Cinnamon Bear - Restaurant Review

If you're craving something delicious, made fresh, and with fresh ingredients at anytime of the day then this is the place for you. Granted its in Virginia, but it's still a worthy pit stop whether you're passing through or in the town to stay-this is a place to frequent!

First off, the owner and chef has a refreshingly humble personality with the patience and conscientiousness of your diet needs. They don't necessarily advertise or publicize that they provide gluten free options, healthy substitutes, and have lactose free options for some of their menu items so if it's your first time trying this quaint little hole in the wall, then make sure to ask.

Second, I don't I can do him (the owner) justice on how conscientious he is of the gluten free items and diet. Lets just say that he has family affected by both the gluten intolerance and celiac disease...so if you're a little timid or cautious in trying their food this should help ease some of that concern, a concern that he's more attentive to than most other restaurants you'll frequent or go to (especially in the Virginia state). 

Third, they did once upon a time have a reward program at their kiosk, that you would enter in your telephone number and the account/profile would be found. Why do I say "once upon a time", well because it's been a while since I've been personally and NO for any of you nay sayers or negative people it's not because I don't like it or that I'm not standing behind me review of their quality of establishment and food. Just personal circumstances-let's leave it at that ;)

Lastly, I haven't even expanded on their actual menu items specifically but know that at this restaurant you don't want to leave without having tried one of their freshly in house made pastries/desserts. And yes for those of you who may be wanting to ask, they even have gluten free dessert options! 

I know I was always excited to try something new or even if I ate my "norm" selection; in case you're wondering, my favorite all time menu items were their gluten free lemon bar, muffins (both blueberry and chocolate chip), their breakfast wrap, their breakfast sandwich but as a wrap instead of a sandwich, tuna AND chicken salad, turkey avocado wrap, Italian chicken breast, with the last of my favs being their pear and gorgonzola salad!

My mouth has literally just watered as I'm typing and reminiscing on their menu items I would eat...as I've said before, don't just take my word for it, go take your palette on an adventure and try it out for yourself!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman 

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 

Lola Mo's Delicatessen - Restaurant Review

Whether you're passing through Harrisonburg, Virginia this is a must visit place to eat at in downtown Harrisonburg. Not just for the quaint feeling of downtown itself but for this great deli with your not typical tasting deli sandwiches! Their prices are a little more than your Jersey Mikes, Jimmy Johns, and other sandwich chain establishments but let me tell you that the price you pay for one of their sandwiches is worth EVERY bite! If you're craving something fresh and delicious this is the place for you, if you're craving something like a hot toasted sandwich then this is the place to pit stop at, if you're needing authentic and homemade ingredients incorporated into your sandwich (and we're not talking about just the sauces they may use) then this is a place for you.

Being a gluten free individual myself, you know it's hard to find the places to be able to cater to your dietary needs and I'm happy to say that this restaurant continued to receive a five-star recommend feel every time I eat here! My daughters already aren't your typical children in society but even with their expansive palette they love any and all sandwiches from here. So if you asked me if kids would eat well here, I personally can say yes they will!

So the next time you're possibly going to a JMU game, or perhaps moving into town, or just passing through on your travels and not wanting the norm pitstops then I highly recommend this for you! Don't take my word for it though! Stop by and help this restaurant continue on (even after everything that happened with COVID in this town) because they are worth it! Let me know what you think!

Sincerely,

A Distinct Woman