jondubus's Profile
Need A Couple of Restaurant Recommendations for Pittsburgh Area
I can't believe no one named Meat and Potatoes, which I think gives Salt a run for it's money. Very different types of cuisines though.
Pittsburgh Public Market
The mushroom vendor your referring to has been selling at the Firehouse Farmer's market for quite awhile and still does with that market as a second venue. He GROWS 'shrooms but also forages locally for chanterelles, morels and others and sells to local restaurant chefs, Legume for example and other high end restaurants. You do have to check what's in season, heck what 's been able to be foraged THIS week: rain, season, weather, etc. His Criminis are the best and I've had them keep in my fridge for 2 weeks when properly stored in a dry paper bag. I've found his variety and quality to be impeccable, and far superior, if more expensive than "Giant Eagle". As for the rest of the market, there's a lot that's meritorious- try the many samples-the BBQ place tucked away in the corner, and particularly the Common Plea catering selling sauces, soups, and the like. Finally, the place won't get any better for you as it grows unless you check it out regularly, Like the rest of the strip for that matter. You have to be a regular to get the feel and the atmosphere of the whole thing. For practical shopping, try to get there on a weekday. If you're not serious about the effort to get locally grown and non-mass market food, you'll stay happy with Giant Eagle.
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Giant Eagle
5550 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Common Plea Restaurant
5741 3rd St, Verona, PA 15147
Pittsburgh Airport Area Help?
Look into drive time for The Heyholde and also Jackson's in Moon. Both should have website menus. They're both non-chains and the Heyholde is high-end and well known.
Plum Pittsburgh/Shadyside
I would beg to differ with hungryi's post. Wife and I had Sat. lunch on the 16th and found it very likeable and fairly inventive for Pittsburgh, if somewhat expensive. Likewise, service was friendly and efficient. My sea urchin appetizer was the only miss, maybe because I didn't much like the raw quail egg-when I ordered it I didn't anticipate the egg would arrive ON the urchin. Our soups, sushi, wife's pad thai, and my Indian -influenced noodles we heartily endorse as well-executed.
Needs some recs near Columbus Ohio
Ohh, big oversight on my previous post: let me give a huge 2nd to Pistaccia Vera (also on 4th in GV) in uhockey's post. I happen to be diabetic, but if I ever wanted to do myself in, that's where I'd go. Fabulous desserts-only one bite for me, alas.
Needs some recs near Columbus Ohio
I would check out the Columbus Dispatch too, for their top 20 Columbus restaurants. I've been to Rigsby's often and vouch wholeheartedly. I've liked Barcelona and G. Michael's Bistro immensely in nearby German Village, very close to downtown. Both with great food and wines. Barcelona (now my go-to restaurant) has Tapas but the non-tapas Spanish is outstanding too- all is well executed+ live jazz on some nights. G. Michaels is cozy if you sit at the bar: a good light dinner is just two of their many appetizers. Stroll down the street from there to Hausfrau Haven, a funky, delightful gift and wine shop. For lunches try pricey but great deli stuff at Katzinger's on the same street (Fourth St.) as G. Michael's and Hausfrau. My wife gets to Columbus more often than me and loves the tuna at Mitchell's Steakhouse, downtown. I've been disapointed at Handke's Cuisine in the brewery district, especially given the expense. All the above have websites and are easily googled if you add Columbus, OH on the end.
In SF next week-need help with Peking Duck
I'm liking the Dual Duck idea.....We'll do reservations for sure.
In SF next week-need help with Peking Duck
All good suggestions, many thanks! Any takes on tea-smoked vs. Peking Duck? I've had neither before.
In SF next week-need help with Peking Duck
My son recently moved to SF(Richmond) and he tells me that the best Peking Duck can be found in the Sunset district (rather than Chinatown), but didn't name the restaurant(s). I'd never had Peking duck before and SF would seem to be ideal for my initiation. Any opinions are greatly appreciated.
Review: Pittsburgh/Oakmont Brunch at Mirabelle.... Dinner anyone?
