At some point in every college student's life, there comes a time when the purse strings get a little tight. With moving into my new apartment and the subsequent down payments and security deposits that come with the joy of moving, my wallet was feeling a little light. I made it my goal to make a grocery list of not more than $20 worth. There were a few essentials that wouldn't make the cut, so I bumped it up to $30. The healthiness isn't ideal, but it will get me by the next week or two. Here's what I got at Kroger:

1. Ramen Noodles (2) = $1.98
2. Canned vegetables (3) = $2.22
3. Bread = $1.50
4. Cheese = $1.79
5. Milk = $1.79
6. Mashed Potatoes = $1.79
7. Macaroni & Cheese (3) = $2.52
8. Pasta = $1.05
9. Pasta Sauce = $1.66
10. Hot Dogs = $1.50
11. Tuna = $0.89
12. Lunch Meat = $2.99
13. Canned fruit (2) = $2.10
14. Soup (3) = $3
15. Canned Pasta (2) = $2

24 ITEMS $28.81

I just finished reading "Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me," so I wanted to share some insight. The book features Chelsea Handler on the cover, but it is actually written by her friends and family about insane lies she's told them over the years. She has written three books: My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands, Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, and Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. I own all of these, and I knew her books are light-hearted and humorous. When you read hundreds of pages of textbooks each day, the last thing I want to read is more hard-hitting, thought-provoking prose. Instead, I opt for some mindless garbage that I can knock out in a few days. "Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me" took about three days on and off for me to complete.

The collection of short stories are from members of the roundtable to people who work behind the scenes to her brothers to her dog. Each is fairly well-written, and the tone remains consistent through each writer. A few writers have a few different lies from Chelsea to talk about, and others have just one, large one. They are all fairly hilarious and kept me entertained through the 300-page book. While reading this, you can get a sense of who Chelsea really is. A side of her shows on the "Chelsea Lately" show, but this adds a new layer. What I got from this is that she's an awful, mean liar. But she's also one of the most caring people.

Above all else, Chelsea is definitely an entertainer, and she keeps up that theme with this book. Just in time for the summer, take it along for a trip to the beach or just a few hours of downtime.The book can be purchased from Amazon for $13.08. It's 292 pages long, so it's a very nice simple book for summer.

On Sunday, May 16, I graduated from the West Virginia University Perley Issac Reed School of Journalism with a bachelor's degree in journalism, summa cum laude. I'll also receive another diploma in the mail soon - a bachelor's of arts in English. Obviously, this called for a celebration.

My boyfriend took me to Sargasso, a place I've been dying to try and needed just that perfect occasion to justify spending $100 on a meal. I actually had to book reservations way in advance because it was graduation weekend, but I didn't mind. I knew I wanted to go there, and there wasn't much that would stop me. I had heard great things. I visited their website on April 30 and used their handy web reservation tool to reserve a table for 2 at 7 p.m. I may have been more excited about this dinner than graduation.


After the ceremony and pictures, I mingled with my parents, but at 6:30 p.m. on the dot, we were on our way. Sargasso is located on Don Knotts Boulevard, near Meineke. It's located in a building with a few other businesses, but its chic lettering of "Sargasso" on the outside definitely sets it apart. When we walked inside, it wasn't dark and stuffy. Instead, it was brightly lit, and the restaurant staff seemed friendly. This is a big switch from Stefano's, and welcome one at that. We did have to sit for a few minutes as they cleared a table, but I loved taking in the scenery.

In a State Journal article, the bar manager talks about how they got the name "Sargasso": "'The name Sargasso comes from the Mediterranean sea, its the place where the most ships have sunk so its supposed to be an unburied treasure. So that's why we're called Sargasso, we're supposed to be an unburied treasure,' revealed Curtis Gravis, the bar manager"

A very nice bar is directly to the right of the entrance, and another waiting area is to the left, where patrons can enjoy some beverages. The main dining area rests behind that portion and off to the left, as well. We were sat at a small table nearly directly in the center of the dining room. The oversized chairs were comfortable but classy at the same time, and the table decorations were modern and minimal, complete with a candle. Chris was elated over the salt/pepper combination.

