Spodee is EVERYWHERE!

Calling all cocktail enthusiasts!

Two of Philly-based Quaker City Mercantile's (you've heard of Hendrick's Gin and Sailor Jerry, right?) boozey brands, Art in the Age and Spodee, will be representing in the Steel City this month. 

PRW Blogger Dinner at Alma

Allow me be sappy for a moment. As the Winter 2013 Pittsburgh Restaurant Week came to a close, I couldn't help but think to myself how lucky we are to live in this town. Since I relocated to Pittsburgh in 2002, I've watched this region blossom into something of a culinary heartland...and I couldn't be happier. There are so many non-chain, locally owned gems at every corner of the city that it's seemingly impossible to be left wanting, no matter your mood.

Meet me at Meat & Potatoes

When Mama TOP came to town last weekend, PID and I were dying to take her somewhere yummy. After my last post, I had Brussels on the brain, so we headed downtown in the middle of rush hour to check out Meat & Potatoes!

Whiskey Cocktail Challenge: The Irish Redhead

Not long ago we received an e-mail from our friends at Braddock's American Brasserie. Let me start off this post by telling you how much I love these guys. As a food blogger, it makes my job a heck of a lot easier when places like Braddock's not only boast a mouth watering menu, but also an enthusiastic and extremely active management team who make a point to keep me informed of all the news I need to know.

But I digress...

Proud to be an American (Brasserie)

Months ago, PID and I celebrated Light Up Night by dining at Braddock's American Brasserie.

Tonic

A few weeks ago, Mrs. P and I ventured to the Farm to Table conference. As if we didn't get enough to eat as we bounced from booth to booth, we decided to head across the street for lunch at Tonic Bar & Grill downtown.

The colorful walls were a modern contrast to the raw brick which gave the space warm, industrial feel. I'd eaten here a few years ago, but Mrs. P was a first timer.

The upstairs dining room/private party room

We decided to celebrate the occasion with a few midday cocktails. I began with a twist on a classic, Tonic's version of a Hurricane. Mrs. P opted for a Sunburn. Though together our drink names would have made an off-vacation, they certainly were a welcome addition to our day.

Sunburn: $8.50, Hurricane: $9.50

Their menu boasted a wide array of appealing options making both of our heads spin. But we bought more time by ordering the Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Hummus served with pita wedges and fresh cucumber.

Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Hummus $8

The Hummus was unique chalked full of hearty garlic and red pepper chunks making for a delicious spread which paired excellently with the cool cucumber slices. It was a deliciously healthy start to our meal!

After begging the waitress for more time to review the menu repeatedly, we finally landed on our entrees: Mrs. P with the Samurai Burger and I with the Chicken Pad Thai.

Mrs. P raved on and on about her burger and finished it more quickly than I'd seen her finish any meal before. The wasabi mustard and crispy wonton took a classic turkey burger to a whole new level.  The sweet potato fries were the perfect blend of crispy and creamy, adding a...well, sweet twist to her meal.

Samurai Buger & Sweet Potato Fries $15.50 total

I was slightly underwhelmed with my Pad Thai.  It was too sweet for my taste (I'm a spicy Pad Thai fan, myself) and wasn't bursting with flavor as I had hoped.

Pad Thai with Chicken $14

Next time I go I'll be sure to choose from one of the many other appealing options instead.  Mrs. P was blown away by their burgers, so maybe that's the direction in which I'll head!

Restaurant Information:

Tonic Bar & Grill

Address: 971 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Phone:  (412) 456-0460

Reservations: Gets busy at lunch and I'd recommend it.  An upstairs room is great for privately reserved parties.

Hours: Mon-Wed 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.

            Thurs-Sat 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. 

Cliffs Notes:

Hurricane @ $9.50

Sunburn @ $8.50

Diet Coke @ $2

Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper Hummus @ $8

Samurai Burger @ $13.50

    w/Sweet Potato Fries @ 2.00

Pad Thai @ $9

   w/Chicken @ $5

Tax:                        Food tax  @ 7% (Allegheny County only) @ $4.03

Tip:                           $13
Total for two:          $74.53

Overall Opinion:

I was neither impressed nor unimpressed.  I'll definitely never recommend the Pad Thai to anyone, but I wouldn't recommend that they avoid the restaurant altogether! The upstairs loft looked like an excellent venue for a small private party and their cocktail list was quite impressive, so Tonic may be the perfect place for your next happy hour or birthday party. Mrs. P couldn't get enough of her Samurai burger and would certainly encourage diners to give their burgers a try. 

