This must be what childbirth feels like.
Although I only carried this "baby" around for about three months, I can't tell you what a rush of accomplishment and relief I felt when finally announcing the winner of West Virginia's "Tastiest Town" series this week.
The few extra pounds I'm now packing goes right along with that post-pregnancy analogy, too. And those have got to go.
Even still, I wouldn't change a thing. I thoroughly enjoyed shining a light on the state's vibrant (and growing!) food scene and was overwhelmed by the response received in doing so.
"Congrats on completing your Tastiest Town challenge," said Lisa McCracken, marketing director at Charleston Town Center. "Your series certainly helped generate buzz about dining in West Virginia, while strengthening readership for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Well done!"
Thanks Lisa!
And from West Virginia writer Denise Giardina: "I enjoyed your Tastiest Towns series and like that you ended by mentioning other towns. This spring I was in little Petersburg in the Eastern Panhandle for the first time since the 1960s."
While there, she said she ate at a new Italian restaurant called Bella Sera, which has only been open a few months.
"I'm half-Italian and picky about pasta; most places around here don't measure up to my standards. But I had one of the best plates of pasta I've had in the state at Bella Sera," she said. "Linguine with clam sauce, no less. A great place to eat after visiting Seneca Rocks."
Denise's recommendation of this hidden gem mimics dozens and dozens of others I received throughout the course of this series, highlighting restaurants big and small in towns large and tiny. Makes me feel like a lot more food exploration is in order, an idea also teased by fellow columnist and fitness guru Cindy Boggs.
"Loved reading this culinary series - you made it so interesting. Which begs the question: What's next?"
First, Cindy, a little more dieting and a lot more exercise. Then I'll be ready to hit the road again!
And don't forget to join me this Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Uncork & Create's new location at 901 Quarrier Street. As part of Charleston's monthly ArtWalk, we're hosting a "Meet The Food Guy" event in that gorgeous new space, where you can hear all about my culinary adventures, ask questions, sip and savor wine and appetizers and view the gorgeous photos and videos that captured the culinary appeal of our "Tastiest Towns."
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Although we ultimately decided not to rank all seven "Tastiest Towns" featured, I can tell you there were a few big surprises along the way. Some cities expected to contend for the crown didn't quite measure up, while other dark horses came out of nowhere in a race to the finish.
One of those was Huntington, which almost pulled off the upset.
Most folks I've spoken to seem surprised that Morgantown and Huntington fared so well, but here's my take on that: They're both vibrant college towns, which creates a certain amount of energy - a "buzz" if you will.
Not only do today's college students have higher standards when it comes to food (seeking out restaurants that are fresh, local, creative, organic), but the professors, academic community and young professionals that graduate and stick around do, too.
I think that growing university "culture" is what's feeding the truly exciting restaurant scenes now found in the homes of the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd. At least that's how I see it.
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Speaking of Huntington, after our "Tastiest Town" profile of that city was published, I received a nice note from someone who's been instrumental in promoting the bustling food scene there.
"Thanks for the great article about Huntington," writes Sarah Francke. "It's going to create a big splash and bring attention to what we locals have known for a few years now."
Sarah runs the city's @HuntingtonInsta Instagram feed, which helps capture Huntington's energy by featuring great photos from locals and visitors like. Several months ago, she solicited locals to complete a "Best of Huntington" online survey, polling people on the best food and drink places in town - like the best restaurant for a first date, best restaurant to take the kids, best bang for your buck.
Those results clearly show how far Huntington has come, foodwise. A whopping 25 different restaurants received votes for being the city's best, with some clear favorites showing strong in many categories.
n Best Overall: Coming in first was Backyard Pizza & Raw Bar, followed closely by 21 at The Frederick, Black Sheep Burrito & Brews, La Famiglia and Taste of Asia. Rounding out the top 10, in order, were Jewel City Seafood; Jim's Steak & Spaghetti and Nawab Indian Cuisine (tied); and Prime on 4th, Savannah's and Bittersweet Coffeehouse (all tied).
n Best Fine Dining: 21 at The Frederick smoked the competition here, with Savannah's, Le Bistro and Prime on 4th taking second through fourth places. (But that's four mighty fine restaurants right there.)
n Best Beer Selection: Black Sheep ran away with this one, followed by Backyard and Summit Beer Station.
n Best Wine Selection: Sip Wine Bar dominated, with Savannah's and 21 at The Frederick tied for a distant second.
n Best For Romance: Savannah's and 21 here, too, probably because of all that good wine.
n Best For Children: The retro-cool Frostop, with a giant rotating mug of root beer on its roof, could not be denied in this category, with Backyard, Jim's and the Marshall Hall of Fame Café next.
n Best Bang For Your Buck: Fat Patty's takes first, with Nawab and El Ranchita rounding out the top three.
n Best Brunch: A trio of "B" names were clear brunch favorites. Black Sheep was the big winner here, followed by Backyard and Bittersweet.
n Best Appetizers: Fat Patty's (really?) came out on top, followed by The Cellar Door and Backyard.
n Best Coffee: Bittersweet in a landslide, then River & Rail Bakery.
n Best Food Truck: On the mobile food scene, newcomer Chickpeas rolled ahead of Fair to Middlin' and Heritage Mobile Kitchen.
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For the past two Friday afternoons, I've cut my work day an hour short to head down to Charleston Town Center at 4 p.m. to enjoy the mall's June "Court Street Live" concert series on the sidewalk just outside of Tidewater Grill.
I'll grab a table on the Tidewater patio, order a glass of wine and a bite to eat, then sit back and enjoy some fantastic local music - The Bob Thompson Quartet and The Voodoo Katz, so far. With the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing, it's a great setting to ease into the weekend.
And for this Friday's final show of the series, Tidewater is upping the food ante by grilling skewers on the patio while the popular band, Qiet, performs from 4 to 6 p.m.
Do yourself a favor and check it out!
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and an occasional food blog at blogs.wvgazettemail.com/foodguy. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at wvfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook as "WV Food Guy" and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as "WVFoodGuy."