It was a busy weekend because I was bopping all over the state to hit up events, food trucks and other small business owners to show some support.

Kits Kitchen
a delicious oatmeal cream pie here Keen Quality Meats Muddy Mountain Flower Farm
BIBLE CENTER SCHOOL SUMMER CRAFT MARKET

Chloe’s Main Squeeze
This lemonade tasted just like a bomb pop Christy’s Cupcakes
French vanilla & neopolitan Tawna’s Kitchen
Cocoa krispie treats, chex mix and more Tammy’s Kitchen Sanger Farms Surf & Swirl True Origins Coffee Company
I have some of this being delivered to me this week, and I can't wait! Chubby Joes
A pulled pork sandwich, mac & cheese and baked beans made for a good lunch
WV COFFEE FESTIVAL

Sunshine Sliders
this little Greek slider with feta and pico gave me life Cultivate Coffee
I was most excited to check out this coffee roaster because they are alllll the way over in the Eastern Panhandle. They did not disappoint. Superlove Sweets
S'more bar & fruity pebble cookie Cozy Crumbz
Cinnamom coffee cake loaf
COUNTRY ROADS FARMERS MARKET

This small Saturday market has a number of vendors that I have purchased from and some I have yet to try: Crago Country Farm, Amandus Family Farm, Blessed-Full Farm, Double K Farms, Lost Arrow Farm, Hunt's Farm, Grammy's Garden Goodies, & Northridge Farm
COONSKIN PARK'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Off The Hook
Fried fish & chips - now this was a good piece of fried cod Lone Star Kitchen
They had smashburgers, pulled pork & hand-cut fries, but I opted for the smoked brisket sandwich. Back Roads Soda Sips
drinks & sodas Kernel Koffee
coffee, popcorn & more

The 1588 Washington St. E. corner location on the East End of Charleston has struggled with restaurants over the last several years. Most recently, East End Eatery & Catering occupied this space. They were previouslt in a different location, so it's a bit of a mysical chairs game. I haven't seen them open lately, so they may have already joined the list of bygone restaurants. I visited with my friend Angelica. The space is lovely - updated, clean, and simple. But, they no longer sold the first item I ordered, and then they were out of the second item I ordered. So upon my third look over the menu, I settled on a philly steak, which was OK. I would have preferred it without the veggies and with some sort of sauce and onion to give it that unctuous flavor I was hoping for. Grade: C

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