Groundhog Grindz Cafe is a coffee shop and bakery in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Punxsutawney is home to the famous weather-predicting groundhog, Phil. So, there are a lot of groundhog-related shops, art, restaurants and more in town. My friend Kayla and I traveled to town to experience Groundhog Day. It was a cold one, and after we finally made it down pff the hill, we stopped at this cafe to warm up and use the restroom. The cafe is small, so it was overrun with folks. But, it was cute inside and even had a specialty menu for Groundhog's Day that had fun drink names. I ordered a large hot chocolate with whipped cream and a ham & cheese croissant. The hot chocolate was a bit watered down, but I was happy with the ham and cheese croissant, which was flat and toasty rather than super airy and crumbly. That made the cheese melty and delicious. Grade: B

Rise & Grind Cafe is bakery cafe in Pinch, with indoor and outdoor seating and a drive through. I have been wanting to check this place out for a while, and now that they have weekend hours, the stars aligned and I was able to swing by for breakfast today. The shop is fairly small, and this place was hoppin'. I had to wait for someone to leave to find a parking spot, and the line to order was out the door. But not to worry - the line moved quickly and before I knew it, I was in front of a case full of treats. I selected a hot chocolate muffin, pumpkin cream muffin, raspberry white chocolate cookie and strawberry brownie. I also ordered a large hot chocolate - with whipped cream. All in all, the treats here were lovely. I think the brownie was my favorite, though it was a little soggy. The cookie and muffins were both nice, as was my hot chocolate - if not a touch watered down. Grade: B

Day 1
Restaurant: 1010 Bridge
Friend: Elena

Appetizer
Winter Burrata Caprese - Delicata Squash, Preserved Tomatoes & Honey Balsamic

Entree
Dijon & Dill Crusted Salmon - 1010 Potatoes, Winter Vegetables & Lemon Herb Cream

Dessert
Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake - Buttermilk Anglaise, Preserved Berries & Chantilly Day 2
Restaurant: Black Sheep Burrito and Brews
Friend: Kinsey

Appetizer
Scallion Pancake w/ sesame-soy dipping sauce & Gyoza Dumpling Soup w/ green onion and Napa cabbage

Entree
Sticky Gochujang Korean Meatballs with seared broccolini and sesame rice wine pickles on jasmine rice & Chicken Katsu Naanos w/ pickled red cabbage, rice wine pickles and kreamy kewpie sauce

Dessert
Dalgona (honey sponge cookie) & Purin (Japanese caramel custard) Day 3
Restaurant: Fernbank Public House
Friend: Erin & Beth

Appetizer
Fondu French Fry - A blend of Fontina and Gruyere cheese served over fresh fries in a cast iron skillet.

Entree
Tenderloin Steak Sandwich - Served with fire roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, provolone cheese and mayo on a Charleston Bread Co. brioche bun and your choice of french fries, house seasoned potato chips or side salad.

Dessert
Marbled Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Bananas Day 4
Restaurant: Sergio's Cucina Italiana & Pizza
Note: Takeout

Appetizer
Melon Proscuitto Skewers

Main Course
Seafood Risotto with Mushroom and Saffron

Dessert
Lemon Italian Cream Day 5
Restaurant: Soho's
Friend: Kayden, Stormie, Mason & Chris

Appetizer
Fried Calamari. Breaded and deep-fried, served with sweet chili sauce

Entree
Beef Short Rib Ragu. Slowly braised until fall-apart tender, with fresh herbs, in our homemade ragu sauce, tossed into Pappardelle Pasta

Dessert
Vanilla Crepe Cake. Eleven harmonized layers of delicate Crepes lightly frosted by a subtly flavored, lightly sweetened, velvety Whipped Cream stacked over a sponge-like base

J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Popcorn Salt
Solar evaporated and hand harvested salt in the mountains of WV in our finest grain to cling to popcorn well. Use for baking too!

BLUESTONE MOUNTAIN FARM
Popping Corn
This heirloom variety of popping corn is crisp and delicious. It is a white corn and is hull-less. Perfect with our popcorn salt.

DANIEL'S FARM
Maple Syrup
Winter is the perfect time for hot breakfasts. Maple syrup is the best accompaniment. Harvested here in WV.

SIMPLE PRODUCTS
Buckwheat Pancake Mix
There is nothing better than buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup. This mix is easy & yummy! Made from organic grains in OH.

WOODBERRY KITCHEN
Snake Oil Hot Sauce
This fermented hot sauce is made from fish peppers, vinegar and our salt in Maryland. It has some heat but excellent pepper lavor. Addicting

Allegheny Treenware
Jar Scraper
Made in WV from local cherry wood, this utensil will quickly become one of your favorites while cooking. It is useful in lots of applications.

Soaps & Beyond
Soap
Made in WV, paraben free, sulfate free, and cruelty free. Small batch without harsh chemicals. Wonderlul scent!

Islas Canarias is a Cuban restaurant in Miami that is known for its croquetas and more.



"Islas Canarias Restaurant is a family owned and operated restaurant, established in 1977 by the late Raul and Amelia Garcia and currently ran by their daughter Nancy Andrade along with her children Eileen and Jonathan Andrade. Raul’s family recipes have been preserved throughout the years under the careful watch of his children and grandchildren. The family has served generations of locals and tourists alike with the same quality service and attention to detail as its founders. Using the finest ingredients, Islas Canarias Restaurant aims to prepare quality, traditional plates from the family’s original recipes from Cuba. With a casually elegant atmosphere inspired by the European architecture of 1950s Cuba and the friendly ambiance of personnel that always recognizes a familiar face, every experience is pleasant when complimented by deliciously authentic Cuban & Spanish cuisine."



I ordered a strawberry shake to begin with. It was refreshing, which was so nice in the warm Miami sun. Kaitee went for a Cuban coffee.



Complimentary Cuban bread was served - nice crisp texture gives way to a soft interior.



Croquetas are a popular Cuban appetizer made of ground ham mixed with a creamy bechamel sauce that is shaped into an oval, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until golden brown. Islas Canarias offers ham, chicken, and fish varieties. I tried the ham and fish ones; what stood out to me is how almost creamy the interior was.



I also tried a Cuban sandwich with potato sticks. The Cuban sandwich has pork, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles, and it is pressed. this version had potato sticks on top, which gave a little extra saltines and crunch.



Grade: A