Lifestyle • May 14, 2024

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! May Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

Follow me on this journey of tasting new things and learning more about the city I love! Feel free to use this game with your own family or friends and share below the amazing places you find throughout your travels!

-MAY-

What a fun night. It was my pick for May. We kept dinner quick and simple since we had show tickets. We started at the Lawrence Food Hall on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. It is the same concept as the Federal Galley with a great bar, four restaurants and Leona’s ice cream. The space is great, open, multi-level and could be a nice place to watch sports. You can order at each restaurant spot using a QR code and pick up, or you can use the QR code at your table and they deliver your food.

We ordered corn bread and placed an order at Toma – arancini ($13), a huge piece of focaccia Margarita pizza ($8) and polenta with 4 small meatballs ($25).

The arancini was crispy on the outside with rice and melted cheese on the inside.

The pizza was delicious.

For the price, the polenta and meatballs were a very small portion and was on the bland side.

Leona’s serves scooped ice cream, ice cream sandwiches and pints. If you are looking for a relaxing place to meet in that area, stop by but look for the sign “LH”.

Then we went to the West End to see the Gargaro Production of Million $ Quartet. It was exhilarating. Every one of them knocked themselves out and the performance was outstanding. Jerry Lee Lewis was talented and nailed the role. I’ve never seen a bass player use his instrument like that. We were smiling long after the show. Great time!!

Until next time, happy eating!

Lifestyle • April 11, 2024

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! April Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-APRIL-

Tonight was our monthly dinner adventure and it was Rachael’s choice of restaurants. We started at Barcelona on Penn Avenue, Downtown. They did a great renovation on the space with a nice bar area and dining room but we heard several comments that the music was a bit loud.

Rachael ordered a red wine flight and asked the bartender to choose the wines. Their wine list is extensive with over 400 varieties.

They serve tapas style, small plates, so we had dates wrapped in bacon ($8.5), focaccia ($3),

asparagus ($8),

marinated beet salad with pistachios ($7.5)

and paella salvaje with chicken, short ribs, house made sausage and chickpeas ($28).

Everything was served quickly and was plentiful and fresh. We both anticipated the paella to be more flavorful with fresh herbs.

We walked up Strawberry Way to Sullivan’s Steakhouse in the Steel Building. I had not heard rave reviews and it lived up to its unfortunate reputation. We ordered chocolate cake with raspberry sauce ($15) and a peanut butter pie ($14) that sounded fabulous in the description. We waited over 30 minutes and the place was empty. The server said the peanut butter pie would be made to order so it would be a while.

First, she delivered the mediocre chocolate cake.

After another 10 minutes, a waiter delivered the peanut butter pie saying the first one had been dumped and a new one had to be made, sorry for the delay.

It was hard, looked like some frozen peanut butter ice cream topped with whipped cream. This is a definite ‘no need to go back’.

As always we enjoyed our evening out. Until next time, happy eating!

Lifestyle • March 22, 2024

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! March Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-MARCH-

Tonight we enjoyed our monthly dinner a few days early and it was my choice of restaurants. I did a mediocre job at best. We started at the Sewickley Speakeasy on the Ohio River Boulevard. I have driven by the sign for many years and have wondered what was hidden up that driveway. The building is over 100 years old and the exterior and the interior looked and felt very old.

Our waitress, Jesse, was very prompt and helpful and shared her experience with the cat painting saying that the eyes follow you. So of course Rachael and I both had to walk past and give it a try. And…yes, they do!

We tried the evening special appetizer, creamy baked artichoke bacon cheese spread served with buttered toasted bread. It was very tasty.

The meals were served with a plain iceberg salad and rolls for starters.

Rachael ordered shrimp scampi ($25.95) and I ordered the veal parmigiana ($33.95) both accompanied with a side of pasta. The meals were served hot but were lacking in flavor.

From the dining room you have a view of the barges and boats on the Ohio River.

Then we went to Janie’s Hard Ice Cream in Coraopolis, a small shop serving Perry’s ice cream. Can you take a guess at what flavors we picked?

It was a nice evening out.

Until next time, happy eating!

Lifestyle • January 16, 2024

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! January Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-JANUARY-

Happy New Year! Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2024. Last night we kicked off the year with my choices: the 404 in Bethel Park and Maggie’s Farm Rum in Upper Saint Clair.

The 404. Interesting! The decor of the restaurant was very warm and inviting, showcasing a beautiful black wall with a mural of peonies in pinks and whites with the theme carried through to the menus and the fresh flowers on each table.

We had very nice, attentive server and were welcomed with fresh bread and a delicious pesto garlic dipping sauce.

We shared the arancini ($16) and beans and greens with Italian sausage ($14) – generous portions. The arancini were large and had pistachio and prosciutto served in a marinara sauce but the centers were cold, and unfortunate that the cheese had not melted. The greens and beans had hot banana peppers giving the dish an odd flavor.

