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.

Welcome to the Silk Elephant, Thai Tapas and Wine Bar. Is it just me, or has the word “Tapas” become the most over-used word in the culinary world these days? For those of you that aren’t familiar with the word, let me explain. “Tapas” is a small dish of something edible. The word originated in Spain, but has found its way into almost every type of ethnic cuisine. You can have Japanese Tapas, Moroccan Tapas, and even Italian Tapas. But I’m getting off point again, back to The Silk Elephant.

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.

Walk into Eadie’s Kitchen and Market at 500 Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh early in the morning, and you’ll see attorneys, CPAs, business executive and the like, ordering their breakfasts.

It’s always fun to walk down Walnut Street in Shadyside on the weekends, there are always a lot of people to watch, and fun places to eat. Pamela’s is usually on our list, but it’s not always accessible on Saturday and Sunday. On this particular day, we found ourselves on Filbert Street, at Crepes Parisiennes.

It’s been a long and arduous winter. The snow was unrelenting, and the temperatures were well below freezing for several weeks. Three days ago it was 60 degrees; the sun was shining, and I had my windows open to let in the fresh spring air. I was driving through Squirrel Hill (on Forbes Avenue), and noticed Rita’s on my left.

There’s a great rib, burger, and pizza place in Monroeville, PA, and it goes by the name of Gateway Grill. It’s not on the main strip, or in the mall; it’s tucked away on a small road next to a Dairy Queen, and the parking lot is always packed.

Chain Restaurants…what’s to say? I’ve never been a huge fan, but there are exceptions. Friday’s, for example is a decent place; the food is good, the service is above average, and the drinks aren’t bad. Don Pablo’s is another example- the food is good, and you usually know what you’re going to get, no matter which location you choose.