Beyond Just a Burger & a Beer- Bocktown Beer & Grill

690 Chauvet Drive- Pittsburgh (In the Pool City Plaza, across from Target)

Many people in the Pittsburgh/Suburghia area visit the Robinson Town Center for the mall and of course, Ikea.  And shopping can work up quite an appetite.  ;)  So, the next time you are at Ikea perusing their many light fixtures and kitchen gadgets, forgo the hoards of chain restaurants (and the mall food court) and head straight for Bocktown Beer and Grill.  Tucked inside the Pool City/Target Plaza, it is a real local gem.  Bocktown prides itself on utilizing local vendors and products, and serving some of the best local beers available on tap.  You could say it is a locavore's paradise.

I was fortunate enough to have a Columbus friend (a transplant from the 'Burgh) turn me onto this place and I haven't looked back since.  Confession- there are times when the husband and I just go to Robinson for Bocktown's irresistible fresh cut fries.  The shopping is secondary to the grub. ;)

So, let's get to it.

From top left, clockwise:

• The glorious Flat Belly Fries (also comes in Beer Belly).  The Flat Belly is perfect for 2-3 people.  Order the Beer Belly if you are out with a group or are just REALLY hungry. ;)  We start out every Bocktown meal with an order of these fresh cut fries topped with the Beer Cheese and Black Peppered Bacon.   We keep it simple, but there are 47 different toppings to choose from to slather on top of your order of Bocktown fries.
• Just to show that Bocktown is not all beer, burgers, and fries, I ordered the Seared Salmon Salad with the suggested Basil Pesto Vinaigrette.  The perfectly seared salmon was served over a fresh mix of greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, & other goodies.  And yeah, it made me feel a little less guilty for polishing off those Beer Belly Fries. ;)
• My husband, on the other hand, ordered the ultimate trifecta of a burger, the Three Rivers Burgher.  The Three Rivers is served open-faced and generously topped with beer cheese, beef gravy, & Bocktown fries.  (Yes, under all of that is a juicy 1/2 lb burger!) 
• Check Bocktown's website often for their ongoing Beer Tastings, Beeried Treasure events, and live music schedule.  Every week there is something new and tasty going on!  http://www.bocktown.com/category/events/

What you need to know before you go:

• Bocktown Beer & Grill is becoming one of the first restaurants in the area to utilize the Tabbedout app.  Find out more about Tabbedout here: http://www.tabbedout.com/
• Vegetarian?  No problem!  Bocktown offers many vegetarian options as well as the option to substitute a fat portabella for any of their burgers on the menu.
• In addition to their regular fabulous menu, Bocktown offers daily specials. Check back at their website often.  You just might find a new favorite! :)  http://www.bocktown.com/robinson/
• Bocktown is currently in the process of opening a second location close to the Beaver Valley Mall.  For updates & job opportunities, click here:  http://www.bocktown.com/monaca/

For directions, hours, menus, and the craft beers tap list, click here:

http://www.bocktown.com/

A Suburghian Girl Recipe: Summertime Risotto

What better way to display the green goodness of summertime than in a risotto?  Farmers markets, friends' gardens, and local grocers are teeming now with beautiful green zucchinis and artichokes of all shapes and sizes. (Okay, maybe just the grocers have the artichokes since Pennsylvania's climate isn't exactly conducive to growing them. ;) )  Inspired by the season, a zucchini from a friend's garden, and some beautiful baby artichokes from Delallo Italian Marketplace, I set out to make one of my favorite adult comfort foods with a fresh, summery twist.   

To start your risotto, pour one 34 ounce container of chicken broth (I use organic just because the taste is so much better) into a medium sauce pan and start to heat slowly over medium heat.  Watch it and don't let it boil.  We just want to warm the broth to add to the rice and veggies later. ;)

In the meanwhile, finely chop one medium shallot and set aside.  Slice the tops and the ends off of 8-10 baby artichokes.  Pull off all of the tough outer leaves of the artichokes, usually 3-4 layers.  Slice each artichoke into quarters.  Dice one medium zucchini. 

Heat 1 tbsp of butter and 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large pot.  Once the butter has melted, add the shallot and saute for 2 minutes until golden and soft.  Now add the artichoke quarters. Saute for 3 more minutes.  At this point, I add a splash of white wine to help soften the artichokes and cook them.  Then throw in your diced zucchini.  Sprinkle sea salt over the veggie mixture and saute for another 2 minutes. 