All dishes were presented well and between courses we were given fresh silverware and received a dish of lemon sorbet to cleanse the pallet. Nice touch.

Our entree sounded great, eggplant bolognese gnocchi topped with fresh burrata ($42). Once again, lacking in flavor. They have everything right but for us the food was a bit off.

On to the recently opened Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery and Restaurant in Upper St. Clair. The distillery is on the ground level and the restaurant is upstairs. It is a very large space with a big bar. We had nice service.

I had a yummy coconut pineapple rum concoction. Rachael ordered a Zombie, served in a tiki glass, garnished with pineapple, a cherry and an umbrella. Strong! It was fun to be out on a cold winter night.

Until next time, happy eating!

Lifestyle • December 16, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! December Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-DECEMBER-

Tonight was Rachael’s pick and she knocked it out of the park! I can hardly believe that we have not heard rave reviews about Martorano’s Prime Italian American Steakhouse in the Rivers Casino and that it only has a 3.1 star rating. After Rachael’s last double dud month, I had to remind her, she really redeemed herself 😊! As we entered we both smiled at the Statue of the Blessed Mother. The restaurant decor is rich with dim lighting and comfortable seating and a very nice bar area overlooking the river.

We ordered my favorite, Kahlua and cream and Rachael an Amalfi kiss made with a thick nectar.

Immediately we were served a thick piece of crusty bread and dipping oils and olives.

Our appetizer was an eggplant stack ($23). It was lightly fried eggplant, tomato, homemade mozzarella, arugula served with balsamic, olive oil and Parmigiana topped with microgreens. Easily enough for a light dinner.

We shared everything and ordered two entrees, the pasta bolognese of the day ($34), an al dente mafalda noodle with an oxtail ragu that was scrumptious and chicken parm ($34), a huge serving with a side of gnocchi in a rich white cream sauce ($16). We were oohing and ahhing with each bite and brought plenty home to share for another meal. Very generous portions.

The service is excellent, serving each dish, clearing plates, replenishing drinks and bringing new silverware with each course. Big debate…do we have dessert? Of course.

We shared a very chocolatey slice of chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. Every bite of our dinner was delicious. I would definitely go back. Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed! And….of course we gambled a little before and a little after dinner. We both left as losers but with happy bellies.

Until next month, happy eating!

Lifestyle • November 8, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! November Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-NOVEMBER-

We decided to do our monthly dinner a few days early since we had tickets to see Pink Martini. It was my pick and I decided to keep it Downtown so we kicked off the evening with cocktails at the Rebel Room in the Industrialist Hotel.

It is a very pretty place. Rachael enjoyed an Aperol spritz and I ordered my favorite, a Kahlua and Cream. The waitress said no Kahlua!!! — darn– so I had to change to a Prosecco. We cheered and enjoyed our conversation and surroundings as the sad faces of the Steeler fans came in after a Steeler loss to the Jaguars 20-10.

Then we headed to PPG2 to the new Alta Via location in Market Square.

We started with the burrata served with cherry tomatoes, arugula, added prosciutto and grilled focaccia. ($18)

We shared a half order of the Gerber Farms chicken plated with crispy parmesan potatoes and roasted leeks. ($29) It was crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

We ordered a full portion of the Pappardelle with a beef short rib sugo, topped with ricotta. ($37) It was not as robust as we were hoping and the short rib was chunky, not flaked.

On to dessert.

We shared a very small creme brulee ($12) and delicious decaffeinated coffee.

The service was attentive, we received clean silverware with each course and had plenty of leftovers. Overall it did not meet the expectations of the Big Burrito reputation we are accustomed to.

On to next month, happy eating!!

Lifestyle • October 16, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! October Issue

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-OCTOBER-

This evening we celebrated our monthly dinner and it was Rachael’s choice who deemed it ‘a dud of a night’. We drive by both of these places often and have never tried them so, tonight was the night! We started at JMOS(Jamison’s) in Dormont. We had a sweet new waitress who was very anxious about doing a good job and she was great! Rachael enjoyed a beer while we waited and she commented on what a clean bar it was.

It was $3 off the half pound burger tonight so Rachael ordered a bacon swiss mushroom burger. ($11 with special) It was cooked as ordered, the bun was dry and the bacon ‘stix’ were not good. It was sticks of really thick bacon but the taste and texture were not appealing, served with a side of oily mac and cheese. I decided on the kielbasa burger, made locally for them served with tomato, red onion and pickles. I opted for it wrapped in lettuce, served with a side of chips. It was ok but did not taste like the kielbasa I am accustomed to.

