Rock for Autism

So a couple of friends attended the event at the Hard Rock Cafe. It's a good thing it was a charitable event cause the service there really does suck. But it was for a good cause - we see children overcoming autism everyday! It was nice to sit outside a people watch in Station Square during dinner and then head in for the concert. The music was decent.

Maddie Georgi- She isn't even 16, so for that she is pretty impressive. Here's her myspace. http://www.myspace.com/maddiegeorgi

Finding a solution to the puzzle of autism and ASD disorders is close to my heart. I am even considering doing my research on it for my PhD. One of my most favorite students in the world has an autism spectrum disorder. He truly is my baby boy and I am so proud of the progress he has made in the last year. 

So support autism research.

Dinner and drinks- Cobb Salad (I love cobb salads, but this one was quite nondescript) and Ketal One and cranberry. 

Birthday

So today i turned 26. woohoo! I have made it to my 27th year of life. My birthday last year was such a disaster that this year i was slightly nervous about the whole affair. When you are a child birthday's are handled for you. You pretty much just have to show up and you get presents, cake, attention, the whole shabang! As i have gotten older, birthdays have lost their sparkle, i never worry about my age but the day itself i dread. There was so much build up when we were little it seems inevitable that as an adult we can't help but be disappointed. 

So this year i felt the need to keep it simple, real simple. Mom and Dad randomly showed up yesterday, i took them antiquing and to the Strip. My mom love's Enrico's biscotti- especially the cranberry pistachio and i am in love with Richard of Cafe Richard's - now Cafe Raymond's. Then E and I met them at Domenico's in Cranberry to watch the Pens. They had this amazing spinach artichoke dip and flat bread. I had a great beer too, Strawberry Blonde something. 

So i woke up and had no plans for the day, except my sister was coming at some point. I headed to the annual Highland Park garage sale bright and early. i started at Tazza D'oro on Highland Ave. with a mocha and hit the sales. My parents decided to join me and we met up with a few of my friends. They are complete lovebirds and expecting their first. I wanted to head to Food Glorious Food on Bryant Street before they sold out. I had this Key Lime Cake, a combination of key lime pie on the bottom and a light as air cake on top. Amazing! Cheddar and broccoli quiche which was good too. So we hit some sales. I found some good deals- I'll attach pics later. This great antique milk jug and some juice glasses which work well for drinking wine on picnics. 

My parents headed back to NY and i stopped at a friends for some grilled pizza and a mimosa. Strange but delectable combination. I have been wanting to grill pizza's and was impressed it was just good food. So I think I am going to try it soon. 

I am home. Waiting for my sister to finish the birthday. My mom got me a cooking class at the New York Wine and Culinary Center for my birthday, we are going to take it together.

More later. 

North Side for Earth Day

Bistro To Go

Walked the River Trail today, then went to Bistro-To Go on East Ohio Street. This was my 3rd visit to the cafe. It is beautiful inside, big open kitchen and a cozy courtyard where you can people watch. Menu changes weekly. The food is fresh and fun, taste is excellent and I'll keep going back. I like it and I want to support businesses on the Northside.




What I have tried:

Hoho cake - Big piece for $3.50, so so so good. Nice overdose of chocolate.

Mr.Pepper Sandwich - turkey, greens, bacon, provolone, tomatoes, Ciabatta roll. Thought the roll could have been fresher otherwise it was good. Fairly priced.

Tuna Salad- Grilled Tuna, greens, tomatoes, parmesan- really good dressing!

Cranberry Autumn Chicken Salad - Chicken salad, grapes, greens - decent, I make the best Chicken Salad ever though so it is a bit hard to top.

Sugared Pecan Salad- Liked it, a little sweet for me but overall pretty good.

Thai pasta salad- good flavor, little spicy, whole wheat pasta, peanuts, little too much peanut oil for my liking.

Potatoe Pancakes- so good crisp outside soft inside, nice flavor. 

301

We have been going to 301 for a bit now... not sure if I have blogged them. We end up there after a long day, or when we are upset at the unreliable men in our lives.

