I'll cut right to the chase (which, if you know me at all, is something of an exception to the norm). This place had its interesting share of ups and downs, but the food was - without a shred of a doubt - the up to rule all ups.
Showing posts with label BYOB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BYOB. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Fukuda YES!
I'll cut right to the chase (which, if you know me at all, is something of an exception to the norm). This place had its interesting share of ups and downs, but the food was - without a shred of a doubt - the up to rule all ups.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Smokin'
In early December, a lovely F.O.R.T. (whom we'll call MM for Munhall Molly) relocated to Munhall and was in desperate need of an extra hand to help assemble some furniture and offered to take me to lunch at Smoke in return for the favor. Turns out there really IS no such thing as a free lunch, but she knows me too well. Food bribes never fail with me. And I was pumped to finally try the place out.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Taste-E Squared
After being thoroughly inspired by E2's kickstarter program, we realized we should probably (definitely) give their hyper-local menu a try.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Cure for the Common DInner
This weekend, Pittsburgh welcomed yet another new restaurant to it's already impressive repertoire. While Cure unofficially served a prix-fixe menu to diners on New Year's Eve, they officially opened their doors to the public this past Friday evening so PID and I headed across town to the streets of Lawrenceville to get one of the first tastes.
The atmosphere inside Cure was warm and welcoming. The natural wood motif was reminiscent of barbecue chips which I thought was incredibly appropriate. The open kitchen in the back of the room made sure that the sweet scent of mesquite smoke was never far away.
I'm happy to report that Cure is a BYOB joint with a fairly typical $3 corking fee -- so PID and I classed it up with a bottle of Tisdale Cabernet. The couple next to us had the right idea with a soft-cooler filled with Sam Adams. Next time, TOP...next time.
It was pretty much a four-way tie between small plates to start off the evening and while I'm still kicking myself for not giving the Butternut Squash Soup with goat merguez, goat cheese, crispy shallots and cilantro a try, PID was dying to taste the Salumi plate -- and so we did.
Never have I been more envious of PID's cheeks. One bite and I was completely sold on Cure. Though PID noted that some of the larger pieces were slightly tougher than the shreds, we found that the meat was as close to perfection as we'd tasted in the 'burgh in a long time. The apple cider cut through to the core of the beef shreds making each bite juicy and bursting with sweet, smokey barbecue flavor. Even the mushrooms and Gnocci melted in your mouth and we savored every bite. I caught PID sopping up his plate with a slice of my pork shoulder when his was all gone.
Beverages: Wine corking fee @ $3
Starter: Salumi @ $12
Entrees: Choucroute @ $22
Beef Cheeks @ $25
Dessert: Apple pie @ $6
Farmstead Cheese Plate @ $6
Tax: Food AND drink tax @ 7% (Allegheny County only) @ $4.97
The decor was homey, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and eager to please, and the food -- in case you couldn't tell -- was out of this world. Who'da thunk that I'd be so in to a place that spotlights pork as the star of the show? Not me. But Cure has quickly climbed my list of my favorite dining experiences in the 'burgh. You may be asking "how the heck did you still spend nearly $100 at a BYOB joint? Well if you're looking to be more frugal, leave off a dessert and try a different starter -- we chose the most expensive one. The website claims that they serve "urban Mediterranean," but I found it to be extremely barbecue-esque and noticed a number of French references. Mostly they tout locally sourced delicacies and I am beyond excited to head back with a few FORTS and try out a few more dishes. Go hog wild! Give this place a try! Whether vegan or hipster, you will NOT be disappointed.
The atmosphere inside Cure was warm and welcoming. The natural wood motif was reminiscent of barbecue chips which I thought was incredibly appropriate. The open kitchen in the back of the room made sure that the sweet scent of mesquite smoke was never far away.
It was pretty much a four-way tie between small plates to start off the evening and while I'm still kicking myself for not giving the Butternut Squash Soup with goat merguez, goat cheese, crispy shallots and cilantro a try, PID was dying to taste the Salumi plate -- and so we did.
 |
| Salumi, $12 |
I tend to gravitate more toward carefully crafted dishes that show finesse and artistry than a "meat plate," but this was PID's night so I wanted to make him happy by ordering. To my pleasant surprise each of these meats was surprisingly detectible. Specifically the incredibly flavorful mortadella (5:00 on the meat-plate clock) which paired astoundingly well with the pickled onions and herb-infused, Mediterranean butter. Sadly, my least favorite item was the one I was most excited for was the Pate Campagnola -- which is essentially a pâté made from pork shoulder and liver (dead center). It was a bit too reminiscent of turkey for me. The prosciutto, though? Amen! And when was the last time you had a gherkin? 20-1 you say "never."
