www.roanoke.com

Emily Mosh

As my internship at The Roanoke Times comes to a close, it’s time for my final blog entry.

It’s time for me to think about what my time here showed me, both at the paper and in Roanoke. And perhaps most importantly, it’s time for me to list my favorite discoveries.

I will start by offering all of you my sincere thanks. Everyone I’ve met in person or spoken to online has been incredibly helpful and kind. For nine weeks, you’ve been offering me suggestions and giving me advice on everything from stories to lunch ideas to driving tips.

Reader interaction is such a critical part of our jobs at the newspaper. Because of your feedback, I have been able to effectively manage our Pinterest account, live tweet  several different events, and have something delicious to eat after the day is done.

I had a three-page list of every restaurant, shop and place to visit thanks to your feedback. I had to make a Google map to aid in my planning. I perused menus online, I crossed out places I’d been and I starred places that received the most recommendations.

If the place you recommended didn’t make this final list, please don’t be angry. I’m sure it is delicious, and if I didn’t have time to make it there, believe me I will be back.

Bread Craft. I ordered the Turkey Florentine Panini. I cannot even write about this gargantuan sandwich without my mouth watering. I finished the first half and then asked for a box. Before the server could bring a box, though, I finished the second half. It was too good not to. Turkey, bacon, spinach, artichoke, feta and mozzarella. There might never be a more perfect combination.

Thai Continental Cuisine. I wrote about this in the last blog entry, but it’s still one of my favorites. The pad Thai with shrimp. Such a standard Thai dish, but made so well here. I’m by no means a Thai food expert, but trust me, it was just really great.

Bubblecake. If you read the comment section in my last blog post, you saw that I made it to both Bubblecake and Viva La Cupcake shops. I firmly believe that no cupcake is a bad cupcake. But Bubblecake’s cupcakes were just on an entirely different level. The crème brulee cupcake was one of those life-altering, no-you-can’t-have-a-bite desserts. I went to their Crystal Spring location. I think it is good for my health that I don’t live closer to this shop.

Ben Gui Sushi. I saved this for last because sushi became by far the most contentious issue this summer (check out the comments on my first blog). For the most part, I like basic sushi. Salmon sashimi is my favorite. I like a spicy tuna roll now and then and a shrimp tempura roll if I’m feeling adventurous. Give me that and a bowl of steaming edamame and I am content. For me, Ben Gui just delivered on all of these the best. I respect your sushi opinions, and I hope you all still respect me after sharing mine.

Roanoke, if our short time together has taught you anything about me, it’s probably that I like food. I promise I have several other interests. Journalism and fun, educational summer internships rank pretty highly, too. But honestly, what brings people together more than a panini and a cup of coffee at lunch or a cupcake when the day is done?

Although we didn’t all get to enjoy these treats and meals together, the fact that you, readers, utilized social media to suggest locations to me meant that in a way, we were there together. I thought about you, your comments, tweets and emails at every new location I visited. So thank you for all the lunch dates, I had a wonderful summer with all of you.

And remember, as I enter my senior year at Washington and Lee University, I’m only an hour away. If you really need someone to grab a cupcake with you, find me on Twitter at @emilymosh.