Yemen Coffee Hut is a small coffee shop on Merchant Street in downtown Fairmont serving Yemeni coffee, tea, pastries and other specialty drinks. The big draw is the Yemeni coffee. The family behind the business has roots in Yemen, and manager Abdel Almadrahi told WBOY that he grew up around coffee in Yemen and that his family grew coffee. They source their beans from Yemen. Traditional Yemeni coffee tends to have spices such as cardamom, giving it a noticeably different flavor and aroma from the typical American coffee-shop cup. Some of the more interesting things on the menu include:

* Muofawar — medium-roast coffee with cardamom and cream
* Qishr — coffee husks/cascara with ginger and cinnamon
* Sanani — a Yemeni coffee preparation
* Adani Chai — Yemeni black tea with cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon and milk
* Black Yemeni Tea — cardamom and cinnamon
* Turkish Coffee
* Arabic Coffee I ordered a cocktail smoothie (a fruity blend of strawberry, mango and banana), egg & cheese sandwich (sliced hardboiled eggs with cream cheese on a crusty baguette) and dubai chocolate. Loved that drink and wish the sandwich has some more seasoning. Grade: B

Whimsy is a small, local catering business operating out of one woman's West Side home. She posts a menu on Facebook, accepts orders and then schedules a pick-up window. The menu for the week I ordered included:

32oz Ginger Roasted Butternut Squah & Heirloom Carrot Soup w/toasted Pumpkin seeds on side.

32oz Wild rice pilaf w/Peas & Crispy Beets.

1dz Almond, Raisin Cinnamon sugar Pastry swirls.

Individual “Reese” Madness w/Crushed peanut butter Oreos, chocolate fudge,and Peanut butter mousse. Have you tried anything?

Cass Trading Company is a restaurant, convenience store, gift shop and lodging option located in Cass along the Greenbrier River. The convenience store carries snacks, drinks, groceries, fishing supplies and other items for visitors and locals.The shop also has West Virginia-made products, including jams and jellies, honey, maple syrup, fudge and baked goods. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that includes burgers, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, salads and other casual meals. I stopped in for lunch and ordered the fish and fries, which made for a simple, filling meal after spending time exploring the area. The fish was a nice, flaky white cod with a mild flavor, although the meal was a little on the greasy side. The slaw helped cut that. Grade: B

Hillsboro Public House is tucked into the small Pocahontas County community of Hillsboro, where a historic building has been transformed into a welcoming restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The building itself has plenty of character, dating back to its days as Moore’s General Store and retaining details such as pressed tin ceilings, original wood floors and old shelving. For breakfast, the menu goes beyond the usual biscuits and gravy and eggs with options like the Bagels & Lox, a simple combination that lets the ingredients do most of the work -- and is coincidentally one of my favorites. The Bagels & Lox starts with a toasted bagel topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon, then gets finished with capers and red onion for a little salt, bite and freshness. The capers add that briny punch that works particularly well with the salmon, while the red onion brings enough sharpness to keep each bite from feeling too rich. Plus a brownie for dessert. Grade: B

Capitol Market, in partnership with Rainbow Pride of WV, hosted the Rainbow Harvest Dinner on Wednesday, which was a celebration of the people, flavors and creativity that make Charleston's culinary community so vibrant. The dining experience brought together four of the region's most talented LGBTQ+ chefs for an evening that honors both exceptional food and the stories behind it. Each course showcased the unique perspective of a different chef, highlighting the diversity of Appalachian cuisine while demonstrating how food has the power to connect people across backgrounds and experiences.



More than a dinner, Rainbow Harvest is an opportunity to gather around one table in celebration of inclusion, community, and local talent. Whether you're a devoted foodie or simply looking for an unforgettable evening, you'll leave with a full heart, a satisfied palate and an even greater appreciation for the chefs helping shape Charleston's dining scene.



Here's what we had:
BREAD COURSE
Mini Butter Croissants & Zesty Hawaiian Dinner Rolls
Panamá Geisha Coffee Butter • Lemon Ricotta Spread
Ariel Barcenas, Nomada Bakery, Huntington APPETIZER
Spiced Lamb Meatballs
Labneh • Chow Chow Jam • Toasted Pine Nuts • Pomegranate Seeds • Lemon Zest • Mint Crisps
Madison Risk, Ristorante Abruzzi, Charleston ENTREE
Venison
Spoon Bread • Grilled Broccolini • Sauce Chasseur • Local Mushrooms
Buck Samples, 1010 Bridge, Charleston DESSERT
Lemon Berry Bread Pudding
Brioche • Lemon Custard • Mixed Berries • White Chocolate • Vanilla Bean Anglaise • Candied Lemon
Morgan Morrison, Rock City Cake Company, Charleston FEATURED CHEFS

Ariel Barcenas
Nomada Bakery, Huntington
Ariel Barcenas is the co-owner and creative force behind Nomada Bakery in Huntington, West Virginia. Originally from Panama, Ariel brings the flavors and traditions of Latin America together with classic and contemporary baking techniques to create Nomada’s distinctive approach to pastries, breads, and desserts. He also serves as Vice President of Huntington Pride, reflecting his broader commitment to building community in Huntington. Since opening Nomada in 2019 with his husband, Shawn Schulenberg, Ariel has helped grow the bakery into a nationally recognized destination, including being named the #1 Best Cake Shop in the United States in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in both 2025 and 2026. His work reflects a belief in food as a way to connect people, cultures, and communities.

Madison Risk
Ristorante Abruzzi, Charleston
I’m Chef Madi Risk, born and raised in Charleston, WV. I grew up surrounded by Lebanese food, real Southern cooking, and the kind of meals that bring people together. Cooking is more than what I do, it’s how I express love. Love means more than anything to me, especially being newly engaged. I believe good food should bring people together, tell a story, and leave you wanting one more bite. Food is art, love is love, and I’m here to serve.

Buck Samples
1010 Bridge, Charleston
I am from Charleston, born and raised around the area, made my way out of the holler, and ended up kitchen on a whim. Studied at Carver Culinary School and apprenticed under old-school hard-ass chefs. Have been working in the service industry for almost 20 years. Started in fast food and quick service, worked my way up to fine dining and fell in love with the challenge. Loving partner for over four years now with five fur babies between us. Our dog is our child.

Morgan Morrison
Rock City Cake Company, Charleston
Morgan Morrison is the founder of MMDI LLC and owner of Rock City Cake Company, which she has led since 2013. A pastry chef, entrepreneur, and event producer, Morgan has built a career around reimagining the familiar by bringing fresh ideas to classic desserts, community traditions, and memorable experiences. From signature confections to large-scale festivals, fundraisers, and one-of-a-kind pop-ups, she combines creativity, strategic partnerships, and thoughtful planning to create experiences that bring people together and leave a lasting impression.