We moved on from the Salumi to our main courses, PID with the Beef Cheeks and I with the Choucroute.
 |
| Beef Cheeks, $25 |
Never have I been more envious of PID's cheeks. One bite and I was completely sold on Cure. Though PID noted that some of the larger pieces were slightly tougher than the shreds, we found that the meat was as close to perfection as we'd tasted in the 'burgh in a long time. The apple cider cut through to the core of the beef shreds making each bite juicy and bursting with sweet, smokey barbecue flavor. Even the mushrooms and Gnocci melted in your mouth and we savored every bite. I caught PID sopping up his plate with a slice of my pork shoulder when his was all gone.
 |
| Choucroute, $22 |
I went with the Choucroute because it was a fun word to say out loud...and also it promised three types of pork for me to sink my teeth in to: pork shoulder, pork belly and Boudin Blanc -- a white, bloodless smoked pork sausage. This dish -- a traditional French peasant dish perfect for cold winter nights like this one -- put the "fire" in spitfire. The pork belly was crispy beyond believe which locked the flavor right into the meat and added a texture that a barbecue fanatic drools in his dreams over. The shoulder fell apart beautifully and had a rich, smokey aroma that was reciprocated in the skin. Though I was least excited over the Boudin Blanc -- which just proves I'm part Vampire -- it still tasted delicious with the juicy bitterness of the cabbage and the bite of the mustard sauce.
For dessert we had two choices... and couldn't choose at all. I learned something new about PID that night, and that is that he apparently enjoys plates of meat and cheese (OK, so maybe that isn't' remotely surprising at all...). He was dying to try the cheese plate (for one -- you can order for two if you'd like) while I was aching for the apple pie. Our solution? We tried both.
 |
| Cheese Plate, $6 |
 |
| Apple Pie tart, $6 |
PID was beyond pleased with his cheese plate which was composed of Pennsylvania cheese and rounded out the evening quite nicely. As usual, I thought the blue cheese (native to Lancaster, PA -- near my home turf!) tasted slightly reminiscent to feet, but I've never really been a fan and that's my own, personal, non-cheese loving opinion. The prunes and honey helped cleanse my palate for my pie and the toasted almonds were a shockingly great pair to the creamy cheeses.
But as I mentioned before, it's really tough for me to "review" a plate of cheese -- no matter how much thought goes into the pairings. I was more interested in the apple pie! What a great end to my evening. The pie-tart was just big enough for me to enjoy while allowing a bite or two for PID and contained a kick of the cinnamon and sugar that was cooled down by the creamy creme fraiche and glued to the buttery, flaky crust with a sticky, salty caramel sauce to die for.
Restaurant Information:
Address: 5336 Butler St, Lawrenceville
Phone: 412-252-2595
Reservations: Taken and suggested on Friday and Saturday evenings
Hours:Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to "close" (approximately 10 p.m.)
Cliffs Notes:
Starter: Salumi @ $12
Entrees: Choucroute @ $22
Beef Cheeks @ $25
Dessert: Apple pie @ $6
Farmstead Cheese Plate @ $6
Tax: Food AND drink tax @ 7% (Allegheny County only) @ $4.97
Tip: $16.00
Total for two: $94.99
Total for two: $94.99
Overall Opinion:
The decor was homey, the staff was friendly, knowledgeable and eager to please, and the food -- in case you couldn't tell -- was out of this world. Who'da thunk that I'd be so in to a place that spotlights pork as the star of the show? Not me. But Cure has quickly climbed my list of my favorite dining experiences in the 'burgh. You may be asking "how the heck did you still spend nearly $100 at a BYOB joint? Well if you're looking to be more frugal, leave off a dessert and try a different starter -- we chose the most expensive one. The website claims that they serve "urban Mediterranean," but I found it to be extremely barbecue-esque and noticed a number of French references. Mostly they tout locally sourced delicacies and I am beyond excited to head back with a few FORTS and try out a few more dishes. Go hog wild! Give this place a try! Whether vegan or hipster, you will NOT be disappointed.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Mango-ing Green
Oh, hello Regent Square. It was such a pleasure to meet you on Friday!
