So, I visited Blackwater Brewing Company a while ago when I wrote a piece on the brewery for the magazine. I met with Lincoln and fell in love with not only his beer, but also the inventive dishes he was churning out.

So, I was surprised when I learned of "Barrels Brewhouse" taking over the restaurant portion of the business. Barrels Brewhouse is a sister restaurant to "Bricks and Barrels" in Charleston, which I dined at during Restaurant Week last year and became a fan.

It's definitely a touch upscale with tall barrel tables, wood-paneled walls and TVs on every wall. The music was quite loud, and the place as empty - save for the handful of staff hanging out when I entered. Since I had my pick, I took up a larger table over by the window. I had a number of different servers bring menus, list what's on draft and question what I was taking photos of. I think because there were so many of them and only one customer, they had all their attention on me -- and toting a giant camera attracts attention.

The menu is quite different with lots of great options: truffle tots, pimento cheese fries, burgers, and some entrees like chicken, shrimp & grits, and bourbon & brown sugar flat iron steak. Some really nice options that are classics but with a modern twist.

Well. I ordered the pimento burger, which is a custom-blend burger topped with housemade pimento cheese and bacon. I also upgraded my side to truffle tots - white truffle oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic aioli.

Wow. I mean, wow. The burger was perfectly medium done. And the pimento cheese just oozed out overtop the burger, creating this cheesy, sweet, spicy layer of goodness. Crisps bacon on top for some salt and texture. Piled into a bun. It's pretty simple, but it's indulgent. Think of a thick, juicy burger and ask yourself, 'self, how could this be better?' Add southern favorite pimento cheese to it. That's how. I'd be lying if I said I didn't add a little ketchup, though, for some extra sauce. The tots were also quite good with the truffle oil, but some extra would've been even better. If you're gonna go all out, GO ALL OUT, amiright?

I'm curious to see if the local community turns out for the restaurant, because it has a more commercial appeal - flashy items, but tasty ones. I enjoyed my meal, and the staff was very friendly. I think a little time, and once word spreads that the food here is good, it won't look quite as empty.

Grade: B
 

This hippie store on Davis was just too cool to pass up. Wild Ginger and Spice has mood rings, leather-bound journals and a bevy of spices, herbs and loose-leaf teas.

So, I just thought it was a cool option for anyone interested in getting their hands on some crystallized ginger or maybe some organic cinnamon sticks. Or cacao nibs!

Then, there's stevia, tarragon leaves, chipotle peppers and habanero peppers.

Not your thing? What about Earl Grey, English Breakfast or Forever Fruit Herbal Tea? All organic.

Have you been? What have you purchased?

A local bed and breakfast in Davis serves breakfast to the public. And when I saw Bright Morning Inn's menu, I knew that meant I was going to get to Davis early in the morning.

My day trip to the area started with a stop at Bright Morning Inn to get my fill of their French toast. I parked just across the street easily and walked inside. No one was readily available to seat me, so I found a little area with plenty of light (best for photos!) and made myself comfortable.

The interior is clean, a bit dated, but in a sort of charming way. It was decorated for the holidays, which made it feel honey. It also overlooks the main street in Davis, so it was fun to people-watch.

The menu features lots of tasty items - pancakes, veggie specials, country breakfasts and more.

Their French toast goes by the moniker "banana dream" and comes with potato bread coasted in cinnamon batter with a hint of banana liqueur and rolled in oats and topped with fresh, sliced banana. I also got an order of sausage - though they forgot that, and they came out halfway through my meal. Always gotta have the savory with the sweet.

The French toast is extra filling. There are a bunch of triangles, but then the oats on top of it make for a pretty dense bite. I loved the fresh bananas, which add a nice smooth, fruity note to the heavily sugared dish. Not sure it's my favorite rendition of French toast, but that's a dish that's near and dear to my heart so I'm a bit critical of it. It was a solid take on it, and definitely a good option if you're extra hungry.

