Say Uncle!

Looks like I'm beginning to make this whole blog thing a monthly affair.  But that's okay, right? Right? Right...

So this month's post is review is one I've been wanting to share for a very long time! There's something special about Uncle Sam's Gourmet Subs.  We had one on campus at Pitt and it was a once weekly -- if not far more frequently -- affair all four years of my college career without fail. It was one of those places that when friends, parents, future students or really anyone came to visit, you just had to take them to try the best sub they surely will have ever eaten.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I even knew there were THREE other Uncle Sam's out there! I've officially eaten at three of the four locations (on numerous occasions...) and it's finally time to share my thoughts.

This week, PID and I finished an eight week diet plan.  (Update on that: I lost about 9 pounds and PID lost 14. Way to go, us!) To celebrate, we made the trip to Robinson to review (and revel in) the deliciousness that is Uncle Sam's Classic Sandwich Bar.

The Robinson location is by far my favorite of the three and I'll tell you why: they serve beer. While I'll say everything I've ever eaten at Uncle Sam's easily stands on it's own as a delicious meal, it often goes down so smooth with an ice cold brew. There's just something about a good sub and a good swig that's worth writing home about.  So good, it's not for the weak of heart.  Like the sign says: Ice Cold Beer, No Cry Babies.

The other thing I like about this location is the old school-diner feel.  Everything from the bar-stools to the nostalgic photograph collections on the wall, to the handwritten chalkboard specials make the experience about more than just eating.

But the eating here is nothing to scoff at, either! We ordered our usuals: for PID the Ultra Philly Cheesesteak

and for me, the Chicken Cheesesteak

For starters, everything is made fresh, right in front of your face.  The meat was cooked beyond perfectly. And, lucky us, the rolls were the freshest we've ever tasted at Uncle Sam's -- like they'd just come from the oven. Though I personally request my sandwich to consist of nothing but chicken, cheese and hot sauce, I still have big expectations of the taste of this sub, and it was delivered!

The final thing I can't get enough of at Uncle Sam's is the fries.  There's something about a skinny fry, crisped to perfection, that make my mouth water.  Sometimes I'll mix up some ketchup and hot sauce to dip them in, but they are perfectly fine all by themselves.



Restaurant Info:
Uncle Sam's

Oakland
‪210 Oakland Avenue
‪Pittsburgh, PA 15213-4064
‪(412) 621-1885
10:30am - 8:30pm Mon - Fri
11:00am - 8:00pm Sat
11:00am -6:00pm Sun
Waterworks Mall
‪936 Freeport Road
‪Blawnox, PA 15238-6172‬
‪(412) 781-3460
10:30am - 9:00pm Sun - Thurs
10:30am - 10:00pm Fri- Sat
Squirrel Hill
‪5808 Forbes Avenue
‪Pittsburgh, PA 15217-1602
‪(412) 521-7827
11:00am - 8:30pm Mon - Sat
11:00am - 6:00pm Sun
Robinson
225 Summit Park Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(412) 788-4782
10:30am - 9:00pm Mon - Thurs
10:30am - 9:30pm Fri - Sat
10:30am - 8:00pm Sun
Reservations: Don't take 'em and typically don't need 'em, but expect to wait a bit for a table if you go during a weekend lunch rush!
Price: $
Note: Waterworks, Squirrel Hill and Oakland locations are CASH ONLY.  Squirrel Hill and Oakland do not serve beer.

Cliffs Notes:
Ultra Philly Cheesesteak @ $7.35
Chicken Cheesesteak @ $6.95 (you can chicken-ize any sub option for $0.65 extra)
2 diet cokes @ $1.35
Tax (7 % in Allegheny County) @ $1.19
Tip @ $2.00
Total for two: $20.19

Overall Opinion:
I've been thinking it for years and now I've put it in print: best. subs. in. Pittsburgh. With a staff that you can't help but want to make friends with and a product that you can't help but want to order seconds of, this place certainly has it all.  If you haven't tried Uncle Sam's yet, please, PLEASE do. If you have, go relive the magic as soon as possible. 

The Table is Set

I've got to admit that for the past year two things have been highly influential in my choosing of restaurants to review.  #1 being convenience.  Whether that means it's near our home, on our way to something or a planned evening with FORTs, our busy schedules don't always allow for us to travel too far -- even for the good of the blog.  We're hoping to expand our taste radius this coming year to include a bit more flavor from the North Hills and we'll certainly do our best to do so.  But for now, I've got another pending review from the deep south that's still got to be shared!  And the reason we chose this place is thanks to influencer #2: Groupon.  I'd actually bought this specific Groupon almost exactly 1 year ago and it took me receiving an expiration notice to remember to use it. 