Yes, that's right. I just had my first dinner in Regent Square since moving to Pittsburgh more than eight years ago. Judge me all you want. I'm right there beside you.
(And I call myself a food blogger....)
Well, Pittsburgh...I am proud to say that I have finally expanded my culinary circumference while ALSO eating a dish I have never eaten before!
PID, a few familiar FORTs and I ventured to the area on a Friday evening in hopes of heading to check out the relatively new Alma for dinner. A risk and a failure. Alma does not take reservations for parties under eight and a two hour wait greeted us in the unbearable moist heat of the evening. While we were slightly bummed to miss out on what we were all so excited to experience, we were far from discouraged. (Alma, we'll be back to check you out shortly...) We walked a few blocks down South Braddock Ave. (Note: don't walk this. Just don't do it. It's too darn far and it was too darn hot.) and tried our luck at a few more (also relatively new) places to no avail. Until a neon noodle beckoned to us.
The Green Mango is a hole in the wall amongst golden palaces. With restaurants quickly becoming the talk of the town popping up left and right, it blends in to it's brick facade save the glowing bowl of steamy Pad Thai in it's window. It was the only place that could seat all six of us immediately, so we jumped on the offer. Admittedly, I originally didn't approve. Though I've yet to meet a food I dislike, I've never found myself particularly fond of Thai cuisine. Until now.
Amongst us, we ordered three appetizers of beef rolls, spring rolls and Somosa for the table
and two "Drunken Noodles," a classic Pad Thai, Spicy Green Curry, Sukiyaki Soup and Spicy Pineapple Curry with beef for our entrees.
I went in with one opinion of Thai food and one alone....and that opinion culminates on a porcelain throne later the evening. But tonight I experienced Thai done right. Sure, there were a few watery eyes and cleared nasal passages - but that's just the nature of the beast. Each and every one of us couldn't wait to tell the other how they chose the best item on the menu. I will say, that although I entered the skeptic, I walked out standing behind my Sukiyaki Soup as the best of the evening. It's not often I think of soup as a meal, but it certainly was. With all of the glass noodles, perfectly translucent, mixing with the crunch of the green onion and the taste of the chicken and shrimp, I could barely even finish it all. Not to mention the mirin and soy flavors accumulated by the tofu, I didn't want to leave a single bite behind. My first attempt at Sukiyaki was a success!
Restaurant Info:
The Green Mango
Open for lunch and dinner 7 days/week
Regent Square
1109 S. Braddock Avenue
Regent Square, PA 15218
Tel. 412-244-3310
Penn Center East
3462 Wm. Penn Hwy
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Tel. 412-824-9500
The Waterfront Mall
142 West Bridge Street
Homestead, PA 15207
Tel. 412-476-9100
Reservations: We walked right in on a Friday night when everything else had a line out the door. But maybe give a call ahead just to make sure.
Price: $$
Cliffs Notes/Overall Opinion
After being granted a small taste of everyone's dish, I knew that my an-Thai shell had been cracked. For only $9.50 (well, plus about $1 worth of Spring rolls that I snuck) I had a wild-with-flavor dinner with my wild-with-flavor friends. And the kicker? Because The Green Mango is BYOB, not one of us spent over $20 on ourselves for the entire, delicious dinner out. WINNING.
Here's our lesson(s) of the day: Don't automatically walk on by a "hole in the wall" on a mission to eat at the neighborhood's newest and most exciting hot spot. AND don't disregard cuisines altogether just because you once had a mediocre experience. You never know what you might find!
Yes, that's right. I just had my first dinner in Regent Square since moving to Pittsburgh more than eight years ago. Judge me all you want. I'm right there beside you.
(And I call myself a food blogger....)
Well, Pittsburgh...I am proud to say that I have finally expanded my culinary circumference while ALSO eating a dish I have never eaten before!
PID, a few familiar FORTs and I ventured to the area on a Friday evening in hopes of heading to check out the relatively new Alma for dinner. A risk and a failure. Alma does not take reservations for parties under eight and a two hour wait greeted us in the unbearable moist heat of the evening. While we were slightly bummed to miss out on what we were all so excited to experience, we were far from discouraged. (Alma, we'll be back to check you out shortly...) We walked a few blocks down South Braddock Ave. (Note: don't walk this. Just don't do it. It's too darn far and it was too darn hot.) and tried our luck at a few more (also relatively new) places to no avail. Until a neon noodle beckoned to us.