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Verde Tasty

Ahh, springtime in Pittsburgh.  Typically beautiful, but virtually non-existant this year. We've completely skipped over spring and melted the snow with an unnatural summer heat.  It's baffling, but I can't say I'm actually complaining. Weather like this presents the perfect opportunity to take advantage of quite possibly my very favorite activity on the planet: dining al fresca!

I'd been jonesin' hard for some primo outdoor patio time when one of Pittsburgh's newest restaurants, @VerdePGH, popped on to my Twitter feed with an announcement that their patio was indeed open for business.  That settled it. The moment the clock struck 5 I packed up my things (a rare occurrence...) and swung by to pick up a very special F.O.R.T (who we'll call E1) to head deep into the heart of Garfield and fill our bellies at Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina.

Verde is hardly difficult to find.  The neon green walls of the building serve as just one of the many reasons for the restaurants name.

The fresh and inviting exterior gave way to a lively and colorful industrial setting inside.  But although the restaurant's open floor plan allowed for it to open up to the outdoors beautifully, we weren't headed inside.

A table was open for us on the patio and we sat right down. We were barely in our seats when we were greeted by our friendly server and a complimentary serving of chips with (of course) a verde tomatillo salsa. The salsa had just the right kick and tasted incredibly fresh and delicious and the chips were crisped and salted to perfection.

Chips & Salsa, $4 (complimentary first round)

With the weather as beautiful as it was, we found it extremely difficult to pass up the happy hour $5 margarita special. So we didn't.  E1 tried the Casa Verde or house 'rita ($5 during happy hour, $7 during regular business hours) while I couldn't ignore the passion fruit and pomegranate of the Baja Eden 'rita ($9) calling my name.  The drinks were refreshing and delicious. The alcohol was far from overwhelming so the flavor was the star of the show, which is just how I like it.

Casa Verde Margarita, $7 ($5 during 5-7 p.m. happy hour)

Baja Eden Margarita, $9

E1 and I were both smitten with our server and his abounding knowledge of Verde's ingredients and flavors. His descriptions of the day's specials and answers to our questions about how certain menu items were cooked really helped us to make an informed decision about our meals.

Their menu was still slightly seasonally geared to winter but, um... technically winter had only ended the day before, so I'm not really judging.  I mention this only because I was drawn toward the Pozola Verde (a traditional hominy-based stew, pork shoulder, tomatillo, jalapeño and pumpkin seed for $8) but our server mentioned it was a bit heartier and a warmer stew, whereas I was sitting outside in the summ...er...spring heat and wanted something fresh and light.  So I went instead with the Marlin Pescado Tacos ($15) while E1 gave the Pollo Tacos ($12) a go.

Pollo Tacos, $12

Pescado Tacos, $15

I'll let you in on a little secret: E1 and I both have a habit of talking a lot (though I'm sure reading my copy heavy food blog has NEVER given you that impression before...).  So imagine our surprise when our taco platters arrived and not a word was exchanged between us for a solid eight minutes as we devoured every last bite.

I'm starting to wonder if Pittsburgh may be becoming the Fish Taco capital of the world in a geographically surprising turn of events.  First I was blown away by California Taco Shop, and now Verde has certainly come up as a strong competitor. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients Verde's tacos made for a meal which could rival any costly, gourmet/fine dining dish. E1's poblano crema balanced the heat beautifully while my chipotle aioli married with the crunch of the slaw in a way that made me leave no crumb behind.

Restaurant Information:

Verde Mexican Kitchen & Cantina

Address: 5491 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 

Phone:  412-404-8487

Reservations: You can make a reservation directly from their website, over the phone or at OpenTable.com

Hours: Dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m. every day, but Brunch is on the docket later this spring...

