This month's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Subscription Box had a nice mix of goodies:

Epic Pickles - Spicy Okra: More well-known in southern cooking, these are a hidden veggie gem for us. Throw one in a Bloody Mary and enjoy!

J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works - Appalachian Za'atar: Our Salt-Works Spice Blends are the ideal kitchen helper and dish perfecter, created from our deep love of cooking. Available in 5 flavors Ramped Up Ranch, Appalachian Za'atar, Allegheny Herb & Citrus, Smoky Mountain Rub, Blue Ridge Bagel.

Olde Virdens - Red Hot Sprinkle: Olde Virden's Red Hot Sprinkle and Spicy Verde is a must have for your spice cabinet. From the farm to the bottle, Olde Virden's is dedicated to producing the cleanest pepper blend on the market. Completely free of additives or preservatives, this is an unforgettable seasoning crafted with just one natural ingredient: chili peppers. From your eggs in the morning to pizza at night, you will discover a million different uses.

Yep! Sauce - Muddy Creek Sauce: Our twist on Teriyaki! This soy-based sauce is a little spicy, a little sweet, and absolutely addicting. Great on chicken, pork, steak, and more!

The Appalachian Goat - Goat Milk & Lemongrass Lotion: Essential Journeys lotions are vitamin rich moisturizers that nourish your skin. Enriched with Goat's Milk, Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and Grapeseed Oil, these natural botanicals help skin ward off the drying effects of the elements and retail moisture long after use. This zesty scent is uplifting and refreshing every time you use it and it is also Phthalate Free, Paraben Free, Not Tested on Animals, and Made in North Carolina.

Redwood Company - Great Outdoors Candle: Made with pure essential oils including Citronella and Cedarwood, two of the best insect repellent oils available, this is the perfect product to keep the pesky bugs at bay!

There are few things I love more than a giant bowl of pasta. I don't think I'm ever not in the mood for pasta.



Padrino's Italian Restaurant in Beaver came across my screen a little while ago while searching for restaurants in the area. Initially, I thought I had already been there because there is a Beckley restaurant with the same name. 



I later learned these two aren't related, but I didn't know that at the time. The interior had that general Italian restaurant flare - like painted windows with planter window boxes and cobblestone bricks. 



I ordered a pasta dish, which comes with garlic bread. These were a little on the hard side, but not overcooked. Maybe just a bit old. 



The dish, I believe, was a ziti, but made with penne noodles. Either way, it wasn't bad. The sauce was average - not super flavorful. And I would've loved some ricotta mixed throughout, instead of just the melted mozzarella on top. Not bad overall, though,

Grade: B

Hinton is a lovely little hidden gem in West Virginia.



There are stunning views, cute shops and a few tasty restaurants.



When I was there last, I checked out River City Grill & Pub.



The interior is wood paneled with pool tables and TVs. It definitely gives off a pub vibe.



But the outdoor space is where it's at. A large deck overseeing the water is the perfect place to enjoy a meal. If it's not too hot. 



I ordered a tomato appetizer, which was topped with cheese. Because they were packaged to-go, they got a little mooshy, but I still ate them.



Also had a hot dog. With ketchup and onions. Not bad. Overall, fine food - but the view is what you're here for.

Grade: B

I don't ever remember spending any time at the Highlands area of Wheeling growing up, but as an adult, I have visited a few times to check it out.



Mostly, as you could've guessed, to check out new restaurants. 



There are a number of chains, but there are also a handful of locally owned places - including a DiCarlo's, Mexican restaurant and a hibachi restaurant.



My parents and I went to Fusion Steakhouse, a hibachi restaurant that features a teppanyaki, which is a Japanese style of cooking on a griddle right in front of you. It's like a meal with a show. 



This location is connected to ones in Morgantown, Parkersburg, Washington PA, and Grove City, Ohio.



But we went a more low-key route and just dined in the main dining room. We started with some vegetable tempura, which I really liked the squash or pumpkin they had in there! 



We also tried their "Chicken Zingers," which were deep-fried bite-sized pieces of white meat chicken covered in their tari sweet & sour sauce. These were a classic sweet and sour dish that was a satisfying bite. 



My mom went with some hibachi steak, which she enjoyed and had leftovers for days.



And dad went with a General Tso's Chicken, which is always a classic. Crisp, tender, spicy, tangy sauce.

 
And I went with some cream cheese wontons and a sushi roll: a california roll topped with shrimp tempura and eel and spicy mayo sauce. So tasty. 



I like the comforting reliability of this hibachi chain, and they have enough of a variety to appease a number of appetites. On this day, everything was tasty and fresh, and I left happy and full.

Grade: A

In 2017, the United States produced 148 million pounds of honey. West Virginia totaled 240,000 pounds of honey in 2017, an increase of 80,000 pounds from the previous year. Honey has become a staple of the local food movement because its distinctive taste is based on  its origin. The focus on local foods and the role of restaurants in tourism have supported growth in the honey market. In addition, as health food trends supporting natural sweeteners have become more popular, the “pure” nature of honey has made it more of a mainstay in the sweetener market. Groups like the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective, which train new  beekeepers to become entrepreneurs, have been useful in getting coal miners back to work.



There are so many great honeys that come from the Mountain State that I want to try them all.



Do you know a producer who has product for sale? Who else do I need to add to this list?