are three types of BBQ - Blues Original (Tomato Based), Williamsburg Style (Molasses/Vinegar Based) and East Carolina (Mustard Based). Our waitress gave us samples of all three to try. 

The Blues Original - tomato based - seemed like a poor man's version. It was just that sort of bland, cheap sauce flavor. Not a huge fan of that one.

The Williamsburg Style - molasses/vinegar based - was kind of the opposite. It was pretty sweet. A little too sweet, actually. 

 
But the third - like porridge - was perfect. The East Carolina is mustard based, so it's tangy and slightly sweet but not too much. 

I ordered a sandwich with that type of pulled pork (and slaw!). The sandwich was tasty. The slaw wasn't a finely shopped sort, it was piecey with large hunks of cabbage. But it still tasted great. A few mushy/unsavory pieces, but for the most part, it was tasty.

And a homemade milkshake is hard to come by. A strawberry one hit the spot.

Grade: B