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TGI Friday’s, Bethel Park

February 24, 2013 By Leave a Comment
TGI Friday's, Bethel Park

TGI Friday's, Bethel Park

I’m not a huge fan of chain-restaurants, that being said, I do like TGI Friday’s… the food is always fresh, and most importantly, you always know what you’re going to get.

This Saturday a few of us went to grab a bite at the Friday’s in Bethel Park before seeing a movie. We arrived at 5:30 pm and the place was already packed. The hostesses were friendly and accommodating- they had our party seated within 5 minutes.

We started with few drinks- a Blue Moon (served with a fresh slice of orange) and a mojito. The beer was fine, but the mojito was made with far too much simple syrup.

I couldn’t decide between the Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Caesar, and the Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad. “You don’t want that (in regards to the Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad) our server said, it’s no good.” Um, OK.

I opted for the Balsamic-Glazed Chicken Caesar Salad, and asked for a side of anchovies. Our waiter looked at me like I was nuts- “We don’t have anchovies anywhere in the kitchen.” I ordered the salad anyway, and hoped for the best.

We also ordered Chicken Fingers, Friday’s Shrimp, (deep-fried shrimp served with French fries), and the new Skillet Garlic Shrimp (risotto style rice served with garlic marinated shrimp with creamy Alfredo sauce). The ladies at the table all ordered sides of sweet potato fries.

Our meals arrived in a timely manner. The chicken fingers looked good- large chunks of deep-fried goodness served with crispy French fries. Friday’s Shrimp were golden brown and flavorful. The side of sweet potato fries that accompanied the dish were elusive- I counted 12 pieces, and they were mostly end cuts- c’mon!

The Skillet Garlic Shrimp looked good, but I didn’t have a chance to sample the dish.

My Caesar salad was disappointing. The romaine leaves were drenched and soggy. I requested a side of Caesar dressing which didn’t come with my salad. When it did finally arrive, it looked more like a Caesar-vinaigrette- clearly it was not made in-house. The grilled chicken tasted pre-packaged as well. And what’s up with the balsamic glaze? Talk about non-traditional.

Our server decided not to check in on us during the meal.

A lot has changed since I was last dined at Friday’s. It seems as if a lot of corners have been cut, and more of the once fresh food now comes cryovaced (pre-prepared foods sealed in air-tight plastic bags and delivered via food vendors).

I’ll probably visit Friday’s again in the future, but it won’t be anytime soon.

Chef Chuck Kerber

chefchuck@pittsburghhotplate.com

pittsburghhotplate.com

T.G.I. Friday's on Urbanspoon

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Mekong Restaurant, Pittsburgh, PA

September 28, 2012 By 1 Comment
Hot Tea

Hot Tea

We stopped into Mekong Asian Restaurant on Potomac Avenue after a movie premier for some late night chow. Asian food is delicious and always appropriate when you have the late-night munchies.

Mekong is small, and probably seats 30-40 people. The décor was minimal, with traditional Asian decorations scattered about. The restaurant was clean, and our server was extremely friendly. Our waitress informed us that she the owner’s daughter, and that her mother was doing all of the cooking.

We started with a spot of hot tea and steamed dumplings (10 for $5.95). Delicate hints of ginger, garlic and pork permeated the pillowy-soft, steamed dough. The dumplings were fun to eat with our chopsticks, and were served with a warm, soy-based dipping sauce.

Steamed Dumplings with Dipping Sauce

Steamed Dumplings with Dipping Sauce

We ordered two chicken dishes- General Tso’s ($8.95), and Cashew Chicken ($8.95). Both dishes were served with a side of white rice.

Our entrees arrived piping hot. We immediately noticed that there was hardly any meat in the Cashew Chicken. When I tell you that there were maybe 2-3 ounces of chicken in the dish, I’m not exaggerating. The same was true of the General Tso’s- only small, thin strips of chicken occupied the plate. The sauce that came with the General Tso’s also wasn’t the usual rich, dark red color.

Genral Tso's and Cashew Chicken served with Rice

Genral Tso's and Cashew Chicken served with Rice

Lastly, one of your fortune cookies didn’t have a fortune in it! That’s bad luck, right?

Our entire meal was $25.00, but we left feeling slighted. If you’re on a budget, Mekong Restaurant might be a good choice, just don’t expect a lot of chicken in your chicken dish.

