During COVID19, I've been trying to support local restaurants with takeout and delivery. Not too long ago, I found Island Fixx on Charleston 2 Go, and I wanted to order everything. Literally everything. 



So, I ordered justtt about everything to sample. Let's start first with the drink at the top: Strawberry Vaifala, which is a milk-based drink with strawberry. It was like an iced milkshake - light, creamy, delicious. Next up is the spam musubi, which is kinda like a spam sushi roll. And it's delicioussss - spam on top of rice with nori. Just so tasty. 



Next up, let's talk the "Nanakuli Special," which is fried noodles with fries and this honey mustard-esque delicious sauce. I'm not even the biggest French fry fan, but if you put this sauce on it, I will eat it. 



NEXT is Spam fried rice. I didn't even know I loved spam - or fried rice - that much until I had this dish. SO flavorful, so moist, so much depth of flavor. If you're used to that dry, old oil rice, do not let that turn you off. Because this is an entirely different beast. A delicious one.



Moving on... The main entree I ordered was teriyaki chicken with sides of Samoan Sapasui with corned beef and taro with coconut milk. Each component here was good, but the preceding dishes set the bar real, real high. I've never had taro like this before, so that was fun. The teriyaki and noodles were good. 



Then, we had a bunch of sides. Here is mac n cheese and "rasta pasta," which is like veggie rotini pasta in a mayo base. The mac was creamy and tasty. 



But wait, there's more: Curry Coconut Shrimp with mac salad. The shrimp was good - it was my fault that by the time I got around to trying this one, it was cold. But the bold flavor was still there.



AND dessert, of course. First of all, this pumpkin crunch pie was out. of. this. world. That crunch is addictive. 



Finally, we also got the banana cream cake - also delish. If you get the chance, get some delivery from these folks because it was unreal.

Grade: A

Rachel's on 16th in Wheeling is a small diner that focuses on homestyle breakfast & lunch favorites.



The menu features paninis, club sandwiches, reubens and even the Rachel, which I felt was fitting. The Reuben is a grilled sandwich traditionally made on rye bread with a filling of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.



Typically, this is not a route I would take, but that's why I wanted to try it. Something different. This sandwich is messssyyyy so get the napkins ready. It has a number of different - but complementary - flavors. The rye bread has a sort of earthy flavor, the slaw gives it some crunch and tang, and the swiss is a bit creamy. It hits on some savory, hearty notes.



And, I also went for a side of Kraft mac & cheese - not quite as thick and creamy as I'd want. But still nostalgic. 

Grade: B

The Hollow Restaurant is one of the newer ones in Franklin and focuses on burgers, pasta, sandwiches and homestyle dishes.



So, there are a lot of standard items, like hot dogs, Italian hoagies, reubens, but then I saw one thing I've never seen before: "Pack Lunch Panini." This is jam, peanut butter, bacon, chips and banana on grilled panini bread. 

I ordered my meal to go in these COVID19 times and sat outside the local drive-in movie theater to dig in. Bonus points for creativity, but I wish I could've tasted all the components. I needed the jam to come through to get the sweet and salty, but it was mostly just salty. Still love the idea for something different, and I think just a bit more attention to the proportions could kick it up a notch. 

Grade: B

If you told me that I would have some of the best shrimp and grits I've ever had in a small community in Pocahontas County, I would never believe you. Alas, meet Dean's Den.



Dean's Den is really mostly convenience store where you can get road trip necessities. Their standard menu includes pizzas, salads, burger, hot dog, mac & cheese and chili. But, I think the specials are where it's at. 



For example, in recent weeks they've had specials such as stuffed pork chops with gruyere risotto, Thai lamb curry and shepherd's pie. 



It just so happened that when I happened to stumble upon this hidden gem, they were serving up shrimp & grits - one of my favorites. As a takeout dinner, my expectations were low. But they were completely blown out of the water.



First of all, it was a beautiful plate with green scallions, yellow corn, perfectly seared sausage and not overly cooked shrimp (I was complaining recently about how so many places overcook shrimp and a chef friend called them little hard caterpillars, and that's the perfect descriptor -- but not here!).

And then the flavor - like a beautiful, fresh symphony of flavors. So many fresh components plus the cheesy, hearty grits. The sweetness of the corn helped cut through some of the heaviness. I only wish this was on the regular menu - but I can't wait to try another special.

Grade: A

Here are the goodies from this month's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Box. The hot chocolate is less sweet than, say, Swiss Miss, but the flavor is good. I love this little stash box for salt. And that goat soap will make a great gift this holiday season! 

