My work buddies Alex and Sam - and their respective significant others - and I checked out Taste of Parkersburg this year.

These events are always so much fun for me because you get to sample bites from all kinds of restaurants. It's even more fun in the Parkersburg area - because there are still so many restaurants on my to-try list from there.

Taste of Parkersburg works a little differently than some of the other dine-around events I've attended. You pay at the gate ($20), which gets you a wine or beer glass, a tray, and access to the music and food. Then, you also purchase taste tickets. One ticket is approximately one dollar, and they sell in sheets of $10 or $20.

I ended up with a sheet of $20. Most of the items I wanted were around $4, so I got 5 things total.

First up was Brunello Restaurant and Bar, which is newly in the Blennerhassett Hotel. I tried their short rib and polenta.

Then, I went for a teriyaki chicken burrito with a spicy sweet chili sauce from Philippines Best Food.



Then, I discovered they had a secret menu item (one that wasn't listed in the pamphlet) - siopao. Siopao is a hot bun, which was filled with a sweet pork, and is like a steamed bun I've previously had elsewhere. It was my favorite thing of the evening.

After those, I braved some long lines.

Belair's Bistro and Catering had a few menu items that sounded delish to me, but I went with the jumbo lump crab cake with red pepper remoulade.

This restaurant is located across the river in Belpre, but drew a big crowd - including me.

I would say it's worth it.

The final tickets were used at Hot Dog Willy's - one of the Parkersburg restaurants I have yet to visit. I got a hot dog with chili and macaroni and cheese on top.

After this, I struggled to move.

But I did manage to fit in one glass of Chestnut Ridge's peach chardonnay. Perfect way to end the evening.

I went to Melange Cafe when it first opened because I was dying to check it out.

At this point, they had a limited menu, and they have since expanded a bit.

The space is convenient for me - it's nearby and right along Quarrier Street.

There are a variety of drinks - teas, coffees, etc.

I ended up with a hot chocolate with espresso - here, called a Dirty Abuelita.

Yum.

They served tacos, and on this day they had two pork tacos with Spanish rice.

Have you been here?

The Quarrier Diner has a storied past - one of history, of deception, of resurgence, and now, one of rising again.

The Elements at the Quarrier Diner reopened recently, and I was eager to try it out again.

The restaurant focuses on "elements" - earth, air, water, fire.

And the decor reflects this new, modern vibe. The wooden walls and modern tables were a big change from what I recalled.

We were greeted with a basket of biscuits and apple butter.

Then, I put in an order for hushpuppies - which were stuffed with pimento cheese and served with tartar sauce.

We were served "family-style" sides - a mushrooms risotto and green beans.

For my entree, I went with the "BFD."

That's braised wild boar belly and cheese grits with a sunnyside quail egg.

Snowshoe has a few restaurants on its property.

One of the ones new to me was The Junction.

This restaurant has a cool motif, paying homage to its history at the property.

I went for a warm bowl of chili, topped with cheese and sour cream.

And I also got a pulled pork mac & cheese to warm up on a chilly winter day.

After a long day of travel, I found myself in Elkview starving. I had heard of Roni's Pizza Bar in the area, so I put a call in for a takeout order.

They have a namesake roll - Roni Roll - which has your choice of 3 pizza toppings and cheese rolled up and baked in a homemade dough and served with marinara.

I went for a spinach, mushroom and black olive roll. Have you been?