Pittsburgh Food Tour!
Friday...
Dinner at Turkish Kebab House (Shadyside)
Eats: For my main course, I ordered the yogurt chicken dish. I quickly found myself chewing on a piece of uncooked chicken. Once I realized that my chicken was rubbery and not quite cooked all the way through, I tentatively tried another piece. That one was cooked! I made the remainder of my dining experience into a game. Will this piece be cooked or uncooked? When I needed a break from the game, I would dive into the little pieces of saucy pita. The yummy flavors of the sauce and yogurt overpowered the occasional rubbery chicken. Besides my main course, the hummus and tabbouleh were perfect. The hummus was unexpectedly cold, but the pita warmed it instantly. For dessert, I had the rice pudding and the bavlecha. The pudding seemed as if it might have been sitting in the fridge for a few days. The top half was congealed, but once I dug down into the bottom layer, I was delighted to find that it was lighter and fresher, with a proper rice-to-pudding ratio. I left full and happy.
Atmosphere: Dinner on a Friday night was nearly empty. There were only a few others sitting to eat (a bit of an older crowd). At first glance the place seemed authentic, if not trendy. Lighting was dim and mellow instrumental music came from the kitchen. I was happy to focus on my food with few distractions. That’s my prerogative. Would I take my friends here for a fun night out or a birthday party? Probably not. Would I take myself there on a lazy winter evening to ruminate and stuff my face with pita? Absolutely.
Saturday...
Brunch at Pamela’s (Central Oakland)
Eats: Pamela’s is famous for their stuffed hotcakes, so we tried the ones with banana, whipped cream and chocolate chips. The hot cake itself is thinner and more buttery than your generic pancake. It could even be described as a fluffier, butterier crepe. For something savory, we ordered the Tex Mex omelet. It hit the spot (I didn’t even need to add salt or pepper, which is a rarity for me)! The lyonnaise potatoes are flavorful compared to your average diner home fries. On each piece of rye toast there’s a nice big splotch of yellow butter to remind you that it’s there. The coffee is bottomless!
Atmosphere: This is just one of many Pamela's locations. There is a buzz about it. The walls are adorned with tons of board games. The whole place is colorful, classic and lively. It is clearly a popular brunch spot, as there was a short wait.
Dinner at Soba (Ellsworth)
Eats: Though the menu at Soba isn't teeming with options, it does offer a range of Asian Fusion cuisine. I ordered the vegetable roll, which included cucumber, asparagus, and avocado. Sadly, the avocado was barely there. I had to close my eyes and concentrate to find it in my mouth. The Pad Thai, however, did not disappoint. The presentation was beautiful and the flavor was delicious. They don’t skimp on the peanuts. As a bonus, you don’t have to choose a meat: the dish comes with chicken, tofu, and shrimp.
Atmosphere: This is a date spot. So, almost no light whatsoever, simple food menu, and extensive drink menu. The seating was pleasant, even at the bar. That being said, it was a little bit awkward sitting directly opposite the bartender’s sink. You can avoid it by making a reservation.
Drinks at Con Alma (Ellsworth)
Eats: This busy jazz club has latin-inspired food and drinks. The cocktails are a solid $15, but they are certainly original. I got the "ko-ko," a whiskey drink with ginger, creme de cacao, and candied fennel. It was very sweet. And strong. It did me in. My date got "sky dive," a bright blue, citrusy gin and rum with pineapple, lime mint, and a long list of other flavors. For all the ingredients, that drink was disappointingly bland.
Atmosphere: Live jazz goes on until 10pm, and there are even speakers out on the back patio so everyone can hear. We had to sit back there because the place was pretty cramped and crowded. The music is loud, so the experience is best treated as an up-close-and-personal concert. The service was great, even on a busy night. I asked the waitress for water to-go as we were leaving (after drinking the ko-ko I was in dire need of some hydration). They didn’t have to-go cups, but she brought me a large tupperware filled with water instead.
Sunday...
Lunch at Pizzaiolo Primo (Market Square)
Eats: We ordered the Salciccia pizza. It has thick cheese and a thin crust. The textures and flavors of fresh mozzarella and sausage complement each other perfectly. The pizza was super filling for lunch. I bet it would have been even more delicious had I worked up an appetite, but I left feeling a bit overstuffed. One pizza serves a hungry pair or a not-as-hungry group of three. Their $14 salads are also served in ample portions.
Atmosphere: It's not a particularly large restaurant, but I went on a beautiful day, so the doors were open. The whole space was filled with fresh air and natural light. The decor is simple and smart casual. There’s a bar, too.