Chef Chuck Kerber

chefchuck@pittsburghhotplate.com

Pittsburghhotplate.com

Mekong on Urbanspoon

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Isabela on Grandview, Pittsburgh, PA

September 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Isabela on Grandview, Pittsburgh, PA

Isabela on Grandview, Pittsburgh, PA

Written By: Jennifer Grace

To celebrate our anniversary this year, my boyfriend and I decided to get all gussied up and ventured to Isabela on Grandview, a restaurant perched high atop Mount Washington in Pittsburgh. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly hostess who seated us in the upstairs dining room, a small room that boasts three walls of large windows that overlook the entire city, offering a truly spectacular view. The back section of the dining room opened into the kitchen, where two chefs could be seen working tirelessly to prepare meals for patrons. The overall atmosphere was elegant and upscale, but not stuffy. Since we were dining on a Saturday, the prix fixe menu was the only offering at the restaurant: a seven course meal which includes an amuse bouche portion (a bite-size portion that precedes meals), appetizer, first course (fish), sorbet, second course (meat), salad, and dessert. The amuse bouche, sorbet, and salad are pre-selected by the chefs but all other courses can be chosen from a list of three different options per course. The prix fixe menu costs a flat rate of $70 per person – definitely a splurge, but justifiable for rare special occasions, especially with the number of courses that are presented.

Our wait staff consisted of four different servers who took turns assisting us with each course. Each server was friendly, helpful, and attentive. Shortly after ordering, the owner of the restaurant stopped by our table for a quick chat, and two glasses of complimentary champagne. The proprietor also returned later to take our picture, which he printed and given to us as a keepsake; what a thoughtful gesture. My boyfriend and I each ordered a glass of wine after talking with the owner, and began to peruse the menu.

When it came time to order, we made our selections and prepared for the seven course feast. Dinner began with the amuse bouche: a bite-size slice of tomato topped with seaweed and dressed in oil. I then had my appetizer, a chilled ricotta and zucchini gateau with a walnut and olive tapenade, which was creamy and delicious. Our first course arrived shortly after, which for me was seared triggerfish with potatoes and dandelion greens. This was my favorite course of the evening; although it was a bit salty, the fish was perfectly prepared and had a nice, slightly crunchy crust to it. After the first course, we were presented with a very small scoop of beet, grape, and black pepper sorbet which was unusual but tasty.

For the next course, I chose wagyu beef cheeks which were served in a bowl with rice noodles and crushed peanuts. The meat was very tender and delicious although the dish as a whole was a bit too salty and lacking in flavor. My boyfriend also chose this dish for his fifth course and agreed that the dish felt incomplete overall; it seemed to be Thai-inspired but lacked the bold flavor and cohesiveness that most Thai dishes present. The sixth course, a salad of lettuce, pickled peaches, goat cheese, and freshly crushed black pepper was light, delicious, and the perfect follow-up to a heavier meat course. The final course, dessert, consisted of a dark chocolate torte with local honey and orange blossom. The torte was rich, but very good and the honey provided a nice touch of sweetness to balance the heaviness of the dark chocolate. We also enjoyed a cup of coffee with dessert as well as the spectacular view of the Pittsburgh city skyline at night. An added bonus included watching the fireworks show following the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game from the restaurant, the entire city all lit up and gorgeous on such a beautiful evening.

Overall, the food at Isabela’s, although a bit salty at times, was delicious. Variety kept the meal interesting; each dish was truly different from the last. The courses are scaled down from the size of a typical entrée, but seven courses present quite a bit of food, so be prepared to arrive hungry and enjoy each of the dishes served by an incredibly friendly and welcoming group of servers. It was a wonderful experience and a great way to celebrate a special occasion!

Written By: Jennifer Grace

Author, Jennifer Grace

Author, Jennifer Grace

Isabela on Grandview on Urbanspoon

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The Porch at Schenley, Pittsburgh, PA

July 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Porch

The Porch at Schenley

Written By: Cassi Schaffer

Parkhurst, the food service and Restaurant Company best associated with the Smiley Face Cookie has been branching out in recent years. New concepts are popping up in the area with not a single Superburger on the menu. One of these new concepts can be found in Schenley Plaza.

The Plaza is a stunning mixed use location right in the belly of the Oakland beast. Sitting in this stretch of green, you are surrounded by the city’s architectural icons- Carnegie library, The Cathedral of Learning, Dippy the Dinosaur. A great river of humanity runs deeply through this open space and thanks to The Porch, you can relax with a beverage and watch it all roll by. Clearly the designers of this restaurant kept that in mind. There is abundant patio seating but, choosing to dine inside in no way makes you feel separated from the bustle of The Plaza and the neighborhood.

My first time at The Porch was a late evening reunion with an old friend. We sampled a few menu items. I was particularly impressed with an antipasti plate (modified to our vegetarian standards): sharp cheeses, oily olives, almonds, perfect little cubes of roasted butternut squash. And then there is the pizza. Of course The Porch serves pizza! This is Oakland, after all. But pizza here is handmade and open hearth fired and topped with ingredients that reflect the seasons. The Margherita pie is layered with homemade mozzarella and fresh basil and served on a very understated sheet tray. Pizza crusts should add something to the items that cover it not, simply serve as a vehicle. And indeed the crusty, fire scented bottom layer did just that.