The Green Mango is a hole in the wall amongst golden palaces. With restaurants quickly becoming the talk of the town popping up left and right, it blends in to it's brick facade save the glowing bowl of steamy Pad Thai in it's window. It was the only place that could seat all six of us immediately, so we jumped on the offer. Admittedly, I originally didn't approve. Though I've yet to meet a food I dislike, I've never found myself particularly fond of Thai cuisine. Until now.
Amongst us, we ordered three appetizers of beef rolls, spring rolls and Somosa for the table
 |
| Spring Rolls with homemade duck sauce |
 |
| Samosa: Lightly fried pastry stuffed with potatoes, onions, tofu and Thai spices |
and two "Drunken Noodles," a classic Pad Thai, Spicy Green Curry, Sukiyaki Soup and Spicy Pineapple Curry with beef for our entrees.
 |
| Classic Pad Thai |
 |
| One of the Drunken Noodle dinners (with shrimp) |
 |
| Spicy Green Curry (with beef) |
 |
| Sukiyaki Soup |
 |
| Spicy Pineapple Curry (with beef) |
Restaurant Info:
The Green Mango
Open for lunch and dinner 7 days/week
Regent Square
1109 S. Braddock Avenue
Regent Square, PA 15218
Tel. 412-244-3310
Penn Center East
3462 Wm. Penn Hwy
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Tel. 412-824-9500
The Waterfront Mall
142 West Bridge Street
Homestead, PA 15207
Tel. 412-476-9100
Reservations: We walked right in on a Friday night when everything else had a line out the door. But maybe give a call ahead just to make sure.
Price: $$
Cliffs Notes/Overall Opinion
After being granted a small taste of everyone's dish, I knew that my an-Thai shell had been cracked. For only $9.50 (well, plus about $1 worth of Spring rolls that I snuck) I had a wild-with-flavor dinner with my wild-with-flavor friends. And the kicker? Because The Green Mango is BYOB, not one of us spent over $20 on ourselves for the entire, delicious dinner out. WINNING.
Here's our lesson(s) of the day: Don't automatically walk on by a "hole in the wall" on a mission to eat at the neighborhood's newest and most exciting hot spot. AND don't disregard cuisines altogether just because you once had a mediocre experience. You never know what you might find!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Blog du Jour
One of the things I love about this city -- and my beautiful friends who occupy it -- is the abundance of opportunity to find hole-in-the-wall delights like the one I experienced this weekend.
One of the most appealing things about my group of friends is the fact that they're always on the hunt for new and exciting places that are far from the hustle and bustle of the typical chain establishment. "BYOB" is often the word (or acronym) of the day when it comes to choosing a destination to visit as a group. This is due to the fact that my friends are a lot like me in that they have a deep appreciation for wine. This appreciation, while celebrated, has a tendency to significantly increase the total our already outrageous tab. When we have the opportunity to bring our own wine, we tend to order based on ingredients and hunger level rather than price.
This weekend, one of my "friends of the round table" was celebrating her CENSORED birthday. At the suggestion of yet another f.o.r.t. the birthday girl chose Cafe du Jour on Pittsburgh's historic South Side. The restaurant is elusive in it's own right. It has no website so I was forced to look up reviews beforehand. Yelp revealed a heavy-up on 5 star experiences with a few scattered 3's and 4's which had me excited. But there is one woman I trust above all others, and she is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's China Millman. To my dismay, her review was less than excellent, but it did give me an idea of what to expect.
I, thinking I was going to be late, was the first to arrive. The restaurant is not easily identifiable in and amongst the boutiques and bars of Carson Street (like I said, elusive). I examined the space as I waited for my party (who I later found out were late only thanks to the impossible parking situation on the South Side. If you read my review of DISH you know that parking is a bear any night of the week in the South Side. I fully advise taking the bus if at all possible if you're headed there).