As soon as we were seated, we were handed large menus and our water glasses were filled. Excellent service, to say the least.We were rushed a basket of warm, fresh-basked french bread with a small dish of sun dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil from Italy. I dug right in - the tomatoes were sweet and flavorful. The tiny diced veggie and the vibrant olive oil/herb/pesto sparked. It was Sargasso's version of an olive tapenade, and it was light, fresh and had me wanting more. I was excited to see what else the chef had up his sleeve.

The menu valued quality over quantity, as there were only a handful of options for each meal. However, all of the options looked mouth-watering, and sitting near the chefs as plate after plate of gorgeous, elegant cuisine was served didn't help matters. As I perused the appetizers portion, I looked for something Chris and I would both enjoy - something that wouldn't scare him off too much. I ordered the "Original Polish Pierogies" at $10. The two pierogies were stuffed with sharp cheddar spread out on a chive sour cream sauce and garnished with red onion compote and caramelized onions. As soon as I bit into the pierogi, my mouth was overwhelmed with warm, savory cheese. Combined with the cool sour cream sauce, it was a modern form of a strong dish that was better than any traditional Polish pierogi I've ever tasted. The outside was slightly crunchy, and the mouthful was bursting with flavor. The onions on the side were sweet and pickled, but I used them sparingly. It was presented like a masterpiece, and I said a few times, "It looks like it's from Top Chef!" as Chris shook his head in disapproval. Sargasso's signature "fusion" style was making an impression on me -- first bread with a modern tomato spread and now pierogis with a new twist.

For my entree, I chose "The Perfect Salmon." What an understatement. From the menu: "Baked Loch Duart salmon with an olive oil mousseline sauce and sauteed green beans and chanterelle mushrooms over three-cheese and pea risotto. This fine dish costs $26, and it is oh so worth every last dime. The large piece of salmon was just so tender, it fell apart by the forkful. It was tasty and the white sauce complemented the flavor. The flaky fish was fresh, cooked perfectly and the sauce had a hint of sweetness that made it taste amazing. The risotto was fantastic. Cheesy, thick and filling. The peas were a perfect fit, and there's simply no describing it until you taste it.

Chris got the ribs, which were tender, though I tend to stray from red meat. And, he had asparagus and mashed potatoes. He was thrilled with his dinner, as well. I had a bite, and if you're a fan of red meat, this would be right down your alley. 

Our waiter was fantastic, too, as he came over frequently enough to where we could have our glasses refilled, but not so frequent that I felt he was a third dinner mate. He was very knowledgeable, and he gave his recommendations when solicited. His friendly tone made the stark fine dining atmosphere comfortable and not stuck up. He placed two dessert menus before us, instead of slapping down a check and saying they could add more to it. I decided on a creme brulee, and Chris reluctantly got a chocolate mousse with fresh fruit. His chocolate mousse was dark chocolate, not my favorite, but the berries were sweet and succulent. My creme brulee was fantastic. Two fresh strawberries garnished the top, which was a sugary hardened layer of caramel. The custard beneath was lemony and smooth. A perfect, refreshing ending to a fantastic dinner. I can't wait to celebrate something again so I can come back.


Definitely save this one for a special occasion, though. We had an appetizer, two entrees and two desserts, and our bill was right around $100.

Grade: A

More: Here's a cool promo they did when they opened: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_eUWw2mL60

As the days of working at The Daily Athenaeum dwindled down, Travis, Melanie and I decided to spend one of our last evenings celebrating at Mariachi Loco. I'm not a big fan of Mexican, but this made me a believer. It's located near the other Walmart on Hornbeck Road. It's owned by the same people as Los Mariachis, so I knew it would be good quality. I didn't, however, think it would be even better.


One of the best parts about a Mexican restaurant is that they usually serve up complementary chips and salsa. I'm not too much for the hot salsa, but a nice free appetizer is always nice.