I struggled a bit with the service, if only because the woman who brought out my food was talking to another table as she sat mine down -- and didn't bother to ask if it looked OK or if I needed anything, but continued her conversation past me to the next table and walked back to them. If I didn't need anything, it wouldn't have been a problem, but my missing sausage had to wait until another server came back around so I could flag her down and ask for it. I know this wasn't intentionally dismissive, but I sometimes find this common when dining alone. Whether it's because I won't have the largest bill or because I'm profiled as young & not a good tipper, it's just a tad frustrating. She seemed sweet, otherwise.

But my server was actually quite apologetic and very kind, and my meal was good. Just a minor blip in an otherwise lovely dining experience. If you happen to find yourself in the area between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., I encourage you to check it out, get something warm in your belly and enjoy this local gem.

Grade: B

Flying Pigs Breakfast and Lunchery made a "unique place to dine in WV" list some years ago, and, thus, it's been on my to-go list for quite some time. While in the Davis/Thomas area for the day, I made this restaurant part of the itinerary to assure I wouldn't miss out.

Flying Pigs is only open until about 2 p.m., so if you want to check it out, make your plans early. It serves up mainly breakfast with lunch items, as well.

I walked up and down the main street in Thomas, peering in all the cute shops and stores until seeing the pink pig sign directing me where to go. When I walked in, the waitress told me to sit anywhere I'd like. So, I browsed the space before ultimately deciding on a small table near the window. Good lighting. And a beautiful carnation.

The space has an assortment of different chairs and tables. Very homey and a bit country. No real theme beyond "mish mash."

The menu is a binder with pages full of choices. It suddenly made sense to me why I hadn't been able to find one online. So, because of that, I took photos of literally every page of the menu. Just in case anyone else wants a head's up on what's available.



They have the standard eggs, bacon and ham, as well as biscuits & gravy, breakfast burritos, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches. Lunch options include soup, chili, salads, quesadillas, burritos, sandwiches, wraps and desserts.

I asked the waitress what the most popular item was, and she mentioned the burritos. But a regular sitting across the room from me called to the waitress and asserted, "the most popular is the Karlwich, right?" And she sort of nodded in agreement. And he went back to his book. This subtle recommendation was really kind, and left an impression on me.

I ordered the Karlwich, which is a "glorified Danwich ("A most unusual sandwich. A New England style grilled bagel topped with bacon and smoked cheese."). The Karlwich is a New England style grilled bagel with one egg cooked hard, bacon, smoked cheese, red onion and Flying Pigs chipotle sauce.

As I began snapping photos (my actual camera is never discreet - often why I like to use my iPhone), another couple in the dining area asked what lense I was using. I talked with them a moment about how they used to dabble in photography, which was a cool moment.

When my breakfast sandwich came out, I snapped a few photos of it before diving in. It's your pretty standard breakfast sandwich (more cheese would always make me happy) with just a touch of the chipotle sauce. More sauce also would've made me happy. Decent, filling lunch overall, though.

The atmosphere here is what sold me on this place. The service was average, and the food was average. But the Thomas community is stellar. As I sat there eating my sandwich, looking out at the bustling town where folks were shopping local businesses, I thought to myself that I could live there. I really love that area, and I love how they all support each other. Now, if I could get some more cheese on that sandwich, I might love it, too.



















Grade: B

Pubstomper Brewing Company is a little different from other breweries in West Virginia. There isn't a physical location we can visit to get samples or growler fills, and it is using Morgantown Brewing Company's production brewery in Westover to produce its beer.

Pubstomper Brewing Company will be having its beers brewed in a cooperative arrangement with Morgantown Brewing Company’s production brewery in Westover. Co-owners Cody Cheesebrough and Christopher DeFazio plan to start with a hoppy pale ale, which they will have distributed around the state by the Eagle wholesale network. They will soon be adding an Amber, a Porter, and a White Ale. Everything will be exclusively packaged in canned six-packs. They currently do not have plans to offer a tasting room or brewpub. (Brilliant Stream)