Author Archives: Emma

About Emma

Blogging and social media are like breathing for life-long yinzer and cheese addict Emma. With a degree in English and communications, she spends most of her days writing, reading, and wondering where to eat next.

Polish Hill’s Annual Arts Festival this Sunday

What could be a better way to beat the Sunday blues than heading over to Polish Hill for its annual arts festival? Started in 2008, the festival features crafters, food trucks, and live music.

There will be over 30 vendors present, and these aren’t your rinky-dink, run of the mill crafts. Polish Hill Arts Festival posted “previews” of the some vendors, and they are selling truly unique and beautiful art (including the previously featured John the Craftist). From wall art to silver jewelry, the festival offers a wide range of vendors–there’s something for everyone.

The event appeals to all ages, offering free arts and crafts activities for adults and children alike. If you aren’t feeling crafty, there will also be live performances throughout the day, featuring local bands.

The festival runs from noon-9p.m. on Sunday July 21st. You can find all the action at the intersection of Brereton and Dobson streets. For more information check out Polish Hill Arts Festival’s Facebook page.

Cultural District’s Gallery Crawl Tonight

Looking for something to do tonight? Want to do something free? Want to culture yourself? Impress your friends with newfound knowledge of artistry? (Maybe that last part’s just me.) Come join other partons of the arts at the Cultural District’s free quarterly Gallery Crawl. The crawl runs tonight, Friday, July 12th, from 5:30-9 p.m., and participants can start from any of the many locations.

There is so much going on at the crawl tonight, but I’ll include some unique highlights here. There’s comedy, a cell phone disco, documentaries, live music, photography, yoga, a night arts market, dance lessons, and, of course art.

Check out the Cultural Trust’s page or the brochure below for more details.

Shop Late Night in Lawrenceville

When I visit Lawrenceville (which is not often enough), I’m always struck by its double life. By day, it’s a bustling lane of boutiques selling unique wares. By night, it’s my favorite place to meet up for dinner and drinks. Thanks to the industrious shop owners of Butler Street, the two worlds are becoming one.

Today, Thursday July 11th, stores are keeping their doors open late tonight in Lawrenceville for the inaugural “Shop Late Night in Lawrenceville”. This is the first time local store owners are holding the event, but it will continue now on the second Thursday of each month. Participating businesses will keep their doors open from 6-9p.m., and offer a 10% discount when you present a receipt from a participating store purchase the same night. Take a walk down Butler Street and check out what each store has to offer.

Some businesses will be holding special events in the evening, including trunk shows, pop-up dance parties, and styling events just to name a few. The stores participating include Mid-Atlantic Mercantile, Jules, Pavement, Panello, Wildcard, 720 Music Clothing and Cafe, Divertido, O’Bannon Oriental Rugs, Urban Cottage, Glitter and Grit, and T’s Upholstery Studio.

Emily Slagel of Mid-Atlantic Mercantile explained,

“The event was created by several of Lawrenceville’s women business owners whom collectively see a need to support independent retail and the many diverse local boutiques both newly opened and established in the neighborhood. On a larger scale, the monthly event hopes to draw attention to the importance of shopping locally at small, independent businesses. In recent years, there has been an increasing growth in consumer awareness towards eating locally but there has yet to be the same shift in retail. Both eating and shopping locally is better for you, your community and the environment. Locally owned small businesses provide quality of life while serving as the economic backbone to the community. When you spend $100 at a locally owned and operated small business, about $45 dollars goes directly back into the community opposed to only about $13 when you shop at a nation wide chain.”

So, that’s more than reason enough for me to get that scarf I’ve been lusting after. Check out the event tonight, and keep coming back each month. For more details, head on over to “Shop Late Night in Lawrenceville’s” Facebook page.

Guide to Pittsburgh’s Independent Movie Theaters

When the weather starts heating up, sometimes the only thing to do is go inside. This season many of us will take to the air-conditioned refuge of our local megaplexes. To switch things up, I offer you a list of local independently owned theaters. Many of the theaters screen the same new releases, but also provide character and unique programming.

Hollywood Theater

1449 Potomac Ave., Dormont

(412)563-0368

The Hollywood plays a wide variety of movies as well as special film events. Known for its Rocky Horror Picture Show performances, as well as its “Breakfast and a Movie” series (just what it says, breakfast, and a movie) there’s something for everyone. The single-screened theater is a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Potomac Avenue and Dormont by providing a theater and community center.

The Strand

119 North Main St., Zelienople

(724)742-0400

The Strand offers a variety of films as well as live performances. The Rocky Horror Picture Show screens regularly (17 & over only) and yes, you can throw things at this performance. The theater screens classics like Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, but you can also find live shows at The Strand. The nonprofit theater was restored in 2002, and wants to expand the project.

The Manor

1729 Murray Avenue, Pittsburgh

(412)422-9851

The Manor theater screens both wide-release and independent movies, at often lower prices than the megaplexes. The Manor also boasts “The M Bar” in the lobby where patrons can bring alcoholic drinks into the theater. Check out the “Manor at Midnight” series, when the theater screens classic movies Saturdays at midnight.

