West
Virginia’s Wild and Wonderful Food
From wild leeks to wonderful wines, the Mountain State offers a variety of unique dining options
CONTACT: Caryn
Gresham
304-558-2288, ext. 347
cgresham@callwva.com
West Virginia has a long history of agricultural bounty. Settlers willing to tame the mountains and move boulders found the state ideal for raising everything from cattle to corn. Today, many cottage industries are thriving as residents find ready markets for specialty food items ranging from the traditional apple butters and maple syrups to the contemporary salsas, mustards and wines.
The Department of Agriculture reaches out to provide special help to the cottage industry through its West Virginia Grown program. This designation on a West Virginia food product shows that businesses have met criteria that designate them as official state-produced or in-state value-added producers that are headquartered in the state and contribute to the state’s economy through employment, manufacturing, packaging, purchasing and marketing.
Throughout the state, restaurants offer the finest of international cuisine and the best of down-home cooking, often incorporating the best of local food products into their recipes to bring a unique Appalachian flavor to the food that arrives on the table.
UNIQUE FOOD FESTIVAL -- THE WEST VIRGINIA RAMP FESTIVAL
What would a springtime visit to West Virginia be without a trip to a ramp festival? While West Virginians celebrate their bountiful food harvests from spring to fall with plenty of other festivals, these festivals in late April and early May, devoted to the pungent and flavorful ramp are uniquely Appalachian and fun for everyone. Enjoy a home cooked dinner of ham, potatoes, beans and bread along with ramp cook-offs, musical entertainment and plenty of local characters. The best known of the ramp festivals are celebrated in the towns of Elkins and Richwood, but true ramp lovers will also encourage you to join the Swiss community of Helvetia for its ramp festival and community dance or to discover the hometown fun of a ramp festival in a small town fire hall or community building.
UNIQUE FOOD SOURCE -- GOURMET CENTRAL
From homey apple butters to spicy black bean and corn salsa, Gourmet Central in Romney WV is home to specialty West Virginia foods that showcase the finest produce in the Mountain State. All product are open kettle cooked in small batches to provide that "just like Grandma made" taste. The shop specializes in the products of "Chef Harv" Christie, but it also serves as a cooperative where food producers from around the state can work with Gourmet Central staff to produce food items according to special recipes. With daily tours and a great shopping inventory, it's a wonderful place to discover new foods or rediscover old favorites. Tours are given daily and cooking demonstrations can be scheduled with a phone call. Contact: Harvey or Cristy Christie at (304) 822-6047 or 800 984-3722, . www.wvgourmetfoods.com
HERITAGE AMBIANCE, UPSCALE ITALIAN CUISINE -- SOHO'S
Charleston's Capitol Market, with produce and gardening vendors outside and unique food and gift shops inside this train station turned market, won't disappoint. In the shopping end, you'll find everything from organic produce and West Virginia Grown products to fine wines. One of Charleston's favorite Italian restaurants, Soho's, occupies the east end of the station. This friendly Italian restaurant serves upscale and traditional dishes for lunch and dinner throughout the year. The pizzas and salads are popular lunch choices, while the eclectic pasta dishes and seafood specialties are top picks for dinner. Contact Bill Sohovich at 304/720-SOHO(7646).
COUNTRY COOKING, HOMEY SERVICE -- THE GENERAL LEWIS INN
The General Lewis Inn and Restaurant is a blend of the old and new, created and operated by the same family since 1929. The Inn is surrounded by broad lawns, flower gardens and a lily pond. Guests can relax in rocking chairs on the shaded veranda and are jus a short wok for downtown Lewisburg antique shops, theater and museum. The dining room offers home-cooked meals in eha atmosphere of another time on the first floor of this 1834 home. Menu specialties include fired chicken, mountain trout, country ham, pork chops, duck and steaks. Hot homemade breads and desserts are just what guests enjoy lingering over. Contact Nan Morgan, 800-628-4454/304-645-2600 301 East Washington Street, Lewisburg WV 24901
WINE SPECTATOR RECOGNIZES MORGANTOWN EATERY
Look for memorable handcrafted fresh American cuisine and a wine list recognized by the Wine Spectator at the Glasshouse Grille in Morgantown's historic Seneca Center. Signature handcrafted dished include specialty salads, crepes, smoked West Virginia trout, seafood, pasta, homemade ice creams and decadent desserts. The restaurant has been awarded the Wine Spectator Award for Excellence for three years in a row and prides itself on superior service. Contact the Glasshouse Grille at 866-266-9744 or visit www.glasshousegrille.com.
HOLD THE SAUCE -- COLEMAN'S FISH MARKET
Coleman's Fish Market in Wheeling has been serving its popular fish sandwiches to locals and in-the-know visitors for many years. Handcut filets are cooked with special care and served -- as is -- on bread. The folks at the counter will honor your request for tartar sauce, but they'll put it on the side, NEVER on the sandwich. And once you've tried this popular specialty the Coleman's way, you'll know why Gourmet Magazine said, "A visit to the Mountain State leads to a surprising discovery: The country's best fish sandwich. . ." Contact Coleman's Fish Market at 304-232-8510. Centre Market South at 22nd & Market Street, Wheeling WV 26003
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West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303
304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com