I'm a sucker for a good breakfast spot, so when we heard about Waffles, INCaffeinated we knew we had to check it out. With several locations around the city, this is a casual, brightly colored joint with lots more on the menu besides waffles if they aren't your thing- but the waffles are definitely the main attraction.
Angie
Schenley Park – A Green Oasis in the Center of Pittsburgh
It's almost hard to believe that right in the heart of the city is a beautiful 456-acre wooded area with trails and an abundance of activities and facilities. And yet, Schenley Park sits here, tucked in the midst of the bustling university community of Oakland.
From hiking, to ice skating, to watching movies on Flagstaff Hill, there's something for everyone and for every season.
Penn Avenue Fish Co. Review – Delicious Seafood in the Strip
Penn Avenue Fish Company is my idea of a perfect brunch spot in the Strip District. We love to skip right past the mile-long lines outside of restaurants like Pamela's and head straight here for a relaxing weekend brunch. (Don't get us wrong, there is a time and a place for Pamela's, but sometimes you're just too hungry to wait in line!)
Not only is Penn Ave Fish Co. a beautiful fish market with very trained and knowledgeable staff, it's got a surprisingly delicious casual seafood menu, too.
Casbah Pittsburgh Review – Upscale Dining in Shadyside
Casbah is one of the more upscale restaurants of the Big Burrito group, billing itself as a Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar. Our overall impression from several visits is that the food is perfectly fine- if you're into straightforward meat, veggie, and starch dishes you'll fit right in here.
If you're looking for dishes that are a little more outside the box and have nontraditional flavor profiles, you might have a bit more trouble finding something here that tickles your fancy.
Pizzaiolo Primo Review – Authentic Italian Experience Downtown
I remember when Market Square consisted of not much more than Chipotle, Starbucks, and PPG Place. Luckily things have dramatically changed for the better with the gradual addition of great restaurants.
On a recent visit we decided to visit Pizzaiolo Primo to check out their Neapolitan style pizzas made with an authentic wood-fired oven, as well as their incredible pastas that ended up being the biggest surprise of the night.
Soba Review – Modern Asian Fusion in Shadyside
If you feel like modern Asian fusion cuisine is overdone and usually mediocre, you should head to Soba in Shadyside for a change of perspective.
With unpretentious but solid service, sleek and stylish decor, and inventive dishes that combine traditional Asian flavors with unexpected but delicious modern touches, Soba is an excellent choice if you're looking for a place to spend a special night out.
6 Awesome Pittsburgh Dog Parks to Take Your Furry Friend
On our last international trip, we came home with a new addition to our family: our dog Tamale!
As we don't have a backyard, we are extremely grateful for the many green spaces, parks, hiking trails, and dog parks in and close to the city. As a part of our newest series, Dogsburgh, featuring all of the dog friendly places in Pittsburgh, we turn our attention to a popular spot for dog lovers and their four-legged friends: dog parks.
Our quest to find the best dog parks in the city is currently underway, and a selection of our favorites are featured below. As we explore more of the city and find unique parks to add, you can be certain this list will be updated!
The Porch Pittsburgh Review – A Delicious Brunch in Oakland
In a neighborhood full of colleges and universities, you might not expect to find much more in the way of dining besides fast food and coffee shops.
However, there are several bright spots in the Oakland neighborhood serving up delicious, thoughtful cuisine- one being The Porch located in the beautiful Schenley Plaza in the heart of the neighborhood.
Ephesus Pizza Review – Turkish Food and Pizza in Pittsburgh
Note: Some of the Turkish pizzas and specialties mentioned below may no longer be offered at some Ephesus locations. At last check, the downtown Pittsburgh and Aspinwall location still offered some of the menu items discussed below but the Bellevue location did not.
When I first heard of Ephesus Pizza, I clung to the hope that they would actually serve some Turkish food and that the name wasn't just a pizza restaurant trying to sound exotic.
Specifically, I was hoping the restaurant would serve Turkish pide (basically a Turkish pizza), one of our favorite dishes from our travels in Turkey.
As I checked out the menu online I couldn't have been happier. Not only did they have our beloved pide complete with sujuk, a dry-cured meat sort of like pepperoni, but they also had lahmacun (another type of meat-topped flatbread), kebaps, and other gyro-esque wraps.
We just had to visit, and it only took us a few days in between hearing about this place and actually getting there. Since that first visit, we've found many reasons to return time and time again.
Proper Brick Oven Review – Wood-Fired Pizza Downtown
When we heard that Proper Brick Oven had a wood-fired oven for making their pizzas, we knew we had to check the place out. You pretty much can't go wrong with a pie baked in one of those.
On our recent visit the pizza didn't disappoint, but nearly everything else was uninspiring at best- even the service.