Cliffs Notes:

Baja Eden Margarita @ $9

Casa Verde Margarita @ $5

Pescado Tacos @ $15

Rollo Tacos @ $12

Tax:                        Food tax  @ 7% (Allegheny County only) @ $2.87

Tip:                           $9
Total for two:          $52.87

Overall Opinion:
It's exciting to see innovative new eateries like Verde popping up in underdeveloped areas of the city offering local ingredients and a fresh take on preparing familiar foods. This experience was nothing short of what we were hoping to find: great tasting food and a unique dining atmosphere. I tip my hat to  native Pittsburgher Chef LBEE for bringing her Latin-American culinary experiences back with her to the 'burgh. What once was "Mexican" is now truly a refreshing twist on global cuisine in which I will be happy to partake again and again.  I look forward to the menu evolving to feature seasonal spring ingredients, especially. For the experience, for the ambiance, for the food, for the company -- do yourself a favor and go green. Give Verde a try.

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Capstoned

PID and I had no intentions of dining out this week. You see, we've recently reviewed our bank statements (specifically, our restaurant expenditures) over the past 30 days and...let's just say the figure was less than flattering.

But when an empty fridge prohibited us from cooking a suitable meal at home we decided to dig into our coupon vault and pick a dinner option.  Originally we chose the Olive Garden (we had a gift card), thinking it would be an in-and-out destination. CHA! Yeah right! we squeezed our way past what felt like a thousand people waiting and quickly turned down the hour and a half wait.

After a brief huddle, we decided on Capstone Grill on Rt. 19 in McMurray.  We called ahead to check on their wait situation. We were told it would be 40 minutes, but with their call-ahead seating service we would have priority over any walk-ins who come in after our call and we should be able to slide in relatively soon after arriving. So we made the 27 minute trek.

When I walked in the door, the smell of seared scallops engulfed me.  PID had eaten here only once before and raved about it for weeks, and this powerfully delectable scent was everything he described and more.  But alas, our table was "not quite ready," and so we had to wait. And wait. And wait. All in all, we waited for 78 minutes. Not quite what we were expecting (or told).  At 8:05 I looked at PID and said "if we're not the next name called, we're getting Taco Shop and calling it a night.  Lucky for us, we WERE up next.

With hints of both desperation and exasperation in our voices, PID and I ordered the appetizers we'd known we'd wanted for the past 54 minutes, Bruschetta and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms.

After one bite, I immediately regretted my angst-filled post to Foursquare complaining about the wait and decided...it was worth it.

Tomato Bruschetta with Basil Aioli, $5.25

The bruschetta was bursting with flavor.  The basil aioli was extremely refreshing and PID and I were shocked at the perfection of the toasted ciabatta.  It was not too overdone and not to underdone, so it didn't fall apart/mutilate the roofs of our mouths (folks, it's happened), but still had a slight crunch to it.  Belisimo!

Crab stuffed mushrooms, $8.50

The crab-stuffed mushrooms were excellent. The first thing I've noticed was that this was real, honest-to-God crab meat.  Sadly, I've experienced many a stuffed-mushroom which didn't use the real stuff and it just doesn't measure up.  Served hot and steamy, this appetizer really hit the spot. Which was dying to be hit...so, well played.

As we were waiting for these delicious appetizers, I began perusing the drink menu and -- although I had no real intentions of imbibing -- a certain martini caught my eye.  I've always been a sucker for an good apple-tini, but this one touted a caramel apple twist. Sold! The drink, which was composed of apple schnapps, butterscotch schnapps, three olives vodka and a hint of cinnamon, was delivered in a stemless martini glass, set in a bowl of ice water. How classy!

Caramel Apple Martini, $9.50

Unfortunately I think mine had a touch too much butterscotch schnapps. But it had the makings of an excellent cocktail!

After a moment or two, freshly baked bread and red pepper oil, a salad with raspberry balsamic vinaigrette and Capstone's famous (and rightfully so, I've discovered) Clam Chowder arrived at the table. And away we nommed.

New England Clam Chowder

We moved on quickly to our entrees (it was LATE, after all) and boy were we pleased.  I'd heard nothing but excellent things about the seafood, so I knew I wanted to try some fish.  What's great about Capstone is that you can pick from a list of many fish options and then from another extensive list of preparations.  This was beyond exciting to me...but overwhelming.  Our adorable and knowledgeable server Robin did an outstanding job of steering me in the right direction once I let her in on my fish of choice.  And so, I was served an order of Swordfish -- Thai Chilli BBQ style with a puff of wasabi.

