Lets explore the best new restaurants to pop up in West Virginia in 2022. This article originally appeared in the 2023 New Restaurant Issue of The Local Palate magazine.
By: Brittany Furbee
Best New Restaurant – Von Blaze
Von Blaze – Morgantown
When chef Chris McDonald and his wife April Passaro set out to open their first restaurant together they had two goals in mind – to create a space that was inclusive and comfortable and to offer a menu that was affordable and high quality with as many scratch-made products as possible.
“Sandwiches seem like a great vessel for that vision,” explained Passaro. “The inspiration is to provide elevated high-quality twists on classic sandwiches and sides in a non-pretentious and welcoming atmosphere and small-town vibe.”
Chef Mcdonald has found success by drawing inspiration from regions around the world to create a unique yet cohesive menu. Exemplifying this perfectly is their lobster dog, a cross between a lobster roll and West Virginia hot dog that features house made seafood sausage stuffed with fresh lobster tail and shrimp and finished with Napa cabbage slaw, fingerling potato chips and brown butter and lemon mayo.
Aiming to create a familiar yet cost effective appetizer that would be a crowd pleaser and pair perfectly with their signature sandwiches, the owners developed “drummies,” frenched chicken drumsticks (aka chicken lollipops), that are fried crispy and tossed in a variety of four sauces.
“We smoke all our meats in house, make our own sausages, bologna and cure our own bacon,” said Chef McDonald. “We make everything in house except for our bread. We may just be a “sandwich shop” but we take great pride in doing everything to the best of our ability with a lot of flavors while maintaining the feeling of value.”
The menu at Von Blaze is ever evolving. Most recently, Chef Mcdonald decided to offer a new ramen popup called Wakaba Ramen. The response to the first event was overwhelming, with dozens of patrons lining up at the door to get a taste of the newly crafted ramen dishes and sides. Wakaba Ramen is now a monthly special, serving 90-guests that sells out in minutes.
With their recent successes, it’s clear that Von Blaze has taken the Morgantown food scene by storm and solidified themselves as a town favorite and must try destination. Follow @vonblazesandwich.
Fife Street Brewing – Cocina Plantosaurus – The Grove Cafe & Bakery
Fife Street Brewing – Charleston
Planting roots in a city hungry not only for craft beer and delectable sandwiches, but also for a place to come together with friends and family was a priority for this brewery. This inclusive and community centric joint serves up a hefty dose of comfort with an array of gourmet grilled cheeses that pair perfectly with their hand-crafted brews. Follow @fifestreetbrewing.
Cocina Plantosaurus – Charles Town
The colorful quirky décor inside this Latino inspired restaurant owned by husband-and-wife duo David Hassan and Lyam Soto, perfectly complements the establishment’s playful name. Cocina Plantosaurus features vegan Puerto Rican comfort foods like empanadas, rellenos de papa and a special “sooshi” (vegan sushi) menu on Tuesdays that sells out at lightning speed. Follow @cocina_plantosaurus.
The Grove Cafe & Bakery – Petersburg
A unique building that was once a doctor’s office and healing place for patients over 170 years ago is now home to Petersburg’s newest café. Loaded with historic charm and delicious treats, The Grove Café & Bakery is the perfect place for friends and family to gather and enjoy a morning coffee, afternoon tea, or light meal. Follow @thegrovecafe&bakery.
Alma Bea – Elle & Jack’s – Loopy Leaf
Alma Bea – Shepherdstown
Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Alma Bea serves up tried-and-true recipes that honor food traditions unique to the region and those that once explored it. Their “tapa-lachain” small plate menu transports guests on a journey with dishes made with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients like miner’s pepperoni rolls, crawdad hushpuppies and fried rabbit leg. Follow @almabeashepherdstown.
Elle & Jack’s – Wheeling
Good food doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be fresh and seasoned to perfection – at least that’s the motto at Elle and Jack’s. Their big city vibe, exceptional service, craft cocktails and seasonal menu with a modern flair brings both charm and sophistication to downtown Wheeling. Follow @elleandjacks.
Loopy Leaf – Charleston
With items like Italian hoagies, BLT’s and carne asada tacos, it’s nearly impossible to believe that the menu at Loopy Leaf is 100% plant based. This quaint café draws in customers from all around the region looking to indulge in vegan comfort food or to satisfy a sweet tooth with one of their signature gluten free desserts. Follow @theloopyleaf.
Written By Brittany Furbee
This article originally appeared in the 2023 New Restaurant Issue of The Local Palate magazine.