I was excited to try to Wine Loft in the South Side Works. It seemed like an interesting concept; an entire gathering place designed around the enjoyment, and exploration of wine.

Sausalido is located in hip neighborhood of Bloomfield. On this Wednesday night (one day before Thanksgiving) the Italian district was bustling with hungry patrons, and people celebrating the end of the work week.

I was browsing Urbanspoon’s Talk of the Town List when I discovered Szmidt’s Old World Deli. I love a great deli, but I wondered what made this one so special.

The first time I went to Meat & Potatoes, I had a ball. The service was great, the food seemed great, the drinks…a little too great. I got tipsy. Not sloppy fall-down drunk, just buzzed enough to render my memories of the evening a little hazy. I went with a big group of friends and I left feeling happy and satisfied. I felt I should go a second time for the review. Amy joined me for my do-over dinner.

Alma Pan-Latin Kitchen is located on South Braddock and Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh- one of the busiest intersections in the city. So, any restaurant should do well in that location, right? Well, Calli’s came and went in a matter of months, so keep your fingers crossed for Alma.

It had been some time since I enjoyed a cup of gelato, so while in Shadyside, I stopped into Mercurio’s on Walnut Street.

I stopped by Coca Café in Lawrenceville to meet a client for breakfast this Sunday. When I arrived, there was a small line, probably 20 people. The café was due to open at 10am, and the locals were eager to be the first seated.

Ever since Legume left South Braddock Avenue to move to Oakland, I’ve been hopeful that a chef with vision and a sense of culinary adventure would occupy the vacated space. Chef Keith Fuller, formerly of Six Penn Kitchen, jumped at the opportunity to open his own restaurant, Root 174 on the popular east end street.

Everyone likes cookies right? I sure do, and today, I had a whopper. If you’ve never heard of Nancy B’s in Homestead, it’s time to become familiar with the name.

Girasole is an authentic Italian restaurant off the beaten path. During the summer they have outside seating, if you prefer. When we arrived, Girasole was half-full. The space isn’t large, and the wait staff, and patrons had a difficult time moving about the restaurant because of the closeness of the tables. We were seated near a wall with small floor fans (it was muy hot) and began to look over the menu.