WV Gourmet

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.

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.

Yum. That Aloha burger looks like a real winner.

Since our first visit we have been three more times and have enjoyed it every time. The food is great. The service is great. The beer selection (which didn’t include many brands during our first visit) has been expanded to include more quality beers. My favorite is Blue Moon.

http://shoutsandhollers.com/2008/11/food-vandalia-grille/

The Vandalia Lounge is here.

The Herald-Dispatch looks at a new raw food bar in Huntington today. Brad Roush’s Raw Times Health Bar offers salads, smoothies and fresh fruit juices served with an eco-friendly attitude.

“Everything here is all natural,” Roush said. “We don’t add any sugars, syrups or preservatives. Everything is made from fresh fruit right there in the store. We don’t pasteurize our fruit because it kills the enzymes that make it good for you. Our profit margin isn’t as high as some of the companies who use prepackaged fruits, but we believe the public deserves to be offered a more natural alternative.”

Unhelpfully, the HD’s web site does not mention where Raw Times is located. As soon as I can track it down we’ll post some more menu details and thoughts. I’m going to go and drive the streets of Huntington in search of it.

Man, reading Maureen Crockett’s review of Cazon, a Southwest style deli on Capitol Street in Charleston, has me eagerly awaiting the next chance I get to stop in C-town for lunch. I get the feeling it’s not going to be too long.