The Korner Shop Cafe is a beloved little restaurant in Franklin. But, because I don't get to this part of the state as much as I'd like, I just recently was able to go check it out.



The restaurant has a drive-up window, which is a nice bonus during these pandemic times. So, I didn't get to check out the interior, but I did park out front to get a good look at the menu before calling in an order.



They feature a lot of homestyle dishes like omelets, burgers, steak, bbq and shrimp. I ordered my two favorite parts of a meal, an appetizer and dessert. 



Breaded mushrooms are always a favorite, and these were solid - a thick coating of batter on them made them more bread than mushroom, I think. Haha. But I think that's part of the fun.



And then the dessert was a brownie with ice cream and whipped topping - a perfect combo. It may look like a mess in the photo, but it was tasty.

Grade: B

I'm always strategically planning when it comes to restaurants. Some are only open on weekdays. Some are only open on weekdays during lunch. That's the case with The Beak Cafe in Huntington, so I had to plan carefully to catch them when they were open.



The restaurant has a sort-of summery vibe with greenery, flamingos and bright pink accent decor. 



The menu is fairly small, featuring just salads, sandwiches. hot dogs and desserts regularly. They do also have daily specials that tend to sell out quickly. 



I ordered a turkey and cheese sandwich, with red onion, tomato and mayo to go. After a little bit of a wait, I was on my way with lunch in my bag. 



This sucker is piled high with turkey on white bread, so it reminded me of turkey sandwiches of my youth (maybe minus the onion). But creamy with the mayo, crunchy with the onions, the sort of unctuous fattiness of the cheese - all in a simple sandwich. It's a simple, standard combo that is common for a reason.



It's tasty, and it's a good, straightforward sandwich. Would I love some exciting toppings or even side dishes? Yes, but if a simple sandwich is what you're here for, you can't go wrong.



Grade: B

I came across Mindy's Kountry Delights on a list of locally made products. The cottage food business is based in St. Albans and features a variety of sweets like baked goods, candies, jellies, jams and other snacks. I found her on Facebook and asked to place an order. 

She makes a little bit of everything, so I just let her know what kinds of things I like - milk chocolate, caramel, etc., and asked her to make up a platter for me. And, she did just that. She delivered it to my door (contactless!) and it was full of milk chocolates, soft caramels, chocolate-covered peanut butter balls and these O'Henry bars that have peanut butter and chocolate and like oats? Just delishhh.

If you haven't checked out her tasty treats, give her a try!

Gourmet Fast recently opened on the East End without much fanfare. But when I saw it available on a delivery site, I hit "add to cart" real fast.

Located on Ruffner Avenue, Gourmet Fast features a variety of "gourmet" dishes that have that homecooked vibe. Think oxtail, crab cakes, curry chicken and wings. There are also sandwiches, salads and desserts. 



This hidden gem has some really tasty dishes. I went for a variety of snacks so I could try a little bit of everything. First, the shrimp and grits because I can never NOT order these. Maybe a tad soupier than I prefer, but the flavor was on point.



Next, the garlic and parmesan mashed potatoes. Personally, I think all mashed potatoes should have garlic and parmesan, and these are the reason why. The potatoes are delicious with the slight sharpness of parmesan and the depth of the garlic. Yum.



Then, I tried the sweet mac & cheese. I looove a sweet mac & cheese, and it's hard to find locally. This is a solid version, but I wouldn't have hated some more cream to make it that more luscious.



Potato salad is often reserved for picnics, but I'm happy to have it any time - especially versions that have egg, chive and mustard. Yum.



Finally, I had ordered a banana pudding, but they were out. So, an apple cobbler was subbed instead. It was tasty - heavy on the cinnamon but perfect for a fall treat.

Grade: B

Soul Food Twist is one of Huntington's newest restaurants and has been pretty active on social media about all restaurant's ups and downs. So, it's been fun to watch their journey. 



They first entered my radar when I saw they were crowdfunding to open the restaurant. Soul food?! Caught my attention real fast - we need more of these in West Virginia - and specifically the Metro Valley area. After a series of false starts, the restaurant finally opened to customers lined up around the building. Constantly. Until they were sold out.



I had to make plans to arrive at the restaurant right around opening time to get in line to make sure I got a plate. On this particular day, I ended up here about 45 minutes after they opened, and they were already sold out of a lot of items. But, I ended up with southern string beans, mac attack, and bbq pork chop. Plus, I got a piece of a tasty cinnamon cake with buttercream icing. 



Now, I had asked for a double portion of mac, but they had just the one I received left. And, I wanted to go with meatballs - the other entree option - but they were out of that too. But, someone must've been looking out for me because this plate was bangin'. A Pork chop might be one of the last things I'd order on a menu. But this was so tender, topped with a sweet and tangy BBQ that I kept coming back to. The mac & cheese - or mac attack - was tasty, and I'm glad I got some greens on my plate. I can't wait to try another meal.

