By Brooke A. Brown

Okay, I’ll admit it: The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is a serious guilty pleasure of mine. Partially because I’m ridiculously jealous of host Guy Fieri and his chosen career path, but also because his passion for food is ultra-contagious.

This is a clip of his visit to Hillbilly Hotdogs in Lesage, West Virginia. I’ve yet to make it out that way, but I’m convinced that – under the right circumstances – I could win one of those t-shirts… Or, at least bump into a Congressman.

By Brooke A. Brown

Kanawha United Presbyterian Church kicks-off the Fall 2008 version of their popular Kanawha Forum program series today, Wednesday, September 17th (sorry for the short notice on today’s feature). The always well-attended series offers a free, noon-time musical concert in the church’s sanctuary, and then a delectably gourmet luncheon in the adjoining fellowship hall. The luncheons, which cost a mere $10 and are lovingly prepared by an all-volunteer staff, are available by pre-paid reservations and always feature a soup, salad, bread and dessert, not to mention a beverage sampler of tea, coffee and, sometimes, lemonade.

The schedule, complete with a list of performances and detailed menu items, is as follows:

September 17
Program: Andrea Di Gregorio, cello, and Vicki Cavendish, piano

Menu: Zucchini Soup, Lemon-Tarragon Chicken Salad, Cheese & Dill Scones and Fruitini with Lime Syrup

September 24
Program: Horn Quartet featuring Marsha Palmer, David Nesmith, Thomas Beal and Marc Ayla

Menu: Red Pepper Carrot Soup, Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Cheese Muffins and Lemon Cake

October 1
Program: Ron Neal, Pipe Organ

Menu: Mexican Chicken Soup, Crunch Romaine Toss, Sour Cream Jalapeno Corn Muffins and Blackberry Jam Cake with Caramel Icing

October 8
Program: Bernard Di Gregorio, viola, and Ron Neal, piano

Menu: Minestrone, Italian Chicken Salad, Rosemary-Walnut Biscotti and Cannoli

October 15
Program: Piano Quintet featuring Maryrose Nair, piano, Jenny Morris, oboe, Robert Turizziani, clarinet, Marsha Palmer, horn, and Michael Bevers, bassoon

Menu: Corn and Crab Chowder, Spinach and Feta Salad, Sweet Potato Biscuits and Grape Salad with a Twist

October 22
Program: Jennifer Peracchia and Coleen Tan, violins

Menu: Cream of Pumpkin Soup, Smoked Turkey Salad with Bing Cherries and Hazelnuts, Cranberry-Apple Muffins and Coconut-Almond Meringues with Strawberry Filling

IF YOU GO: Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia Street, East, Charleston, W.Va.

Remember that the concerts are free and begin at 12:05 p.m. Lunches, which cost $10, are by pre-paid reservation. Call 342-6558.

By Brooke A. Brown

Let’s face it… it’s not always easy eating greens. But it truly should be a goal we each strive to do more often than not, especially in our ever-expanding community of fast food foragers. Part of the problem is the lack of excitement and fun; a major problem is the lack of options. Well, these concerns are no longer an excuse.

The Lovely Miss S and I finally made it to Salad Creations (where “fresh is fabulous”) at the Charleston Town Center’s Food Court yesterday for our first experience with the antithetical fast food chain. And I’ve got to say, it was a lot of fun. The colorful array of fresh veggies, mixed with the charming personalities of the help, projects absolute positivity. So not only do they offer a healthy lunch, but also a healthy break from the humdrumedness, if you will, of work, errands and the like. (more…)

By Brooke A. Brown

According to this afternoon’s Daily Mail, Charleston Town Center food fixture Bennigan’s is set to re-open on October 6th. This is good news for a Town Center mall that simply ain’t what it used to be.

As the story goes, the corporate parent company that owned the chain recently filed for bankruptcy and closed all of its restaurants. However, some 160-plus, franchisee-owned restaurants have remained open. The owner of two quasi-local Bennigan’s franchises – located in Point Pleasant, W.Va. and Athens, OH – purchased the Town Center locale and is currently remodeling the kitchen. The menu, however, will remain the same.

Quite a lucky turn of events for a place that seemed doomed to a Gratzi-esque fate. (I’m still waiting for a Cheesecake Factory to claim that space!)

By Brooke A. Brown

From the executive chef who brought us a revitalized and now widely-recognized Blossom Deli, as well as the hip place-to-be-and-be-seen Soho’s, comes a brand new eatery that does away with the fancy-schmancy in favor of good old-fashioned home cookin’.

Chef Bill Sohovich, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and accomplished restaurateur, has set his menu and will open Billy’s later this month (current projections indicate the 15th) at the former site of Smokey Bones BBQ & Grill off of Corridor G in Charleston (or South Charleston, depending on your politics). The menu, which I procured from the Blossom Deli counter just moments ago, boasts a lunch and dinner menu that offers, simply, “Just Good Food.” (more…)

By Brooke A. Brown

I’ve been watching the 2008 Democratic National Convention these last couple of days (on C-SPAN… as I cannot stand most of the commentators and pundits on cable news). I’ve have been inspired by tremendous speeches from the likes of Sen. Ted Kennedy, First Lady hopeful Michelle Obama and the glass ceiling-shattering Sen. Hillary Clinton. Big names, soaring oratory and there are still two days left!

