Sweet Charity returned to Charleston on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after a four-year hiatus, bringing an evening of sweets and community spirit to Capitol Market. Hosted by Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, the event ran from 7 to 9 p.m. and featured a wide array of signature desserts created by local bakers. Guests who purchased a $40 Taste Passport sampled the treats while a panel of judges evaluated each entry on taste, creativity, and presentation. The lively competition not only highlighted local culinary talent but also raised funds to support Faith in Action’s community programs, making the evening both indulgent and impactful. 1. Café Appalachia 2. Chef Ke - this bread pudding was to die for! 3. Coco’s Kitchen + Café - blondie with tahini! 4. Edgewood Country Club - white chocolate won folks over 5. Edgewood Summit 6. Girl Scouts of Black Diamond - loved trying their new cookie, Exploremores. 7. Rainy Day Bakes - brand new to me with a light cake and fruity filling 8. Sugar Shenanigans - Dubai chocolate heaven 9. Sweet Mama’s - I heard this peanut butter brownie situation was wonderful.

Route 22 Sports Bar is located in Weirton and is designed as a classic sports bar and grill, featuring multiple big-screen TVs throughout the space with live sports from any seat. The layout includes both ground-level seating and an upper balcony, giving it a roomy feel, while the large bar with a bottoms-up beer tap system is a centerpiece. The menu leans on American bar favorites with some creative twists - liks burgers, wraps, and wings. The fish and chips stick close to the classic with a battered fish that’s fried until golden and served atop a pile of fries. The portion is hearty, and the fish had a flaky interior that was a bit fishier than usual. The sliders come as a shareable option, offering smaller versions of their burgers with soft buns and juicy patties. They’re simple but satisfyinh. The ribeye was a bit chewy and gray, so I'd opt out of that next time. The buffalo chicken dip, though, was a hit. It was served hot and creamy with plenty of shredded chicken and a balanced kick of spice. Grade: C

Wall Drug Store, located in Wall, South Dakota, is a renowned roadside attraction that has captivated travelers for decades. Established in 1931, it gained fame through Dorothy Hustead’s innovative “free ice water” signage, enticing weary travelers along the newly constructed Interstate 90. Today, it stands as a sprawling complex featuring a drug store, gift shops, restaurants, an art gallery, and various other themed stores, all unified under a single entity. The café serves a variety of American-style food, including hot roast beef sandwiches with gravy, buffalo burgers, burgers and fries, chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, and foot-long hot dogs. I ordered a breakfast sandwich, minus the egg. So, it ended up being a ham & cheese sandwich, which was fine. The draw here I think is less of the food and more of the experience. Wall Drug is often described as a “tourist trap,” but it's endearing in a way. It’s a place where kitsch meets nostalgia, offering a slice of Americana that’s entertaining. Donuts: The establishment is famed for its homemade donuts, particularly the maple variety, which are moist and have a delightful lemon undertone. Have you ever been? What's your favorite tourist trap? Free Ice Water & 5-Cent Coffee: True to its origins, Wall Drug offers complimentary ice water and a nostalgic 5-cent coffee served in mugs within the café. The interior features over 300 original Western and illustration art pieces. Grade: B

Tally’s Silver Spoon in Rapid City is a modern spin on the classic American diner, run by chef Benjamin Klinkel, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu and worked in Michelin-starred kitchens before returning home to South Dakota. They serve modern cuisine in an upscale contemporary setting. The space itself balances casual and upscale, with sleek wood accents, big windows letting in natural light, and an open, welcoming layout that feels just as comfortable for a quick breakfast as it does for a celebratory dinner. The menu leans into both diner staples and inventive twists, featuring hearty breakfasts like steak Benedict and biscuits with gravy, alongside refined dinner plates such as bison marsala, carbonara, and seasonal chef’s specials. One of the most unique features at Tally’s Silver Spoon is the Indecision Menu, which is perfect if you’d rather leave the choices up to the chef. Guests can select how many courses they’d like—anywhere from three to seven—and the kitchen crafts a surprise tasting menu built around fresh, seasonal ingredients. It’s a playful way to experience the full range of the restaurant’s creativity, with dishes that might never appear on the regular menu, and it gives diners a chance to taste flavors and pairings they may not have thought to order themselves. Which is exactly why I ordered it. My three-course dinner consisted of: Their Miso Sea Bass, a beautifully seared fillet that’s buttery and delicate, paired with asparagus, a touch of tomato relish, and a light miso-based sauce. It’s a dish that highlights clean, umami-rich flavors with a refined presentation. Then there's a salad centered around a warm chunk of Brie cheese served with fresh greens, shaved vegetables, watermelon radish, and a crumble for crunch. A balsamic sauce adds a touch of acidity and sweetness to balance the richness of the cheese.

Duck Confit is one of the restaurant’s signature preparations. The duck leg is slow-cooked until tender, then crisped for a rich, savory bite. It’s served over a medley of vegetables—here you can see cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and greens—finished with a bright herb purée and topped with a generous snowfall of grated cheese. The result balances richness with freshness. Grade: A

The future of Sergio's is a bit up in the air with the recent sale so I wanted to share my thoughts while I still can.



The Italian restaurant has a sister restaurant already established in Hurricane and is connected to the Guadalajara restaurant family. The one thing that differs here from the sister restaurant is that there's a focus on pizzas, as opposed to steaks.



Sergio's is located in Elk City - with some historical charm and minimal decor. Tall tin ceilings and a combo of booths and tables line the dining room.



Soft, warm breadsticks sprinkled with parm set the tone for the meal. These were gloriously simple.



I had to try their house pepperoni roll, which was a long, flat roll filled with lots of cheese and pepperoni and scored in the center. It was somewhere between a calzone and a classic pepperoni roll—soft, hearty, and satisfying, though it didn’t quite stand out as remarkable.



My main entree was a hearty seafood pasta dish featuring jumbo lobster-stuffed ravioli paired with succulent jumbo sautéed shrimp, all enveloped in their rich, house-made Alfredo sauce. The ravioli are generously filled, providing a substantial bite. The Alfredo sauce delivers a creamy and flavorful coating. Rich, and right up my alley.



Grade: A