On my second visit, an early spring dinner with my favorite seven year old sidekick, we were told that the special pizza of the day involved roasted asparagus. Those two words make us both giddy. While waiting for our favorite veggie to arrive, we indulged in the farm bread appetizer. Huge slabs of homemade bread served with honey and apple butters and raspberry jam. Oh the raspberry jam! Polite table manners dictate not inserting one’s tongue into a container to get at the last few dollops of something. But, we certainly gave it some thought.

Everything at The Porch is made in house. Including that raspberry jam. Employees can often be spotted harvesting produce from their rooftop garden. The beverage menu contains mixes of house made sodas and limoncellos and infused tequilas. In a neighborhood that often caters to the lowest common denominator, this is special. And when it comes to menu items involving meat, they cure and smoke their own. I no longer eat animals. But, I do appreciate the love that goes into such menu choices, and I applaud their chef for his use of pigs. You’ll have to order the “piggy pie” and form your own opinions. I can’t imagine that any disappointments would accompany your choice.

The Porch meets all of my criteria for a good restaurant: the food is tasty, lovingly prepared, and locally sourced. The atmosphere is relaxed enough to accommodate families. And the people watching is spectacular!

Thank you Cassi for such a great review!!!!!

Author Cassi and Virginia

Author Cassi and Virginia

Chef Chuck Kerber

pittsburghhotplate.com

chefchuck@pittsburghhotplate.com

The Porch at Schenley on Urbanspoon

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Szmidt’s Old World Deli, Pittsburgh, PA

August 4, 2011 By 7 Comments
Szmidt's reuben

Szmidt's reuben

I was browsing Urbanspoon’s Talk of the Town List when I discovered Szmidt’s Old World Deli. I love a great deli, but I wondered what made this one so special.

The Atmosphere: When you enter Szmidt’s, it truly has the feel of and old world deli – it feels like it’s been there for ages. There is a traditional deli cooler, stocked with prepared dishes such as apricot glazed meatloaf, stuffed peppers, macaroni and cheese (a personal favorite) and deli salads. It is quaint, with minimal bar seating and two tables for two outside. I recommend calling ahead for take- out.

The Concept: We were greeted by the owner, Darren Smith, who realized that we weren’t his regular customers. Mr. Smith introduced himself and the concept behind Szmidt’s. Szmidt’s makes everything from scratch – including freshly baked bread, house brined and roasted meats, and homemade condiments and pierogies. On my second trip to Szmidt’s, I was lucky enough to get a tour of the kitchen – where I got to see pierogie dough and filling being freshly made.

The Menu: Szmidt’s has an impressive selection and there really is something for everyone. Even though I’m kind of a picky eater, there isn’t an item on this menu I wouldn’t be excited to try.

Szmidt’s offers szmidwiches, classic deli sandwiches with all homemade ingredients. My personal favorite is Szmidt’s take on the Rueben, dubbed the Sassano, with house baked rye piled high with house brined corned beef, swiss cheese, homemade kraut and 1000 island dressing. (If you dislike sauerkraut because you have only had the tastes-like-drinking-vinegar store-bought variety, I implore you to try Szmidt’s kraut.)

Szmidt's sandwich

Szmidt's sandwich

Szmidt’s also serves zeppelins, baked sandwiches on homemade deli rolls. I recommend the Stanley, Szmidt’s homemade hot sausage smothered in marinara, provolone, peppers, and onions. Szmidt’s also has doughbies, homemade seasoned dough folded, baked, with classic toppings; burgers, made with ground chuck, and salads with homemade dressings.

Szmidt’s offers classic old world pierogies (potato and cheddar, kraut, or jalapeno) and new world pierogies (Rueben, southwestern chicken, buffalo chicken cheese steak, bacon cheeseburger) with homemade dipping sauces. My favorite pierogies (so far) are the potato and jalapeno, the Rueben, and the southwestern chicken. My fiancé lives for the buffalo chicken pierogies. Szmidts also offers sandwiches with gigantic versions of pierogies, called “rages”; I have not been brave enough to try one yet. Finally, Szmidt’s offers sweet pierogies, pie by the slice, and brownies, but I never seem to have room for dessert.

Szmidt's pierogies

Szmidt's pierogies

The Bottom Line: Szmidt’s is spectacular. Where else in Pittsburgh can you get a handcrafted sandwich where every element is made from scratch? Additionally, it’s a small business worth supporting. Not only is the food exceptional, but Mr. Smith is a humble, gracious person who truly wants to make his customers happy.

Written by:
Jennifer Stanley

Szmidt's Old World Deli on Urbanspoon

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