J Petal - Restaurant Review

If you're traveling north and going through JMU university city (aka Harrisonburg, Virginia) then you need to put this on the stop for you!

(This is not my image but used after googling “J-Petal”. My pictures from being here are on the blog's instagram page "truthbetoldlifeblog".)

What seems to be a simple family owned restaurant with your typical rolled up ice cream flare that's taking America by storm everywhere, is definitely more than meets the eye! You see we've come to know the owners and their family, who is about 98% of the staff - well it was once upon a time they may have changed that recently but I'm not sure, but regardless that's not the focus of this post. As I was saying, with coming to know the owners well you get to see firsthand how they run their business as well as seeing the quality of what they put into not only their business but their products. Not only are they delicious but the options are unique! The options are not overbearing for someone who is indecisive and yet there is just enough options for someone who comes in craving one thing but contemplating another. Ok before I confuse you with what I'm trying to get at, let me break it down. 

This wonderful place started off with their marketing and go to being the rolled up ice cream, then they ventured into not only the delicious ice cream and toppings but the crepe side of deliciousness! So when cold season rears it's pretty chilly weather, this place has people covered with not only sweet crepes but a twist on seafood and even breakfast style and flavor crepes! Oh but they didn't stop there! By early spring of 2019 we noticed that they were reconfiguring their kitchen area towards the far back area of their entrance meanwhile they had added some delicious drinks to their menu. Granted if they served it with liquor it would've been even more of a delicious surprise, but thankfully their flavors and mixed drinks of flavors and fresh fruits didn't even need the additional boost of liquor. Their mixed drinks were of milkshakes and mixed teas then into some fizzed drinks, etc. All leading into the best thing that could happen to someone, especially someone who loves food as much as I do! They finished their in-house kitchen reconfiguration to surprise all with the poke bowls! I know it may seem that it's a lot for an establishment to do, to become such a versatile one stop shop for a variety of deliciousness, but that's exactly what they did and I was thrilled to see their success when it happened-I'm hoping it continues that way for them! 

The quality of their raw fishes and fresh ingredients never disappointed, their portions/serving sizes were perfect for whatever you're appetite, their lunch specials were becoming legend, AND to top if off inside the environment was so relaxed and chill that it fast becomes your go to spot everyday...from their comfy lounge like open area of couches with tables to the games they provided to those who stayed a while, and warm family that owned it. 

Believe me when I say I wish more of the these locations were this delicious and consistent on their deliciousness while also serving quality with spoonfuls of flavor!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

Heritage Bakery & Cafe - Restaurant Review

So the weather was beautiful and warranted a walk around the downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia area where my family and I happened to fall upon a little quaint location. After lots of walking from a downtown festival that was going on, the sun was beginning to pinch the skin to the point of having the urge to go indoors for a while. Considering that we were wanting to be out and about, we opted for the longer walk to our vehicles, when we spotted this cute little entrance to a bakery and some aesthetically pleasing outdoor decorations and setup. We were already contemplating what we would be doing or had a hankering for dinner, so I suggested for us to go inside this cafe and see what they had, the decision was made pretty quickly too since two family members in attendance had to use the restroom-thank you mother and my oldest daughter!

Inside was another wave of such a charming feel. The kitchen was nowhere as big as you might think and the staff was so friendly, it made you feel as if you had just entered into a long lost friend's house. In the charm appeal of a rustic country family farm on the inside, there was some history about the location and restaurant, so while you wait for your food to be ready you could easily peruse around the first floor of the building to soak up some history and some interesting facts. Their menu isn't large by any means and I must admit that the food wasn't as mouth watering delicious as I had anticipated (definitely didn't have a light in comparison to my other favorite place downtown, Lola Mo's) however, is think its because the whole environment and fresh ingredients as well as the calm and charming feel of the establishment inside while you ate...well why wouldn't you want to waste time there and eat while window watching the rest of the world.  They do also offer minimal (to nothing) of some dessert but that wasn't out of this world either, by any means. Still there was something just captivating about the spot, that we took a little bit of a while to leave. 

So as much as I would like to give them a five-star, unfortunately for me, I would have to rate them at about a 3.5 from 5. Now if only they amped up their food tastes and items...also if you should ask the reason for that rating was more because of the environment and the calming feel the entire establishment had. Either way, it's good food and I'm sure you would enjoy it as well.

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman