Located in the heart of Old Louisville, 610 Magnolia serves a modern approach to the Southern table. Chef Edward Lee leads the restaurant, which operates out of a historic residence on West Magnolia Avenue. It has been featured in Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, The New York Times Magazine, Saveur, Southern Living, Esquire, Wine Enthusiast and many other national publications. The dining room is contemporary yet rustic, elegant with original wooden beams, mullioned windows and French doors that open seasonally to an outdoor garden patio, according to its website. For dinner, the tasting menu is focused on seasonality and a commitment to locally sourced produce - including the 610 Magnolia greenhouse, responsibly farmed animals and historic foodways that have defined the regional cuisine. 610 BLT - this amuse-bouche was made with applewood-smoked bacon, tomato and foie gras. Crunchy, smoky little bite. Chawanmushi - Scarlet King Crab, Paddlefish Caviar, Scallion, Vinegar. Fishiness is cut with the acidity. Sourdough baked daily and sorghum butter with sea salt Sweet Potato & Doenjang Ravioli - Triple Cream Fonduta, Co. Newsom's Country Ham, Brussels, Fig Charred Octopus - Gochujang Romesco, Confit Potatoes, 'Nduja, Yogurt, Olive, Dill From the other side. New York Strip - Celery Root, Broccoli Rabe, Brown Butter Hedgehog Mushrooms, Huckleberry Bourbon Aficionado - Drunken Banana Cake, Butterscotch, Chocolate, Pappy Maple Syrup, Corn, Brown Butter Ice Cream, Smoke

Each and every course was unique in that it gave me something new, but also familiar delicious flavors. Very enjoyable.

Grade: A

Lobster Trappn won over the collective hearts of Charleston when their lobster-themed food truck hit the scene several years ago.



Churning out seafood favorites like loaded mac & cheese, loaded fries and combo plates that include shrimp, fish and lobster bites, the food truck filled a lobster-sized void in the Charleston dining scene.



With their widespread popularity, they expanded to a physical location first in Hurricane and then on the West Side of Charleston. Throughout these different locations, I've tried a variety of dishes - lobster rolls to mac & cheese, and everything in between. No matter what I get, though, I have to get a side of the fry sauce, which is like a honey mustard but even better. I get a side of fries just to enjoy the sauce.



I haven't had a bad meal here, and I'm already thinking about the next opportunity to get a box full of seafood goodness.



Grade: A

Brooke County Farmers Market is a small, weekly pop-up market. The Kookie Jar - gourmet cookies I tried a Kentucky butter cake, which was lovely. Flynn Flower Farm - mixed bouquets Beautiful! G-ma's Jelly & Jams I took home a jar of peach. Harms Honey Local honey is always best. And look at this baby morel mushroom candle. Homemade Happiness - breads, scones, rolls Of course, I had to try a pepperoni roll. And, there were a handful of other vendors who I will need to check out next time. I believe the market has moved to a new location since my last visit. So, I look forward to checking that out. Have you been?

Goldenrod Kitchen is a small home-based bakery that has been doing pop-ups in Morgantown and Charleston before they expand into a storefront location. I stumbled upon their Facebook page while scrolling on social media. In my former life as a Girl Scout, I knew the owner as a very accomplished young woman. So I was thrilled to place an order for a small holiday cookie box. And, just look at all these goodies! Sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, M&M cookies, and my favorite were these little Rolo and pretzel combos.

Sugar Shenanigans is a local candy and sweets shop currently located in Nitro.



It became very popular when it began offering Dubai bars, which are chocolate bars filled with creamy pistachio and crispy kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo dough, used in Middle Eastern desserts) and was made popular via TikTok.



The shop carries many more trendy candies made popular by social media, as well as some made by other local vendors.



Here are some of those:



Sunrise Bakery - fudge.



Cerealsly Delicious - various flavors of chex mix.



Rise Appalachia - donuts.



Others include M&M Farms and Kara's Sweet Treats.



Some of my favorite purchases include a sweet advent calendar, with a different treat each day.



I also made my own chocolate bar here, which was not only fun, but also delicious.



And this isn't the only place you can get their goodies.



The business also has an outpost at Go-Mart Ballpark. They are open every night of Light The Night, and they even have some different selections here. Soon, they'll be moving into yet another new location. So, another excuse for me to check it out!