I used to LOVE love General Tso's chicken. And maybe it's a change in my preference or a change in quality over the years, but I just cannot deal with the chewy, stringy chicken that is so often found in the dish. 



So when I went to China One in Barboursville, I gravitated toward one of my new go-tos: garlic shrimp. I placed an order online and went inside to pick it up. 



Because the restaurant is located in a plaza, parking is easy. There was a little line at the window when I went inside, but it moved quickly. Everyone was there for takeout. 



The garlic shrimp was not bad - a little mushy, but that's not atypical. Lots of green pepper in the veg mix, but I loved when I got a crunchy bite of broccoli or mushroom. The crab rangoons (c'mon, these are a given) were a bit overly fried for me, but they are my preferred fold-over shape. The eggroll was average.



Overall, a fairly standard Chinese takeout meal.

Grade: C

Anvil + Ax is the new restaurant at the Hotel Morgan.



It recently went under some renovations, and the beautiful entryway area on either side is now home to the upscale restaurant - a brightly lit, cool tiled, airy space.



"Anvil + Ax is a relaxed European coffee shop meets refined evening cocktail bar. Part classic, part retro, part modern, Anvil + Ax brings a unique twist to the drinks and dining scene in Morgantown, WV."



I had done my due diligence to find out when exactly they begin serving their pepperoni roll, but when I got there, they said lunch hadn't started. My incredible dismay must've been evident on my face, because the kind gentleman said he'd make it happen. and, he did. Just a few minutes later, he delivered a a wooden platter full of pepperoni rolls and french fries.



The pepperoni rolls are cut on a diagonal, which already makes them a bit more interesting. The fresh bread, beautifully baked exterior gives a hearty crisp bite. The inside has rolled pepperoni and banana peppers, and a side of marinara completes the flavor trifecta. I would not have hated a giant hunk of hot pepper cheese in there - but I appreciate this rendition. The fries, while not exactly my preferred combination with a pepperoni roll, were also really good and crisp.

Grade: A

My latest J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Box just arrived today. 

The Myrtle Beach area is probably the most common vacation spot for West Virginians.



In fact, some folks call it the "56th county" of West Virginia because of how many Mountaineers you'll find there. 



So, it only makes sense that there's a pepperoni roll outpost nearby so that folks can still get their fix."
That's where D'Annunzio's Bakery comes in. 



The Clarksburg bakery offers bread, pepperoni rolls, and those same versions can be found at this Longs, S.C., bakery by the same name. My understanding is that it's a family member who opened the South Carolina location.



Were the pepperoni rolls just as good? They sure were. A very bready roll - but classic. 



They also had some products I've not seen at the Clarksburg spot that are bit more adventuruous - like apple raisin bread and cranberry walnut bread. They even had Oliverio's peppers to top your favorite Italian dishes with.

Grade: A

Crafts of Coal is taking over St. Albans. What started as an ice cream truck has now expanded into a storefront on Olde Main.



The shop focuses on ice cream - and a ton of different flavors of it. There is seating, but it's not very comfortable or large. 



In fact, there were so many, I couldn't choose. I always struggle whether I want to go the fruity route or the caramel route - and they rarely go well together. Which is why their "flight" option is perfect for people like me. 



Banana Pudding - banana pudding ice cream swirled with marshmallow creme and vanilla cookies
Blueberry Muffin - blueberry muffin ice cream, chocolate covered waffle cones and blueberries
Carolina Peach - peach flavored ice cream
Lime Daiquiri Sorbet - lime flavored sorbet
Smoky Mountain Toffee - toffee ice cream swirled with whiskey sauce and chunks of Heath car
Turtle Trail - sea salt caramel ice cream, caramel swirl, chocolate-caramel candies



On this day, my favorites were the lime sorbet - usually not one I'd go for! But it was refreshing and flavorful. I also was a big fan of the sea salt caramel - but of course. What are your favs?

Grade: A