Add 1 1/2 cups of arborio rice to the vegetables in the pot and saute 2 minutes to toast the rice.  Pour in about a 1/2 cup of white wine.  Simmer until the wine is absorbed by the rice.  Remove your pot of warmed chicken broth from the heat.  Add about a cup of the warm broth to the rice/veggie mixture.  Stir often- the rice can stick to the bottom of the pan if you don't stay on top of the stirring.  Once the broth has been absorbed, add another cup and stir.  Continue repeating this process until you have used all the chicken broth.  All and all, the adding of broth and the stirring should take 20-30 minutes.  Make sure to taste the rice as you add the broth to check for doneness.  The rice should be creamy, but firm when it is done. 

Once the rice is cooked to your doneness, remove from the heat.  Add a tbsp of butter and about a 1/2 cup (or a bit more ;) ) of parmesan cheese.  I suggest staying away from the domestic parms, and splurging on an Italian one.  The taste of an Italian parmesan is bounds and leaps beyond a domestic variety.  You are not using much, so it won't hit your wallet too hard.  I bought my parmesan in a chunk and then finely chopped it.  Shredded parmesan would also work well. Stir the butter and parmesan into the risotto until it is melted and well incorporated.  Add sea salt and ground pepper to taste.  Plate up and serve immediately.  :) 

A 'Burgh Inspired Wedding Reception in the Mountain State

On what turned out to be a gorgeous May Friday evening, my high school sweetheart (delayed) and I exchanged our wedding vows in front of a very small gathering of friends and family at the Shaw House in Fairmont, WV.  Our wedding was vintage inspired, and very elegantly simple.  I will be sharing more photos on this blog post than I normally do, but hey it is not everyday that a gal gets married, right? ;)  The ceremony was sweet and right to the point (just like me most of the time).  But let's be real.  Most of us really love attending a wedding for the reception grub and usually the free drinks, right?  Hehehehe...
The husband and I knew that we wanted to keep the reception menu uncomplicated, delicious, and most of all 'Burgh LOCAL.
So, let's get to it.

From top left, clockwise:

• Our reception spread was provided by the caterer and chef at Shaw House.  This two-person culinary team did most of their shopping for the menu in the Strip District.  Our menu included a lovely Nicoise salad, a beautifully poached salmon, a tender rosemary herbed beef tenderloin, an amazing spinach artichoke dip, and a fresh and gorgeous fruit platter.
• Our reception spread also offered hunks of self-serve (aka, have as big of a piece as you would like) fresh cheeses for our guests- a nice sharp white cheddar, a more mild Porterhouse cheese, and a sweet Stilton with apricots. 
• The cakes... Yes, the cakes.  We did not go the traditional tiered cake route here.  We delighted our guests with six different cakes all courtesy of the lovely bakery at Delallo Italian Marketplace in Jeannette.  I am pretty sure that most of the guests came back for a second or third slice.  I mean, you can't just try one...  ;)
• When I started to think of the wedding favors I wanted to send my guests home with, I knew that personalized M&M's or those Jordan almonds were not going to cut it for me.  We offered each of our lovely guests Peanut Butter and/or Dark Chocolate marshmallows (seen in the little silver boxes) from the Pittsburgh Marshmallow Factory.  We also created our own take on the candy bar, but used popcorn from the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company instead.  After tasting every flavor popcorn the Company had to offer that week, we settled on one savory and one sweet- Sour Cream & Onion and Baklava. 

Okay, now to share just a few more pics.  Who doesn't like pics from weddings?  ;)

My lovely sister (maid of honor) is featured in the photos on the left and right.  And yes, in the pic to the right she is proudly displaying her Yuengling bottled beer. ;)

*All photos were taken by the extremely talented photographer and my longtime friend, Mr. William Brian Bee.

Suburghian Ladies' Evening Out- The Parkwood Inn

1002 Cribbs Street, Greensburg

People say that Twitter is for connecting with and eventually meeting new people, and Facebook is for keeping up with friends you already have.  Witnessing firsthand (and personally) the many connections that can be made through tweeting, it was the first avenue of social media that I turned to when I made my big move from the Buckeye capital to Suburghia. A girl needs some friends in her new city!  I connected with 3 lovely Greensburghian ladies, and now we meet regularly for dinner and drinks.  Thus, the birth of a new blog series for me- Surburghian Ladies' Evening Out. 

This past Wednesday we decided to meet for dinner and a few drinks, and were on the hunt for a place with a terrific deck to take in the gorgeous weather.  The Parkwood Inn won the vote.  (By the way, you can see that amazing two level deck in my pic above.) ;)

So, let's get to it.



