Fox Coffee Co. in Clendenin is an eclectic little specialty coffee shop tucked at 14 Main Street. They serve handcrafted espresso drinks, weekly specials, frappes and more. It is located inside Elk River Boutique, so you can get some shopping done while waiting for your beverage. I will say the setup confused me a bit. I assumed the counter straight ahead of me is where you order, but it was actually off to the side. I felt a little embarrassed about that after noticing the large sign and shame walking to the other side. I ordered a large chocolate fox frappe, which was perfectly chilled for a very warm summer day. Not super sweet; I actually had some cocoa flavoring, as opposed to straight up sugar. Have you been? Grade: A

Christiana Campbell’s Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg is a carefully reconstructed 18th‑century tavern originally owned by entrepreneur Christiana Burdett Campbell, who welcomed luminaries like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Today it continues to serve a locally sourced, colonial‑inspired menu—seafood favorites such as crab cakes, spoon bread, and shrimp—within its historic ambiance and even hosts tavern performers for an immersive period experience.



Christiana Campbell’s Tavern evokes an intimate 18th-century ambiance, with white-washed walls, dark wood-paneled dining rooms, and candlelit tables set beneath brass sconces and pewter decor. Servers dressed in colonial-era garb move quietly through the rooms, while live period musicians drift between tables. The overall effect is warm, historic, and immersive—a cozy step back in time.



Christiana Campbell’s Tavern offers a historically inspired seafood-focused menu featuring locally sourced shrimp, scallops, fish, and their signature jumbo lump crab cakes served alongside creamy spoon bread and sweet potato muffins. Guests can also enjoy hearty colonial-era dishes such as a savory Seafood Pie with fish, scallops, shrimp, and lobster in a rich gravy, as well as classic Southern-fried chicken and flavorful chowders. Seasonal desserts like rum laced custard, lavender shortbread, and trifle round out the menu for a true taste of 18th-century cuisine.



We were treated to some spoon bread to start. Made from cornmeal, milk, butter, and eggs, the spoon bread is rich yet light, baked until golden, and is soft enough to be eaten with a spoon.



Next up was a libation, which was quite strong if memory serves me correctly. You can also do punch bowls, which is nice for sharing.



My entree was "TO BUTTER CRABS" - heat it in a little wine, some pepper, salt and nutmeg a few crumbs of bread, a good piece of butter (The Lady’s Assistant, Charlotte Mason, 1777). This was a bit different, but I did enjoy the hunks of crab meat. Simple and very lightly seasoned.



Dessert was A RUM CREAM TART - Served with cream...whipped up to stand strewn with a double refined sugar and American Heritage Classic Chocolate dusting. (A Christiana Campbell’s Classic).



It, too, was fairly simple with light flavors.



I think the appeal of this place lies more in the connection to history and the resurrection of old-timey recipes. But, with staying true to that, there aren't a ton of bold flavors and rich, hearty sauces. Things are seasoned minimally and simply.



Have you been?



Grade: B

Kanawha Valley's newest bakery is causing quite a "stirr." Get it? In a good way! Batter & Bliss Baking Co., located in Campbells Creek, is a small, homegrown shop that is churning out as many sweet treats as they possibly can to hordes of hungry customers. They specialize in a variety of donuts, cookies, made-to-order custom cakes and other sweet treats. Their "mad dog" is especially sought after, which is a long donut stuffed with cream. Founder Rylee Vealey began baking at age 14— starting with a lemon-curd cupcake for her stepdad—and eventually turned her passion into a bakery business. She pursued her dream seriously in 2024, launching the storefront to local fans and customers. There's a reason people wait in line - in the rain - for the shop to open. Every item is so tasty that they can sell out quickly. If you have your heart set on a mad dog, you'll want to be at the front of that line. In fact, they even put a limit on them - thankfully, because on the day I went, the couple in front of me was fully prepared to clean out the case. I was fortunate they enforced the limit so I was able to try it. The donuts are incredibly fresh with a perfect balance of cream and soft, chewy texture - easily one of the best around. Their rotating cupcakes, like Wedding Cake and Red Velvet Oreo, are moist, flavorful, and topped with rich, creative frostings. The honey bun slice offers a comforting swirl of subtle sweetness, making it a satisfying treat without being too heavy. Have you been? Grade: A

Pickles Eatery is a cozy pub in Wheeling that serves up standard bar fare -- most notably, the wings, which have won numerous local awards. Wings were not on the menu for this trip, though. Instead, the star was "The Famous Fulton Philly" thinly sliced beef, grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms with provolone cheese on a fresh hoagie bun. Next was buffalo chicken dip with tortilla chips. My mom LOVED this! Finally, we had a side of slaw and also hot pepper cheese balls with ranch. It's like a greatest hits of bar food. All in all, I thought it met expectations. Each dish was satisfactory and just as it should be. If you're looking for straightforward pub food, this is your spot. Grade: B

Bite Me Bakery is a small town bakery with big flavors. Located in Wheeling, the Market Street shop serves up "Classic Family Recipes with a Twist." From cookies and cakes to macarons and donuts, Bite Me Bakery whips up a plethora of baked goods. I snagged a sampler of a few things to take home and try. First up: macarons. I know these are difficult to make, so I am always excited when I see them available for sale. These were a nice version with a few different flavors. A littke on the extra sweet side. A blueberry mini loaf was lovely. As was an almond croissant. Grade: A