Tag Archives: Oakland

Garden Groove at Phipps

Looking for some social irrigation? Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is hosting their first of three summer cocktail parties, Garden Groove, in the lush Outdoor Garden next Thursday, June 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. This swanky little event will cost $20 which includes three drinks, free food from area restaurants, free admission to the Conservatory and music by DJimaDJ, (Richard Gartner from Soma Mestizo.)
Anyway, this should be a fun little shindig and the setting is really one of the nicest watering holes in the city. Future Garden Grooves will be on July 27 and August 24, same time and place.
You can buy tickets at the garden gate or by calling (412) 622-6915, ext. 6803.

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

Cinco De Mayo is coming soon

I am not sure why it did not occur to me to me write a post about Mad Mex before. Mad Mex is like a home away from home for me, so I guess I assumed that everyone knows about it and eats there as often as I do. I don’t have time to give a full ode to Mad Mex – I am sitting here at Mad Mex finishing my excellent lunch special and I have to hurry so I can get back to work.
But I did want to take a moment to give everyone a head up about Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Mad Mex. I just gave my lovely server Sarah one of the I Heart PGH baby buttons and some of the other servers have already stopped by to see if I have more. I heart Mad Mex and the staff loves this website.

Anyhow, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that I think should be celebrated – so save the date on your calendar and head over to Mad Mex for
$1 off Mexican Bottles
Breakfast Burritos starting at 9am
$5 big azz margaritas
and
A Chance to win free mad mex for a year (which is about the best thing I would ever want to win ever)
Mad Mex Menu

Where is this place? The original Mad Mex is hidden in Oakland. Great location (just be warned it is usually loud there.) Plus there are some other Mad Mex locations in ‘gasp’ the suburbs. Which is another reason I heart Mad Mex because they provide a safe and healthy place for me to dine on those rare ocassions I have to stray from the city.
Click here for a list of Mad Mex locations.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland)

clpghmain

The Oakland Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is cool as sh*t. We know this.

Here are just five reasons why:

1. They have an amazing array of events from Dance Dance Revolution to Storytime in Spanish.

2. It is open until 8pm from Monday through Thursday! (Closes 5:30pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.)

3. There is a Crazy Mocha on the first floor.

4. You can rent film and audio.

5. Free wireless internet access. (New!)

Feel free to add your own.

Café Causerie

Sometimes folks complain about the lack of international flava in the ‘Burgh. But there are actually lots of opportunities to get involved in activities with an international slant.

For example, if you would like to improve your français, Café Causerie is an informal group of native and non-native French speakers that meet at Kiva Han at Forbes and S. Craig St. in Oakland every other Saturday morning.

This Saturday, April 15th, they are meeting from 11h-12h30.

Here is some information I received about the group last summer, when I started attending:

“Il y a 1 ou 2 francais, des gens qui ont etudie en france, des gens qui vont etudier en france, une femme suisse, etc. Le niveau est assez haut, mais souvent des gens avec un niveau plus bas viennent pour ecouter et ca va. Nous sommes tres gentils et peuvons parler plus lentement aussi. Et, c’est TOUJOURS bon d’avoir des nouveaux gens, alors on serait tres heureuse si tu viens!”

Bon, venez a Kiva Han ce samedi pour parler francais! Peut-être vous me verrez. Vous êtes tous bienvenue!