I never know what to order at Mexican restaurants, but to my luck, a suggestions was right on the front cover of the menu: Special Dinner. It had a little bit of everything, which included a taco and various other Mexican arrangements that I didn't know what they were. When it came out on the, not one, but two plates, I still didn't know what everything was. I do know that there was a hamburger patty-like deal with cheese on it, with four other Mexican burrito/chimichanga ordeals and refried beans and rice.

I wish I was able to describe the dish in more detail because it was yummy, but all I really know is that there was the soft wrap with a blend of chicken, spices and beans. I was hesitant, but once I tasted it, I was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious! Though a little on the spicy side, we ordered a pitcher of peach margaritas that fit the bill to make the dinner a delicious combination of spicy food and sweet alcohol. The peach margaritas were refreshing but strong enough to make me feel warm and fuzzy as we left.

Grade: B

Travis Crum (my former city editor), Melanie Hoffman (my former managing editor) and I made plans with AP star Vicki Smith to get dinner and catch up. Vicki has been truly inspirational during my time at the newspaper, and I hope our relationship continues after The DA. My boyfriend Chris was also in town, so he joined us.

Vicki knows just about everything there is to know about Morgantown, and she's always up for different dinner suggestions, so I threw out "Richwood Grill" because of its super local, but classy, menu. The restaurant used to be "Solera," which served Latin food. But now, "Richwood Grill" serves sustainable food from around West Virginia. Don't let the sound of that fool you, though, as the atmosphere is classy, and really puts to good use the fact that great food comes from within the Mountain State.

Located right out of the beaten path in Morgantown, right up behind the hill from the Willey Street Dairy Mart, it's not a college hangout, but locals seem to adore the place. Check out reviews here. We met at 5 p.m., as soon as the restaurant opened, and we were graciously greeted and led to the back dining area. Outdoor seating was also available, but it was still a little chilly for that. The table was adorned with old-school posters and placards, and the room was decorated lightly but classy.


The menu continually changes according to what's in season and boasted only about a dozen entrees; however, the drink menu consisted of pages upon pages. Vicki opted for a bottle of red wine for the table that was both strong but necessary. I'm not much of a wine drinker, so I can't critique much, but I was warm and relaxed after one glass. I forwent an appetizer because I wasn't overly hungry, but I immediately knew what I wanted for my entree: A scallop and shrimp sausage with pesto pasta and pumpkin seed. It sounded like something I would like, as I often go for pasta, but the majority of our table went for a steak. I believe steak/red meat is their specialty, but I'm not much of a steak person.

When my dish arrived, I was excited. The excitement vanished when I actually bit into the pasta, as it was quite hearty and dry. The pesto sauce really needed a kick of lightness or smoothness to offset the harsh pesto sauce. I would've liked some diced tomato so I wasn't in need of a drink after every bite. The taste of the pasta wasn't bad, but it definitely needed a lighter note. I took a bite out of the sausage and was pleasantly surprised. Two sausage patties, and one contained a scallop and one a shrimp. The sausage wasn't gritty or reek of chemically enhanced meat. It was good quality and quite delicious. The idea of putting a piece of seafood in the meat was interesting, but unfortunately, I didn't taste the seafood too much. It's clear this restaurant is ideal for meat-lovers, and the pasta/seafood sort of fall to the wayside. That's OK; that's what I get for ordering pasta. However, on that note, Chris ordered a rainbow trout dish that had a delicious white creamy wasabi sauce on it, and it was to die for. Very fresh and tasty.

My favorite part of dinner came next: dessert. I can't remember exactly what the dessert was called, but it was a blueberry and apple jam tart with a smooth cheese and apples and toffee integrated. It was delicious. Melanie said it looked like something off of "Top Chef." It was very creative, and the cheese added a bit of a tart taste to the sweet jams. Each of our desserts also came out topped with a strawberry, which added a light fresh flavor to sugary dessert. I could've devoured two.

Grade: C