We ordered garlic parm wings, flavorful and crispy. ($7.50)

On to Amy’s Bakery in Mount Lebanon. Rachael ordered a chocolate crepe pie and I had the tiramisu crepe pie.

They were large pie shaped servings but were very light on flavor. So….we laughed and enjoyed the evening out but we will look forward to November for sure.

Until next time, stay safe and happy eating!

Lifestyle • September 13, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! September Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-SEPTEMBER-

It was my choice of restaurants this month. We started at The Parlor Dim Sum and Cantonese BBQ on Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Nice decor and service. We ordered to share.

We started with a pleasant white peony hot tea.

We had roasted duck soup, flank steak with wide rice noodles and scallions and roasted pork shoulder with a ginger honey glaze. All were generous portions and were plated pleasingly. The flavors were on the light side but I enjoyed it more than Rachael. Give it a try. Great bar area on the lower level.

Then we went to Perrysville to Wilson’s BBQ, a third generation rib joint that advertises as “riblicious”.

The ribs were so tender that the meat fell off of the bone. We tried a side of mac and cheese and the ribs were served with a lot of sauce, mild or hot and a slice of bread and butter. They reopened recently after having closed because of a fire. The staff was super courteous and attentive. It is basically for take out and they do have two tables on the sidewalk. We were entertained by a retired city cop who rapped with the staff for fun. We always enjoy our monthly dinners and trying new places.

Until next time, stay safe and happy eating!

Lifestyle • August 15, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! August Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-AUGUST-

August was Rachael’s choice of dining spots. We headed for dinner to Mary’s Vine, located in a refurbished church in Rankin. They did a fabulous makeover of the space, top to bottom, adding a modern vibe and an outdoor dining area. The tables and chairs are formal, the original altar space is the wine area, and the bathrooms are well appointed and clean. Service is gracious and attentive. Mary’s Vine has a great offering on Wednesday evenings for a 12-seat wine tasting table. One pays $28 for a flight of wines and a host explains the various profiles and history. It is a nice social gathering if you are interested in learning more about wine. They also have a cigar bar that we did not visit.

Our starter was a spiced Asian pear dish. The pears were poached in mulled wine, served with burrata, house made crostini, and balsamic reduction drizzle. ($22) Plentiful, beautiful presentation and tasty.

The dinners were plated well with a pleasing decorative presentation but small servings for the price, lacking in flavor. I chose the roasted airline chicken with a sweet potato puree. Odd flavor with crispy baby vegetables and a bourbon glaze. ($34) Rachael’s entree was jumbo sea scallops with a beet puree and crispy baby vegetables served with a fresh blue purple orchid, nice touch. ($43) Next time we both said we would order a couple of appetizers and a salad to share.

We continued on to Shelly Pie Pizza in Turtle Creek, the former VFW. As we approached the building looked uninhabited but then we realized parking was in the rear and the parking lot was quite full.

We ordered a slice of the chocolate layer cake, moist and fudgy and Spanish coffee. The coffee was good but it does not replace the fabulous Spanish coffee that was our indulgence for many years at the Mallorca on the Southside. Standard order was 2 Spanish coffee and a piece of almond cake to share!

Until next time, stay safe and happy eating!

Lifestyle • July 13, 2023

Restaurant Roulette with Suzanne! July Issue!

by Suzanne Lorenzi Sala

There are 3 rules to the game:

1) Every month one person picks the places to dine.

2) No one in the group could have eaten there before.

3) Everyone splits the bill.

-JULY-

This month was my choice of restaurants. We started at Four Twelve Project Wine and Dinery – a farm to table concept in Coraopolis. FTP has a casual atmosphere with a small bar with loads of beers and spirits and an interesting cocktail menu. The walls are adorned with various sayings and local art projects.

Rachael indulged by kicking things off with a very summery tasty Aht’er Banks – a rum base with pineapple, lime, raspberry and peach concoction. ($8)

The farm salad was fresh with almonds and goat cheese but it was a bit of a search for the beets. ($7.25)

Two meat options – pink or no pink.

We shared the 1/2 pound burger special with American cheese, crispy bacon, and the special sauce ($14.50) with a side of Mac n cheese. ($2.50) Great burger, mediocre Mac n cheese.

We also ordered a skewer of pork with a pineapple honey marinade topped with a coconut peanut sauce. ($7) Very good and tender with a little kick.

The menu is a little hard to get when you first start to look but they offer a nice assortment of options with shareables, entrees, skewers, handhelds and salads. Very reasonably priced. Our service was average.

Off to deBlaze at 131 in Carnegie for dessert.

I had a cup of regular coffee – probably a little too late in the evening for me! We shared flourless chocolate torte topped with chocolate sauce, sweet cream, slivered almonds and cherry chutney. ($11) Delicious!! I need not say more!!

Until next month, stay safe and happy eating!

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