Blog Archives
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, have you made plans yet? Don’t be one of those people who waits until the last minute! Traditionally, people choose brunch for this special day. If you’d like to try something different, make reservations at a nice restaurant for Saturday evening instead of Sunday day. By doing this, you can avoid the crowds, and even start a new tradition. In addition to having a meal out with your family, buy your Mother some nice roses and candy; she did raise you after all!
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.
Have you ever been to dinner in a palatial restaurant that was once a church? Well, that’s what you will find if you choose to have dinner at Church Brew Works. Besides having good food, Church Brew Works brews, and serves its own beers.
It’s hard to believe that a building so vast could house a restaurant, but it does. One of the first times I had dinner at Church Brew Works, I remember entering the parking lot and seeing something peculiar. There were people standing in the parking lot, looking up. A large collection of bats were circling the top of the church, hundreds of bats, it was creepy. Maybe the bats knew something we didn’t.
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.
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.