Three of us dined yesterday at the ala carte style Sunday Brunch at Mirabelle on Allegheny Avenue in Oakmont. Brunch here was so good I'm now intrigued by what this place must be like for dinner.
We started with cinnamon muffins and citrus scones served with an addictive clotted cream. My wife picked a Mango Bellini from among the 16 Champagne/Bellini/Mimosa choices on the menu. A nice apple parsnip soup followed that was a pleasant mix of savory with slightly sweet. Main entrees for our brunch were mushroom crepes for me and Eggs Bretagne for my two companions. My two crepes had a perfect texture and were wrapped around nicely sauteed mushrooms and Brie, drizzled with a light port wine reduction, and served alongside a nice red potato hash. The Eggs were fluffy scrambled and with a pear, blue cheese and riccotta crepe with a drizzle of balsamic syrup and the hash alongside. Other items on this brunch menu were difficult to pass up: various quiche, breakfast pizza, pancakes, steak & eggs, all with the flair you'd find at the likes of the Cafe at the Frick. John Muth, owner of Mirababelle, managed that venue for seven years. Desserts were a very dense white & dark chocolate tart with a crunchy hazelnut crust and a cheerful apple cranberry "crostata" with creme Anglaise. All brunch entrees at $10 and about the same for champagne and wine pours were solid bargains, as were the desserts at $6 each.
Our experience wildly contradicted China Millman's prickly P-G review of last Dec. '08-we found the decor tastefully simple (not "non-descript") with quite a cozy bar area upon entry. Besides, I'd rather that a restaurateur invest in the food.
Dinner here is at the top of my CH "to do" list. At $16-$18 per entree in this day & age of $25-$35 going rate for entrees I'd characterize as upscale white tablecloth- I'll take tastefully simple. As a bonus, our host informed us that he's sourcing a total of 40 local farms, and it's apparent Mirabelle embraces the slow food movement with aplomb.
Please check it out soon and and post your experience on this thread. Mirabelle's link is posted below- check out their various menus. Ciao.
www.mirabelleoakmont.com
Indian lunch gem in Robinson Twp?
You're most welcome. I hope other Pgh. CH'ers try it too. Please let me know what you think when you make it to Manpasand... I've only done one visit so far. Ciao.
Indian lunch gem in Robinson Twp?
Untill recently I've not been a fan of Indian food. My epiphany came two weeks ago at Rasika, an Indian restaurant in DC. Yesterday I had lunch at an indian food shop in Robinson Towne Center-Manpasand, next door to Value City in the strip mall across from Ikea. Lunch is a flat $5 for choice of any two curries with basmati and naan. I had an excellent chicken curry and Chenna Saag, a kind of chickpea and spinach stew. Both were spiced just right for my taste and well executed from the kitchens at Tamarind, the same ownership. Granted, this was just one visit, but for $5 this was a spectacular bargain. I ate the leftovers for lunch today. I have put Tamarind on my list of Pittsburgh restaurants I want to try and will certainly return here. Evudently, Manpasand has only been at this location 1 month, having moved from another Robinson location. I urge Pittsburgh CH'ers to give Manpasand a try. I was told there are plans to expand the menu further. Other lunchtime diners were seen to be enthusiastically grazing, too.
