The following information was disseminated by the Travel Berkeley Springs office:
Berkeley Springs is so lush and green that it turns all thoughts to -- FOOD, EATING, DINING, SNACKING! But before we indulge in savoring one of the outstanding attractions of the area, let's note a few special events this weekend.
There is music in the air and it begins on Wednesday with open mic at Earth Dog Cafe then onto Tari's Cafe Jam Nite on Thursday, this week hosted by Cindy Born. Saturday evening, Dennis Vaughan and Mark Walbridge perform Celtic, old timey/Appalachian music and American folk songs at the Fairfax Coffee House which has a wine and beer menu as well as coffee drinks. On Friday night, the lively Brazilian acoustic guitar of Gregorio Lacerda fills the luxurious upstairs room of La Luna Wine Bar and Gallery. It is a perfect setting for late night fun on Friday and Saturday as well as Sunday afternoon.
For those folks who like their entertainment straight from Hollywood -- and their popcorn the best in four states -- try the Star Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm showing Tom Hanks in the dramatic thriller, Angels and Demons.
We assure you there are delightful and alluring shops in the historic downtown; relaxing spa treatments and a welcoming tame wilderness that includes an 18-hole golf course a Cacapon State Park as well as lake with sand beach and hiking trails. What we REALLY want to talk about though is food, glorious food -- a necessity that Berkeley Springs has raised to a high art and pleasure.
You might think that a tiny town like Berkeley Springs -- only 15,000 people in the whole county -- would have maybe one or two eateries. Not so. We aim to please and so the area is filled to overflowing with exceptional, high quality dining -- much of it fresh from nearby farms and gardens. For the freshest of the fresh, try the noted Berkeley Springs Farmers Market now opening its Thursday afternoon vending so restaurants can get produce for their weekend tables -- and so can you. Also visit the Sunday version from 10am to 2pm in the center of the square.
This could be the weekend you decide to set out on your own personal culinary sampling of what Berkeley Springs has to offer and as many of us do, let's start with breakfast.
Several B&Bs have the personally prepared for you breakfast that the rich and famous enjoy at home. We hear especial praise for both Highlawn Inn and the Manor Inn, both in town. Check the lodging listings for details of what other places have either full breakfast or breakfast makings in the refrigerator. Cacapon State Park, Maria's Garden and the Country Inn serve all three meals to their lodging guests as well as the public. If you don't mind starting late, try Fairfax Coffee House (8:30am) or Rose's Cafe with vegetarian cuisine opening at 9:30am.
Earth Dog Cafe wins the breakfast sweepstakes hands-down serving hearty and delicious country breakfasts from the time they open at 6am until closing at 11pm. In fact, Earth Dog wins the prize for serving food the longest hours with their breakfast and barbecue menu unchanged whatever the hour.
Sunday brunch is a special category and we direct you to exquisite, chef-prepared treats at Panorama at the Peak and La Luna Wine Bar. If you need a cocktail to go with brunch, wait until 1pm when liquor is allowed to be served on Sunday in West Virginia.
The choices for lunch are amazing beginning with the Pro Shop on the golf course at Cacapon State Park. The park's main dining room, like the Country Inn and Maria's Garden serves all three meals daily (except Wednesday for Maria's.) Tari's Cafe has a new, weekender lunch menu that includes old favorites like jambalaya and a full array of wraps as well as in house made chips. Angus and Ale has a new location adjacent to the Best Western but the same great burgers and sandwiches for lunch; so does their partner restaurant in town: Corner Steak and Sea. Vegetarians will find menu items at several places and all-veg menus at Rose Cafe and Soupity Salad Express which has a gluten and soy free salad bar. Creekside Creamery offers the bonus of a full-scale ice cream operation along with sandwiches and soup.
Tony's Butcher Block is in a class of its own. You can take out outstanding sandwiches on fresh baked French bread or prepared foods including chicken, ribs and very stuffed pepperoni rolls, or ready to cook steaks, meats and seafood with a wide array of spices and sauces.
Ethnic dining choices are available for both lunch and dinner and include homemade Italian at Maria's Garden, authentic Mexican at Mi Ranchito which also serves an outstanding Marguerita; and dine-in or carry out Chinese at Panda Cafe. These eateries are popular with families and kids as is Cacapon State Park.
Dinner is the holy grail for most diners and Berkeley Springs has enough high quality choices that a single weekend is not enough. Lot 12 Public House is the rarest -- for its chef-selected wine list, elegant turn-of-the-century cottage setting, and dinner-only hours Wednesday through Sunday. But most of all, it is the incomparable meals prepared by chef-owner, Damien Heath, West Virginia's only chef on the James Beard list. Damien searches out local produce, is buddies with several young local celebrity farmers, and grows much of his own produce and herbs. Insiders also know that you can get some take-home Lot 12 food from their booth at the Sunday Farmers Market. Next, in alphabetical not quality rating order (they are ALL excellent) are a quartet of chef-driven dining spots. Owner-chef Tom Lombardo reigns over the kitchens at Corner Steak and Sea and Angus and Ale, specializing as the names hint in tasty meat dishes as well as seafood. At the Country Inn, Chef Christian collaborates with owner Nancy Sostaric to creates wonders from all organic, natural and often local ingredients especially lamb. For Panorama at the Peak, their world class view is matched by Chef Scott Collinash's skill. (Insider tip -- try his turkey croquettes with apple cranberry compote recently featured in a regional magazine.) They are one of the country's only restaurants recognized by the certified humane folks and are working diligently to have nothing but organic, locally produced meats on their menu, Last, but certainly not least, is the popular, award-winning Tari's Cafe where Chef Devin has worked up a new dinner menu paired with a 65-vintage wine list.
Late night dining narrows the choices but they are good ones ranging from barbecue and breakfast at Earth Dog to chef-prepared desserts and light fare at La Luna to a slimmed down but still tasty menu at the Country Inn. The country style Troubadour serves the latest -- as long as the lounge is open, usually to midnight. They also have a wildly popular Friday Steak Nite where you can eat surrounded by the WV Country Music Hall of Fame.
When in Paw Paw, eat fine country cooking every day all three meals at Grandma's Country Kitchen.
Let's conclude with a few words about ambiance and setting for our dining adventure. You can find eateries filled with local art, boasting outdoor dining or offering great views. Some are elegant, others are folksy, all aim to please with quality ingredients and friendly staff. George Washington once wrote about the abundance of excellent food in 18th century Berkeley Springs, We like to think he'd be pleased with how his favorite spa town turned out centuries later.
Now that you are convinced it takes more than a day trip to eat your way through the fine dining offerings of Berkeley Springs, check our lodging page for more than 100 choices of places to stay -- many with food of their own.