From top left, clockwise:

• I ordered what has quickly become a Parkwood Inn fave for me- the Eva Pepper Burger.  The Eva is a juicy 1/2 pound burger topped with provolone cheese and banana peppers.  I ordered mine with the Deckers, Parkwood's homemade potato chips.  I highly recommend the Deckers, although their fries are amazing as well.
• Colleen had the Eva's Homemade Cheese Ravioli, crescent shaped pasta filled with a blend of cheeses topped with Parkwood's very own tomato sauce and a meatball. 
• Jaimie also indulged in one of Parkwood's delicious burgers.  She had the Asiago Burger- asiago cheese, roasted red peppers, and mixed greens atop a juicy all beef burger.  And she also went with the very crispy Deckers as her side.  ;)
• Amanda went with one of Parkwood Inn's famous Traditional 4 cut pizzas.  (You can't go wrong with that, right??)  She ordered her's with ham and green peppers.  She was kind enough to offer me a bite.  The crust is thin- just a little chewy with a bit of crisp. 

What you need to know before you go:

• The Parkwood Inn is very easy to get to from either direction on 30.  (In fact, you can see it from the highway.)
• Parkwood has ample parking, but when it gets busy the lot fills quickly.  You may have to park on the street if you arrive during one of their busy times.
• Plan to visit Parkwood Inn Monday through Friday from 4-6pm for their Halfly Hour- 1/2 priced drafts, well drinks, and 4 cut plain pizzas.

For hours, directions, and menus, visit below:

http://www.parkwoodinnrestaurant.com/

Hip, Big City Cuisine Right Here in Suburghia- Solstice Restaurant and Lounge

Solstice Restaurant & Lounge- 911 Green Street, Greensburg

We visited Solstice Restaurant and Lounge for the first time on a Monday evening.  We were drawn in by the promise of $2 draft microbrews.  Being a lover of all things craft beer (and being on a budget most of the time), this seemed like as good a night as any to check out the restuarant we had driven past a few times and wondered about.  Now, while we didn't receive $2 drafts (maybe they were only at certain times? Although there was no mention of that on the website), they did have an impressive draft list and amazing food. 

So, let's get to it...

From top left, clockwise:

• We very pleasantly started out our meal with a complimentary appetizer of lahvosch and 3 different spreads- Black bean, a hummus, and a mango orange mint dip.  The spreads were served on a chilled glass plate, and each of them were very tasty. 
• I ordered the Cioppino and Orzo for my entree.  They most definitely do not skimp on the seafood in their version of the classic San Francisan Italian dish.  Big, soft scallops, large shrimp, and plenty of littleneck clams and mussels all floating in a smoky, spicy tomato broth around an island of orzo which falls apart and into the broth as you dig your spoon in.  It is served with a big hunk of ciabatta bread perfect for soaking up the broth.  This is by far one of the better Cioppino's I have ever had the pleasure of eating.
• My fiance (now husband ;) ) ordered the Steak Frites topped with the Maytag bleu cheese.  It came with a side of their crispy fries with basil mayo, and a side of roasted asparagus.  The steak was cooked almost perfectly (just a tad bit overdone) and the frites (fries) were to die for.  Please do dip them in the basil mayo- you will not be disappointed.  ;)
• We topped off our meal at Solstice by sharing their Apple Crisp.  The apple slices were tender and the topping was flaky and crispy.  It was the perfect ending to our evening.

What you need to know before you go:

• The Solstice Restaurant & Lounge offers several food and drink specials, Monday through Saturday.  I would suggest confirming with your server or bartender for any possible fine print (which I admittedly should have done).  You can find their daily specials here:  Solstice Specials
• Solstice offers both small and large plates.  So you can go tapas style or full on dinner.  Most of the small plates range in price from $5 to $12.  Larger plates are a little pricier at anywhere from $15 to $24.  My Cioppino was priced at $18 and was worth every penny of it. ;)
• We were told that Solstice gets very busy on Fridays and Saturdays, and that reservations are highly recommended if you plan on visiting then.  You can request a reservation online by going here:  http://www.solsticegbg.com/contact.php

For hours, directions, menu, and catering information, visit below:

http://www.solsticegbg.com/index.php

Witty (and Tasty) Food on the Mount

123 Shiloh Street, Mount Washington

Being a Suburghia newbie, I really had no expectations about Shiloh Grill when we decided to head there for dinner and a few drinks before a what would be rained out Pirates game.  I had purchased a Groupon for the Grill the month before in an attempt to make sure that the husband and I tried someplace new every time we drove into the city.  It is easy to become creatures of sustenance comfort, always heading back to your few fave joints when you are only in the 'Burgh a few times a month.

When we first arrived atop Mount Washington and lucked into a parking meter space right in front of the restaurant, we opted to sit on the spacious outdoor deck.  That is, until Mother Nature made other plans  and we were quickly bolting for the indoor dining room. ;)

So, let's get to it.