A sign on the door read "Reservations only, please" which I found initially shocking. A Carson Street establishment was turning walk-ins away? This place must be elite! I immediately realized why this was the case, however. Another Pittsburgh staple, the dining room was narrow. But the difference with Cafe du Jour was that half of this dining room was taken up by the kitchen and did not extend very far back. This left room for only four or five tables inside. I sat and waited at the table reserved for us in an unbearable sweltering heat when, luckily, the manager on site (maybe he was the owner?) noticed me waiting (and possibly schvitzing like a shmendrek) and asked if I wanted to move our party outside. Seeing as it was a beautifully sunny Saturday, the gorgeous patio was a welcomed adjustment.
When the rest of my f.o.r.t.s arrived, the candles were lit and the mood was set. And it was time for the wine.
We had (not surprisingly) each brought our own bottle. This may sound a bit excessive, but we like to do things lavishly. Sadly, one bottle lost it's life on 11th Street as it slipped through eager, hungry fingers and shattered on the sidewalk. Its a good thing my f.o.r.t.s came prepared with more than enough to supply replacement.
My choice poison that evening was a Cab Sav purchased from my local state store. I have to be honest about two things right now: 1.) I chose the wine based solely upon it's label. It had a funny name and a twisted tree on the front which I found oddly beautiful. 2.) I can not, for the life of me, remember what the name of that wine was. I searched the internet but "Cabernet Sauvignons that start with F and have a tree on the label" does not yield many accurate Google or Bing responses. I will do some homework and update you later!
We each passed a glass around trying each others' wine until it was time for the appetizer.
Though the baked brie and shrimp crepes both caught my eye, we -- as a table -- opted for a double order of the Spinach &Asiago Dip which was served with cherry tomatoes and basil and a warm French baguette. The dip came straight out of the oven and was still bubbling when it was brought to the table.
One word: ADDICTING! We ended up spooning it directly in to our greedy little mouths as we waited for the extra baguettes we were forced to order thanks to the heaping servings.
And then it was on to the entree.
If you're considering Cafe du Jour you should note that not only is it BYOB, but it's also a cash only establishment. Luckily there was an ATM across the street, so I withdrew $30 for the evening. Most entrees are between $17 and $25 so with bringing my own wine and splitting the appetizer (all were portioned perfectly for sharing), so I hoped to be in fine shape with $30. However, when our waitress rattled off the daily specials, one dish piqued my interest. Not listed on the menu was a featured small plate of asparagus with a creamy lemon caper mousse wrapped in alfalfa sprouts and lightly smoked salmon. This was by no means an entree, but I'd already had my appetizer and it sounded far too delicious to pass up. So I forwent my original choice of the Pan Seared Scallops (at $21) and opted for the asparagus and what sounded like an equally delicious salad in order to remain in budget. I worried this would turn in to a sacrificial decision, but as it turned out I was pleasantly mistaken.
One of my favorite combinations happens to be goat cheese, beets, spinach, vinaigrette and really, any kind of nut (PID not included). So when I saw their beet salad, I hoped it would satisfy me to the point that I forgot about my scallop option. Both it and the absolutely outstanding and creative asparagus did just that. The salad was a bit lacking in terms of ingredients. I wanted more beets, more cheese, more nuts and more spinach. But I'd already had enough carbs and starch in me from the earlier consumed French baguette. However, I've never been so pleased with a dish as I was with the asparagus. I considered myself very lucky to have come on the day they were testing it! If it's not on the menu when you get there, PLEASE request this dish. We need to make it a permanent CdJ fixture! I've attempted to recreate it since, and while I consider myself a decent cook, I couldn't come close. The salmon was extremely fresh, the lemon caper mousse was light and fluffy and there were just enough sprouts to add texture and not take away from the taste (which was outstanding).
The birthday girl opted for the scallops which she so generously let me sample and I must say, I'd recommend them any day of the week. Perfectly seared with the right amount of infused herbs, it melted in my mouth as a scallop truly should. And the couscous pilaf timbale that accompanied the scallops? Se magnifique!
Though I was spent, my f.o.r.t.s moved on to dessert.
We were told the desserts change daily, much like an assortment of the appetizers, which fits appropriately in to the restaurant's name and theme. Last night's dessert du jour (yes, "dessert" in French is, boringly enough, still "dessert") was a flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry puree. I tried a mini mouthful and was in flourless heaven.
