It's always fun to explore coffee shops in new cities.

Alchemy Coffee and Bake House is a popular stop that has fresh-baked goodies and coffee.

I was a bit caught by surprise when I didn't see a menu, so I went with an old favorite: caramel latte.

As I waited for it to be prepared, I sat at the bar area, worked a bit and people-watched.

I got a "King" card to mark where I was sitting. And before long, my coffee came out - hot, strong and perfect for a blizzard.

If you've driven along Lee Street in Charleston, you've likely seen the sign announcing a new Jamaican restaurant coming. 

Well, that new Jamaican restaurant is here - it's just in Dunbar now.

Karubees Jamaican Restaurant has found a new home just outside of Charleston and is slinging oxtail, curry, jerk chicken and more - all sorts of Jamaican treats.

The dining space isn't huge - and is a little warm - but I went with carryout.

They are still new, so the full menu isn't up and running yet. But on the day I visited they had oxtail, curry chicken & goat, brown stew chicken, and jerk chicken. Plus a grape soda.

I went with the jerk chicken with sides of rice & peas and plantains.

And while I waited for that to be prepared, I also purchased a "Bun & Cheese." This is something I hadn't heard of, but it's like a celebratory treat in Jamaica. It's kind of like a raisin bread with a soft cheese in the middle. Interesting.

And once my entree was finished, I went home and dug in. Definitely some heat, plus sweetness from plantains. And a tasty meal.

Sylas & Maddy's is an institution in Lawrence, known for its Rock Chock Jayhawk ice cream which has sweet cream ice cream, fudge pieces, fudge swirl and brownies.


So I saw that ice cream flavor, but then I saw a bunch more.

That led me to their five-scoop sampler. Perfect.

So in addition to Rock Choc Jayhawk, I got gold dust, cookie dough, salted caramel and another with caramel.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor? hoc.

In my most recent order from Turnrow: Appalachian Farm Collective, I purchased a "Medley of Mushrooms" from Hernshaw Farms. This came with shiitake, golden oyster, lion's mane and blue-grey oyster. And, their story is even cooler.


"Hernshaw Farms is a sustainable social enterprise that will have a positive impact on Appalachian communities. We will nurture and transform mine land into beautiful farmland using spent mushroom blocks. And we will provide healthy local food with a purpose. Every time you purchase our mushrooms, you help us turn mineland2farmland. After our mushroom blocks go through their flushes we use them to make compost. Then we use that compost to turn old mineland into farmland."

Merchants claims "Midwestern Hospitality," so I was curious to see how that fared.



The menu was a limited one because they had Valentine's Day specials. But there were a few dishes on there that really caught out eye.