Friday evening I visited the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern with some friends. This was my first time there, and I took some ribbing from people who said “and you’re from Pittsburgh?!” The place was very easy to find coming from Oakland. I don’t think I would have found the parking lot for the place though, as you need to pass the Tavern and then turn through a neighborhood street.

So onto the review. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the place was empty when we arrived around 5PM. It was a warm day so they had the entire front of the Tavern opened up to the outside. It made for a very nice light and airy atmosphere. The beer selection was pretty impressive, from a large selection of bottles to drafts. I sampled some Polish beers and found them quite unique (unfortunately I don’t recall the names, as I could barely pronounce them anyways!)

But the reason I wanted to visit this place is the Polish food. I played it brave and ordered the Czarnina for starters. Czarnina is duck blood soup. I overlooked the color and aroma of the soup when it arrived. Needless to say the flavor of the soup is obviously an acquired taste because I couldn’t bring myself to finish it! Next I ordered the sampler platter which included kielbasa, pierogies, haluska and golabkis. I was very impressed by the food, and let’s just say that these pierogies were not the frozen Mrs. T’s!! They literally melted in my mouth. The food was also served piping hot. I will definitely go back again. Lastly, the service was outstanding and our server was very friendly and prompt, and had no objections to breaking the bill apart for everyone.

The Bloomfield Bridge Tavern is open from 11am to 2am and is located at 4412 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield.

On Tuesday, a friend) and I were wandering around Liberty Ave. in Bloomfield looking for some ice cream. Instead we ended up at The Bloomfield Sandwich Shop for some scrambled eggs and toast and homefries. And good conversation. And friendly people. All for only $1.99! Breakfast is served all day, and it’s so cheap, you might think you need glasses.

We learned that owners Roz and Mike started out working there, and eventually acquired the business. We learned that folks from the neighborhood have been coming in every morning for years. We learned that one regular even buses it from McKeesport every single day to see old friends. No wonder – Roz was totally awesome and made us feel completely at home.

Don’t be shocked – the joint is small – and probably has less counter space than your own kitchen, and there isn’t even enough room to open the refrigerator door. You get the feeling that you are in your auntie’s living room (if your auntie had a counter, diner chairs, and deep fryers in the house.) The food is cooked right in front of your eyes. It’s all part of the charm.

Roz even asked us if we had any Thanksgiving plans – the shop is offering a free T-giving meal (tomorrow, from 10am to 2pm) for anyone far from home or in need of impromptu friends and family.

The Bloomfield Sandwich Shop is open from 8am to 4pm Monday through Saturday, and from 8am to 2pm on Saturdays. It’s on 4613 Liberty Ave. 412-687-8443.