Cliffs Notes:
Drinks: Unknown Cabernet Sauvignon, BYOB @ $2 per stem (I originally paid $16.99)
Appetizer: 2 Spinach & Asiago Dips (grande version) @ $7, divided by 8 of us = $1.75
Entree: Salmon Asparagus special @ $9
Spinach & Beet Salad @ $7
Dessert: 2 Flourless Chocolate Cakes @ $4, divided by 8 of us = $1
Tax: 7% sales tax (Allegheny County only) (I'm guessing around $1 for each of us)
Tip: $5 (a little over 20% of my portion) for good service
MY TOTAL: $25.75 (I stayed within my budget!)
Overall Opinion?
Cafe du Jour is one of Pittsburgh's best kept secrets. As much as I truly respect her opinion and am well aware that she, and not I, is the expert, I have to strongly disagree with China's review. Our service was punctual, the atmosphere (once we moved outside) was elegant and the food was by far the best I've had in quite some time. It seems from the reviews I'd seen that the Trout is not the way to go, so I suggest steering clear of it as I did. But for a group of eight giddy, wine filled friends this experience was one for the books. I would say if you're going to make the trip, do it in the springtime so you can experience the patio and avoid the heat of the adjacent kitchen. I have already recommended this place and will continue to do so and I can't wait to take PID there to share my enjoyment. It was Cafe Du-licious!
*a special thank you goes to f.o.r.t. Derek Reighard for taking these great pics for me with his lovely camera as well as post-gazette.com for letting me steal two shots of the restaurant which were much better than the ones I took.
One of the most appealing things about my group of friends is the fact that they're always on the hunt for new and exciting places that are far from the hustle and bustle of the typical chain establishment. "BYOB" is often the word (or acronym) of the day when it comes to choosing a destination to visit as a group. This is due to the fact that my friends are a lot like me in that they have a deep appreciation for wine. This appreciation, while celebrated, has a tendency to significantly increase the total our already outrageous tab. When we have the opportunity to bring our own wine, we tend to order based on ingredients and hunger level rather than price.
This weekend, one of my "friends of the round table" was celebrating her CENSORED birthday. At the suggestion of yet another f.o.r.t. the birthday girl chose Cafe du Jour on Pittsburgh's historic South Side. The restaurant is elusive in it's own right. It has no website so I was forced to look up reviews beforehand. Yelp revealed a heavy-up on 5 star experiences with a few scattered 3's and 4's which had me excited. But there is one woman I trust above all others, and she is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's China Millman. To my dismay, her review was less than excellent, but it did give me an idea of what to expect.
I, thinking I was going to be late, was the first to arrive. The restaurant is not easily identifiable in and amongst the boutiques and bars of Carson Street (like I said, elusive). I examined the space as I waited for my party (who I later found out were late only thanks to the impossible parking situation on the South Side. If you read my review of DISH you know that parking is a bear any night of the week in the South Side. I fully advise taking the bus if at all possible if you're headed there).
A sign on the door read "Reservations only, please" which I found initially shocking. A Carson Street establishment was turning walk-ins away? This place must be elite! I immediately realized why this was the case, however. Another Pittsburgh staple, the dining room was narrow. But the difference with Cafe du Jour was that half of this dining room was taken up by the kitchen and did not extend very far back. This left room for only four or five tables inside. I sat and waited at the table reserved for us in an unbearable sweltering heat when, luckily, the manager on site (maybe he was the owner?) noticed me waiting (and possibly schvitzing like a shmendrek) and asked if I wanted to move our party outside. Seeing as it was a beautifully sunny Saturday, the gorgeous patio was a welcomed adjustment.
When the rest of my f.o.r.t.s arrived, the candles were lit and the mood was set. And it was time for the wine.
We had (not surprisingly) each brought our own bottle. This may sound a bit excessive, but we like to do things lavishly. Sadly, one bottle lost it's life on 11th Street as it slipped through eager, hungry fingers and shattered on the sidewalk. Its a good thing my f.o.r.t.s came prepared with more than enough to supply replacement.
My choice poison that evening was a Cab Sav purchased from my local state store. I have to be honest about two things right now: 1.) I chose the wine based solely upon it's label. It had a funny name and a twisted tree on the front which I found oddly beautiful. 2.) I can not, for the life of me, remember what the name of that wine was. I searched the internet but "Cabernet Sauvignons that start with F and have a tree on the label" does not yield many accurate Google or Bing responses. I will do some homework and update you later!
We each passed a glass around trying each others' wine until it was time for the appetizer.