Grade: A

Here's my latest column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail:

For many in Appalachia, Christmas Eve consists of light snacks in anticipation of the next day’s baked ham with brown sugar glaze, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole and lots of cookies.

But if you’re of Italian heritage, the day before Christmas may consist of deep-fried calamari, octopus salad, clams, fried smelts, scallops, shrimp cocktail, oyster shooters, scungilli (sea snail) and baccala (salt cod).

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, held on Christmas Eve, is an Italian-American celebration that features fish and other seafood dishes and is rooted in the ancient tradition of Roman Catholics abstaining from meat and dairy products before holidays, according to Saveur, the gourmet food and travel magazine.

“It’s unclear where the fixation on seven types of seafood came from in the America meal — some say it represents the seven sacraments, seven cardinal virtues, or seven days of the week. Some Italian-Americans set a different number all together, like 12 (guessed by some to represent the 12 apostles),” reads an article by Saveur’s Stacy Adimando.

While the features of the meal are rooted in Italian traditions, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American creation. It’s likely Southern Italian immigrants brought the concept with them to America, and it has developed over time into the official “Feast of the Seven Fishes” meal that celebrates history, family and food.

Communities all across America now host the feast on Christmas Eve, specifically in areas with large Italian populations — including Appalachia.

Many Italians from the Calabria region of Italy made their way to North Central West Virginia to work in the coal mines in the early 1900s. In 1910, more than 17,000 Italians were living in West Virginia, making up 30 percent of the entire foreign-born population of the state, according to the West Virginia Encyclopedia.

Robert Tinnell, a Marion County native with Italian heritage, wanted to document the Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve tradition he grew up with by creating a graphic novel in 2005.

The graphic novel spurred Fairmont’s “Feast of the Seven Fishes” festival the following year, which was filled with street vendors, a cooking school, entertainment and music. Thousands attend the festival each year, and it has been named a Top 20 Event for December by the Southeast Tourism Society.

Most recently, the book has been adapted into a film and was shot in North Central West Virginia — cementing the region’s status as the capital of the beloved feast.

Like many events, the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival will look a bit different this year, with drive-thru menu options and televised programming in lieu of a street festival.

But the sentiment of the holiday remains. West Virginians can continue to celebrate the heritage of West Virginia and the patchwork of various cultures that make Appalachia unique during these uncertain times.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is one example of honoring our roots while maintaining an Appalachian spirit. Now, I think more than ever, it’s important to keep our neighbors and community in mind as we weather challenges ahead during this different holiday.

So, maybe add a fish dish to your upcoming holiday in honor of this tradition, celebrate Appalachian heritage and stay healthy, friends.


Stuffed Squid or Stuffed Calamari

From Shannon Colaianni Tinnell. Originally presented by Robert Tinnell.

Marion County native Robert Tinnell celebrated the Feast of the Seven Fishes with his family every Christmas Eve growing up, and in 2006 partnered with Main Street Fairmont to host a festival in its honor. One key part of the festival is the “Festival Cucina” kickoff, an evening cooking school where his wife, Shannon, also shares some classic seafood recipes and dishes. The tradition has gained popularity in Appalachia not only through the festival, but also through the couple’s graphic novel and, most recently, a film. The festival will look a bit different this year, with a televised cooking school airing on WDTV on Friday, Dec. 11, a pop-up shop downtown and drive-thru feast option. If you’d like to get started early, check out this recipe from the Tinnells for a true, authentic taste of one of seven fishes.

2 to 3 pounds calamari

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 bunch finely chopped parsley

1 head finely garlic

1 whole egg

2-3 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 large can fine dry unflavored breadcrumbs

½ to 1 cup milk

1 teaspoon salt and pepper

Tomato Sauce:

2 large cans tomato puree

1 small can tomato paste

5 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

1 small white onion, chopped fine

fresh basil to taste

salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

First prepare the sauce. Saute the garlic and onion in olive oil over medium heat being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the tomato products and seasonings. Simmer on low heat. Add the fresh basil at the end of the cooking time.

Clean and prepare the squid by removing the tentacles and leaving only the body cavity. Chop the squid tentacles very fine. In a bowl mix them with the stuffing ingredients. Mix by hand, slowly adding the milk until a thick moist mixture is achieved.

Stuff the calamari being careful not to overstuff because they will shrink during the cooking process and burst. Drizzle the baking dish with olive oil. In the baking dish, lay the stuffed calamari in rows and cover with tomato sauce. Drizzle the baking dish with olive oil. Sprinkle with grated cheese and fresh basil.

