Happy New Year!
So lately I've been receiving comments about where my blog went. Well the simple answer is: where most of my intense and impulsive interests go, abyss. But I pulled it out of the black hole just to update everyone on why I joined a gym with the rest of the desperate resolutioners. I ate my face off during the holidays. Where did I eat? Where didn't I eat? Avenue B, Dish, Meat&Potatoes, Ruth's Chris, Casbah, Capital Grille, Plum, Cioppino, Brueggers, Cambodian Kitchen, Buckheads pizza, samples at Whole Foods, I really hit all my bases in Pittsburgh. For curious minds I have the highlights. (And in the future I hope to get back to serious blogging business, and less stuffy things)
Avenue B
Mom! The Meatloaf!!
Kobe meatloaf, goat cheese & chive whipped potatoes, crispy onions, tomato jam.
I was pleasantly surprised by my first visit to Avenue B. The menu is compiled of seasonal and well chosen items. The wait staff was warm and very accommodating. I even loved the brown paper table covers and the trendy cafe feeling. What won me over however was the meatloaf. It was what I hoped it would be. The meat was moist and well seasoned, paired with chunky, melty mashed potatoes all topped with crispy onions. What can I say, I'm a sucker for elevated comfort food.
One of my companions ordered the "wild caught fish & chips, Napa slaw, and malt aioli". She and the rest of my companions all enjoyed their choices.
NEXT!
DISH
Everyone knows Dish is great. Or at least you should know Dish is great. No blogging or pictures needed.
CASBAH:
I was lucky enough to have spent my new year's eve at Casbah in Shadyside (A huge thank you to my significant other). Aside from the awkward waves of heat that come from the industrial sized space heater in their outdoor space, Casbah is fabulous. It is a tried and true staple in the Pittsburgh restaurant scene. They have a great drink selection, well trained serving staff and a well executed menu.
Arugula salad, with house-made pancetta, crimini mushrooms, potatoes, 10
Riverview Farms goat cheese, pancetta vinaigrette.
Fabulous.
For my Entree I chose from the NYE tasting menu and selected the Lobster Gnocchi.
I had already been served several glasses of Champagne so I apologize I didn't take notes on the ingredients. I can tell you the Gnocchi as always was perfect. The gnocchi at Casbah are always my favorite because of their perfect density and chewiness. The lobster was also well balanced with the mushrooms and greens. I also loved the butter sauce, and couldn't help myself from dipping the bread into the leftovers. For once I chose exactly what I wanted on the menu.
NEXT!
Meat&Potatoes
Meat&Potatoes is still a favorite of mine. As usual we went a little crazy with the orders. On this particular night my sister was visiting so we went for it. We had the smoked wings with the whisky buffalo sauce, the fried brussles, grilled bread& yummy goat butter, and bone marrow to start. For my entree I chose the smoked pork chop. I have to say out of the entire meal my favorite items were the smoked wings and the "first word" drink I ordered (they have gotten rid of the vanilla sky libation). The wings are crispy, crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, and the sauce is an absolute hit. As a wing town, they have struck gold as far as I'm concerned. My only negative comment of the whole experience, is...has Meat&Potatoes become too cool? I couldn't help but notice the three deep line at the bar, and the jam-packed tables. It's great to be loved, but let's hope they continue with the great food and start thinking about expanding.
NEXT
Capital Grille
I recognize that the Capital Grille is a chain. It doesn't take away from the fact that it is one of the best places to get a meal in Pittsburgh. It costs a pretty penny, but you will receive excellent service, fine ingredients, and who knew, they let you bring your own wine (for a $25 corkage fee). I loved my meal. Here are pictures.
My only advice (for anyone that cares) is to order the cheesecake over the hazelnut chocolate cake. I've worked my way through the dessert menu and the cheesecake CANNOT be beat.
AND FINALLY:
Thank you, to my wonderful and amazing boyfriend who treats me and others to wonderful meals and delicious drinks. I would only have half of a blog without his wisdom and generosity and I'm grateful to have such a great dinner companion!