From top left, clockwise:

• The first thing that struck me was Shiloh Grill's facetious and very humorous menu listings and descriptions.  Even if the food had been sub par (which it was not- thank goodness!), it would have been worth the visit just to browse through the menu.  ;)  My favorite menu item by far (and only for it's colorful description) is the Roethlisburgher. 
• I started with the World Famous Patio Gazpacho.  Their gazpacho is fresh, with chunks of crisp veggies (think cucumbers, peppers, and onions) in the broth.  It packed just enough spicy heat to not overwhelm the freshness of the gazpacho.
• Next up- Shiloh Grill's new Arugula Steak Salad. Okay, they pretty much had me at arugula and steak.  ;)  The medium-well grilled steak was sliced over a bed of fresh spinach and arugula and adorned with blue cheese crumbles, radish slices, and pepperoncini's.  Divine...
• Ahhhhh.... we were there just in time for their happy hour (5-7pm on the weekdays).  Happy hour at Shiloh Grill means half off their draft beers, wings, and their frozen cosmos.  The FROZEN COSMOS!  Holy libations, was this a wonderful treat for an almost full-time craft beer drinker. Frozen, smooth, tasty, and it packs a punch.  This is no frou-frou Cosmopolitan.  They are deceptively easy to drink, but those pink martini glasses of frozen happiness sure do sneak up on you. (Not that I know from personal experience or anything... ;) )

What you need to know before you go:

• Bring change for the parking meter!  Though I am sure there is free parking somewhere, most parking that I have observed on Mount Washington is metered or valet.
• Try to to head to Shiloh Grill on a Tuesday evening if you happen to be a lover of all things bacon.  They serve up FREE bacon baskets at the bar, $1 a basket in the dining room and deck.  They also craft a bacon martini to wash down your bacon basket with.  ;)

For hours, directions, specials, and menus, visit below:

http://www.theshilohgrill.com/





A Foodie's Oasis in Suburghia- Delallo's Italian Store

6390 Route 30, Jeannette

My first visit to Delallo Italian Marketplace after arriving in my new home of Greensburg, Pennsylvania was my first realization that I could survive (and probably even thrive!) after my big move from one of the larger locavore capitals of the Midwest to what seemed to me a sleepy suburb of the Steel City.  I walked through the doors and my eyes fell upon the colorful and abundant produce area of the marketplace like the eyes of a child to the bountiful gifts below the tree Christmas morning.  This is all for me??  ;)  And I hadn't even got to the cheese counter or the deli, or to the bakery.  And oh, that bakery...

So, let's get to it.

From top left, clockwise (in order of occurrence in store):

• After perusing all the fresh veggies and fruits in the Dellalo's produce section, you are immediately face to face with the enormous olive and antipasti bar that lines most of the entire right wall as you walk into the main part of the store.  Need hot peppered green olives? They got it!  Need marinated artichoke hearts?  Yep, they got that too.  Need prosciutto wrapped and cheese stuffed peppers?  Yep, check!
• The cheese counter at Dellalo's is heaven...  They sell every cheese from most any country imaginable.  The cheese mongers are more than happy to slice you off a little taste of any wedge that appeals to you.  They also sell fresh, homemade mozzarella and ricotta.
• Before you have even turned the corner past the cheese counter and the deli, the aroma of fresh baked bread floats all around you.  Delallo's bakes fresh breads, pepperoni rolls (these are amazing!), and their famous egg rolls daily.  The egg rolls have become regulars to at least one home cooked meal in my kitchen every week (and that is easy to do when they are only 2 for $1!).
• I will admit it.  Sometimes I come to Delallo's and forgo the deeply purple eggplants and gorgeous avocados and I go straight to the bakery.  And nowhere else.  For those of us who have the pleasure of suffering from an insatiable sweet tooth, Delallo's baked yumminess may just be the cure. ;)  My favorites in no particular order: their whole grain biscotti's, their carrot cake, their coconut cream pie, their made when ordered cannoli's, the salted caramels (my mother's favorite), and the almost as big as your head cinnamon rolls. (Just a tip- they do not always have the cinnamon rolls. So if you go and see them on a plate on top of the bakery counter, have them wrap up as many as you can take home! ;) )

What you need to know before you go:

• If this will be your first visit to Delallo Italian Marketplace, make sure you set aside ample time to explore the store & it's many culinary offerings.  You do not want to rush your first Delallo's experience. 
• The cheese counter, deli, and bakery get pretty darn busy on the weekends.  I suggest going during a weekday if you want to take your time to sample cheeses or ogle the bakery counter. ;)
• Above is just a small sampling of what Delallo Italian Marketplace offers it's customers. You can also find pastas there, dried beans and nuts in bulk, ready made Italian meals to go, Italian cigars... the list goes on and on.

For store hours, directions, recipe ideas, and the Delallo's blog, visit below:

http://www.delallo.com/jeannette