True to my typical television-viewing form, I have found myself snacking heavily during the convention festivities. The snack of choice has been the salty, malty deliciousness of Snyder’s mini pretzels. Considering the hand-to-bag-to-mouth frequency of my snacking, it’s a very good thing pretzels are a fat-free source of gluttony. But there’s a definite drawback, and it reminds me of a quote from my favorite show about nothing: “These pretzels… are making me thirsty!”

Luckily, and just in time for the 2008 Presidential election, the Jones Soda Company is offering up some appropriately-themed refreshment with its selection of Campaign Cola. Obviously, I’m a fan of the Yes We Can Cola. But supporters of other presidential contenders can enjoy a Pure McCain Cola or a Ron Paul Revolution Cola. Sure, the whole thing is a touch gimmicky. But the pure cane sugar sweetness of an ice-cold Jones soda might be a good remedy for those already tired of the negative ads and back-and-forth bickering of this election, not to mention those salty pretzels.

By Brooke A. Brown

I first blogged about the Tricky Fish back in April of this year (you can read that post by clicking here). Overall, I was optimistic about the possibilities held within the Washington Street beach-shack eatery, especially considering the wild success of owners John and Keeley Steele’s other restaurant, the Bluegrass Kitchen. And on subsequently tasty visits since, that optimism has proven to be bang on.

Not only have they perfected the art of frying catfish, oysters, onion rings and the like, they’ve done away with the red cabbage garnish and gladly confronted the hot sauce issue. And that bar in the back? It’s now stockpiled and margarita-ready, thanks to a brand-spanking, newly issued full liquor license. But the excitement only begins here. There are two more recent additions to the Tricky Fish that act as proverbial cherries on the cream pie.

(more…)

By Brooke A. Brown

In the August 7th edition of the Charleston Gazette, the ‘Business briefs’ section enlightened readers of the Thai House’s plan to open a bakery in Winfield. Opening day is scheduled for September 1st in the former location of the General’s Quarters Family Restaurant. Congratulations, Putnam County!

So I’m having dinner at the Dunbar location this past Saturday with a couple of friends who happen to be loyal customers of the Thai House and we get to talking about the new venture mentioned above. Turns out what is good news for Putnam Countians is not so good for Charlestonians, especially those of us who think it’s already a bit of a schlep to drive all the way out to Dunbar for our pad thai.

That’s right, folks. According to my well-informed tablemates, the Thai House will not be keeping the Roxalana Road location in operation. This is a bit of a blow to the loyal patrons who more often than not pack the tiny, yet well proportioned Dunbar dining room. But as one who refers to half a glass of Thai Iced tea as half-full, I’m hopeful that the new location will provide an even more extensive menu, more room and (fingers crossed) a debit/credit card reader.

“I’ll have one with mustard, hold the red nose.”

By Brooke A. Brown

Other than John Corbett’s role as Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure, what on earth does Alaska have to do with West Virginia? Well, perhaps not a lot. But for me, the Alaska-West Virginia connection couldn’t be stronger at the moment because that is where my Lovely Miss S is currently hanging out.

A lifelong lover of wildlife documentaries, Miss S is participating in American University’s Classroom in the Wild: Alaska. I am overwhelmed with pride as I write this because I’m witnessing a dream come true, if only virtually at the moment (thank you, iPhone). And that is where the reindeer sausage cart comes in.

Since my most favorite dining companion has been away, my meals have been, well, nothing to blog home about. I’ve been much more interested in the culinary offerings available in and around Anchorage. Miss S didn’t disappoint when informing me of the reindeer cart on a recent call.

Now, she swears she’s gonna try one before she returns home, and how could she not? I know I would. (When in Rome…  after all.) But the peculiar thing that is of interest to me is that even apart from the lower 48, in a place prized for its vast wilderness and ample wildlife, one can still find a food vendor on a random street corner. Now ain’t that America?

The only thing that doesn’t make sense regarding the cart is the cooler of Red Bull sitting next to it. Who needs an energy drink when it’s 11 p.m. and the sun hasn’t set?

By Brooke A. Brown

Looks like the Charleston Town Center may have another food-related hole to fill in the very near future. Apparently, but not definitely as of yet, Bennigan’s Grill & Tavern is in the process of closing all of its nearly 800 locations, thus rendering them Benni-gone. They’re probably running vacuum cleaners while people finish their mozzarella cheese sticks, as I type this.

According to Newschannel 3, the company that owns the Irish-American-themed eatery has actually just filed bankruptcy. The folks at the Town Center seem to not know all the details yet. As soon as there are details, I’ll copy and paste them here.

Now, if they’re in fact leaving, what does the Town Center replace them with? (I realize we had a similar conversation when Gratzi’s said ciao, but it’s fun to daydream.) How about an actual, locally-owned and operated brewpub? There’s already a decent bar in place. Any other thoughts?