Grindstone Coffeeology is a Huntington-based coffee shop that takes its craft seriously. This mall location is its second spot, with the first being on 8th Street in Huntington.



The coffee shop offers specialty coffee drinks, iced teas, fruit protein smoothies & frappes.



Snacks of both the sweet and savory variety are available: donuts, muffins, oatmeal slices, bagels, breakfast burritos, etc.



I went with a veggie quiche, which wasn't bad! I think they're maybe baked earlier or off-site and reheated, which made it a bit rubbery. But that's a bit nitpicky; it was tasty enough that I hoovered the whole thing.



I also ordered a caramel frappe, which is a blended coffee milkshake essentually. It's smothered with caramel, so it was sweet with just a touch of roasty flavor.



Also, I love their cool, modern cafe vibe. Despite being in a busy mall, it is like a little chill oasis.



Grade: A

Peking Restaurant in Danville is a standard American-Chinese restaurant. What do I mean by that? I mean that it is a cuisine in and unto itself. It is a cuisine with inspiration from regions of China that has been edited toward an American palate.



These folks are adapting their business for the target audience to make a living - and creating something really delicious at the same time. In small towns all across America.



I think we often get wrapped up in what is "authentic" - and I do this too - but these cuisines are authentic to what they are. And, I absolutely love it.



For this Danville restaurant, I ordered: shrimp roll, honey chicken, coconut shrimp, corn nuggets, crab rangoon, and fried rice for a feast.



Both the honey chicken and coconut shrimp were OK. Stringy chicken and too much breading on the shrimp. Sweet sauces, which is a pro for me.



The eggroll was just OK; I am on the hunt for a good one in West Virginia ever since Chin's shuttered. Corn nuggets had too much moisture in the container so they ended up soggy.



Fried rice was OK - I have not found great takeout fried rice, but I'm obsessed with homemade versions. One of these days, I'll find one that isn't just laden with old oil.



Last but not least here are the crab rangoons. A decent version but a bit extra done on the edges. I usually toss that part anyway.



Overall, an average showing. Not bad, not great. Still will scratch that itch.



Grade: C

The Habit Burger Grill is a Santa Barbara, California-based burger chain: "Inspired by this coastal town’s laid-back vibrancy and passion for culinary exploration, a simple idea formed: THE LOVE OF THE CRAFT - This means always chargrilling our burgers over an open flame. It means using only the best ingredients we can find. And bringing everything together through our genuine, world-class hospitality. In the end, it all comes from that first idea. A vision that became our Habit."



The regional chain offers burgers, salads and sandwiches with steak, chicken and tuna. Plus fries, onion rings, and shakes. One of the most unique side items they have is tempura fried green beans with ranch dipping sauce. These weren't bad! I liked that they were different, but I think I would have preferred a soy-based sauce.



I went with the portabella char, which has a freshly chargrilled beef patty, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, melted white american cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle and garlic aioli on a bun



The mushroom pieces were a bit unwieldly, and I think I'd nix the veggies next time so the umami shines through. Not bad overall.



Grade: B

Teays Valley has my favorite Husson's. As soon as I stepped inside, I was welcomed. The older gentleman at the counter was running quality assurance and double-checked my stromboli was good to go. And, it was great. Tons of ingredients, baked well and toothsome bites with good flavor.



Grade: A

Margaritas in Huntington is a Tex-Mex restaurant that offers a lot of the standard fare we've come to expect: fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, etc.



I've come to appreciate tex-mex cuisine in its own right, as opposed to lamenting its "authenticity." It's a cuisine in its own right - adapting to an American palate and making a living with their food.



I ordered the "Pollo Con Crema - Grilled chicken in our chipotle cream sauce. Served with rice, beans and flour tortillas." A bit more spice than my typical order. But I enjoyed the sauce - and the crema helped cool things down a bit. Good flavor overall.



Grade: B