Bridge Road Bistro: A Bridge to Fine Dining

Charleston's Bridge Road Bistro is an example of what great fine dining can be. The menu here is an adventurously modern take on American originals — think New American, and exciting. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Bridge Road Bistro features delights like fresh sandwiches along with larger entrees like steaks, too. The menu also features a rotating selection of chef's specials, so check the website for more details. Bridge Road's ambiance is vibrant yet cooly subdued; its waitstaff friendly and happy to help you select the perfect meal. For fine dining in a welcoming atmosphere, give the Bridge Road Bistro a try.

FireSide Grille

The FireSide Grille in Hurricane, West Virginia is worth checking out for its copper-top bar alone. The entire restaurant has a certain minimal-modern-industrial feel to it, which makes for a hip yet welcoming ambiance. Inside you'll find flat screen TVs playing sports, yet FireSide never feels like a sports bar. Instead, it's a great spot for friends to get together for food, drinks, and fun. On the menu you'll find New American favorites like burgers, sandwiches, fries, and appetizers along with entrees like wood-fired chicken and St. Louis style barbecued ribs. It's upscale comfort food in a delightful atmosphere. What's not to love?

The Italian Grille: Authentic Italian Cuisine

The Italian Grille and Deli is one of the best kept secrets in the Hurricane area, providing it with a fine Italian dining experience run by the people who love the culinary tradition. At The Italian Grille, you'll find home-made pasta and sauces that recall the Italian countryside with rich flavor and all the bright and lovely colors of Italy. On a weekend evening you might want to call ahead for a reservation as the wait time can become long. The Italian Grille is a small restaurant, but that's part of its charm. Call ahead to plan your dinner and leaves your worries behind. The Italian Grille offers delectable Italian cuisine in styles both modern and traditional!

Laury’s Restaurant: American and French Elegance

Laury's Restaurant is a Charleston institution, having been founded in 1979. Laury's offers steaks and other New American favorites in a stunning, welcoming space. Chandeliers hang overhead lighting up the perfectly off white decor. You'll feel as if you've been transported to another place. You'll love Laury's extensive wine list: there are wines in every price range, and the staff is happy to offer expert opinions on pairings. And the food? Laury's offers a fresh twist on New American cuisine, with delectable entrees. Laury's Restaurant is located right on the water and offers a quiet ambiance, right in Charleston. Laury's is popular, so be sure to call ahead for reservations!

Thelma Fay’s Café: Charleston Deli

With hefty New York style deli sandwiches, salads and a daily Blue Plate Special, Thelma Fay’s is the go-to spot to grab a bite in the downtown area. Got a hearty appetite? Dig into The Monster, a gargantuan Reuben sandwich with over a pound of pastrami and corned beef. Not ready to fall into a beef-induced coma? Pick from a wide variety of other generously proportioned deli-style sandwiches, all served with a kosher dill pickle. Diners love their home-style meals, like prime rib, meatloaf, eggplant parmigiana or teriyaki chicken. Stop in for Sunday brunch for an array of breakfast dishes, plus sandwiches. Whatever you choose to chow down on, Thelma Fay’s aims to please.

Thelma Fay's Café
1219 Washington Sreet tE
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 205-5210
www.thelmafayscafe.com

Lola’s

The long lines of eager diners waiting for a table at Lola’s are testament to the popularity of their homemade pizzas and salads. The ambiance is home-style and quirky — a welcome relief from your average, run of the mill dining experience.  For starters, try the house favorite goat cheese salad, comprised of a generous hunk of fried, breaded cheese on a bed of fresh greens, drizzled with homemade balsamic dressing. Move on to one of their thin crust pizzas, lovingly hand crafted with the freshest local ingredients.  Options are unique and delicious, like the apple and manchego cheese, or the shrimp and spicy sausage. They also have yummy sangria and a hefty selection of bottled micro-brewed beers to round out the menu. 

Lola's
1038 Bridge Road
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 343-5658
www.yelp.com/biz/lolas-charleston

Tricky Fish

Locals love the friendly, laid back atmosphere and casual food at Tricky Fish.  Also a plus is its eco-friendly focus, with mostly locally raised organic ingredients and compostable napkins, paper cups, and dinnerware that doesn’t end up in the local landfill.  The menu features an array of choices, with a tacos, sandwiches, hot dogs, and red beans & rice. The fish tacos get rave reviews, as does the gumbo and the hot bologna sandwich. There are plenty of options for the vegetarian crowd and they serve locally made organic tofu.  A great beer selection, both micro-brewed and otherwise, rounds out the menu. Outdoor seating is available, as is live music on the weekends.

Tricky Fish
1611 Washington Street E
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 344-3474
www.trickyfish.net

Pies and Pints: Pizza and Beer

The name says it all – Pies and Pints is the favorite spot in downtown Charleston to indulge in great pizzas and craft beers. Start off your repast with some homemade salsa and chips and an order of roasted garlic and rosemary flat bread. Move on to their large array of pies featuring creatively combined ingredients which might sound odd, but receive rave reviews from diners. Try the Grape Pie with gorgonzola cheese festooned with the sweet little fruits for a unique taste treat. The Thai Pie takes pizza to the Orient with coconut, shrimp, and curry sauce. Not feeling adventurous? Go for an old favorite, the Margherita, with basil, mozzarella, and parmesan, or the Classic, a pepperoni, sausage, and pepper topped pie. An extensive wine selection, plus sandwiches and desserts, are also on the menu.

Pies and Pints
904 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 345-2233
www.piesandpints.net/locations/charleston-west-virginia

Jamaica Cuisine: A Taste Of The Islands

Charleston has become a destination for many West Indian and Jamaican immigrants, so it’s no surprise that you can find top-notch food there. Jamaica Cuisine is one of the most popular dining destinations in the area, serving up delicious homemade traditional dishes completely from scratch in an invigorating atmosphere. From the moment you step in the door, amazing smells waft from the kitchen, tantalizing your taste buds. Chef Doreen Campbell has solidified her reputation with authentically spiced classic dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken, and spectacular fish. The goat curry is fantastic, packing just enough spice to give it a kick without being overpowering. The curried shrimp is also a local favorite, served in a sauce so good you’ll be licking your fingers long after it’s gone. The place is kept scrupulously clean and the chef is great about recommending dishes to suit your palate. It’s a real gem.

Jamaica Cuisine
228 Seventh Avenue
South Charleston, WV25303
(304) 744-9700
www.jamaicacuisinewv.com

Bridge Road Bistro: An Oasis Of Taste

If you’re looking for a true fine dining experience in the Charleston area, the Bridge Road Bistro is a fantastic choice. Boasting an impressive, award-winning wine selection, your evening will be carefully managed from the minute you step in the door until you take your last bite. Regulars rave about the innovative, flavorful food, offering taste sensations that you can’t get anywhere else in the area. The fried calamari is a spectacular choice to start your meal, cooked to perfection and delicately seasoned to bring out the flavor. Steaks are cooked to fantastic tenderness, with high-quality cuts that practically melt in your mouth. They also serve up a spectacular lobster dinner for those looking for a splurge. Prices are a little high compared to other area restaurants, but you’re paying for a special dining experience.

Bridge Road Bistro
915 Bridge Road
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 720-3500
www.thebridgeroadbistro.com

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