The Video
Dish Trip Pittsburgh, PA from Dish Trip on Vimeo.
The Map
The Stops & Stories
Pamela’s Diner
60 21st St, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.pamelasdiner.com We decided to meet up with my sister in law, Megan and my niece, Clare for our first stop in Pittsburgh. We left early in the morning and arrived hungry, so Pamela’s P&G Diner was a perfect first stop! Serving Breakfast to bleary-eyed Pittsburghers since 1980, Pamela’s prides itself in giving fresh ingredients an indulgent twist. Managers Michelle and Tizi met up with us and we shared house favorites like corned beef hash with eggs (served with nice ‘n’ thick buttered toast), southwestern omelets and their famous hot cakes. These hot cakes are AMAZING. Rolled like a crepe but with the buttery consistency of a pancake, they are packed with sweet, ripe strawberries and a sweet cream. Fun Fact: The first family are fans of Pamela’s diner! The Obamas brought in the Pamela’s crew to serve a Memorial day pancake breakfast at The White House back in 2009! [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625843100553&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“Apparently the president’s fave!!! Eating the Tex Mex Omlette!” (@ Pamela’s P&G Diner) [pic]: http://4sq.com/dUUhWd
Peace Love & Little Donuts
963 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.peaceloveandlittledonuts.com While saying good-bye to Pamela’s and my family, we caught the unexpected scent of freshly baked donuts tempting us from somewhere nearby. Danielle and I couldn’t resist investigating the source of the intoxicating aroma, which led us to Peace, Love and Little Donuts just around the corner. This wasn’t on our list of places to try but it was well worth the detour to indulge in house-made cake donuts like the maple-glazed with bacon sprinkles. Holy moley! Did you see what I just wrote? “Bacon sprinkles.” Thank goodness I wore my stretchy pants. [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625843258317&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“We literally followed our nose!!! As good as it smells from around the corner!” (@ Peace Love & Little Donuts) [pic]: http://4sq.com/fw69bs
Franktuary
325 Oliver Ave, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://franktuary.com Twitter: @franktuary Next we met up with owners Megan and Tim of Franktuary — the hot dog restaurant in the basement of a church — to partake in their heavenly dogs . Why a church basement you ask? They told us it was because the price was right for their rent and, hey, it doesn’t hurt to feed your tummy and your soul, right? Born as a gourmet hot dog emporium, Franktuary boasts the best New York style franks in Pennsylvania, creatively topped with gourmet, regional condiments. They pride themselves in their use of organic grass fed beef and local ingredients. I LOVED the Pittsburgh dog with perogies and colorful slaw so much, I even sent a love note to the chef… check out the video here. I crack up when I’m watching the video because sweet Tim is offering to make me another one before I even finish it… that’s how good it was! Fun Fact: Did you know that the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council has a rule that no one should use ketchup on a hot dog after the age of 18? Yup, it’s true. Google it. [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625843336345&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“100% certified organic hot dogs! The Pittsburgh w/Perogies & Slaw” (@ Franktuary w/ 3 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/gGtfZp
“@Franktuary you can feed your tummy and your soul” (@ Franktuary w/ 3 others) [pic]: http://4sq.com/dUxg0o
The Enrico Biscotti Company
2022 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.enricobiscotti.com Twitter: @enricobiscotti The Enrico Biscotti Company is one of America’s Top Ten Bakeries and is also Pittsburgh’s first urban winery! “Burgh Bits and Bites”food tour guide and local food expert Sylvia met up with us and introduced us to the folks responsible for the tasty wine and award winning macaroons. Of course I couldn’t keep my hands off the Jenga-stacked biscotti. I even played my own quick game… check out the video here. Also, I would like you to know that they have the BEST macaroons that you will EVER eat. Ever. Fun Facts: Over 10,00 pounds of biscotti are made on-site and by hand every day. Only natural ingredients are used in the production of Enrico Biscotti: butter, eggs, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, nuts and spices. [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625969345422&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“We’re in biscotti and macaroon HEAVEN!!!” (at The Enrico Biscotti Co.) [pic]: http://4sq.com/fmxtC4
“Who knew they make wine too?!” @enricobiscotti (@ The Enrico Biscotti Co.) [pic]: http://4sq.com/exgS8S
We gave our host Jordan a gift from our friends back home at Victory Brewing company, here’s the video of out gift presentation: Victory Yakima Glory presented to Enrico Biscotti (video)
Parma Sausage Products
1734 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.parmasausage.com With so many food finds in the Strip District, it was hard to stick to our itinerary. We had decided to skip the well known Primanti Brothers in favor of some other spots that people may not have heard about, like Parma Sausage. Sylvia, from “Burgh Bits and Bites” said it was a must try! Since 1954, they have been preparing fresh sausages, cooked sausages, and dry-cured sausages, Prosciutto, and Pancetta from family recipes that have been passed on from one generation to the next! They filled us up with 21-month-old prscuitto that was the best we’ve tasted and warmed us up with homemade wine and sips of grappa. Thank goodness we were walking! [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625844470751&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“Impromptu stop for some Italian meats and they sent us on our way w/ Grappa to keep us warm!” (@ Parma Sausage) [pic]: http://4sq.com/idp9J2
“Sausage. Beautiful sausage! 21 year old prosciutto” (@ Parma Sausage) [pic]: http://4sq.com/fU188G
“I don’t speak Italian, but I drink it!” (@ Parma Sausage) [pic]: http://4sq.com/gZHIV9
Pennsylvania Macaroni Co
2010-12 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.pennmac.com Twitter: @pennmac We met up with local food blogger, Lauren of Burghilicious and she picked Pennsylvania Macaroni Company as one of her favorite spots in “the strip”. They are known as one of the premiere specialty food operations in the country, stocking over 5,000 specialty products and sell over 200,000 pounds of cheese each week!! Their cheese expert (nicknamed “dear heart”, ’cause she calls everyone that) helped us taste our way through the many variety of cheeses that they offer. [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625844581943&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“Thx @burghalicious for fun times @pennmac”
Philly Food Gift Victory Yakima Glory presented to @burghilicious (video)
Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
107 6th St, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pitbr-renaissance-pittsburgh-hotel This gorgeous property boasts one of the sexiest yet classiest hotel lobbies I’ve ever seen! Melanie and her team joined us for a whiskey toast in their Braddock’s Streetside Bar and we checked in to our stylish guest rooms to get a glimpse of the incredible river views before heading back out to conquer more of the Pittsbugh food scene.
