Last year, my friend Kayla and I decided to see Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is celebrated each year on Feb. 2 and centers on a bit of weather folklore: if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, winter is said to last six more weeks; if it doesn’t, an early spring is predicted. The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where “Punxsutawney Phil” has been making his prediction since the late 1800s. After a very cold and adventurous morning, we found ourselves at Lonnies Restaurant & Bakery. Lonnie’s Restaurant & Bakery in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is a no-frills, hometown diner where the bakery side of the building is just as much a draw as the grill. I grabbed an Italian hoagie from the grab and go cooler, as well as a variety of Groundhog Day themed sweets. I mean, when else can you enjoy a groundhog-shaped cookie? The sweets were OK - a bit dry, but that may have been because we were there mid-day. Grade: B

48 Donley is a modern American restaurant located in downtown Morgantown’s Wharf District, right along the rail trail and waterfront. Coincidentally, this is the same building I spent many years working in, so it was interesting to return to this space in a whole new way. The interior has clean lines and contemporary finishes that are softened by lighting and natural textures. The result is an upscale vibe that still feels comfortable. I enjoyed the Seabass - pan-seared seabass, truffle parmesan mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, balsamic tomato mint salad and beurre blanc. Each bite layered delicate, buttery fish with a luxurious, umami-rich creaminess from the truffle parmesan potatoes, lifted by the tangy-sweet balsamic tomatoes and fresh mint. The asparagus added a subtle char and crisp contrast. Grade: A

Escobar’s is a stylish bar and restaurant located in downtown Morgantown that blends an elevated dining experience with a lively nightlife atmosphere. Known for its craft cocktails, wood-fired pizzas, and shareable small plates, Escobar’s is popular spot for late-night gatherings. I ordered a crab fondue with lump crab meat, cream cheese and sherry wine, which had a nice presentation. The crab fondue had a rich, comforting base, but the execution fell a tiny bit short. I wanted just a cleaner flavor of each of the ingredients. Grade: B

Mountain State Brewing Co. is an established brewery that was first located in Thomas and has since expanded to pubs in the North Central West Virginia area. Most recently, MSBC opened its newest pub in Star City. This is their second location in Morgantown; the first of which is in the Wharf District. I worked in that area for years, so I was a regular at that location. And one of my absolute favorite dishes anywhere is their hummus. It is garlicky and bright - and literally the best hummus I've ever had. So I decided to get a sampler of dips. Spinach Dip - A cheesy blend of spinach and artichokes, topped with cheddar jack cheese. Served with tortilla chips. Pretty good. Pretty standard. Garlic Hummus - Our original garlicky hummus garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of black pepper. Add a side of house made tapenade. Served with pita. The best hummus to ever exist. The only hummus I will eat. Buffalo chicken dip - fine. The thick congealed layer of cheddar was not easy to eat, but you can't really go wrong with buffalo chicken dip. Beer cheese - Housemade Amber Ale Queso served with tortilla chips. This was a solid selection. Velvety smooth and cheesy. Grade: A

Kidz Funland is an indoor kids’ fun center in Morgantown with a wide variety of activities and games designed to entertain children of all ages. In addition to standard kid-friendly snacks, Kidz Funland offers a small menu that leans into Vietnamese-inspired items and specialty drinks. Think eggrolls, boba tea and BBQ pork baguettes. Not what you might expect! Those are the ones that were exciting for me, but there are plenty of other options, like pizza, hamburgers and smoothies. I ordered a Korean corn dog, which instead of a cornmeal-heavy batter, it had a rice-flour batter that fried up light, chewy, and slightly sweet. The hot dog inside was replaced by mozzarella cheese, so when you bite in, you get a dramatic cheese pull. It was rolled in panko for extra crunch. So indulgent. But a sauce is needed. I also had a brown sugar boba, which is a milk-based drink featuring tapioca pearls cooked in a rich brown sugar syrup with deep notes of molasses and caramel. The syrup is swirled inside the cup before milk is added, creating a striped look and layered sweetness. Grade: B