My Daughter....

This is what she does in her spare time!

Thin Man Sandwich Shop

 

 

 



 

 

I've been meaning to stop into the Thin Man Sandwich Shop in the Strip District since they opened a few weeks ago.  We usually go to the strip on Saturday or Sunday mornings, and after wandering around in the cold, Stacy and I were ready!

 

 

 

Thin Man is a serve yourself/order at the counter kind of place.  The menu is on a large chalk board behind the counter, and boasts a few signature sandwiches along with seasonal selections.  Today, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Albacore Tuna and a Lamb Kofta Pita were on the menu, along with scrumptious sounding sides such as Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Beets and a Potato Kale soup.

 

Stacy settled on The Smash, which is chicken breast marinated in goat milk, with avocado, alfalfa and pickled green onions.  I went for The Thin Man, which is chicken liver mousse, Penns Corner bacon, and frisee on a baguette. 

 

Let me tell you, these are some great sandwiches!  I can't wait to get back to try a different one.

 

Thin Man is on 21st Street, in the Strip District area of Pittsburgh.

 

 

 

 



E Town Bar and Grille

E Town is well known for their huge fish sandwich.  It's pretty tasty and rivals the best around, including Kretzler's on Babcock Blvd,  and Pipers Pub on the South Side.  I stopped there a couple of weeks ago, and that reminded me that it's that time again...

It's fish sandwich time again in Pittsburgh!  Fish frys are being held at church's all around the city.  Some serving a simple fried fish sandwich, and others offering a much wider variety of seafood speciality's.   On Friday, I stopped at Saint Mary's in Cecil Pa.  Of course the sandwich was tremendous! According to the attached fish-fry guide, St. Mary's offers: Seasoned panko-breaded cod deep-fried in heart healthy tri-fry oil that is cholesterol and trans-fat free. Other healthy alternatives include baked cod, salmon and Maine lobster rolls. Also, homemade crab cakes, pan-seared scallops, shrimp in a basket, jumbo shrimp, and cabbage and noodles.  See the following list to find a fish fry near you.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/01/29/kdka-fish-fry-guide-2013/

Route 40 Diner

I was driving back to Pittsburgh from Virginia on Saturday, and came across the Route 40 Classic Diner in Brownsville Pa.  The place is classic stainless steel with old style booths and a counter with swivel stools.  50's music completes the classic feeling.  The menu is typical diner fare, but I didn't look long.  As soon as I saw the burgers, I knew what I was eating.  The Fat Burger, is aptly named.  Check this out...1/2 pound of beef, topped with an egg, then hash browns and on top of that, bacon.

Tasty!  This diner would make a nice afternoon day trip from the city. 

The Route 40 Classic Diner is located right on 40, in Brownsville Pa.

Delallo Italian Marketplace

 

 

In the past month I've had reason to spend a few days in Jeanette Pa.  I know this area is a little difficult when it comes to finding restaurants, but Jeanette does have one of my favorite foodie stores. 

Delallo Italian Marketplace, or just Delallo's as the locals call it, is a tremendous local market with freshly baked bread, meals and sandwiches to go, a full olive bar and a nice market with a new produce section displaying some beautiful fruit and vegetables.

Fresh bread and olives!

As I was busy, all that was needed was a quick sandwich.  I went for one with mortadella, salami, and prosciutto layered about 2 inches thick on great fresh bread.

This sandwich is really top notch.  If you don't care for the salami type meats, they have a nice variety of other choices.

Delallo's is located 6390, Route 30 in Jeanette Pa.  Here is their web site:

http://www.delallo.com/jeannette/products/meat-trays

Half Moon Restaurant and Saloon

The Half Moon Restaurant in Kennett Square Pa has been featured on a number of different food shows and is known for their variety of exotic wild game meats.  I was staying in the area and decided to pay them a visit.

The place is casual, comfortable with a long bar as you enter and a dozen or so tables and booths to the rear.  It was lunch time, so the menu was somewhat limited.  I decided on the Kangaroo Burger.  While they offer a nice choice of toppings, I wanted to keep it simple and went with just a slice of provolone and lettuce and tomato.  My lunch partner went for the Bison Burger with Exotic Mushrooms and American cheese.

The Bison was very tasty and my friend reported that the mushrooms were a great touch. The Kangaroo was cooked a perfect medium rare, and was very lean (dry) but had a good taste.


I'm glad we stopped.  The lunch was good but a pit pricey at $42 for two burgers and one drink.  It seems a bit much to charge an additional dollar for a slice of cheese when you are getting $18 for the burger in the first place!

Wingharts Burger and Whiskey Bar

Better quality burger places have been opening around the city for the last couple of years, and I really welcome the change.  Tessaro's in Bloomfield was always one of the few places that would grind and mix their own meat mixture on a daily basis, but now their are many choices.  I've personally tried Burgatory in Fox Chapel, Burgh'ers in Zelienople, BR'GR in East Liberty, Bubba's and Sauce in Bridgeville, and several others.  All are very good...But Wingharts just might be the best.

