Restaurant Reviews

Although much of my love of fine wines and food comes from my own kitchen, I do enjoy sampling the cuisine of restaurants at large. Growing up in southern West Virginia provided sparse selections outside chain and fast-food joints; college and life thereafter in Blacksburg opened more doors but still gave but a small slice; and now living on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. offers me the advantages of dining out that I had always missed.

From ethnic fare to modern American cuisine, I'm trying to expand my culinary horizons through dining out, and I would like to share my experiences and opinions of many of the restaurants I've visited over the years.

My reviews are currently organized by geography, although I soon will migrate them to a database offering searches and sorting by rating, cuisine, location, cost, etc. Each restaurant is rated on overall impression, cuisine, cost, and atmosphere via a 5-star system, with five stars reserved for the best of the best and one-star joins being but middling.

Cost is rated similarly and is based on the average price of a meal consisting of appetizer, main, and dessert with a glass of wine and standard gratuity.

Beckley, WV

Char (****)
Cuisine: Steaks and Contemporaty American
Cost: $$$ ($30-$40 per person)

The Char consistently produces good traditional fare--nothing experimental on a menu that has changed little in decades--but where they really stand out (as suggested by the name) is their steaks. Tender fillets mignon are the standard bearer.

The restaurant does not accept reservations, so it pays to show up a little before dinnertime (5:30) to ensure prompt seating, particularly during late spring when the restaurant becomes a favorite after-prom destination. Those waiting can sip cocktails in the bar, where the bartender has been a restaurant fixture for years and consistently makes excellent drinks, including one of the best amaretto sours I've had.

Blacksburg, VA and Surrounding Areas

Kayo (****)
Cuisine: Sushi and Traditional Japanese
Cost: $$$ ($25-$40 per person for dinner; $5-$15 for lunch)

One would never expect to find a fairly authentic Japanese restaurant on the outskirts of Blacksburg, VA.

Kayo's sushi chef does an outstanding job, turning out far more than the cookie-cutter maki-zushi available in nearly every grocery store today. Her spicy tuna rolls never fail to deliver on flavor, and creations from tempura-dipped maki to pepper and avacado veggie rolls offer a wide variety for the sushi enthusiast.

Kayo also offers some excellent desserts, from traditional ice creams and mochi to a sumptuous black sesame pudding to artistic and delicious parfaits large enough to be a meal in and of themselves.

Northern Virginia & D.C.

2941 (*****)
Cuisine: Modern American
Cost: $$$$$ ($60+ per person for dinner; tasting menus for $85)