Teriyaki Swordfish, $16

The dish was served with a side corn concoction with cilantro and tomatoes and was by far one of the best side dishes I've had in a while -- as I'm sure you can tell, since I don't normally talk about sides at all.  Cuz they're sides. And stuff.

Tomato cilantro roast corn 

But, as expected, the Swordfish was the star of the show here.  Seared to perfection, this fish was less of a flaky white fish and took on a texture more reminiscent of an excellent cut of steak. It was more meaty and substantial.  I definitely suggest it for folks who want to ease their way into eating fish.  The spiciness of the Thai chillies and saltiness of the soy married excellently with the bite of the wasabi when I mixed them all together on the plate like a 5-year old coloring project gone horribly wrong. This dish? Delish.

14 oz. Sirloin with Horseradish & Bleu Cheese, $21.95

PID had eaten the famed seafood at Capstone before, so the lingering growl in his tummy swayed him to order a giant hunk of cow to switch things up a bit.  He originally wanted the NY Strip, but sadly -- being that it was nearly 9 p.m. when we ordered -- they were fresh out.  Reluctantly he went for the Sirloin instead (14 oz. portion at that -- my darling growing boy...) but was pleasantly surprised.  Sure it was a bit fatty -- what sirloin isn't?  But it was just the right amount of fat to seal in that delicious juicy flavor. Even though the dish was served with a horseradish cream sauce, he forked over the $1.75 and topped his steak with crumbled bleu cheese -- what an incredible decision.  One of my favorite flavor combinations...ON THE PLANET.  He definitely enjoyed.


Restaurant Info:
The Capstone Grill
Address: 4050 Washington Rd, McMurray PA
Phone: (724) 941-1009
Reservations: Not taken, but you can call ahead for expedited seating (if you're lucky).  On weekends, get here at LEAST an hour before you plan on eating anything at all.
Price: $$$

Cliffs Notes:
2 Diet Pepsi's @ $2.49
Tomato Bruschetta @ $5.25
Crab-stuffed Mushrooms @ $8.50
Caramel Apple Martini @ 9.50
6 oz. Swordfish (which came with salad and roast corn) @ $16.00
14 oz. Sirloin (which came with Clam Chowder) @ $21.95
Add bleu cheese @ $1.75
Tax (6% in Washington County): $3.51
Living Social coupon @ -$40.00
Tip @  $15.00 (a good TOPper always tips on the full amount)
Total for 2: $46.44

Overall Opinion:
Despite the fact that we waited...and waited.......and WAITED after being told it would be 30-40 minutes, we really enjoyed our overall experience here.  The food definitely wound up being worth the wait. They really live up to the hype when it comes to serving some of the most outstanding seafood in Pittsburgh.  If you like seafood but haven't yet made the trek to Capstone, what are you waiting for? This place will knock you right off your sea legs.  A sign at the entrance of the restaurant defines Capstone as a "high point or culmination of a series of smaller achievements." This evening's meal was definitely a high point for us when it comes to being served outstanding food. Touche, CG -- and we must agree.

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week at Alma

A busy week proved villain extraordinaire when it came to participating as much as we would have liked in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week (nooooo!), but we did manage to make our way out to Alma in Regent Square before the week came to a close.

We met a few F.O.R.T.s for a night out on the town and were excited to try some new food and delicious cocktails. I really enjoyed the warm, intimate atmosphere at Alma. The walls and decor were very colorful and made it feel a little larger than it was by clearly separating the two dining rooms and emphasizing that pan-Latin feel.

Thanks, Almapgh.com!

 Mrs. F.O.R.T and I each opted for a different  Pittsburgh Restaurant Week prix-fixe choice while the men of the table went rogue, ordering straight off the menu.

But first we started with a few cocktails.  The men tried beers from breweries throughout Pennsylvania while the ladies caved in to the temptation of the sangria, which was refreshing and delicious.  But their cocktail menu was extensive and intriguing and I was dying to give at least one of them a try.  I had a tough time deciding, but I went out on a limb with the Jalapeno Gimlet.

