I can't think of anything than better than a book store-coffee roaster-patisserie-printing press.



Thomas-based Ghost Palace Books is all of that - and maybe more. They have a small, but impressive, pastry and drink menu.



"we offer a rotating selection of hand-crafted, carefully made-by-us pastries, as well as house-roasted coffee and tea.when we say made from scratch, we mean it. all of our pastry dough and croissants are laminated by us, right here in our kitchen. sit upstairs with a book and enjoy a tea and a treat, or take some baked goods home for breakfast or dessert later. our kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients from Charm Farm and Backbone Food Farm. we use organic flours from Frankferd Farms in Pennsylvania."



I purchased a bag of roasted coffee beans (love local roasters!) and a maple pecan scone (don't mind my mangling - it was secured in my pocket until ready to munch).



Both were lovely in the end, and I loved this sweet space. The coffee was robust, the pastry was simple and tasty. And I could spend a whole day here.

Grade: A

Have you heard of Mountain Juice? If not, here's what they're all about: We are a Weekly Monday Juicery in Charleston, WV. Mountain Juice is made fresh each Monday morning for afternoon pick up. 



If you don't purchase directly from them online, you can also find them at Vandalia Co. and the Purple Onion. I grabbed one while I was getting donuts at Vandalia (what a combo!). I picked up a "Mountain Pineapple," which has kale, spinach, celery, parsley, cucumber, lemon and pineapple. I was hoping it was heavier on the pineapple flavor, but it is not. It certainly tastes green - to me. Have you tried it? Which drink is your favorite?

Did you know?



J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works recently released a whole new line of spice blends!  



They are Ramped Up Ranch, Appalachian Za'atar, Allegheny Herb & Citrus, Smoky Mountain Rub, Blue Ridge Bagel.



I swear I'm not sponsored by them - but I do love them and thought I'd share in case anyone else is looking for holiday gifts! Have you tried them yet?

Huntington is home to a few Gino's locations, and the most recent one I tried is on Washington Avenue. This spot, unlike many, is stand-alone restaurant without a connection to a Tudor's. 



The Huntington locations have some slightly different options, as they have a different owner. So, I always enjoy trying something I don't always see - like this chicken parmesan. It is pretty much the homestyle spaghetti with lots of mozzarella and chicken bits sprinkled on top. I wouldn't have hated a giant breaded chicken cutlet, but it was still a not bad and filling meal. Some chunks of peppers and onions makes the sauce feel homemade, and anything covered in cheese can't be too bad.

Grade: B

I think Sushi Garden is a hidden gem in the area. 



The popular Capitol Market vendor also has a stand-alone location in Cross Lanes, where they serve their delicious sushi, as well as ramen, teriyaki and more. 



The restaurant itself is small, intimate. There is only room for a few tables. A large sushi menu adorns two dry-erase boards and includes inventive rolls with tasty combinations.



I went all out and ordered shoyu seafood ramen first. A huge contributing factor in this choice was the fish cake - that beautiful little pink swirled guy. I don't know why, but I just love them. It also had shrimp, bamboo shoots, green onion, seaweed and chashu - or Japanese braised pork belly. I didn't love the broth - a bit fishy (duh) - but I loved every single ingredient.



On the sushi side, I went for a roll with crab, cream cheese, tempura batter, masago, and scallions - just a few of my favorite things. Lots of different fresh flavors and textures - no simple, straightforward roll this visit.



What's your favorite order here?

Grade: A