When it comes to eating Korean in Pittsburgh, we can't get enough and are always on the lookout for new restaurants to try.
So when we discovered Seoul Korean BBQ just off the main business district of Carnegie, we knew we had to get in right away to try their acclaimed bibimbap, beef bulgogi, and classic Korean appetizers.
Although the service was a bit slow, this popular restaurant delivered an incredibly flavorful meal we'd return again and again to enjoy.
There is no shortage of great haunted houses in Pittsburgh.
But, in a way, many haunts follow a fairly standard blueprint. That is to say, you enter a themed area, walk through a linear path, and get scared at each and every turn.
For those who are looking for something just a bit different (or simply a solid haunt south of the city), Castle Blood, located in a 100-year-old funeral home in Monessen, entertains by being as much of a game as it is a place to be scared silly. To put it bluntly, you'll have to keep your wits about you to survive this one!
Anthos Bakery in Castle Shannon is a delightful family-owned Greek bakery and cafe. In addition to their amazing sweet and savory breads and pastries, they offer a full breakfast and lunch menu brimming with Greek and Mediterranean goodies. The delicious food is served in an adorable cafe setting that's cheerful and welcoming.
The instant we walked into Anthos Bakery we were smitten – the pastry case beckoned us with its beautiful creations, olive oils, and other pantry items for sale called our names, and the cheerful Mediterranean design with blue and white tiles invited us to sit down and stay a while.
One of our favorite travel memories was hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. Along the way, we were able to sample many rather delicious Nepali dishes to help keep us going on the brutal hike.
So when we found out that Pittsburgh has a Nepali community in the South Hills with several restaurants and stores, we had to go get our fix of the momos and other staples we enjoyed in our travels.
At the aptly named Everest Kitchen in Brentwood, we found all of these plus a modest offering of Bhutanese dishes as well. But for our first visit, we had to try out the Nepali side of the menu!
Sometimes when we want barbecue, we do not need all the bells and whistles and simply want perfectly cooked meats at reasonable prices.
When this craving hits south of Pittsburgh, you may want to be on the lookout for Hog Fathers BBQ. With several locations in the area this one can certainly help satisfy your needs quickly!
Every major city in the country has a local chocolate shop of critical acclaim, and in the Pittsburgh metro, that shop is none other than Canonsburg-based Sarris Candies.
While we often pick up Sarris Candies' chocolates at shops all over the city as they're stocked just about everywhere, it is hard to pass up making a trip to their store in Canonsburg. Not only does this one have an incredible amount of chocolate, they also have candy, ice cream, and a pretty stellar ambiance as well!
So if you are planning on making the drive south to Canonsburg, we wanted to share a bit about what you can expect in this one.
We were fortunate enough to see not one, but two shows at Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead in the span of roughly one week, and by sheer chance, we bought tickets for the same exact seats for both (I bought tickets for one, Angie for the other).
This ended up being a pleasant surprise because we quickly learned two things- the balcony seats at Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead are wonderful, and this smaller theater is a true gem for seeing live music!
So in this one, we thought we'd share a bit more about what you can expect from a performance.
Periodically we'll lament about what Pittsburgh needs, and when it comes to the city's dining scene, the answer is always the same- fewer gastropubs and more international restaurants.
Not just any international restaurants (although we'd certainly take whatever came out), but restaurants with cuisine from countries that are woefully underrepresented in the region. One such country whose cuisine was lacking in the city was Afghanistan, but we're now happy to report that Carnegie is home to a wonderful spot right on Main Street- Afghan Kabab House.
While you may find the flavors of the kababs to be in line with other delicious Middle Eastern fare you've had in the city, you'll do well to throw on several of the Afghan appetizers as these are true gems that are unlike just about anything we've had to date.
It really is hard to beat any view you can get of the Pittsburgh skyline. We've found views of our gorgeous city from just about every angle you can think of from on the hills, along the river trails, on the water, and more.
But there is one view that is hard to get without some extra assistance, and that is seeing the skyline from the air. When we fly in and out of Pittsburgh International Airport, we always hope for a quick flyby of the city to capture some photos, but the quality of which is often hit-or-miss from our cell phones (and of course, a flyby is never guaranteed, either).
Thankfully, in 2021 a new tour company opened offering customized helicopter flights over Pittsburgh- Vortex Helicopter Services operating out of Finleyville Airport. If you are looking to capture a unique vantage point over the city, this tour is a must.
Note: I was invited to fly as a guest of Vortex Helicopter Services as part of a 30-minute media tour over the city. As always, all opinions are my own.
With the liquor laws easing in Pennyslvania, many brewers, distillers, and alcohol aficionados have been looking at getting into the business of helping appease a thirsty population.
In Carnegie, Quantum Spirits has been improving the libations game one spirit and cocktail at a time.
While this one is still young by distillery standards, with each passing year they are getting better and better with their spirits, bar program, and now even a full kitchen with a stellar food menu as well!