you’re safe in “the vault”

the vault is an awesome bank turned coffee shop in brighton heights. it’s a cleanly decorated space with tall ceilings and friendly people. the coffees and teas are wonderful [they make their chai from scratch] and the staff is knowledgable about the product. the food is good too- try the feta dip…mmm. just off of ohio river boulevard and route 65, it’s easy to get to. however, i recommend you go the long way and see some more of the northside.

the vault is located at 3619 California Avenue. hours are from 7am to 8pm, mon. through sat.

that’s amore…a trip to pino’s

recently i made a visit to pino’s mercato, the italian restaurant that could. in the sea of italian eateries that is pittsburgh’s bloomfield neighborhood, i have been searching for “the best.” everyone has a suggestion, but none of the nominees have wowwed me. when i went to pino’s something clicked. they offer really GOOD food. it’s not always like grandma used to make, but it goes beyond the traditional and brings character to the table. so, even though it sort of feels like a betrayal of pittsburgh tradition, i have to say that my favorite italian restaurant is in point breeze.

More on … Canton Ave. in Beechview

Thanks to a reader for pointing us to this PG article about Canton Ave. in Beechview. Turns out we might have a world record in our midst!

canton


Here: In Beechview
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Photos by Martha Rial ~ Story by Bob Batz Jr.

Despite the twin “Do Not Enter” signs at its midpoint, Canton Avenue isn’t a one-way street.

It’s a no-way street.

No way you’re going to drive up it. Not this time of year, when it’s covered with ice and snow.

This Beechview byway is way too steep — even to plow.

It’s the steepest street in this hilly town and, probably, the region, with a grade of 37 percent — that is, rising 37 feet per 100 feet of run. So confirm records from the city Department of Engineering and Construction.

Canton could be the steepest street anywhere. Figures can be fuzzy, but the best San Francisco can do are grades of 31.5 percent. The world’s steepest claim is made by Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, but its steepest part, according to the town’s own Web site, is only 35 percent. Could Pittsburgh have a world record hidden in the trees high above Banksville Road?
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Get your PÄ…czki soon!

paczki

PÄ…czki (pronounced ponch-key) are a traditional Polish doughnut filled with jelly or another sweet filling. In Poland, they are traditionally eaten on Tlusty Czwartek – Fat Thursday – the Thursday before Lent. In the US, we eat them on Tlusty Wtorek, Fat Tuesday. Traditionally, these little doughnuts were made to use up all the sweet stuff in the house before Lent.

Fat Thusday was last week (23 February) so we can’t be that authentic, but we stilll have time to fill our bellies this week!

In the South End of the city, you can find pÄ…czki at The Party Cake Shop located on 706 Brookline Blvd – (412)531-5322. They offer them with custard, chocolate, vanilla, apricot, lemon and raspberry fillings. But get them soon – Tuesday is the last day to purchase them! The Party Cake Shop is just a darn good bakery anyway, so bring your pocket book and your sweet tooth. (I should know – in full disclosure, my mother has worked there for the last ten years.)

Does anybody else know where to get pÄ…czki in other parts of Pittsburgh?

I heart PARTY – SAT. Feb 25 @ AVA

The shine of an Iron City aluminum bottle.
Rockin’ Out in the Cultural District.
Indigestion from a successful trip to Primanti’s.
Troy Polamalu’s voluminous mane.
Bob O’Connor’s silver mane.

There are all sorts of reasons we love Pittsburgh. Show your love for the Steel City over drink specials and a live DJ at a fundraiser benefiting the Coro Center for Civic Leadership.

SATURDAY – February 25, 10:00pm
AVA, Baum Blvd. and South Highland St., Pittsburgh, PA

Click here for more info and to RSVP!!!

Drink Specials on Blue Moon and Zima Hard Punch All Night!!!
Plus, we will be raffling off tickets to the upcoming Ghostface Killah concert.

18 to enter, 21 to drink. Wristbands will be provided.
$5 cover before 11pm; $8 cover from 11pm to 2pm.

Thats right – PARTY TIME. For a few months now we have been scheming to throw an I heart PGH party. So we were thrilled when we recieved an email from the Coro Center Leadership Fellows Continue reading →