Pittsburgh Foodies Thread (Oakland, Mexico, Atwood: design, cheapest, dating)

[gortonator]

Originally Posted by neb85

What you experienced was the infamous Szechuan peppercorn. My wife and I are Cantonese but she loves Szechuan cuisine just because of that mouth-numbing, sickly sweet, searing hot feeling. How Lee is actually one of the best sit-down Chinese dinner places in Pittsburgh IMO, which is overall somewhat lacking in the authentic Chinese cuisine department. (Though this has improved with the opening of about a million new noodle joints in the city). Even their food can be hit or miss sometimes- we once had a meal there that was so over salted that I couldn't finish- but when they are on their game it's a very good meal.

Ah - Szechuan peppercorns and Mapo Tofu. I must try How Lee - thought Sichuan Gourmet on Murray was pretty decent too. Worthy of a repeat visit or three, and BYOB

[pman]

City Oven opened at 336 Fourth Ave., Downtown, about a year ago. It's a fast-casual spot with a wood-fired wings and a half-dozen pizza variations, where a red pie with San Marzano tomatoes, provolone and mozzarella starts at $10.79. City Oven offers flatbread pies, rather than Neapolitan-style ones.
Stone Neapolitan Pizzeria opened this past winter at 300 Liberty Ave. (the former State Office Building, now the River Vue apartments) near Point State Park. It's a bare-bones outfit that promises traditional thin crust in 90 seconds. A margherita rings in at $6.35, with a cracker-thin, blistery crust and a sheen of San Marzano tomatoes and cheese....the newly opened Il Pizzaiolo turns out handsome pies in an oven custom-built by artisans flown in from Italy. Executive chef Richard Sphatt oversees the kitchen that produces traditional margherita pies ($14) as well as such delectable variations as the Santa Lucia with cherry tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, basil, olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil ($15)...
Slated for Downtown is Proper Brick Oven and Tap Room in the former Tambellini space on Seventh Street. Owner Suzanne Hrach will offer 30 draft beers with an emphasis on local breweries, and 20 wines on tap. The menu at the 99-seat eatery will showcase pizza with seasonal toppings, made in a wood-burning oven.

Read more: Little Bites: Local restaurant news - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

$14 isless than $18

btw, anyone had the porkorican?

my po' boy was perfect -- spicy, crispy shrimp with pickles and tomatoes were drizzled with remoulade and tucked between two pieces of fresh bread. I loved my lunch, but the Porko-Rican stole the show -- the fiery, flavorful roasted pork is everything you ever imagined a sandwich filling could be

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz2QpRiS6wX

[fleetiebelle]

Sit-down restaurant/bar planned for Bakery Square: Bakery Social inked and expected to open in the New Year - Pittsburgh Business Times

I hope they come up with a better name for it, though.

[LIRefugee]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

I hope they come up with a better name for it, though.

I doubt it. There are already signs up saying that "Bakery Social" is coming to the lower level of the main building. I'll miss the space being used for events and such.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by pman

Read more: Little Bites: Local restaurant news - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

$14 is less than $18.

And $6.45 is less than $14. And I think the Stone Margherita is an inch or two smaller than Il Pizzaiolo's, which makes it big enough for one. I also think I like it better, but I've never had a plain Margherita at Pizzaiolo. In any case, it makes Stone a place I can go to by myself anytime I want without either overeating or overspending.

[Stijl Council]

Originally Posted by jay5835

And $6.45 is less than $14. And I think the Stone Margherita is an inch or two smaller than Il Pizzaiolo's, which makes it big enough for one. I also think I like it better, but I've never had a plain Margherita at Pizzaiolo. In any case, it makes Stone a place I can go to by myself anytime I want without either overeating or overspending.

Have you tried the pizzas at Mercurio's? I haven't myself but I've there been with people who have and they've raved about them.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Stijl Council

Have you tried the pizzas at Mercurio's? I haven't myself but I've there been with people who have and they've raved about them.

Where is Mercurio's? I haven't tried it, no.

I'm being taken to Dish on the South Side for my birthday this weekend. Someone told me the seafood (which I love) there is especially good.

[pman]

Originally Posted by jay5835

And $6.45 is less than $14. And I think the Stone Margherita is an inch or two smaller than Il Pizzaiolo's, which makes it big enough for one. I also think I like it better, but I've never had a plain Margherita at Pizzaiolo. In any case, it makes Stone a place I can go to by myself anytime I want without either overeating or overspending.

that may be, but $18 is on the high end for a margherita, $14 is not. I'll buy a $6 burger more often than a $14 burger but it doesn't mean I'll never buy one.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by pman

that may be, but $18 is on the high end for a margherita, $14 is not.

Stop seeing an argument where one doesn't exist. I was riffing on what you wrote, but basically agreeing with you.

[Stijl Council]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Where is Mercurio's? I haven't tried it, no.

Corner of Walnut and Filbert in Shadyside. It was gelato-only before they moved (and the gelato is terrific!), but they built a brick oven in their new space. Here's the menu. At this point it's probably my favorite lunch option in Shadyside, along with Avenue B; the salads and charcuterie are quite good.