Downtown lunch in Pittsburgh
I'd hesitate to call it moderate, but some lunch menu items might apply at Eleven, which is across the street from the the Hampton. Check the menu posted outside. I've had lunch and dinner there many times; it seldom disappoints. Good food is abundant in the Strip- try Enrico's behind the Biscotti shop, Bella Notte pizza, Sunseri's sandwiches, lots of places along Penn Ave., even the Banh Mhi Vietnamese sub cart on Penn ( beware the extremely fiery chillis). Good seafood soup, sushi, and other seafood lunch at Penn Ave Fish company- you can hardly go wrong. Not much I can think of for Greek, except the excellent pita sandwiches on Sixth St. leading to the Ballpark. You might like Salonika Imports, an excellent Greek wholesaler/retail grocer, also on Smallman but no lunch however. As to the Ballpark itself, not anything special- mediocre and overpriced IMO. I studiously avoid the over-hyped and over-rated Primanti sandwiches; do you really want soggy fries and coleslaw on that sandwich? For food while watching the game- you're probably better off snagging something along Sixth st. and taking it into the game. One exception inside PNC? Maybe Manny's barbecue stand between the outfield grandstand and the river. Lose most of the humungous buns and devour the meat. Try to sit in the infield at PNC; the view of downtown I'd rate over any ballpark in the country. It only needs an actual baseball team and to lose the corny cartoons and ads on the scoreboard to make it the best ballpark in the country-tall order , I know. Have a great time!!!
DCCH Fave reviews(some) here: Komi, Proof, others.
Next day found me at El POLLO RICO in Arlington near GMU for lunch. It would not be fair comparison of EPR's chicken to what I had the night before at Palena Cafe. This is clearly a large, crowded, crank 'em out kind of place and does quite well with that. Highly consistent Peruvian style rotisserie, admirably accompanied with cole slaw and steak fries. I would have liked to compare this with Super Pollo (more side options), but it would have been chicken overkill on my part.
DCCH Fave reviews(some) here: Komi, Proof, others.
Next dinner was: PALENA CAFE
I started with a pricey but quite beautiful consomme ($15) with fois gras in it. Very friendly service, though my server noted she is just learning wines-very knowledgeable about the menu however. The cafe allows ordering ala carte from the regular menu, but the Cafe menu is given to you at the same time. The highlight was the half roast chicken. I've had the signature roast chicken at Zuni Cafe in San Francisco, but on this occasion I thought PC's was better. When I made the initial cut into Palena's, a puff of steam escaped, then juices, as though it was litaeraly bursting with flavor and goodness. (I've never seen that) The bird sat on a bed of collards that were still somewhat chewy, compared to those I'd had at Oohs and Ahhs. Collards are one of the few foods I can think of that can actually benefit from sitting on a steam table, as at Ooohs & Ahhs. The online menu lists the roast chicken at $13, but I could swear it was listed for $15 on my menu. Regardless, it's an incredible bargain. The only better chicken I've had was take out with a bottle of white Burgundy in Paris at the Parc du Champ du Mars, watching the lights come on and darkness falling at the Eifel Tower. Entirely different context. See my photo of PC's wonderful roast chicken. I was the earliest diner at PC on a Tuesday night, but it quickly filled by the time I left.
One Solo Dinner in DC. Where to?
Rasika seconded, especially if you want unusual, inventive, and perfectly executed. Komi will probably be a waitlist too, but well worth it if you can get in. The suckling pig is awesome, not to mention the 20 or so mezze that precede it.
DCCH Fave reviews(some) here: Komi, Proof, others.
Next up is RASIKA...I promise to get to KOMI soon, but for my memory's sake I 'm going in the order listed in my OP..... If I hadn't dined at Komi, Rasika would be my pick as my best experience on this trip. I did the pre-theater menu, a bargain at $30. App was a Seekh kabob, finely ground lamb formed into a longish tube and wrapped around its skewer, then grilled. Interesting flavors but I wasn't crazy about the fine texture. Lamb Roganjosh, however, was a knockout dish. Roganjosh is simply lamb curry, but the Rasika rendition I had was superbly executed. With accompaniments of Rasika's incredible nan, at once airy and toasty, and Basmati rice like I've never had, I got a completely new perspective on Indian food. The nan was so good I'd like to watch it being made in the tandoori sometime. I had very friendly and attentive service, despite my dining solo, including an earnest inquiry about my satisfaction from the captain. Don't miss this.
DCCH Fave reviews(some) here: Komi, Proof, others.
Steve & littlewing-much of my final lineup is off your recs. Many Thanks! To resume...
