Outside of Hot Cup Coffee in Logan, you'll see a shopping cart halfway lodged into into a pole, and, inside, there are even more hidden secrets.

Hot Cup Coffee is really a cool place. when I walked in, I noticed everything was dark red, nice wooden floors and bits of art all over the wall. It is a large space with a lounge feel, and in the back, there is an ode to movies and a hidden Harry Potter room. Very neat.

True Gourmet Coffee & Pastries like Logan has never experienced before.
Isn't it time that Logan had a REAL Coffee Shop of its own?
Now it does. Come in, relax, take in the atmosphere, & savor the experience of HOT CUP.
HOT CUP also serves up Breakfast & Lunch items!
HOT CUP is also the new Hub for the Arts in Logan.
We feature Paintings & Sketches by local artists. We have local acoustic musicians, open mic night for poets & even Stand Up Comedy after Hours!
Don't forget to bring your mobile device, because HOT CUP has FREE WiFi!
Come to HOT CUP. There's a cup waiting for you Today!

And, going in line with the Harry Potter theme, this shop has some really delicious coffees - including "Butter Beer," which I had to try out. Other coffees included flavors like White Caramel, White Zombie, Truffle Shuffle, Snickers Bar, plus cappuccino, frappe, mocha, real hot chocolates and more.

And because I was a bit hungry, I also ordered their "Pizza Pretzel."

THE PIZZA PRETZEL - $3.00. You know those really big, really soft pretzels that everyone loves? What if I told you that we took one of those & crammed it full of Pizza Sauce & topped it with a bit of Mozzarella Cheese? Sound good? We thought so. It’s waiting on you now, only at HOT CUP!

So, the "Butter Beer" is just out of this world. It was sweet, rich, butterscotchy and just amazing. I wish this existed in Morgantown because I may have it every day.

The pizza pretzel could not compare to the deliciousness of the beverage; next time, I think I'll pair a pastry with that perfect drink.

After seeing folks walking around with bubble tea in Wheeling's Center Market, I thought that would be a perfect addition to my afternoon stroll. So, I headed to Osaka Express.

After ordering a strawberry bubble tea, I waited for a while. And a while. And a while. Then, I finally got it.

And, she said the ice melted quickly and asked if I wanted more. I said no thanks, because if you know me, ice isn't a must-have. I took one drink of it, and it was warm. Like, actually warm to the touch. Like, nearing on hot.

That was not good -- I didn't even finish it. The flavor was fine, but the temperature threw me.

Grade: C

The American Red Cross West Virginia Region hosted the "Taste of West Virginia in Morgantown" Thursday evening which pit local area restaurants against one another to see who has the best bites in an effort to raise money to support the American Red Cross.

Courtesy of Cafe Cimino

Because I am a lucky duck, I was fortunate to be able to once again judge this year's competition - and with great company! Nikki Drake, WV Radio, “Jack and Nikki in the Morning,” 102 WVAQ; Anne Hart, Owner & Executive Chef, Provence Market Café; and Tim Urbanic, Owner & Executive Chef, Cafe Cimino County Inn - who happens to have a quote in my book! Also, Jamie Ames, WV Radio, “Just Jamie,” 102 WVAQ was our emcee for the evening.

Austin's Salty Sow is dedicated to "swine + wine + beer," and features mindfully sourced food and hand-crafted drinks.

This gastropub had some fine ratings, so it was one of my first stops.

Salty Sow is an American Gastropub that serves contemporary farmhouse fare. Hand-crafted cocktails and entrees are served fresh daily, mindfully sourced from local farms and purveyors. 

Modern and unpretentious, Salty Sow's chef-driven menu delivers clean, farm-to-table eats in a rustic-contemporary setting, making it a trusted "neighborhood gem."

It's a cute, trendy place where you sort of walk into this curtain as you enter. It certainly sets a scene.

We started with an appetizer - the Salty Sow Charcuterie & Cheese Board. It had all sorts of interesting sausages and cheeses.

It was all quite good, but I especially liked the pate - very creamy.

We also got a side of brussels sprouts, which came with golden raisins and pecorino cheese, and it was absolutely amazing. Show somebody who doesn't like brussels sprouts this dish, and you'll make a believer out of them. Crispy, sweet, savory. Everything all at once, and it was amazing.

For my main entree, I went with the duck breast, which was just OK for me. The skin was fatty, and the meat itself was a bit rubbery and more gamey than I would've liked. I did enjoy the turnips, though, and the sauce was delightful. I just wasn't totally on board with the meat itself.

Overall, a cool vibe. Some neat things here, and that charcuterie board and brussels sprouts were winners.

Grade: B

While summer isn't typically the time for soup, on those chilly, rainy days, it just hits the spot.

The Soup Shack, located in Centre Market, has a straw hut overhang, a chalkboard and some other odds and ends that truly give meaning to that "shack" part of its name. But, it's welcoming.

The owner, Frank Warren, is down-to-earth and greeted us warmly when we began looking over the menu. He carefully explained ingredients for my friend, and made a pun of his name - that he'll always be "frank" with us. I dig it.

The soups all sounded amazing - lobster bisque, 16 cajun bean, basil tomato, chicken gnocchi - but I went with the lobster bisque.

There are also some nice sandwiches - grilled cheese, burger, egg salad - to go with the soup, but I had some cheese from the shop at the end of the market which paired perfectly. He also had little bits of bread he gives out for free to accompany the soup.

The lobster bisque was delicious. Perfectly creamy, rich, just hit the spot. This place is an all-around good one - from the tasty soup to perfect experience. Frank said if it's bad, let him know and if it's good, let everyone know. So, letting everyone know, Frank :)

Grade: A