A new Italian restaurant opened in Charleston: Ristorante Abruzzi.

Coming from the owners of Charleston Bread, this restaurant is in the former Paterno's location.

They just opened this week, and I already couldn't wait to get my hands on some pasta.

I know the idea for the restaurant was multi-concept: Ristorante Abruzzi will feature a takeout window connecting the restaurant to the building’s hallway offering grab-and-go meals, along with separate sit-down areas inside the dining room catering to fast-casual and more relaxed-dining guests.

But for now, it's just dinner. The menu features a handful of appetizers, salads, pastas, and entrees.

We started with some bread and olive oil.

I went for the Baked Chicken Zucca Olives, Roasted Tomatoes Baked with Chicken in a Gorgonzola Cream Sauce.

I also got a side of meatballs so I could taste those AND the red sauce.

And for dessert? This vanilla and berry cake. Have you been yet?

One of my favorite finds is a local dairy bar.

Frostbite Dairy Bar is Clendenin's favorite ice cream shop.

They have sandwiches, hot dogs, fried appetizers and, of course, ice cream.

Plus more!

We made our way up the stairs to place our order. I went with a grilled cheese, chili, and Snickeres "Frostbite."

After a few minutes, they called my number.

I picked up my food.

And made my way downstairs to the picnic table area.


It was the perfect combination of warm and cold for a cozy fall day.

Mmmm to all blizzard-type ice cream stuffs.


Standard grilled cheese.



Tasty chili.

Turnrow is a collaborative of farmers, businesses, organizations, and nonprofits across West Virginia that want to fundamentally change our food system.

They have formed the largest food collective in West Virginia by combining several food hubs and co-ops under one roof. They are working with approximately 75 farmers throughout the region to ensure that fresh, quality food is distributed quickly and efficiently consumers.


The collaborative has an online weekly farmers market through Local Food Marketplace. You can pick and choose what you want from dozens of different farmers, including fresh produce, frozen meats, eggs, baked goods, and value-added products like jellies, jams, and honey, goats’ milk soap and farm crafts.

One of these days, I'll make it to every Tudor's Biscuit World in the state.

And next on my list was Clay's location.

Usually, I go for a sausage biscuit with grape jelly.

But, this was lunch time. So I needed to change things up.

And I saw meatloaf on the menu, which is one of my favorites.

Weird, I know. But I love it. The meal came with a (big) biscuit! So that was perfect.

I got mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese as my sides. What's your favorite non-biscuit Tudor's meal?

After dinner in Matewan, I was in the mood for ice cream.

And, we passed by Bulldog Diner, so that was the winner!

Bulldog Diner is pretty large, but we were the only patrons.

The menu has a ton of fried appetizers, and desserts. That's really all I need in life.

I ordered mini corndogs and mozzarella sticks.

And, a "Bulldog Blast" with caramel.

Yum!