Lunch twice at TAQUERIA NACIONAL; On first visit I had a fish taco and a pork taco. Alas, since I arrived at 2pm, yucca fries were already sold out. Fish taco had deliciously-coated whiting cubes nestled in a warm taco-was great with a little Chilhula present on the communal tables. Pork taco was nearly the equal of the fish. Not crowded at all at that time (TN closes at 3PM), except for a few workers from the NBC news offices across the little plaza from Johnny's Half-shell, adjacent to, and the operators of, TN. Second lunch two days later: (at noon, very crowded,mildly chaotic but fast-moving line, this time) This visit would have been marred by an error made on my order- I ordered a fish taco again, 1 beef taco, and 1 chorizo/cheese+ Yucca fries. Scored the fries this time, but only got 2 beef tacos, but at at the correct price charged. Tip: Check your order's pick-up slip for accuracy when you pay. Mistake was offset by the delicious beef and lettuce tacos with serve yourself mild green & mild red salsa avail. at the counter. Yucca fries, sort of steak fries midway between zuchinni and potato, had their blandness sparked with a great flavored green mayo to dip. Cost was around $7.50 and was fuel enough for my bicycle excursion on DC streets for a couple hours. Menu was far more extensive than I could get to on this trip. If you go, investigate this further. A Winner hands-down
Pittsburgh-Dining alone
Your $25 limit makes it a bit difficult with app included. For another $5-10 dollars you may do well. Try the websites for Sonoma Grille, Lidia's, Palate, or Atria's, all downtown, in safe areas. I've been to all(very good) and they should accommodate solo diners well. Many more places if you can venture into the Oakland(University of Pittsburgh/CMU) section of town or Squirrel hill -further out but still not too far from downtown. Others to consider are Dish and Bruschetta's on the Southside+ many others. All should be safe if you stay on the main streets and avoid to far into back streets. C'mon friendly Pittsburghers, help this lady out!
DCCH Fave reviews(some) here: Komi, Proof, others.
In another post (search jondubus) I'd asked DC CH'ers to review my list of restaurants to hit for my trip to DC. last week(6/29 thru 7/3).ALL were helpful, so I wanted to give back feedback of my impressions. Impressions only-not fair to judge a restaurant on one visit.
Final lineup and subjects for this thread:
Atlantico-dinner
Oohs & Ahhs-lunch
Rasika-dinner
Taqueria Nacional-lunch
Palena CAFE
El Pollo Rico-lunch
Komi-dinner
Taqueria Nacional-lunch again
Proof-dinner
I'll start with Jose Andres Cafe Atlantico: short wait at the bar waiting for my table sipping a well-made Mojito made with Splenda at my request. Started off with the fois gras soup-fair amount of fois gras, beautiful broth with puffy corn islands; nice but pricey. Next up-grilled octopus ap-crunchy texture, very agreeable presentation ,with clean seafood taste but didn't knock my socks off. Finally, main was Feijao Tropeiro-"deconstructed" Brazillian pork stew with black beans, rice, oranges & other ingridients. It was deconstructed in that it was served as a whole pork chop, with the other ingredients served on the side. Pork chop was quite juicy but a bit overdone,IMO. In retrospect, I'd rather the stew was not "deconstructed". Quite well made, but not thrilling. Best dish here for me was the fois gras soup.The diner next to me got doused with an unknown libation.
Oohs & Ahhs
Great lemon-pepper wings, but disaponted there wasn't other deep-fried chicken pieces-they'd be spectacular. Better collards than those served under my chicken at Palena Cafe! Satisfying mac & cheese. Hole in the wall place that's rightly proud of it's food and takes care of it.
I'm assuming readers will check restaurant websites or search other posts for more details. I'm just adding recent experience and my .02. Reviews of the other restaurants listed above in this post will follow.....
