Fazio's lounge serves up a "new" night out
Plus, tips for those making the trek to Mim's Kitchen in Marlinton
I’m far from one of those people who sit around complaining that there’s never anything (insert adjective here: fun, exciting, new, what have you) to do in Charleston.
Yet here I was on Saturday night, trying to plan a group outing with friends who wanted to dine and drink somewhere nice – and different – but coming up woefully short. There are many bars and restaurants I adore around town, but something new?
I have to admit I was initially stumped. But not defeated.
After tossing around a few ideas, I discovered one friend had not yet been to the swanky new Goodfellas Lounge at Fazio’s Italian Restaurant, and the other hadn’t been to Fazio’s at all in (are you ready for this?) more than 30 years.
Decision easily made.
So we popped down to 1008 Bullitt St., where we enjoyed an evening of lively conversation paired with delicious cocktails, hearty pasta and garlic toast absolutely slathered in garlic butter.
After settling into the quiet, dimly lit space, I sipped on a Charleston featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Amaro and Luxardo, then a Smoked Old Fashioned made with Old Forester 1910 bourbon tinged with notes of toasted oak, spice and caramelized sugar. My friends tried both the Espresso and Pumpkin-Spice Espresso Martinis, the latter of which elicited an extended “oh my,” and the Bella Rosa with spiced rum, ginger beer and lime.
We were intrigued by the restaurant’s current fall dinner specials: butternut squash ravioli with roasted red peppers and spinach; Tuscan chicken pasta with sun-dried tomato cream and pizza topped with housemade Italian sausage, Genoa salami and pepperoncinis.
But we ultimately paired our libations with hearty plates of Cannelloni stuffed with ground beef, spinach and ricotta bathed in red sauce, plus my wife’s go-to Chicken Basil pasta.
Before heading out for the evening, we also got more intel on the new “Carryout Family Bundle” meals Fazio’s started offering this fall.
Only available from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, these pre-order meals include half a pan of baked spaghetti, a platter of salad (with your choice of dressing) and either garlic or Grecian bread that feed four to six people for only $39.95.
Even conservatively feeding only four, that’s still less than $10/person (plus tax and tip) for a complete spaghetti dinner from an iconic local restaurant.
We’re officially adding this option to our dinner rotation when we need something quick, convenient and good.
IF YOU GO: Fazio’s Italian Restaurant at 1008 Bullitt St. in Charleston is open from 5-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, call 304-344-3071, visit www.FaziosWV.com or check out the restaurant’s Facebook page.
More love for Mim’s Kitchen in Marlinton
Last week’s shoutout to an out-of-the-way place called Mim’s Kitchen in Marlinton stirred up plenty of love from readers, including some who offered some additional tips if you’re planning to make the trek to the mountains to check it out.
“My wife and I have gone a couple of times and it’s worth the drive,” reader Frank Jorgensen told me. “However, a word of caution to first-time visitors: You need to be early to dine, like 4 or 5 p.m.”
He said they arrived early both times they dined at Mim’s, but by the time they left around 5:45 p.m., there was already a sign outside saying “out of food.”
“They only cook so much food, and when they run out, they just shut down,” he said. “I do not blame them, as probably one of the reasons they are able to be open with great service and great food is they have no waste.”
One other thing that sets them apart, he said, is service you wouldn’t expect at a cafeteria-style restaurant.
“When you get in line, they find out how many people are in your group, and then they assign you to a specific table. And when you get to that table, it has already been set up with silverware, napkins and water glasses. Also, you do not get your own tray, but approach the cafeteria line that has plexiglass to protect the food. You let the server know which entree and sides you want, and they fill your plate on a tray that they control.”
At the end of the line, he added, you also select a dessert and whatever beverages you want. Customers don’t touch any of the food in line. What you select is delivered to you at the table, then a server checks on you during the meal to see if you need anything else.
“I have never experienced such high-quality service in a cafeteria-style setting,” Jorgensen said, “and everything is home-cooked and great.”
Jorgensen said Mim's also confirmed they would be closed for the winter starting on Nov. 23, reopening on March 5, 2027.
Added reader Doris Rusty Patrick: “You must make the trip and try her food. She has an unusual business plan, opening at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, unless she gets ready a little early and there’s a line. She prepares for an estimated amount of customers, and if she runs out of food before closing, she has to turn people away. So get there early!”
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, X, Instagram and Pinterest as “WV Food Guy.” He can be reached at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
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