Though the baked brie and shrimp crepes both caught my eye, we -- as a table -- opted for a double order of the Spinach &Asiago Dip which was served with cherry tomatoes and basil and a warm French baguette. The dip came straight out of the oven and was still bubbling when it was brought to the table.
One word: ADDICTING! We ended up spooning it directly in to our greedy little mouths as we waited for the extra baguettes we were forced to order thanks to the heaping servings.
And then it was on to the entree.
If you're considering Cafe du Jour you should note that not only is it BYOB, but it's also a cash only establishment. Luckily there was an ATM across the street, so I withdrew $30 for the evening. Most entrees are between $17 and $25 so with bringing my own wine and splitting the appetizer (all were portioned perfectly for sharing), so I hoped to be in fine shape with $30. However, when our waitress rattled off the daily specials, one dish piqued my interest. Not listed on the menu was a featured small plate of asparagus with a creamy lemon caper mousse wrapped in alfalfa sprouts and lightly smoked salmon. This was by no means an entree, but I'd already had my appetizer and it sounded far too delicious to pass up. So I forwent my original choice of the Pan Seared Scallops (at $21) and opted for the asparagus and what sounded like an equally delicious salad in order to remain in budget. I worried this would turn in to a sacrificial decision, but as it turned out I was pleasantly mistaken.
One of my favorite combinations happens to be goat cheese, beets, spinach, vinaigrette and really, any kind of nut (PID not included). So when I saw their beet salad, I hoped it would satisfy me to the point that I forgot about my scallop option. Both it and the absolutely outstanding and creative asparagus did just that. The salad was a bit lacking in terms of ingredients. I wanted more beets, more cheese, more nuts and more spinach. But I'd already had enough carbs and starch in me from the earlier consumed French baguette. However, I've never been so pleased with a dish as I was with the asparagus. I considered myself very lucky to have come on the day they were testing it! If it's not on the menu when you get there, PLEASE request this dish. We need to make it a permanent CdJ fixture! I've attempted to recreate it since, and while I consider myself a decent cook, I couldn't come close. The salmon was extremely fresh, the lemon caper mousse was light and fluffy and there were just enough sprouts to add texture and not take away from the taste (which was outstanding).
The birthday girl opted for the scallops which she so generously let me sample and I must say, I'd recommend them any day of the week. Perfectly seared with the right amount of infused herbs, it melted in my mouth as a scallop truly should. And the couscous pilaf timbale that accompanied the scallops? Se magnifique!
Though I was spent, my f.o.r.t.s moved on to dessert.
We were told the desserts change daily, much like an assortment of the appetizers, which fits appropriately in to the restaurant's name and theme. Last night's dessert du jour (yes, "dessert" in French is, boringly enough, still "dessert") was a flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry puree. I tried a mini mouthful and was in flourless heaven.
Cliffs Notes:
Drinks: Unknown Cabernet Sauvignon, BYOB @ $2 per stem (I originally paid $16.99)
Appetizer: 2 Spinach & Asiago Dips (grande version) @ $7, divided by 8 of us = $1.75
Entree: Salmon Asparagus special @ $9
Spinach & Beet Salad @ $7
Dessert: 2 Flourless Chocolate Cakes @ $4, divided by 8 of us = $1
Tax: 7% sales tax (Allegheny County only) (I'm guessing around $1 for each of us)
Tip: $5 (a little over 20% of my portion) for good service
MY TOTAL: $25.75 (I stayed within my budget!)
Overall Opinion?
Cafe du Jour is one of Pittsburgh's best kept secrets. As much as I truly respect her opinion and am well aware that she, and not I, is the expert, I have to strongly disagree with China's review. Our service was punctual, the atmosphere (once we moved outside) was elegant and the food was by far the best I've had in quite some time. It seems from the reviews I'd seen that the Trout is not the way to go, so I suggest steering clear of it as I did. But for a group of eight giddy, wine filled friends this experience was one for the books. I would say if you're going to make the trip, do it in the springtime so you can experience the patio and avoid the heat of the adjacent kitchen. I have already recommended this place and will continue to do so and I can't wait to take PID there to share my enjoyment. It was Cafe Du-licious!
*a special thank you goes to f.o.r.t. Derek Reighard for taking these great pics for me with his lovely camera as well as post-gazette.com for letting me steal two shots of the restaurant which were much better than the ones I took.
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