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
I'll post reviews over the coming week, now that I'm back to Pittsburgh from my D.C. trip. I will say that I managed to snag a dinner at Komi by getting on the waiting list; they called me on Wed. a few hours before saying they'd had a last minute cancellation. Far and away Komi was the best dining experience I had in DC and I'm hard pressed to think of any better food I've had anywhere ( except just about aything in Paris). Final lineup:
Sun. Cafe Atlantico
Mon. lunch Taqueria Nacional; dinner Rasika
Tues. lunch Oohs & Aahs; dinner Palena Cafe
Wed. lunch El Pollo Rico: dinner Komi
Thurs.lunch Taqueria Nacional again (what does that tell you?); dinner Proof
Sadly, I didn't get to any jazz/blues joints unless you count WPFW 89.3 on the radio (excellent). Nor did I get to any Ethiopian, though I've had that elsewhere. Much walking and biking in now bike-friendly DC took it's physical toll in the evening. I will try to give something back to all you DC CH'ers who made this a memorable visit and a foodie's continuing ed. project, by way of reviews on the above places. Thanks to all!
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
littlewing, I'm leaning toward your rec...probably going to go that way. This is shaping up as a MAJOR GRAZE. Thanks again to all. I will report results afterward because it should be an update to CH DC faves.
Need dish recs for Isabella on Grandview-Pgh
We have a WQED contributor $25 off certificate (great deal, btw) and reservations for tomorrow night. I'm a Pittsburgh native but have not been to IoG yet. Can anyone give us reccomendations for particular items on the menu? We're more food-oriented than view-oriented. Thanks in advance.
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
Any takes on the food at Bohemian Caverns? Menu looks great (Southern) and Thursday 7/2 there's a tribute to Grover Washington jr. there.
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
Sorry to be off-topic but thanks to JoeH and 4X4 for the music tips. I couldn't snag Minibar but have put Cafe Atlantico in the Thursday slot as per JoeH. Anyone else concur? I'm also thinking of bumping Jaleo Sun. night for Atlantico. Thoughts?
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
OOOOOHHHHHH!........This is great! I think DC really means District of Chowhounds. I'm coming from Pittsburgh, and this makes me feeling apollogetic for Pens vs. Caps. Your guys played very, very, well. Even we gotta love Ovechkin. Thanks to everyone for great replies on the food AND MUSIC scene in DC. I wish I could leave right now.
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
Steve- Just want to hear the Jazz at HR-57. Oohs and Ahhs has been highly rec'd and I'm going to try to do it. Looking into Ben's sounds like a good strategy, still want a half- smoke. I love wings- thanks, man.
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
Thanks, all! I'll check these out. I am going to do Ben's for lunch one of those days if only because such a DC institution- but I'll probably love a half-smoke regardless. If so I'll try to find some at Canales to take back home. To steve: Society for the Preservation of Jazz & Blues in U street area. Website lists jam session every Wed. & Thu. I think.... for $8. Some previous posts indicated waterfront area as place find decent fresh blue crab in the morning. Not sure, I could still use guidance on that.
In DC next week-pls check my lineup!
I'm looking forward to my DC "graze" starting Sunday 6/29th thru Thurs 7/3. I've been studiously CHing this week and have come up with the following:
LUNCH:
All week a mixed bag of Easterm market stuff, SW Waterfront crab, and Folklife stands at the Mall (Wed. & Thur.).
DINNER
Sun.- Jaleo (bumped Founding Farmers)
Mon- Rasika ( Bumped Zaytinia)
Tues. Etete
Wed- Eatonville, then SFPOJAzz & Blues jam session
Thurs. Open as yet, but I'm on the waiting list for anytime at Komi Tues. Wed. or Thhurs.-fingers are crossed.
Criteria: I love to cook at home and want food at restaurants I can't/wouldn't do at home because of unique/unobtainable ingredients- any type of cuisine is otherwise fair game, prefer ethnic or regional and not over-the-top expensive.
Please offer critique or alternatives to the above plus maybe someplace for my thursday slot in case Komi doesn't materialize that day.
Ist Visit to Boston-any BYOB restaurants?
Yeah, I messed up. Should've done the search BEFORE I did the post. Thanks, though.