301
Freeport Rd.
Aspinwall, Pa 15215

It's hard to get a drink in Aspinwall and not be rubbing elbows with the over 65 crowd, (not that I am opposed to drinking with those older and wiser than me) that is until now. 301 is it. It's close, most of the bartenders are friendly and there is usually a good crowd there, especially later on in the evening, like after 9.

Sometimes I feel like we live in our little houses and drive our little (sometimes big) cars and go to our little job and run our little errands and then come home, 301 kind of makes you feel like its not that way. I miss the feelings of community.

They recently sold the kitchen off and now its chinese food- but it works. We tried the coconut chicken, egg rolls and appetizer sampler. It was all good. Plus Chinese food is way overpriced in my town and these guys are really from China so I'll support them.

Go to 301.

Dating 5 Guys

So I am having a relationship with 5 Guys. I can't help it. I know they're cheap. They are fat. They don't look good on me. They are greasy. They are a bad idea. So why don't I break up with the 5 Guys. Believe me I have tried. I took some time apart but then I had a bad day and they were there for me, greeting me with open arms, willing to take me back. So I gave in, they really like my ass. We only do it once a week. But its so good. I'll regret it this summer, but today I'll enjoy that juicy cheeseburger and fries.

5 Guys Burger and Fries

Back to Routine

Went back to work today. Most of the kids were excited to be back.

Made chili for dinner because my apartment is so cold. Surprisingly I have never made chili before perhaps because I didn't actually start liking it until a few years ago.



Simple Beef and Bean Chili

1 pound ground beef (less than 10% fat)
2 cups chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes in puree
1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses
coarse salt
1 can (15.5 ounces) organic red kidney beans
1 can (15.5 ounces) organic black beans

Topped with cornbread or tortilla chips and cheddar cheese.

I use mostly organic ingredients and this makes a huge difference in flavor.

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat with a spoon until no longer pink, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Add onion, garlic, and cook until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cocoa powder and cumin, cook stirring until fragrant about 1 minute.

3. Add tomatoes and molasses along with 3/4 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, partially covered for 20 minutes. Check seasonings and make adjustments to your own taste.

4. Add beans; continue cooking, uncovered, until meat and beans are very tender, and chili is thick, about 30 more minutes. Serve with toppings.


Prep time is about 30 minutes. Total time is about an hour and a half. Recipe makes plenty, easily enough for 6.

Back in the City

I got back to the city last night after driving through a pure blizzard. Thankfully we had the SUV and my friend Josh drove the whole way, even so the trip took over 5 hours. So I was happy to return home even though my apartment was freezing. Today it was lunch with a friend at Cafe on the Strip.

It was comforting to be home and back to normal. Cafe on the Strip is small and cozy, with a fire in the fireplace it is one of my favorite place.

Cafe on the Strip
1814 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 288-9895

I got there late and my friend had ordered a latte with a perfect mix of coffee, chocolate and milk.

We split an Italian White Pizza with mozzarella and romano cheese. Brushed with olive oil and a hint of garlic, topped with plum tomatoes and fresh basil. Pizzas are thin and crispy, flavors are balanced and delicious and the balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top is the perfect touch.

I am unable to go to Cafe on the Strip without ordering their wedding soup. It might be the best in the city... with chunks of chicken, carrots, meatballs, egg and greens. It is hearty and warming.

Lastly we ordered a turkey, hummus, spinach and feta sandwich on foccacia. It was the perfect combination, moist and flavorful.

Service is personable and friendly. It is an easy going atmosphere, a perfect transition back to Pittsburgh. Some logistics if you ever decide to visit. You have probably walked by this place on your way to Roland's or Penn Mac a million times. It is tucked away and definitely worth the stop. It is BYOB and handicapped accessible, you also can order take out. Below is a link to their menu.

http://www.restaurantrow.com/ShowPics.cfm?Type=Menu&nCode=855668&code=855668&Byte=u&Number=1&Ext=gif&Name=Cafe%20On%20The%20Strip&Word=menu&Count=2&state=PA



Back to work tomorrow. I thought I was ready but I would definitely appreciate a few more days off.