Category Archives: Neighborhoods

Le Mix Antique Store in Reqent Square

Mixing it up in Regent Square at Le Mix on Braddock Ave

Le Mix Antique Store in Reqent Square

Update October 3, 2108: Le Mix is still mixing it up in Regent Square and you can follow Le Mix on Facebook here.

Sunday was one of those gorgeous autumn-in-the-city days that just begged for a meandering walk. Being relatively new to Regent Square, I took my time going up Braddock, making mental notes about shops that were closed on Sundays and checking out the ones that were open.

One place that stood out, in particular, was Le Mix (1115 1/2 S. Braddock Ave.), a fantastic and quirky little shop jammed full of gifts and antiques at just about every price range. It’s a great store for an hour or so of browsing, and I ended up walking out with two very random but already beloved items: a hand-blown glass ashtray and a map of the world circa 1626. Highly recommended for collectors, antique buffs, or anyone who likes picking up random curiosities.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Braddock Avenue in Regent Square, it’s a really nice little area with locally-owned businesses that are off the beaten path, including a movie theater that features a range of foreign, independent, and classic films. Frick Park is also nearby, as well as a host of cafes and restaurants. Definitely, a neighborhood to consider when planning an afternoon or evening out. The main business district is accessible from Downtown, Oakland, and Braddock via the 61B, as well as the Parkway East via the Edgewood/Swissvale exit.

Aldo Coffee Company – A Coffee Shop with a blog

I first came across Aldo Coffee Company last year when I started IheartPGH.com, I didn’t link to Aldo because technically they are not in the city of Pittsburgh. Yes, work has called me outside of the city limits and I was in need of an urban haven. Aldo Coffee Company meets, actually exceeds, all of my requirements for a good coffee shop so it is worth mentioning. I darted into Aldo Coffee Company last week in search of the elusive free wireless connection, the barista’s weren’t sure if the telerama wireless had been converted in to free wireless. I opened up my computer and BAM – I am online. The owner came around and we started talking about blogs.

There are so many reasons that Aldo Coffee Shop is worth a visit, I need to make a list.

  1. Darn Nice People – I talked to the owner, I talked to the barista’s everyone here is super nice and helpful. A big thank you for the wonderful latte – which has a heart on top of the foam, which leads us to reason number 2…
  2. Latte Art – Art and Coffee shops go together
  3. Steelers Latte Art, oh yes, you read that correctly, Steelers Latte Art –
  4. Excellent Food Selection – as someone who spends many a meal time at coffee shops, I am always thrilled to find a place that has fresh food, salads, resonable portion sizes (yes you can order 1/2 sandwich!), and reasonable prices.
  5. Smoothies with REAL Fruit – This is a big one for me. I strive for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. This has become even more difficult with the recent spinach ban. Many establishments have smoothies, few actually use fruit.
  6. Cannoli Bar – I am not even sure I like cannoli, but I really think I would like cannoli, and they have all sorts of custom made cannoli here.
  7. Support Local Businesses – They do, I had a great chat with the owner who was on his way to Squirell Hill for a coffee shop field trip.
  8. Free Wireless – Thank goodness, this is near impossible to find free wireless outside of the east end.
  9. The Aldo Coffee Co Blog – Web2.0 meets coffee shop – Even IheartPGH.com has been mentioned in the blog!
  10. Belly Dancing – Tomorrow (Friday) Night they have live Belly Dancing
  11. Take the T – Aldo is located right near the T-stop. Yeah for public transportation! A great destination for your next public transportation field trip!

So if you are a suburban resident, take a break from Starbucks and visit Aldo, I have yet to find a Starbucks that offers Belly Dancing. If you are a die hard urbanite and find your self stranded in Mt. Lebanon, you can find an urban haven at Aldo.

Take the bus … to Beaver County

Speaking of public transit, were you aware that Beaver County was chosen as the ‘American Idol’ of public transit? For the second time in its history, the Beaver County Transit Authority won the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Washington, D.C.-based American Public Transportation Association. This award is considered a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

bcta

According to the op-ed article from the PG:

“Ridership that soared 22.4 percent for the past three years is on track to grow another 9 percent in this fiscal year … far more than any other small or large state transit system …

“BCTA is the first recipient of a state Transit Revitalization Investment District grant, with ‘Elm Street’ residential and ‘Main Street; business components in Rochester, the hub of Beaver County. The epicenter of the development extending to a scenic bluff overlooking the Ohio River is its ‘Grand Central Station,’ a modern transportation center with a park-n-ride, up-to-the-minute electronic message board displaying bus arrival and departure times and convenient connections every half hour for paratransit and bus riders.”

A quick perusal of the BCTA website reveals that they even have a Steelers Express route. Good neighbors make for a good neighborhood. Go SWPA!

Here’s the full article:

Getting around: Beaver County chosen ‘American Idol’ of public transit
Sunday, June 11, 2006
by Joe Grata, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Continue reading →

COME meet the Giant Chicken from Hell

Thursday, September 28th 7-10pm.

Food, Drinks, Art! Open bar for wine and beer, cash bar for liquer.

Meet Scientific Illustrator and Artist, Mark Klingler, the man who captured the monster…on canvas. Meet Dr. Matt Lamanna, Vertebrate Paleontologist and Dinosaur Discoverer. Go on a tour of the Big Bone Room and see the newly renovated Dinosaur Hall….

Labor Day Party @ the Shadow Lounge

If you are a frequent reader of IheartPGH, you may notice that I like the events at the Shadow Lounge. I really like the events at the Shadow Lounge. This Friday is no exception to that.

Hilary Brown, Justin Strong and Tim Guthrie (who are 3 of the most fun people in Pittsburgh)

Are organizing an amazing evening of labor day fun. And Ms. Hilary Brown has asked IheartPGH.com to be a part of this Soiree! Since I heart the Shadow Lounge and I heart Hilary Brown. I am more than thrilled to tell you about this event.

Friday Sept. 1st, AVA Bar & Lounge (the other half of the Shadow Lounge)
East End Labor Day Party
DJ :: Food :: Dancing :: Drink Specials
The fun start when the doors open at 9pm

21 and over
Dress is Coctail Attire (interpretation of “cocktail attire” may vary, we welcome this). *I am thinking it may be time for the gold lame outfit.