Wingharts is in Market Square downtown.  It's a small restaurant along with a full service bar specializing in a wide variety of whiskey.  I don't know anything about, or really care about whiskey so I'll just talk about the food. Our server was very knowledgeable about the different cuts of beef used and the preparation of the patty's and was very helpful in all of our questions.  I ended up ordering the Market Square Burger, which is loaded with bacon, mushrooms, gruyere cheese and a honey mustard dressing.  This may be the best burger I've ever had.  It was just tremendous.  And while the toppings are all fresh and top notch, it's not the toppings that I'm referring to.  The quality and flavor of the beef is what makes these burgers so good.

The menu also offered a Double Blue Burger with dried blue, along with blue cheese dressing.  The Hula Burger with pineapple, BBQ sauce, cheddar, and caramelized onions.  There is also a chicken sausage burger, a veggie burger (for you vegetarians that frequent burger restaurants) and even one with chipped ham and cheese!  Here's the description from the menu: Oly Cah! Chip chop’ am n beer chhese?! On a burger?! Git aht a than! Yinz guys gotta see dis...

This is the Shipwreck Burger, loaded with Brie cheese, caramelized onions with bacon, arugula, and white truffle aioli.

Winghart's is located in Market Square downtown and a new location just opened right on Carson Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh.

Ridgeview BBQ, Bristol TN

 

I don't usually write about restaurants that are very far outside of the Pittsburgh area, but every once in a while I stumble upon a place that happens to be unique enough that others just might find it interesting too.  I've been to Bristol Tennessee several times over the years, and recently found myself there for a brief business trip.  Usually when I'm in the South, I like to hunt out local BBQ joints, not only because they're always good, but they make their BBQ with a unique sauce that I've always liked.  Whether it's the vinegar based sauce prevalent in the Carolina's or some mixture of sweet tomato, vinegar and mustard that seems to blanket the south-east US, I usually like all of them.

 

 

I've been told about Ridgewood BBQ, (in Bluff City) several times on my previous trips, but never had the time to go there.  This time I made it a point, and I'm glad that I did!  They offer both pork and beef and I decided to go with the BBQ pork sandwich.  The pork is sliced and heated on a flat-top, then mixed with their great sauce and topped with slaw to make a huge sandwich. 

I also got an order of their BBQ beans which were also really good.  The super friendly server sucked me into a southern sweet tea with her southern hospitality...I hate sweet tea, but I forgive her for that!

 

 

As is with most BBQ places in the South, Ridgewood doesn't have bar service and is kind of diner like, but that's OK.  Is Ridgewood the best BBQ I've ever had?  Naw, but that's only because I love several styles, including Texas style beef and the sweet Memphis we have out West.  I do think it may be the best Southern style that I've tried...But I do intend to keep on trying!

 

Ridgewood BBQ is located at 900 Elizabethton Hwy in Bluff City,TN

 

Pizza Special!!!

You get the entire pizza for $6.95!!!

Leftover Turkey? Here's a great option.

I love Thanksgiving and I also enjoy turkey sandwich's, but sometimes eating straight turkey every day for a week is just too much!  Here's a twist, and a great way to put to use your leftover turkey.  If you can't find fresh okra, you can buy it in a jar.  I find a hot version at local supermarkets that works well.  Don't skip it though...It acts as a necessary thickener.  If  you are not experienced at making a roux, be patient.  Don't allow it to burn, or you'll have to start over.  It's easy if you take your time, don't overheat, and stir it constantly.

3 cups okra, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 pound smoked sausage or andouiIle sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
Turkey (or chicken) meat, about 2 pounds, cooked and cut into bite size pieces
Louisiana hot sauce or ground cayenne pepper to taste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt to taste
1/2 cup oil or shortening or bacon drippings
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 gallon of stock, (16 cups) more or less, made from the leftover turkey, or use chicken stock.
1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat, then add the flour, reduce heat a bit and make a dark roux. Stir constantly, and make sure not to burn the roux! This will take about 30 or 40 minutes. Here's the roux, almost ready:

To the roux add the onions, green onions, bell pepper, parsley, and celery, stirring after each addition, and cook until the onions are clear. Add 1 cup of the stock and stir well to form a thick paste. Stir in the minced garlic, then the remaining stock. Stir in the okra, sausage, and chicken. Season with hot sauce, Worcestershire, and salt; stir to mix well. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve over cooked rice. This can be frozen in containers to be eaten another day. 

My preferred hot sauce...

Dish Osteria and Bar

 

 

A very unassuming restaurant, nicely away from the bars and bustle of Carson street, Dish is one of my favorite Pittsburgh restaurants.  Tucked away among residential housing, you could walk by here and not even realize that this restaurant exists.  The building was initially built as a tavern in 1885.  As you enter, a small cozy bar sits to the left with a few tables on the other side.  The restaurant itself is also very small but warm and comfortable.

