Popular in hip metropolises like New York City, high-end cupcakes are beautiful to look at and an experience to eat. Some are so pretty that it seems a shame to even think about consuming them.

During the weekends I would find myself working a lot, with seldom fun outings with friends or family. You see, I’m one of those people afflicted with an overly-strong work ethic; some call it being a “work-a-holic.” It was suggested by a family member that I take some time for myself; “Grab your newspaper, and find a nice coffee shop to sit and relax for a while,” I was told. My first weekend out, I decided to try Starbucks, on Forbes and Shady in Squirrel Hill. The parking lot was full, so I parked down the street a bit; it was, after all, a nice day for a walk. I approached the counter and asked for a Venti regular coffee. I received my brew, and found a seat near the window. As I took my first sip, I was surprised- this stuff was strong, not like the coffee I had experienced at work, or other small coffee shops around town. I finished my large drink, and was happy to have completed my first session of “mandated” relaxation.

Last August, I went to Piper’s Pub on a first date. I was a little nervous. I don’t remember what I wore. I don’t remember eating or drinking anything. I could probably take a good guess about what the floor looked like because I’m sure I was staring at it all evening. For some unfathomable reason, the silly boy I went out with stuck around, and we went there again last week for a laid-back dinner. It’s really a shame I don’t remember that first dinner at Piper’s, because I’m sure it was lovely.

We arrived at Pangea in Shadyside at 7pm on a Saturday night. There were a plethora of seats available; that made us nervous. Its peak hour, why weren’t there more patrons here? We were shown to a table, and our drink orders were taken. My dinner mate had the house Cabernet; it was sweet, and peachy with a fruit bouquet-perfect. Unfortunately, we didn’t ask what the house-brand was… sorry. As we looked over our menus, our server arrived with some warm bread and butter. The doughy concoction was sweet and extra crusty; exceptional.

When I went to Rock Bottom, I didn’t know what to make of the restaurant. Is it American food? Mexican? European? There are no defining characteristics on the menu (or in the décor) that can help with this conundrum. After eating at the restaurant, I did some research. Rock Bottom is considered to be a brewery first, serving “American style” food.

Italian food is one of my favorites, right behind Mexican and Thai. It’s not easy to find an authentic Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh. I’ve tried several Italian bistros over the past few years, some good, and some not so good. One of the better Italian restaurants in the city is Bravo Cucina Italiana, at the Waterfront.

’ve been an ice cream fan for some time now. Heavy cream, sugar, and chocolate…what’s not to like? Not all ice creams are created equal. Some have little flavor, and bad texture. Some use chemical fillers, and have gooey chunks of candy in them. In my opinion, here are a few things that make quality ice cream. First of all, the percentage of butterfat superiority- the higher the butterfat content, the better the flavor. Secondly, the density of the ice cream also determines quality. The less air in the product, the better ice cream you’re going to have. This being said, I’ve been in search for the perfect scoop of ice cream for a while now.

Nestled off the beaten path in Moon Township, there’s an exceptional place to eat- The Hyeholde Restaurant. What makes this such an extraordinary place to dine (besides the food) is the atmosphere. Hyeholde has been around since 1938, and has a rich and colorful history (read all about it at hyeholde.com). On this particular spring evening we arrived at 6pm; there were 20 of us. I was immediately taken with the grandness of the structure. The building in which the restaurant is situated is truly majestic. The house/castle is old, and adorned with most of its original materials, inside and out. As I waited outside for the remaining guests to arrive, I was surprised that this restaurant was situated in such a rural area.

Two of my favorite things in the world are hockey and hot wings. They go together so well! There is nothing better than watching the Pens with a beer and a basket full of hot meat. I suppose I would be happy to enjoy my favorite pastime anywhere, but the place I go most of the time is called Silky’s Pub.

When I stepped into Shogun Japanese Steakhouse, it was if I was stepping back in time; not. Shogun in Monroeville is a nice restaurant, but it’s far from truly authentic Japanese cuisine, and that’s just fine. I imagine that the folks who choose to have dinner at Shogun aren’t concerned primarily with the food, but are more interested in the theatrics that accompany the food. As much as it is a restaurant, Shogun is a theatre of sorts, with experienced chefs who put on a skilled show at your table.