Monthly Archives: March 2010
So you’re thinking about becoming a chef? Well, there are a few things that you should consider before taking the plunge. First, let’s look at some culinary history. Several years ago, someone approached a small cable network and decided to start a food network that would run continuously, 24 hours a day. I imagine at the time he/she were laughed out of the room. Who would watch cooking shows non-stop? Surely there wasn’t a market for something like that. Well, someone was listening, because in February of 1993, the Food Network was born; an all-food, all-the-time channel.
After attending an event in the city a few months ago, some friends and I decided to try Tamari in Lawrenceville for some food and wine. We had heard good things, and were looking forward to relaxing, and trying the relatively new restaurant. Tamari is not a large establishment; it probably seats 50 people, maybe 20 more during the warm summer months when the patio is open. The interior of the restaurant is contemporary; the lines flow smoothly and the colors are engaging. The streamlined bar was full of dinner guests enjoying appetizers and colorful martinis.
When I moved to Pittsburgh, my new friends encouraged me to visit The Original Hot Dog Shop. “They have the best hot dogs in town,” they kept telling me. I had yet to explore the city, so I went for a ride. After zigzagging through Oakland, I finally came upon the “O”. “So, this is the famous Hot Dog shop that I’ve been hearing about,” I thought to myself. I was impressed. The façade of the restaurant was bejeweled with various neon lights and signs. Once inside I was amazed at the baskets upon baskets of French fries being plunged into hot oil, and what seemed to be hundreds of hot dogs on the grill. Cheese sauce was flying everywhere; on dogs, cheese steaks, and fries- cheese is popular in Pittsburgh.
There’s a small ice cream store on the corner of Braddock, and Forbes Avenue. Rose’s Ice Cream has been open for two years now, and has enjoyed mild success. Every time I drive by, I’m surprised that there aren’t larger crowds, even in the summer. The location (Forbes and Braddock) is one of the busiest in the entire city, not to mention it sits across from Frick Park, and the surrounding Regent Square neighborhood. Rose’s offers a wide variety of ice cream flavors provided by Kerber’s Dairy.
I don’t eat much steak, but when I do, I like a good one. Sometimes you can get a good steak at a regular restaurant, but you will usually need to go to a specialty steak house to get an exceptional steak. Morton’s Steak House is such a place. They serve Prime, USDA Steaks; good cuts of meat, with the appropriate amount or marbling.
We stopped In Morton’s one Thursday evening after work.
Lettuce Wraps. They come from all over for the lettuce wraps, and Chinese food. The crowds are a-plenty at PF Chang’s. If you plan on coming during the weekend, make a reservation, or you could be in for a long wait. What makes PF Chang’s the most successful and highest grossing restaurant at the Waterfront? Several things. Firstly, the service is close to impeccable. When you walk in the door, a hostess smiles, and takes your name. They’re cordial, sincere, and capable. If you have a special need, or require special service, they can make it happen without running to a manager.
French Fries in a salad? Yeah, you heard me…fries and greens. Shortly after I moved to Pittsburgh, I ordered a grilled chicken salad, and it came with gobs of cheese and French fries. It seemed odd to me, I mean, don’t the fries cancel out the health benefits of the mixed greens? Well, I’m not sure, but it sure tastes good- especially with extra ranch dressing. One such restaurant that specializes in the French fry-salad combo is Dunning’s in Regent Square. It’s a family-friendly restaurant that has been around for the past 20 years. Dunning’s food is straightforward; no complicated sauces, expensive cuts of veal, or white tablecloths. What they do have is good burgers, grilled chicken dishes and salads with French fries.
