Founded in 2023, The Magnolia House on Park Avenue is located in Danville and, unfortunately, posted on Facebook today that it will only be open until March 1.



So, if you haven't had the chance to check out this hidden gem, now is the time.



"When I came up with the idea to take my love of cooking outside of my home, I knew I wanted to provide my community with more then just a meal. I wanted to bring to my home state an experience. The same experience I've always had when gathering around my grandma's table for supper with my family. I wanted to not only bring those deep, savory flavors of southern culture to my restaurant, but also wanted to share with you the joy, laughter and beautiful moments you can have just by slowing down for a good meal. The Magnolia House is for families to gather and remember the importance of what it means to sit down at a table and share a meal with people we love. Food and family go together. This is about more than our quality meals; this is about quality time. So come stay with us awhile, slow down, fill your tummy and fill your heart," reads the website.



The building is beautiful with traditional yet updated decor and a familiar coziness that sets the scene.



The menu for brunch consisted of salads, hot dogs, crabcakes and sandwiches. I ordered the smoked salmon bagel, which was toasted with cream cheese, red onion and sweet fig sauce.



I think this bagel would have been better with cold-smoked salmon, rather than hot smoked, to give it that silky texture contrast. And, boy, was that sauce sticky. But the acid from the tomatoes and creamy cheese and sweet sauce all came together beautifully for a tasty bite.



Grade: B

It may sound strange, but my first churro was at my primary school. It was a small school, and a lot of their food items were homemade, rather than delivered from a big box supplier.



I remember entering the kitchen for breakfast one morning and seeing a large countertop machine that had metal arms sticking out, holding filled pastry-like items. These churros, I learned, had grooved edges covered in sugar and filled with a raspberry preserve of some sort. How churros made it onto a primary school breakfast menu in Wellsburg, WV, I have no idea. But I knew I loved them from that moment on.



Churro Mania is a Miami, Florida, based franchise with 27 locations that serve churros, empanadas, tequenos and more.



I tried the bite-size churros with caramel - which I had extremely high hopes for - but they were a bit hard and too chewy.



The tequanos, though, seemed freshly made. Light, puffy dough filled with cheese that was piping hot. Like a healthier, tastier version of a mozzarella stick.



Grade: B

Ming's Asian Bistro is a Chinese-American restaurant that has been open for dine in and takeout since 1996.



The menu features standard options, like beef & broccoli and General Tso's chicken.



I ordered crab rangoons and honey chicken - both of which are guilty pleasures. If I find these on a menu, it's impossible for me to order anything else.



The rangoons had a nice pocket of sweetened cream cheese, and the honey chicksen had breaded chicken in a sweet, rich honey sauce. Can't go wrong.



Grade: A

Anthony's Desserts was a wonderful dessert shop in Abingdon, Virginia, that served up creative and whimsical sweets.



At the shop, there was a large case inside filled to the brim with pies, cakes, muffins, cheesecakes, brownies, cookies, pastries and more.



I picked up the following:

- strawberry tart - strawberry curd, mascspone mousse, strawberry compote

- lemon - lemon curd, blueberry compote, white cake, white chocolate mousse

- vanilla bean creme brulee

- turtle brownie



Everything was tasty, including the brownie and crème brûlée. But, there is something exciting about the strawberry dessert and lemon dessert. They feel so special and surreal - that adds to the intrigue and enjoyment.



Grade: A

The Volstead Room is a new space that marries elevated bar food, hancrafted drinks and entertainment - whether that's trivia, karaoke or live music.



The Volstead Room is set in the basement of an event center, so it's a bit underground and dark, which lends itself to a speakeasy vibe.



The menu features small plates, sandwiches, salads and entrees like a seared tuna, flank steak with chimichurri and a tomahawk pork chop.



I enjoyed a trio of meatball sliders with fresh mozzarella. These were a bit messy, but they were substantial. I would have liked the cheese to be melted more. I also added a margarita flight, which was customized to my liking. Each drink had a special garnish, which made it fun and they were all tasty.



Grade: B