Even though the bar is usually diners waiting on tables, don't hesitate to stop for a drink and try an appetizer to get the flavor of the place.  Because they are so busy, you need to make reservations early so the first couple of visits I ended up at the bar.  The wine list largely favors regional Italian selections, and the Dirty Dish Martini, made with Boyd and Blair Potato vodka, olive juice and mountain gorgonzola stuffed olives is a good choice.

My go-to appetizer is the grilled calamari, served with sautéed spinach, lemon, parsley and extra virgin.  This isn't typical fried calamari.  It's grilled until slightly blackened and flavored with a squirt of lemon.  The flavor is phenomenal! Another good appitizer choice is the mushroom bruschetta, described as: Bruschetta ai Funghi Sautéed portobello, shiitake, cremini mushrooms and fresh basil. Served on grilled ciabatta bread.

While the menu changes daily, if you are lucky they might have the pan roasted breast of duck in a red currant demiglace served with grilled mushroom polenta and a julienne of sauteed Brussels sprouts...Wow.

 

Dish is located at 117 South 17th Street, on the South Side of Pittsburgh.  Be aware, finding the place can be difficult, and so can parking.  While it's not on Carson street, it's not a long walk from there, so take the first space you find!

Meat and Potatoes

 

Chef Richard DeShantz has operated the upscale restaurant Nine on Nine successfully for five years now.  Seeing a need for a less formal eating option in the area, Chef DeShantz decided to open a gastropub.  What is a Gastropub?  It's simply a pub that serves great food, or in Chef DeShantz's own words, “food that a chef would eat after a busy day at work, food you grew up with, comfort food and street food.”  Well, that sounds good to me!




The interior is old time comfortable, with high ceilings and tables surrounding a large rectangular bar.  The place is noisy, but a good noisy.  People sitting at the bar, chatting over pots of Moules and munching on Devils on Horseback.  They also have a nice outdoor patio for nice weather dining.  The menu is a single page with a choice of a couple of daily specials. 

My choice was the Chicken Paillard, described as Parmesan crusted with arugula, tomato and pickled red onion. This was really pleasing, as was the Brisket that was served alongside a huge slice of jalapeno cornbread and a great slaw. On a previous visit I had the Torta sandwich which is pork shoulder, pickled red cabbage, jalapeno, and chorizo mayonnaise, served with house made chips. The mix of flavors was delicious!!!

Meat and Potatoes is on Penn Avenue, right in the Cultural District in Pittsburgh, right next to the O'Reilly Theatre.

Market Square Farmers Market

 

 

 

I stopped by Market Square last Thursday and was pleasantly surprised to see the Farmers Market still going strong, even at the end of October.  Lots of tables full of fresh veggies, a live band playing, several food trucks, along with all the new restaurants with outdoor dining.  Really vibrant! 

Th

 

 

Bubba's Gourmet Burgers and Beer

 Gourmet burger places are all the rage around Pittsburgh in the past couple of years, and the locals have really embraced them.  For many years, a lot of us have been making the trek to Bloomfield to enjoy a great burger at Tessaro's.  At one time, they were the only game in town, but not anymore!

 

One of the newest and best burger places is Bubba's Gourmet Burgers and Beer, just south of the city in Bridgeville.  I stopped in this week with my good friend Gary to check the place out.  The space is open and comfortable with a full bar and plenty of TV's if you want to watch a game.  We were promptly greeted as we entered and made to feel comfortable by our outstanding bartender, who introduced herself as Shea.  It's always nice to feel welcome as soon as you walk in.

The menu is concise, with choices of appetizers, salads and of course burgers.  Neither Gary or I were very adventurous as we both opted for a Classic Burger...with cheese, of course!  The burger was properly cooked to a perfect medium rare and the flavor was tremendous.  I later learned that Bubba (yes, the Bubba from local morning radio fame) grinds the meat fresh every day, using a mix of brisket, prime rib, short rib, and certified Angus beef.  All of the beef is grass fed, and steroid and antibiotic free.  The burgers were served with fries, but with a twist. They use a combination of standard potatoes and sweet potato fries, which I really enjoyed.
 



Pittsburgh has a number of quality burger places now but I think Bubba's is as good as just about any of them, and will be sure to return soon.  Next time I'll be sure to try a different burger...I have my eye on the N'awlins Burger, with Cajun seasoning and chipolte mayo, bacon, blue cheese, lettuce tomato and onion...Wow!

Bubba's is located at 3109 Washington Pike, about a minute off the Bridgeville exit of Interstate 79, in Bridgeville Pa.  Stop in and say hello to Shea, (who recently relocated from the west coast) and make sure to make her feel welcome to her new hometown!

The winter factory All Clad sale will be held on November 30th and December 1st. at the Washington County fair grounds.  For those of you that have never been, they sell All Clad cookware at significantly discounted prices.  Even at the sale, this stuff is pricy, but it's a way to put together a set at a somewhat more reasonable price.  Both first quality and seconds are offered.  Over the years I've purchased many of the seconds and have gotten more than ten years of steady service of several of them.  Even now, I don't think I could find the defect on these pans!

The fair grounds are just off of Interstate 79, about 40 minutes south of Pittsburgh.