WV Gourmet

http://thegazz.com/gblogs/beerstoyou/2009/04/25/bty-tastes-three-organic-fruit-beers-from-samuel-smith%e2%80%99s/

““If you like drinking Cheerwine or Big Red with you pork bbq, the Sam Smith Raspberry might be for you.” With regard to all of them: “Keep a few of these beers in your fridge for when you have a lady friend over.  Chicks should really dig these beers.” – Chris Workman  “

http://wvgazette.com/Food/julierobinson/200901270479

And candidates, too. The Huntington Herald-Dispatch brings us a neat piece on a locally-owned barbecue joint in picturesque Cross Lanes, Porker’s.

“Barack Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton all placed catering orders from one small barbecue joint in Cross Lanes, W.Va. Sen. John Edwards took things a step further by commissioning the restaurant to do a pig roast. For the past 4 1/2 years, co-owners Jack Bruer and Pam Napier have been trying to make Porker’s Bar-B-Q a state institution.”

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/entertainment/x466474248/No-Headline

So, is it any good? Anyone know?

As is their wont, Fork You brings us a delightfully detailed writeup of Charleston’s revamped Vandalia Grille.

“This place is a home run. Skip corporate, over-marketed, unimaginative chains at South Ridge and head downtown for a unique meal in a comfortable setting, you won’t be disappointed.”

http://forkyou.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/vandalia-grille-2/

To cut a long, detailed, and packed-with-excellent-photos review criminally short, they loved it. So did Chris, when he checked it out last week, although I think he’d disagree (as is his wont) with their favorable view of the decor. Those sweet potato fries and blackened scallops sound unmissable.

My experiences have been a bit disappointing, but I’ll have to give it another try because those ribs look tasty.  The mac and cheese is horrendous.  I disagree that it contains cheddar - that’s pure Velveeta, baby!

http://forkyou.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/billys-review/

Sitar of India, Charleston’s premier only Indian eatery, reopens its much-missed lunch buffet today.

Blog In My Soup deserves the credit for spotting this one, and observes that it’ll be only open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Hmm…if I start driving now, I can just about make it before they close…

Update: I didn’t make it, but BIMS did, and it’s “better than ever”. Thanks, Brooke!

Rich Ireland test-drives chocolate cheddar

The excellent and learned Rich Ireland checked out Rogue Chocolate-Stout Cheddar recently, declaring it “one of the most buttery cheddars I have tasted”. Sounds like a winner to me, and you can find it at the Wine Shop at Charleston’s Capitol Market.

Although Rich opts for Sam Smith’s Oatmeal Stout to pair with the cheese, I happened to spot Rogue’s Chocolate Stout when I was out at Leo’s in South Point, OH. on Friday.