Second Bar + Kitchen is bright, open and modern. I think they were a bit confused when I wanted a table for one, but after the initial awkwardness, I was seated, delivered a glass bottle of water and began to pore over the menu.

Located in the Second Street District, Second Bar + Kitchen combines seasonal ingredients with local artisan products to create a true farm-to-table experience. Second Bar + Kitchen offers small plates for sharing, locally-recognized salads, delicious pizzas, entrees and desserts to enjoy. Second Bar + Kitchen is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

From the bar, Second Bar + Kitchen offers a wide selection of finely crafted cocktails by Director of Bars + Beverage Jason Stevens, an approachable wine program from Wine Director Paula Rester and a selection of eclectic beers.

So, the Congress Burger is the must-have. From Eater:

The sumptuous blend of brisket and chuck comes nicely seasoned between a thatch of Gruyère and shallot confit. Making it extremely easy to customize are sides of leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and sweet pickles, not to mention two ramekins with sharp mustard and homemade ketchup.

The Congress Burger has: ground brisket + chuck · shallot confit · gruyere · greens · tomatoes · horseradish pickles. I got truffle pomme frites to go with it. Yummm.

The burger is great. They are simple ingredients - but high quality, and that makes all the difference. Every individual piece was tasty, and combined, great. The truffle aioli sauce that came with the fries was divine, as were the sharp mustard and homemade ketchup.

While it's nothing completely strange or out of the ordinary, it nails the solid burger category and has the perfect fry complement.

Grade: A

"Broadly offered on American menus, the beef-and-mushroom-blended burger, otherwise known as “The Blend,” was conceived of and incubated by the Healthy Menus R&D Collaborative (HMC), an educational initiative of high-volume culinary leaders developed by the Culinary Institute of America in partnership with its founding member, the Mushroom Council. The Blend concept is an example the innovative and strategic culinary insights that are used to address the substantial health and environmental imperatives that face the foodservice industry." (Source)

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.