But a few weeks back, PID and I braved the 6 p.m. route 19 traffic and headed to Table Lakeside.

Though we went what felt like mere days before the deck opened for business and nothing was quite yet in bloom, I could tell it would be a fabulous place for outdoor dining.  With an excellent view of the water and a charming patio ambiance, I was sad we couldn't experience it first hand in peak season.

Nonetheless, we were seated in a dimly lit, scarcely populated dining room and greeted by an incredibly charming waitress. We asked her opinion on appetizers and after she gave us a recommendation, we ordered the Gorg' & Crab Polenta as it sounded so unique. 

What a wonderful recommendation she gave.  It was truly something I had never tasted and was anxious to tell ya'll about!  The crab and Gorgonzola cream sauce married incredibly beautifully on the polenta triangles which soaked up just enough sauce to keep the flavor going with every mouthful. Our only wish was that there was a touch more chunks of jumbo lump crab meat.  Very delicious!


Our spirits were high as we awaited our entrees.  Being his second to last day on the current job, PID had a few moments of free time in the office that afternoon and spent it studying the menu -- so he was more than prepared to order the Strip Steak.

The steak came served with a house potato salad and seasoned snow peas. I took a bite or two as per usual and absolutely loved the potato salad. It was very light and flavorful.  Peas were....peas.  But PID very much enjoyed his steak which was perfectly cooked and pleasantly juicy!

I ignored my instincts that originally steered me in the direction of what was referred to as the "Famous Pork Shank" (I tend to gravitate toward dishes prefaced by the word "famous") and decided I was in the mood for seafood (what's new, huh?) instead. So I ordered the special: lobster and halibut steak served with house linguini.

It was this day that I finally learned my lesson.  I always order specials and am rarely pleased.  I will say this time I was at least half pleased! The lobster was buttery and delicious and I wanted nothing but more.  The halibut was extremely bland and the linguini even more so.  I was slightly disappointed as well when I asked for a cracker for my lobster claw to be told that they had none.  But my fork, albeit messy, wound up working just fine.


Restaurant Info:
Table Lakeside (not to be confused with it's counterpart, Table 22)
Address: 200 N. Lakeside Dr, Canonsburg
Phone: (724) 746-1126
Reservations: Likely needed on weekends, especially during the summer. Weekdays, I'd make them on nights they have events, but not really necessary otherwise
Price: $$$

Cliffs Notes:
Guess who lost the receipt? Here are the general prices I know:
Gorg & Crab Polenta @ $10
Strip Steak @ $28
Yep. That's it.

Overall Opinion:
Despite my bland fish and pasta, I'm actually excited to go back.  I genuinely enjoyed the waitstaff, atmosphere and appetizer and PID was quite pleased with this meal.  The menu was vast enough that I could have made far better decisions and have since heard AMAZING things about the Pork Shank that I apparently should have ordered in the first place.  Maybe I'll swing in for Kareoke on the deck some 2nd or 4th Wednesday this summer?! I certainly hope you'll give it a try! Right now, you can get $10 off your meal just for liking them on Facebook!

 

Ice Cream Cupcakes!

I know I don't do many "I Cooked" entries anymore, but I've just gotta do it this time!  One of my favorite bloggers in the world, Stef at The Cupcake Project, is hosting a contest with the folks at Scoopilicious for the best ice cream cupcakes. Not sure if many (or any) of you know this, but I'm somewhat of a cupcake freak.  I eat them, I bake them, I covet them.....

So diet, I beseech thy forgiveness.  But darnit, I'm makin' cupcakes.

The contest goes a little something like this:

1) I come up with a recipe for an Ice Cream Cupcake.
2) I blog about my recipe.
3) I post a photo on the Cupcake Project Facebook wall.
4) I eat every last one of the cupcakes I make.

So I did a lot of thinking, visited a few of the judges' blogs to determine proper brown nosing methods, and finally decided to stick with what I know: sweet, simple and satisfying.

What my mind and taste buds landed on was this:

Light 'n' Fluffy Strawberry Shortcakes!

Here's what you'll need for the Cupcakes (12 yield)

3/4 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. cake flour

3/4 c. egg whites (about 6)

1/2 c. granulated sugar

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. meringue powder (optional)

dash of salt

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees (note, this is hotter than for normal cupcakes which are typically baked at 350).  In a small bowl, combine your powdered sugar, flour and meringue powder and set aside.  Beat the egg whites at medium speed for 1 minute, then add in the tartar.  Beat at medium-high speed and gradually add in the granulated sugar, then the vanilla, then the almond extract, then the salt. Let this mixture beat at medium-high for about 5 minutes or until it starts looking like a meringue and begins to peak.  Gradually begin to mix in the flour/powdered sugar mixture until smooth.  It should look, feel and taste much lighter than your typical cupcake mix.

