Category Archives: Food & Drink

Git Aht: Things To Do This Weekend

(Things to do while deciding which Blue team to root for in the World Cup Final.)

Friday, July 7
Gallery Crawl, 5:30 p.m., Downtown
Normally I don’t actually crawl at these things, at least not at first. It really depends on what they’ve got at any complimentary bars that I may stumble across. This thing is chock full o’ art, so anywhere’s a good place to start, but I’d have to go with SPACE where music will be provided by the brilliantly-named The Sexes.

All-Star Fan Fest, Various Times, All Weekend, David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Over 40 baseball-themed attractions which, sadly, does not include any “Re-enact the 1985 Coke Trial that even involved the mascot” booth, but hey, maybe next time. Mayor Bob’s been redding up the city, so that means company’s coming. Hose off your sidewalk and clean up the kitchen chair you use to reserve the space in front of your house. Also, be nice to all these out of towners who may not speak our language. They’re probably going to talk really slowly and loudly if they don’t understand us, which is normal. Just explain to them calmly, rationally, and cooly that the cole slaw is indeed supposed to be on the sandwich.

Saturday, July 8
All-American Beer Fesival, 2:00 and 6:00 p.m., The Priory, North Side
If you missed the big shindig last month up at Sharp Edge, you can still get in touch with your inner beer snob at the Grand Hall. Craft and micro-brews abound, and if you get out of hand, well, the Priory rents rooms too, which is way better than trying to sleep in the park next to the Aviary, ’cause those birds’ll keep you awake all night, and you’ll be all beer-muscled up and try to fight the Eagles, which is never a good idea. Trust me on this one.

Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show, 911th Air Wing Base
Blue Angels flying around in formation, which is a great thing to see, but I hope it doesn’t give all the people I commute with any ideas. Seriously, I’m going down Washington Blvd. and the guy in the left lane is running formation with the guy in the right lane the whole friggin’ way, even past the bike loop. Dude! It’s the passing lane! That means pass! Gah!

Sunday, July 9
Cat Power and the Memphis Rhythm Band, 7:30 p.m., Hartwood Acres
“Indie Folk Darling” which seems cliched, but my friend Matt (No, the other one) really digs him some Cat Power, err, Chan Marshall. The latest album has help from former members of Booker T. and The MG’s, so it’s well-pedigreed, that’s for certain. Go see her and the band for free at tasteful Hartwood Acres..

Electric Six, 8:00 p.m., Mr. Smalls, Millvale
Electric Six Silk ScreenJack White favorites The Electric Six wing in (ok, probably van in) from Detroit to give us here in Pittsburgh their signature good-time party vibe. This is a show you don’t want to miss if you like good dance/rock/funk. I saw them earlier this year down in DC, and it was one of the most high-energy shows I’ve ever seen. Bonus points if they do their cover of Radio Gaga at this show, which is fantastic.

Flick: Fever Pitch, 9ish, Flagstaff Hill
FREE! FREE! FREE! The Flagstaff movie catches all-Star Fever with the baseball-themed Romantic Comedy starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon. This is based on a British film of the same name which was based on a novel by Nick Hornby that was about football, soccer, which I’m thinking might’ve been better because it probably had hooligans using cockney rhyming slang, but what do I know? I mean, I’m the kind of person that thinks every movie would benefit from having wire-fu karate fight scenes, so don’t take my word on anything movie-related. Seriously, how much better would Titanic have been if Dicaprio flew throught the air all crane-style and attacked Billy Zane with a mystical sword from the Shaolin Temple? Tons better, that’s how much.

Esquire + Dee’s sitting in a tree

I was in Carson News today and I saw another plug for the South Side … The June 06 issue of Esquire magazine profiles the best bars in America, among them Dee’s Cafe. Considering their modest prices, laid-back atmosphere, and oldies on the Juke Box, this may be a surprise to many old-time South Siders, I’m sure. 😉 But this is why we (and the country) loves the ‘burgh. They write:

dee's
Dee’s Cafe
PITTSBURGH
YOU’RE HAVING: Yuengling, late.
A twenty-three-ounce beer for only $2.25. Pool tables, three jukeboxes, and Ping Pong. Every ‘Burgh bar crawl goes though Dee’s. (1314 East Carson Street 412-431-1314)

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recalls, “You might remember a few years ago Esquire ranked Pittsburgh as the No. 1 City That Rocks. They must have stopped at Dee’s along the way.”

World Cup w00t – Piper’s Pub!

fifaPublic service announcement:

Piper’s Pub on the South Side is here to fulfill all of your 2006 World Cup watching needs. Their 2006 broadcasting schedule has just been posted. All matches will be shown live, including the ones (8 to 10 in all) being tape delayed by ABC.

Actually, there are some pretty good match-ups this year, and I’m gonna try to make it to a game or two … hmm … Germany vs. Poland, June 14th? Guess who I’ll be supporting? 😉 The place has a really good atmosphere and they’re putting a fancy flat-screen TV in the dining room to broadcast the games.

Pipers is located at 1828 East Carson St. They have bottle and draft beers from England, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland … and one of the most extensive collections of Scotch in the area. Plus bangers and mash, Shepards pie, and all of our other favorites from across the pond. Check out their web site:

pipers
http://www.piperspub.com/

for more!

“Cheaper than Water”

Growing up in the city of Pittsburgh was all about ice tea, more specifically . . . the ice tea carton. See, you’d walk up to the Uni-Mart or Cogo’s or whathaveyou, and get your Schneider’s or Colteryahn to go. With a straw. It was, and continues to be, the perfect street-wear / classroom accessory. (Even if the rich kids make fun of us. :P) So sweet, so convenient. And biodegradable too.

Now Turner’s, a local dairy in Westmoreland County, has taken their own spin on the ice tea carton and put it on a shirt. Now you can wear your memory:

shirt

T-shirts are $12 + shipping.

The thought of wearing this t-shirt while standing at a pay phone in front of a CoGo’s while drinking out of an ice tea carton is so Pittsburgh I cannot even bear it. If anyone in the audience does this, please take pictures and send them to us!

Sree’s Indian Cuisine

Having worked on the CMU Campus for 5 years now I don’t believe I should do any further food reviews until mentioning Sree’s Indian Food. While Sree’s does have a small take-out location in Squirrel Hill I highly recommend coming to his vending truck on Margaret Morrison Street to not only chat with Mr. Sree but to enjoy the college atmosphere while eating your food at the various outside areas on or around campus.

Sree’s food is cooked by him and his wife and the menu generally changes daily. Typically 4 vegan items are offered along with a chicken dish. I usually just get the “3 veggie” selection. The main choices are served with rice and nan (Indian flatbread). I am especially fond of the grape leaves which are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and are extremely spicy and flavorful. The chickpea potato is also delightful with just enough curry and seasonings that it doesn’t override the flavor of the vegetables. I also highly recommend the menthi carrots. If you are really looking to spice things up, I would suggest adding a touch of the tomato chutney-and note that I’ve italicized touch here!

Sree’s food is entirely pure and is probably the most unique and authentic Indian food you’ll find in Pittsburgh…served out of a food truck and in a styrofoam box! This is one huge reason why I Heart Pittsburgh (and carry a plastic container around campus)!

Sree’s at Carnegie Mellon University is available Monday through Friday, 11:00AM – 3:00PM.

Sree’s Squirrel Hill location on 2103 Murray Avenue is open Monday through Friday 11:30AM – 2:30PM and then 5:00PM – 9:00PM

Sree’s Website