Cover tightly with foil and cook in a 450-degree oven for 45-60 minutes. The squid is done when it feels tender at the pricking of a fork.

Appalachian Beekeeping Collective is:

"We are a nonprofit organization that trains, supports, and provides bees and equipment at no cost to partner beekeepers in economically distressed Appalachian communities.



We help our partners produce natural honey (and income) in the “greenest” possible way. Our bees gather pollen and nectar from nearby forests and fields, not agricultural crops sprayed with pesticides. ABC partners practice natural beekeeping, using no synthetic chemicals or antibiotics."



I was so excited to receive a sample in the mail to try. What an incredible mission and concept. I love local food AND creating an industry that's sustainable. Check out how they do it and the impact they make.



Go check out how cool it is to learn about the beekeepers producing the honey! 



The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective is a project of Appalachian Headwaters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Headwaters’ primary focus is on ecological restoration and environmental education. Headwaters creates and supports a wide range of environmental programs in addition to the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective.



OK - but how is it? It's absolutely lovely! I've taken to using honey in tons of stuff - biscuits, sauces and more. This evening, it made for the perfect topping on a spicy chicken biscuit. Mmmm Mmm. Try some and support an amazing initiative. 

You're probably familiar with Girl Scout Cookies in the spring ... but did you know they sell fall products, as well? And, you know how good the cookies are ... so just think about how delicious these candies and nuts are!

They sell things like:

Birthday Party Mix
Chocolate Almonds
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate Covered Raisins
Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt Cashews
Cranberry Trail Mix
Dark Chocolate Mint Trefoils
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Almonds
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels
Dulce Daisies
English Butter Toffee
Fruit Slices
GORP Trail Mix - 28oz Jar
Honey BBQ Snack Mix
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Mint Trefoils Tin
Peanut Butter Monkeys
Pecan Supremes Box
Peppermint Bark Round
Spicy Cajun Mix
Whole Cashews



So, of course I had to try a whole bunch! Just like cookies, there are two main suppliers. So the folks outside this region have a different supplier who has slightly different products, like:

Dulce Owls
Fresh, milky caramel surrounded by smooth milk chocolate. 

Fruit Slices
Fat free! Chewy fruit slices in an assortment of flavors. 

Peanut Butter Bears
Milk chocolate bears with a smooth peanut butter filling.

Hot Cajun Crunch
Cajun corn sticks, seasoned peanuts, pretzels and sesame sticks. 

Chocolate Covered Raisins
The plumpest raisins covered in smooth milk chocolate. 

Cranberry Trail Mix
A tasty mix of peanuts, raisins, cranberries, cashews, banana chips, almonds and walnuts. 

Dark Chocolate Caramel Caps with Sea Salt
Dark chocolate covered caramel topped with sea salt. 

English Butter Toffee
Crunchy handcrafted toffee drenched in milk chocolate. 

Deluxe Pecan Clusters
Roasted pecans covered in caramel and milk chocolate. 

Chocolate Covered Almonds
Crunchy almonds covered in milk chocolate. 

Dark Chocolate Mint Penguins
Rich dark chocolate penguins bursting with frosted mint. 

Cashews with Sea Salt
A classic favorite roasted and salted with sea salt. 

Peanut Butter Trail Mix
Peanuts, peanut butter gems, peanut butter mini cups, mini pretzels and cashews. 

Girl Scout Tin with Mint Treasures
Creamy milk chocolate with a refreshing mint-filled center. 

Holiday Tin with Caramel Treasures
Creamy caramel centers covered in smooth milk chocolate. < >
I used a combination of both the nuts and candies to make a nice snack spread for Thanksgiving. Tasty!

Though I went to Stacked Shake & Sandwich around the time they opened (I was excited!), I have just now gotten around to actually writing about this unique restaurant. 



Specializing in sandwiches and over-the-top milkshakes, this restaurant is as bright and colorful on the inside as it is through the menu items.



For my meal, I went for the "Stacked Signature," which came with ham, turkey, roast beef, bacon, American, Swiss and Muenster cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo. I like it served cold. It was stacked high with meats, cheeses and veggies - fresh, delicious!



And, we can't forget the milkshake! This was the mermaid shake - vanilla ice cream blended with strawberries and white chocolate chips, poured into a mug with marshmallow covered in candy pearls. It was topped with cotton candy, rock candy, chocolate mermaid tail and whipped cream. 



Oh, and they recently started doing stacked hot chocolate!! This is the campfire s'mores one. Does it get any better?