Spray cupcake tin with Baker's Joy (aka my best friend) and fill each tin to the very top with the mixture. Drag a knife through each tin to break up any air bubbles, then flatten the mixture so there are no peaks.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Here's what you'll need for the Whipped Cream Icing:

1 c. heavy whipping cream

1/4 tsp. meringue powder

2/3 c. granulated sugar

Beat the cream on high and gradually sprinkle in the meringue powder. When it starts to peak, gradually add in the sugar. Continue beating on high for about 4-5 minutes and you're done! Easy peasy, lemon squeezey!

Here's what else you'll need:

1 container of fresh strawberries save 12 small berries whole, chop the rest

1 container of Breyers Strawberry Ice Cream (or your favorite brand -- just make sure it's got the delicious chunks in there)

After your cupcakes have cooled, use a cupcake corer (or a spoon, or knife, or whatever you've got handy...) to core a substantial chunk out of the center of the cake.

Then, take a few chunks of your chopped strawberries and set them in the bottom of the cored center. Take a spoonful of your strawberry ice cream and scoop it on top of the chopped strawberries, smoothing it out over the top of the cupcake.

If you'd like, drop a few more chopped strawberries on top of that. I didn't -- but after tasting it was thinking it might be good! Then, either with a piping bag or a spoon, ice your cupcake.  As a garnish, take one of your remaining full strawberries and slice it three times up the center, then twist it out in to a fan. Voila!

Now for the best part...... TAKE A BITE!  I assure you, you won't be sorry!

So there you have it, my entry for The Cupcake Project and Scoopilicious' Ice Cream Cupcake contest!  I hope you find it simple, sweet and satisfying as PID and I did!

Happy Anniversary to TOP!

Exactly one year ago today, Taste of Pittsburgh began serving up it's very first less-than-professional culinary opinions to the iron city.

It's been a heck of a year and I have to say that though I"ve learned a lot of things, the two most prominent are:

1) Blogging is an awful lot of work.
2) Pittsburgh is delicious.

I've noticed that my positive reviews strongly outweigh my negative which definitely reaffirms the whole reason I began blogging in the first place: there is certainly more to the dining scene in Pittsburgh than chain restaurants!

In honor of TOP's one-year anniversary, I've decided to offer you all another TOP-ten:  my very favorite restaurants that I've reviewed so far! The following is a list of what I would consider to be places you absolutely MUST take your new girlfriend, parents or friends from out of town (or, let's be honest, just yourself) at some point in your life.  Hope you enjoy!

10 --  Fatheads  
The best part: Pierogies on burgers?! YES PLEASE!

9 -- Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
The best part: Oysters Rockefeller. Holy melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

8 -- Bistro 19

The best part: The perfect pairing of fresh-fish and homemade slaw.

7 -- Mallorca
The best part: Aside from the service and meal-closing complimentary shots? Gotta be the amazing sauce on my seabass (did I sound dirty when I said that?)

6 -- Franktuary
The best part: The Pittsburgh Dog.  And I don't say that because I write a blog about Pittsburgh food.  I say that because it was far and away the best hot dog I've ever eaten.

5 -- Habitat
The best part: Hands down the locally sourced beet and goat cheese salad.

4 -- Cafe du Jour
The best part: The outdoor ambiance and salmon/asparagus appetizer.

3 -- Willow
The best part: One of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been to with delicious food to boot.

2 -- DeLuca's
The best part: Eating seafood in a crepe was a shockingly outstanding experience that I hope you'll all try at least once.

1 -- Spoon
The best part: Every. Single. Bite.  I'm not even kidding.

I'll tell you now, I have a few restaurants that would (and should) have made this list as my favorites in the city, but I've not yet blogged about them.  What this means is that I need to get my butt out there and KEEP EATING! So here's to one year of blogging about delicious food and hopefully many more to come.

Now if you'll excuse me, there's a celebratory glass of wine with my name on it.

Bon Appetite, fellow 'burgh buddies!

Franktuary Giveaway Winner

 

Congratulations to Y2Flound!  Your entry was drawn as the winner of a $10 gift card from Franktuary!  Claim your prize by e-mailing us at tasteofpittsburghblog[at]gmail[dot]com and let us know where to send it!

Remember to follow Franktuary on Twitter to see where you can catch the Frank Truck in action!

Congratulations toY2Flound and to all other entrants: keep your eye on Taste of Pittsburgh for more opportunities to win (as well as more take 'em or leave 'em opinions on the 'burgh's dining scene).