The Irish Pub was voted as one of the best southern bars by Southern Living. Pretty cool, right? I definitely wanted to fit in a visit - even if only briefly. We went in for a quick snack so I could get a little of the experience.

Well, it seems they were having some sort of quasi-private event. There weren't any signs or anything, but there were some balloons on the floor over near the bar area and, for some reason, Disney songs were blaring. We kept our distance and sat near the front to not interrupt whatever gathering was going on.



A waitress came over to us and gave us a menu. She was sweet, so I figured we were OK. Since we were just in for a snack, I ordered the "Big Soft Pretzel," kind of excited for something a little different. It said it was an Israeli recipe - a delicious, sesame seed sprinkled snack.

This was different and definitely interesting!

Ice cream was tasty! I definitely need to get back to try their pepperoni roll, though, as I hear that is even better!

Grade: B

Lewisburg continued to amaze me with really hip, delicious, local restaurants in Stella's Tea House.

This sweet little place has an outdoor dining area and an elegant, but fun, interior. Gorgeous goblets for our waters (filled with Blenko pitchers), and light pastels color the drapes and artwork on the walls.

We happened to have time for Stella's on Sunday, when they were serving their Sunday brunch.

There were so many great options, but I couldn't get over the crab & avocado eggs benedict. I mean, can you pass that up? It's a combination of everything great: toasted muffin topped with poached eggs, fresh avocado, lump crab, hollandaise AND served with a side of fresh fruit.


I looooved this. It was just a perfect brunch meal. Fresh eggs and avocado and crab meat all with a little tang. A nice sweetness with the fruit. Well-rounded.


Grade: A

Every cool town needs a cool coffee shop. Charleston has Taylor Books. Princeton has Sister's Coffee House. Morgantown doesn't really have that BUT Lewisburg does. With The Wild Bean.

This little hipster coffee shop offers everything the quintessential coffee joint requires: local art, great coffee, some food and local products. Coffee menu has organic, fairtrade, bird-friendly and rain forest allliance options. They have hot and ice espresso, teas, fruit smoothies, tea lattes, ice teas and more.

Their breakfast has burritos, egg scrambles, breakfast sandwiches and granola - complete with free range eggs from local farmers and house-made bagels and baked goods. Vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Lunch has wraps, avocado melts and burgers.

First up, I ordered a smoothie. You can basically get whatever fruit you want, so I opted for strawberry, banana and mango.

This was good. It just tasted fresh. Plus I liked that I wasn't forced into some generic pre-selected choices of fruits. Chose what I want, right there, and it was made just for me. Tasty.

For food, I went with their breakfast burrito, which had scrambled eggs, potato, cheese, bacon, and sour cream in a tortilla.

This sounds amazing, and it was pretty good. Things were fresh - just a little dull. More spices? My only real gripe is that I wish it had more sour cream (or any, at all - I think mine may have been lacking) or some more salsa. Both of these really would've amped up the flavor and helped bring all those elements together. Or even more cheese? I just wanted more. Still, not bad.


Grade: B

While in the area, I really wanted to figure out a way to make a stop at The Greenbrier. It's oftentimes the shining star of WV - well-known for elegant, extravagance and hosting some very famous guests.


The only thing we could really do quickly and cheaply (well, as cheap as you'll get here --- $16) is afternoon tea. Each day, afternoon tea is served in the main dining room from 4-4:45 p.m. The Springhouse Entertainers do a small little dance in the beginning and then bring out trays of cookies to the main table.

It's not as intimate as I was expecting. It's like a mad rush to the cookies, and they keep replenishing throughout the time.  but pretty much the whole time stays busy with folks trying to nab the most cookies. I got a handful, which were pretty tasty. A macaroon-type cookie was by far my fav - lightly sweet and crisp.

Off to the side, they have both hot tea and iced tea.

And it's all set in the absolutely beautiful hotel with vibrant patterns and colors, huge chandeliers and light music playing. Most people were wearing the resort casual dress - with sport shirts, sweaters, jackets, dress slacks and walking shorts.

It's cool they continue this tradition, which has been a staple since the 1930s. I only wish that maybe there was a small tea pot and tray of cookies per table rather than the more impersonal, everybody-rush-to-the-table method.

When we went to pay - it's part of hotel guests' package - we couldn't figure out how to do so. And when we inquired, they actually said it's on the house. Super cool.

Grade: B

I'm glad I didn't walk out of Livery Tavern as soon as I entered. Because I sure wanted to.

We had a reservation for The Livery, but we were running late, and the service on my phone was questionable. When we showed up, we noted we were late for our reservation and apologized. The person who greeted us didn't seem pleased we were late and was trying to figure out what to do with us. Then another person came over to help and mentioned we were late, again, and then just said to act like we didn't have a reservation because it was easier for them to seat us. I sighed, we apologized again, and then for a THIRD time, we were chastised for being late by another worker. I was beyond furious at this point. And embarrassed. We were late, we apologized, the place wasn't busy anyway, it was just for two people, so why bring it up three separate times? Just seat me and let me spend my money in your restaurant.

Inside, it is quite nice. White linen tablecloths, dim lighting, dark woods.

Once we were finally seated, our own server came out and was quite pleasant, thankfully. He diffused the situation. I ordered a glass of wine - something white and sweet and delicious - and perused the menu.

We decided to go with wine, appetizers and desserts. My favorite three courses.

To start with, we ordered the cheese board. It said local cheeses and seasonal fruit.

It was amazing. Six different kinds of cheeses - bleu cheese, goat cheese, gouda cheese, herb cheeses - just a perfect combination of creamy textures with more pungent bites and creative ones.

Plus crostini that was a perfect vehicle for the main star - yet flavorful itself. Plus some finely sliced fruit - apples, strawberries, blackberries. Then there were sundried tomatoes. Everything was just so good.



And the dessert. One of the best I've ever had. Just a great combination of fluffy cake with meringue and whipped cream and fresh berries. I was stuffed but couldn't stop eating this. It was great.

While the service was questionable, the food was outstanding. If Food & Friends had my favorite entree in Lewisburg, my favorite wine, appetizer and dessert definitely goes to the Livery Tavern.

By all means, if you go, make a reservation and don't dare be late. 

Grade: A