Harris Theater

a little history? (Photo credit: macwagen)

809 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and programmed by Pittsburgh Filmmakers ,the Harris Theater is a classic movie house in the heart of the Cultural District. The theater screens foreign and contemporary independent films, and is also part of the Three Rivers Film Festival.

Oaks Theater

310 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont

(412)828-6322

The single screen Oaks Theater screens both new releases and cult classics. Check out the summer series “Moonlit Matinees”, where Oaks screens a cult classic every Friday and Saturday night. Once a month, the theater hosts the “Cine Bruch”, where movie fans can watch and munch on a delicious Oakmont Bakery brunch.

Regent Square

1035 South Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)682-4111

Owned and operated by Pittsburgh Filmmakers, this single screen theater plays limited release independent movies seven days a week. In addition, every Sunday night the Regent Square theater hosts “The Sunday Series”, a monthly series of film screenings based around a theme, era, or director.

Melwood Screening Room

477 Melwood Ave., Pittsburgh

(412)681-5449

Located within the Pittsburgh Filmmakers building, the Melwood Screening Room is the youngest of the independent theaters on this list. The screening room plays independent features, and hosts “Film Kitchen” on the second Tuesday of every month.“Film Kitchen” is a series featuring local short films. The filmmakers are present at the screening and available for discussion after the show.

View Independent Theaters in Pittsburgh in a larger map

What’s your favorite theater in Pittsburgh? Seen any good movies lately?

Restaurant Review: BOhèm Bistro in Seven Fields

The charming, rustic interior at BOhèm.

You don’t need a plane ticket to Europe to feel like you’re there this summer–a quick drive to BOhèm Bohemian Bistro in Seven Fields can do just the trick. The rustic design and Euro-centric menu will leave diners feeling like they’ve left Pittsburgh for a bit.

The working fireplace (with the saying “alma, corazón y vita” written on it) is fired up in the colder months.

Let’s start with the decor, which owner Markay Harlan proudly explains is both recycled and personal. BOhèm capitalizes on reusing elements to furnish the space situated next to Siba in a small strip mall. The restaurant is small, but comfortable, and bursting with character–much like small bistros in France.

The chandeliers are remnants of wine barrels, the seat backs are feed bags sewn together to create a cover, and decorative wood beams come from a 150-year-old local barn. The tables are rough cut wood, adorned with simple chairs, letting the plates speak for themselves. A close friend of Harlan crafted the corner hearth and it’s adorned with the phrase “alma, corazón, y vita”– soul, heart, and life.

BOhèm offers menu items not often found in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. With small plates meant for sharing, each diner gets a taste of the unique offerings, best described as fresh European tapas with a predominantly French influence.

Crispy Brussels sprouts with pancetta, parmesan, and balsamic glaze.

The grilled brussel sprouts in balsamic and parmesan, dusted with pancetta, are beyond delicious, and, according to the servers, one of the most-ordered dishes. We had to stop ourselves from licking the plate clean when we had other plates coming along. Other small plates include bone marrow, escargot, and, another menu favorite, Prince Edward Island mussels.

Our salads were fresh, lightly dressed, and unique. The beet salad came with savory chevre, crispy pancetta, pea shoots, mandarin oranges, and red onions and was light yet tasty. The star of the mixed greens salad, with its fresh vegetables and farm fresh egg, was the pickled ramps, which our wonderfully attentive and friendly waiter Chris forewarned us had a strong flavor.

BOhèm’s menu features a section of tartines, crepes, and flatbreads, with a variety of styles prepared in one of the aforementioned ways. We opted for the fig and smoky moody blue cheese tartine with duck confit at the recommendation of Chris. Essentially an open-faced sandwich on French bread, the tartine was smoky, cheesy, and sweet, a delightful combination.

Bistro wine is served by the glass, in quatrinos, or by the liter.

We were far too full to try any of the bistro classics, such as roasted chicken with andouille sausage or mac and cheese, but we did order a Nutella crepe from the dessert menu. The large crepe was filled with a light hazelnut chocolate mousse and topped with fresh whipped cream and a strawberry.

Aside from tasty food, BOhèm mimics European dining with their selection of over 100 wines. Harkening back to family vineyards, the restaurant offers liters or quatrinos of bulk Bistro wines, served simply in stemless glasses. With a vartiey of choices, diners can try multiple wines to accompany their many dishes, or choose a cocktail from the fully-stocked bar.

There’s also a charming outdoor area for diners to enjoy their meals.BOhèm has its invite-only grand opening reception on June 27 and will be open for both lunch (Monday-Friday) and dinner (Monday-Saturday) starting the next day. The staff and owners enthusiastically answered questions about the food, wine, concept, and decor. Our experience, from the food to the wine to the atmosphere, was great and we hope to check it out again soon!