“Quick pit stop at the hotel check out the view from my room!!!” ^DF (@ Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel) [pic]: http://4sq.com/fj6bs0
Salt of the Earth
5523 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.saltpgh.com Twitter: @saltpgh Salt of the Earth is a collaboration between a chef and two architects. Danielle and I couldn’t help but have a crush on the lineup of culinary talent as we watched them wield knives with their ink-covered arms in the open kitchen. I asked chef Kevin Sousa if it was a requirement to have awesome sleeve tattoos to work there. He said “no, we all did that on our own and just ended up all working here.” Yup, that’s badass. But don’t let the ink trick you, these guys were gracious hosts and have amazing talent… blush. This simple yet beautiful space serves unexpected, nontraditional fare and a selection of four beers on draft, one of which was our favorite Victory Brewing Company’s Prima Pils. The pairing of the sashimi and Victory’s Prima Pils was pure chemistry. Salt of the Earth is a truly special dining experience not to be missed. Fun Facts: Seating is communal, and rather than printed menus, they chalk up the day’s offerings on a giant slate wall! [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625971005014&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“@saltPGH Pittsburgh’s hottest new restaurant. Can’t wait!” (@ Salt of the Earth) [pic]: http://4sq.com/gE4I1D
“Front row seat to the kitchen @saltpgh“ http://plixi.com/p/74577437
“@saltpgh Sashimi w/ @victorybeer Prima Pils… that’s a perfect pair!” http://plixi.com/p/74580547
Philly Food Gift Victory Yakima Glory presented to Robert from Salt of the Earth (video)
Braddock’s American Brasserie
107 6th St, Pittsburgh PA Website: http://www.braddocksrestaurant.com Twitter: @BraddocksRenPgh We had planned to go to a local favorite for food and nightlife called Fat Head’s, known for their huge sandwiches and killer beer selection. However, after an exhausting day we were ready for something more cozy and low key, and the Braddock’s American Brasserie was just what the doctor ordered. The steel city is known for it’s Polish influence because of the Polish immigrants in the late 1800’s who found work in the steel industry. So, do you think we’d leave town without trying Kielbasa and more perogies? Heck no! Comfortably settled in at Braddock’s, the whole DishTrip team ate up locally-made Kielbasa from The Strip District with a side of homemade kraut and a trio of mustards. Their decadent gourmet spin on the perogie was filled with sweet and savory short ribs, but it was rivaled by the sinfulness of the lobster gnocchi served with a parmesan cream sauce. Jay, the video guy was thrilled to wash it all down with locally-made Fat Gary Nut Brown Ale while the rest of us dove into some whiskey specialty drinks from the street side Braddock’s whiskey bar. We also gave our new friend Eric a gift from Philly… more Victory Beer of course! [miniflickr photoset_id=72157625971892326&sortby=date-posted-asc&per_page=50]
“We’re at our final stop for the day, The Braddock Bar & Restaurant below our final resting place.” http://4sq.com/galpiI
“Locally smoked Strip District Kielbasa w/home made sauerkraut.” http://plixi.com/p/74604088
“Lobster Gnocchi @ Braddock Restaurant” http://plixi.com/p/74604396
“Fat Gary Brown from East End Brewing. Jay says YAY!” http://plixi.com/p/74605011
Philly Food Gift Victory Yakima Glory presented to Eric from the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel (video)
Conclusion…
And that, my friends was our trip to Pittsburgh. Yes, we KNOW we didn’t go to Primanti Brothers… before you judge us, just consider that we had such a short time frame and so many options to choose from. We figured everyone that has a tv already knows about their trademark slaw and fries sandwich, so we opted to explore some other hidden gems of the city instead. We hope you approve. Cheers! Mary and the DishTrip Team Be sure to follow our future adventures on Foursquare, Twitter, and Facebook for more travel adventure.
