January 24 Pittsburgh Weekly Food Favorites

Gosia's Pierogies cooked to order at the Pittsburgh Public Market.

A weekly list of what I like in and around town, in no specific order. If you haven't tried Pittsburgh Public Market, I'll make that my first recommendation. Two vendors have made the list again, and there are many more I haven't gotten to try. It's important to mention that I receive no free food, nor compensation from anyone on this list.

1.  Bananas Foster Marshmallows, Pgh Marshmallow Factory @ Pittsburgh Public Market

2.  Chicago Hot Dog, Fries & Root Beer, Dee's Six Pax & Hot Dogz, Regent Square

Dee's gets the balance right:corner bar, sports & conversation. Beer & good food.

3.  Vegetarian Brunch @ the Zenith, Southside

Spicy green beans, peanut noodles & stuffed grape leaves. Entree & buffet  just $10 on Sundays.

4.   Cumin & Chili Chick Peas, Trader Joe's, Penn Avenue.

Mixed in with some homemade shrimp bisque...the result was very delicious.

5.  Sweet Potato Pierogies, Gosia's Pierogies @ Pittsburgh Public Market & other locations

Sweet Potato Pierogies, prepared at home by me as dessert with brown sugar Riesling glaze.

6.  Valle de Santuario Peruvian Coffee, Counter Culture Coffee @ Espresso A Mano, Lawrenceville

A well balanced cup of Joe. (balancing on my knee)

7.  Maple & Nut Cinnamon Roll, Oakmont Bakery

Barista of the Week: Alan at Tarentum Borders Bookstore. Warm, friendly and welcoming on a bitterly cold day. The coffee is not my favorite, but Alan more than made up for it. Sometimes service and attitude define the experience.

Pizza of the Week: Aiello's, Squirrel Hill, 2 slices "off the top" & plain. Nothing new here. I've been a loyal customer since 1988 and couldn't be happier with their pizza. Of note, it's great hot or cold. More on this later...

Spice of the Week: Minced Garlic, from Penzey's Spices in the Strip District. If you sign up for their mailing list, they send you catalogs that sometimes have coupons for free jars of their spices, which are of very good quality.

That's all folks!

January 16 Weekly Pittsburgh Food Favorites

Moules Frites at Point Brugge Cafe, Point Breeze.

I've been focusing a lot on the Pittsburgh Public Market, and for good reasons.  Even if you can't get there, tell a friend. Among the things I've enjoyed this week, and in no particular order (all are hyperlinked with addresses & websites):

1.  Reyna Foods Fresh Flour Tortillas, Strip District

2.  Vanilla Marshmallows, Pgh Marshmallow Factory @ Pittsburgh Public Market

3.  Apollo Espresso from Counter Culture Coffee @ Espresso A Mano, Lawrenceville

4.  Chocolate & Almond Macarons, Oakmont Bakery (not in Pgh, but just 7 miles from E.Liberty)

5.  Beer & Cider Sample Flight $1, East End Brewing @ Pittsburgh Public Market

6.  $6 Mediterranean Platter, Sito's Mediterranean Foods @ Pittsburgh Public Market

7.  Moules Frites (mussels & fries), Point Brugge Cafe, Point Breeze

PIZZA: Pasquale's Meat Eater Pizza (delivered, various locations)

Spice: Crushed Dried Jalapenos, Penzey's Spices, Strip District

This is as close to a moral dilemma as I'd encountered all week.

Great greens in Sito's dressing & more. All for $6

Sampler from East End Brewing!