Jalepeno Gimlet

For gin lovers, this baby is a dream.  Made with Hendrick's gin, cucumbers and, yes, jalapenos this little treat had multi-dimensional flavor which journeyed from bitter to heat to cool in one fell sip.

The table ordered three cups of black bean chilli while I had the fresh arugula salad.  Unfortunately Mr. and Mrs. F.O.R.T. are vegetarians and we were all uninformed that the black bean chilli actually contained beef.  But PID thoroughly enjoyed the depth of flavor in his chilli which was served with shredded cheddar and crumbled feta.  I also really liked my simple salad as the sweet vinaigrette cut the bitterness of the arugula.

Black bean chilli

Arugula salad

We each ordered an appetizer as well: the Peruvian Conchitas a la parmesana (Parmesan crusted scallops on the half-shell) and Yuca fritas, a dish inspired by Dominican cuisine.

The scallops were disappointingly small and in my mind, the Parmesan was far too overpowering.  I like to taste scallop when I eat scallops. Weird?

Peruvian Conchitas a la Parmesana 

The yuca fritas (yuca is a root vegetable more popular in Latin cultures similar to a potato) were actually very good -- perfectly crispy and very delicious with a freshness you don't really find in a run-of-the-mill potato.  The sauces -- one seemed to have a chipotle/mayo base and the other a cilantro/jalapeno pesto-like taste -- complemented the fritas wonderfully.

Yuca Fritas

For our fixed-price meals, Mrs. F.O.R.T. and I were each entitled to a starter (our chilli and salad), entree and dessert. I chose the Grilled Pork and she went with the fish special, the Baramundi.

Her fish was perfectly cooked and flaky with a beautifully crispy skin.

Baramundi

My pork was ever-so-slightly overcooked and dry, but I really enjoyed the jalapeno and cilantro pesto (yep, again, but I was OK with that). It was also served with a white sweet potato puree which, for those who enjoy mashed sweet potatoes, would have been wonderful.  Unfortunately I am not one of those people because I am a salt fanatic and I find the flavor to be too sweet to accompany savory dishes like pork and jalapeno.  But they were creamy and had a delightful texture, so others may enjoy it much more.

Grilled Pork

PID and Mr. F.O.R.T had Cuban Shrimp in a housemade lime sauce and the "Torrejitas de frijolitos," or legume patties, respectively.

PID's shrimp were cooked to perfection and the lime sauce gave them a well-deserved kick, but he longed for something more than "shrimp and rice."  He said other than the perfection of the shrimp, he felt as though he could have made this dish at home.

Cuban Shrimp 

As for Mr. F.O.R.T., he was a big fan of his vegetarian patty and adored bitterness of the collard greens.

Torrejitas de Frijolitos

Finally we were graced with dessert.  Mrs. F.O.R.T. had the renowned Tres Leches cake and I the raspberry sorbet.

Her cake was moist and dreamy with complex flavors (like a lovely taste of strawberry) that left her pretty satisfied.

Tres Leches cake

My sorbet was extremely refreshing, with a sweet burst of berry.

Berry sorbet

In a surprising turn of events, PID decided to try the Horchata Martini, a Cinnamon vanilla made with vanilla rum and cream for his dessert. He sipped daintily and seemed to really dig it!

Horchata Martini

Restaurant Information

Alma Pan-Latin Kitchen

Address: 7600 Forbes Ave, Regent Square

Phone: 412-727-6320

Reservations: They do not take them, so show up 30-45 minutes before you're hungry!

Hours: 5-10 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday

            5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Cliffs Notes:

As you may have noticed, I typically don't list our bill price when we dine with friends as a courtesy.  Meals were moderately priced and their online menu lists each price.

 

Overall Opinion:

This was the third time we've attempted to eat at Alma, mostly due to the fact that they don't take reservations. We came prepared this visit, making sure to put our names in about 30 minutes before we actually wanted to eat. There is a small wine kitchen around the back which is a nice place to wait for an open table.  The wait wasn't along as it had been in the past this week which was perfect.  Our server was extremely friendly and punctual. There were high points and low points of our meal, but overall we enjoyed ourselves. Should we ever go back, PID and I will be sure to try something different to give it a better shot.