Taste of Morgantown 2014

By Candace Nelson - 11:44 AM

Photo by Sher Yip

This year's Taste of Morgantown rocked my world. It looked like a huge turnout, and area restaurants brought their A game. I managed to sample a little of everything and left fat, happy and sassy. Which is good, though, because proceeds go to charity. Starting on the back right corner of the Erickson Alumni Center room, Mary Kay and I ate our way through the offerings.

Atomic Grill: Heirloom Tomato, Pea Shoots, Walnut Goat Cheese, Vinaigrette; Poached Rainbow Trout Papiettes, Chard and Turnip Greens, Grilled Ratatouille, Smoked Tomato; Blackberry Wine Stewed Cherries, Handmade Puff Pastry, Lavender Cream, Mint.

Photo by Sher Yip

Terra Cafe: Thai Basil, Blackberry & Ginger Cocktail (Bloomery Plantation Distillery’s Sweet Shine with fresh-squeezed lemonade, blueberries and Thai basil from Chef Lauren’s garden); Coconut Lemongrass Beef Croquette (Possum Tail Farms Heritage Beef infused with ginger, lemongrass and topped with Round Right Farms sweet spring greens. Served over fresh-baked pita); Goat Cheese & Lemon Panna Cotta (Firefly Farms Allegheny Chèvre with Maple Valley Honey. Local Lavender and Bloomery Plantation Distillery’s Sweet Shine).

[So good. One of my favorites at the event - and a huge portion! And a whole meal, complete with sandwich, delicious moonshine drink and dessert]

Photo by Sher Yip

Stefano’s: Blueberry Braised Pork Ravioli. Firefly Farms Merry Goat Round Mousse. Roasted Mushrooms, Pickled Blueberries. And Arugula. Plus a panna cotta dessert.

[The best. This is who I gave my people's choice to. So incredibly delicious and creative. Lucky to have Chef McDonald in town]

Photo by Sher Yip

Tutto Gelato: Roasted Strawberry and Coconut Gelato topped with a Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce

[One of my fav desserts - not just overly sweet - actual, real flavor. And not flavors I really thought I'd enjoy, but really delicious together]

Bartini: Summer Salad with a Stuffed Chicken Breast (filled with sundered tomatoes, fresh spinach and asiago cheese, I think)

Regatta Bar and Grille: Make-your-own soft pork tacos with lettuce, corn salsa, guacamole, sour cream

The Tea Shoppe: Cucumber Sandwiches, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Scones with Ricotta Cheese

Sargasso: Soba Gnocchi with Harissa-Spiced Braised Lamb and Baby Carrots finished with Honey Lavender and Sea Salt; Buckwheat Maple Carrots Finished with Salted Firefly Farms Chèvre Carmel Frosting

[These were pretty good. I love a good gnocchi, so it's not hard to win me over here.]

Photo by Sher Yip

Antonio's Italian Chophouse: Farmers Market Spring Vegetable Risotto (all vegetables were locally sourced Saturday from the different farms at the Morgantown Farmers Market - asparagus, broccoli, red onions, green pepper, carrot and garlic shoots in a creamy risotto finished with Parmigiano Reggiano); Braised Local Pasture Raised Pork Crostini (pasture raised local pork from Working H Farms - braised, pulled and tossed in apple, onion and fennel puree topped with a reduction of the braising liquid); Local Goat Cheese and Pepper Jelly Cheesecake (Firefly Farms Allegheny Chèvre and Deberry Farms Red Pepper Jelly brought together in a rich, creamy twist on a classic)

Photo by Sher Yip

Preston County Inn: Creme Brûlée, Fettuccine Carbonara, Sour Cream Cornbread, Cuban Black Beans

The Cupcakerie: Mudslide, Strawberry Lime (made with fresh locally grown strawberries), Chocolate Red Wine (made with Forks of Cheat Redbud red wine) and Orange Coconut White Wine (made with Forks of Cheat White Table Wine).

Photo by Sher Yip

Erickson Alumni Center: Korean Beef Brisket with Asian Vegetable Slaw, Carolina-Style Pulled Pork with Appalachian Hobo Beans and Louisiana Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Cheddar Moonshine Blue Corn Grits

Lebanese Bistro: Raw Kibbeh, Hummus, Pita Chips, Grape Leaf, Tabbouleh, garnished with lettuce, olive, onion

Oliverio’s Ristorante: Eggplant Parmigiana, Meatballs, Lemoncello Sorbet

Table 9: Blackened Big Eye Tuna, Ponzu, Avocado Mousse, Soy, Radishes, Corn, Micro Cilantro, Pickled Cucumbers

Morgantown Brewing Company: Toasted Almond and Shitake Mushroom-crusted Hog’s Head Cheesecake with House-cured Jowl Bacon & creme fraiche (suggested with Coal City Stout); Flower Meze: Caper & Artichoke Tapenade, Sunflower Seed & Chive Blossom Pesto, Lavender Cauliflower Mash & Lotus Root Chips (suggested with Brookside Farmhouse Ale); Scottish Peated Malt Smoked Catfish over Paprika & Green Garlic Grits with Crispy Kale Crumbles (suggested with 80 Shillings Scotch Ale); Apple Butter-swirled Pound Cake with Wildflower Honey Glaze and Rhubarb Reduction (suggested with Bergsteiger Hefeweizen)

Photo by Sher Yip

Mountain State: Almost Heaven Amber Ale and Oatmeal Stout in a super cool branded mason jar

There were also: BlueRidge Beverage, Galaxy Distributing of West Virginia and Jo’s Globe serving up drinks.

Awards
Best Sweet Dish: Tutto Gelato

Best Savory Dish: Morgantown Brewing Company

Best Bite: Stefano’s

Best Presentation: Table 9

Originality: Terra Cafe

Living Local: Preston County Inn

People’s Choice: Terra Cafe

Taste of Morgantown: Stefano’s