I received a call from a reader this week asking me if Charleston’s Wandering Wind Meadery had closed for good. It is currently closed, but only temporarily, as it works through new state alcohol licensing requirements that render them unable to sell their products at the moment. And I know what many of you are thinking: Charleston has a meadery? Sure does! Located at 422 W. Washington St. on the West Side, Wandering Wind opened somewhat under the radar back in 2022 when partners Dawn Racer and David Bradd started making and selling small-batch artisanal meads, which guests coul ..read more

A longtime restaurant on Charleston’s West Side has reopened under new ownership, keeping its original name and some popular menu items (I’m looking at you, Fried Green Tomato BLT) but also introducing new pizzas inspired by another longtime restaurant. Pete Lopez, the owner of Frank’s Pizza in Montgomery, has bought, remodeled and reopened The Grill on West Washington Street. After several years of on-and-off attempts to either close or sell The Grill – including a temporary closure back in 2021 – previous owner Dave Arthur finally decided to retire and sell the business to Lopez ..read more

If you work up a thirst or appetite while throwing axes, slinging paint or smashing objects at downtown Charleston’s Tickers & Timbers, there’s a new restaurant inside that just may hit the spot. BoardHouse Restaurant & Pub has opened inside the Capitol Street attraction that offers axe throwing, rage rooms, paint splatter rooms and escape rooms. Now you can take out your frustrations in a variety of ways, then reward yourself with food and drink after. I’ll leave the chucking of sharp objects to those far more qualified, but I did swing by this weekend to check the new res ..read more

If you’re one of those people who complain there’s never anything to do in Charleston, you need to know this: You drive me bananas. On any given day or night or weekend there are multiple fun things to do around town – so much so that I’m often left agonizing over which events to make and which I’ll have to miss. Such was the case this past Friday night, when I was crushed – CRUSHED, I say – that I couldn’t stay for West Virginia’s first Juneteenth farm-to-table dinner featuring black businesses, farmers and chefs. I was able to swing by the start of the event at Capitol Market to wi ..read more

What’s better than celebrating the 25th anniversary of one of Charleston’s most beloved events? Toasting the occasion with lots of delicious food and refreshing adult beverages! Presented by Fund for the Arts and Spilman Thomas & Battle, the ever-popular Wine and Jazz Music Festival on the beautiful lawn at the University of Charleston this Saturday will not only offer seven hours of live music from talented artists, but also a mouthwatering symphony of 10 food vendors serving up everything from tacos, kabobs, beef and barbecue to sweet treats and more.   “We’re sup ..read more

The popular Lobster TrappN food truck has now opened a new brick-and-mortar location in Hurricane at the original of Bridge Café & Bistro at 44 Midland Trail in Hurricane. Called The Trapp – which stands for Transforming and Reinventing Abilities into Praise and Prosperity – the new seafood-based restaurant is the brainchild of Lawrence Charles, better known as “Chef LB,” who got his start in the business by once cooking and serving food from his aunt’s back porch back in the day. Since then, he’s built a successful food truck that has gained an army of supporters while ..read more

Will the second time be a culinary charm for Charleston’s own Chef Paul Smith? The chef and co-owner of 1010 Bridge Restaurant, The Pitch and Ellen’s Ice Cream has once again been selected as a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious “Best Chef: Southeast” award, making him one of the top 5 chefs honored in a region that includes Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. For those of you scoring at home, that puts him in the company of top chefs and restaurants from such culinary hotspots as Atlanta, Charlotte, Asheville, Nashvi ..read more

There’s a new food truck in town, but you won’t find it roaming the streets of Charleston or parked at your favorite summer festival. This one is anchored along the Kanawha River. Boat Bites food truck at Trojan Landing – the boat dealer and marina near the Patrick Street Bridge where my beloved Barge Restaurant was once moored – opened this past weekend serving no-frills food exclusively for boaters and store customers. Operated by Heather Hardman, who helps run the adjacent boat shop along with her husband, Boat Bites offers a selection of entrees including hamburgers, cheesebu ..read more

Amidst all of the fun activities in downtown Charleston this past weekend – and there were SO, SO many – was a tangy and tasty one near and dear to my heart. Or should I say tummy? I was once again honored to serve as a judge at the annual Charley West BBQ Fest, which filled a few blocks of Laidley Street next to Slack Plaza on Saturday afternoon as world-class bikers raced through the streets of downtown as part of the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships held here. After blind-tasting boxes full of ribs, pulled pork, sauces and more, my fellow gang of judges and I for the Comp ..read more

Let’s take a break from all of these depressing restaurant closings of late to talk about one that’s coming back, albeit a small spot. Just two months after closing its doors on March 9, the Pita Pit of Hurricane has reopened under new ownership – and they’re bringing their Sam’s Hot Dog menu back as well. The restaurant just off I-64 and Hurricane Creek Road held a soft opening this past Saturday and teased an upcoming “Grand Reopening Extravaganza” featuring food deals, giveaways and fun activities. “We can't wait to welcome you back and share our passion for delicious, health ..read more