Giveaway: Best Restaurants Party
Posted by mike | Filed under Meta
I have another fun giveaway for anyone who wants to enter. This time, Pittsburgh Magazine is letting me hand out two tickets to next week’s Best Restaurants Party. I’m even making it easy for you to win: just post a comment below with an idea for what place I need to try next. On Saturday (May 22) at 8:00am, I’ll randomly select a winner from among all valid entries.
The short form. For those who like it short and sweet…
- I will be handing out two free tickets for the Best Restaurants Party.
- You post a comment below recommending a restaurant for FoodBurgh.
- You make sure to include a valid email address with your comment
- I randomly pick one of the valid entries on May 22 at 8:00am.
- I broadcast the winner’s name on facebook and Twitter.
- I email you details how how to get your tickets.
The long form. Now, for those who tolerate verbosity…
What is the best restaurants party? Pittsburgh Magazine collects a whole list of great Pittsburgh restaurants and gathers them all up in the convention center. You’ll find a booth for each restaurant along with samples, additional information, and some restaurant staff who can answer your questions. Who knows, you might even get a chance to talk to the chef.
I’ve actually never been out there before, but the photos from last year should give you some idea of what to expect. From what I can tell, it looks like a great time. Just think of it as the Steel City Big Pour of food…except it’s a little bit more expensive to get in with a correspondingly smaller crowd. In this case, that means you’ll have a little more space to spread out. I have two tickets of my own, and I’m definitely looking forward to giving it a try.
I suspect that if you read this blog, you’re probably hoping to get your hands on some tickets of your own. Consider this your chance.
Ground rules. The basic ask is that you post a comment below with a restaurant that I really need to visit (and write up in the blog). Tell me about that one place that you’ve been itching for me to write up. If you’re going to win, I need to have a way of contacting you, so it’s important to provide a valid email address when you fill in the comment. It won’t be made public, but I will be able to see it (and follow up if you win.) Once we hit the deadline, I’ll pick a winner at random.
The deadline is Saturday morning. Yes, I’m some sort of crazy morning person. I’ll be picking a name on Saturday morning and contacting the winner that day. I’ll also post the the winning entry to both my Twitter account and the FoodBurgh facebook page. I’ll also note it here on the blog in a post party wrap-up.
So what are you waiting for? Tell me where I need to go next!
May 19th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Go to Out of the Fire Grill in Donegal, PA. They make their own smoked salmon and it is the best. All of their food is homemade and is deliciioous. It is a byob restaurant, and a drive from Pittsburgh but worth it! Give it a try you will not be disappointed.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
I suggest you visit Christos Greek food place in downtown. I personally liked it a lot. Their hummus is the best and don’t forget to take some baklava for desert!
May 19th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Spice Island Tea House in Oakland has become our default Asian place in Pittsburgh, and for good reason — excellent food at prices geared towards college students. The menu isn’t limited to one ethnicity; it aims to cover all of Southeast Asia. Mrs. Crappy loves the beautiful noodle dishes and crab meat spring rolls; I seem to get stuck on their curries, even during the summer (although I’m developing a similar weakness for their Pad Thai. A bonus: a small but respectable beer list. I know it’s the wrong time of year, but I just started thinking about Rendang and a bottle of Lion Stout. Maybe it’ll be cool enough this weekend…
May 19th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Jimmy Wan’s Tai Pei in cranberry/7-fields. Good-sized menu with an excellent sushi selection. Not too mention huge portions. Great atmosphere! Has become one of my favorites in Pittsburgh!
May 20th, 2010 at 12:49 am
Hidden away on S. Bouquet St in Oakland is Salem’s Halal Meats & Groceries (not to be confused with Salim’s on Center Ave). Home to a variety of delicious entrees for lunch, Salem’s also boasts a halal butcher and notary public. Visit on Friday to try the roasted lamb (perfect when accompanied with a few squirts of Sriracha red chile sauce), easily the finest in the city.
May 20th, 2010 at 1:13 am
Udipi in Monroeville is arguably the best South Indian food on the East coast!! Their dosas are incredible and very filling. Once I met someone in Ithaca who was originally from South India and immediately knew of Udipi when I mentioned being from Pittsburgh — that’s how good it is!
May 20th, 2010 at 6:24 am
I’m going to put a second vote in for Out of the Fire in Donegal. Not only is the food great but the views are wonderful too.
May 20th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Bella Frutetto in Wexford is at the other end of the Eat n’ Park Plaza on Brandt School Road. I really like their take at Italian, not sure how to describe it. It seems that they strive for fresh locally sourced specials. Oh, and they have a small but good selection of bottled craft beer!
May 20th, 2010 at 6:39 am
I second Spice Island and Udipe. Square Cafe is my original suggestion. Heavy emphasis on fresh local produce, lovts of veggie options, great food.
May 20th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Go to Cippino in the Strip.
May 20th, 2010 at 6:45 am
I’d like you to try Quiet Storm, on Penn Ave!
May 20th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Try out Legend’s in the North Side! Amazing!
May 20th, 2010 at 7:14 am
The best pizza in Pittsburgh, Spak Brothers in Garfield. It has some of the best vegan options in the city and uses all local food.
May 20th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Mediterranean Grill in Squirrel Hill. They have the best falafel and the dish with spinach and blackeyed peas (I can’t remember the name)…
May 20th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Cafe Venice in Glenshaw. After driving by it for months I finally stopped in and I have been missing out. Great Italian food and super friendly wait staff. I got their chicken pesto, a dinner meal large enough to feed a family of four and my boyfriend got their chicken with champagne sauce. Both meals were fantastic and reasonably priced. This is now our local spot.
May 20th, 2010 at 7:42 am
You should try Mexico City downtown! SOOOOOOO good!
May 20th, 2010 at 7:47 am
You should try Salem’s on the Strip… excellent, quality food and dirt cheap!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:02 am
For low key BYO, I have always enjoyed Kassab’s in Southside. Over the weekend I also stopped in the S&D Polish Deli in the strip and their menu (and nice seating area!) looked pretty darn good. Might be a cool place to try.
May 20th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Point Brugge in Point Breeze!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:14 am
Kaya in the strip. Just went for the first time a few weeks ago and happened to be there on “Fried Chicken Thursday.” My husband could not get over a. how awesome the chicken was and b. how much food he got for the price. I had the tofu tacos, which were also spectacular. Another plus, their happy hour (5-7pm) is half off all drinks.
May 20th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Love the all-you-can-eat sushi on Wednesdays at Penn Avenue Fish Company in the Strip District!!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Just ate at Bona Terra in Sharprsburg and was very impressed, you should definitely give it a shot!
May 20th, 2010 at 8:59 am
There’s a sweet Mexican place tucked waaaay far away in leetsdale (just past Sewickley off of Route 65) called Azul. DEE-licious. I’m a big-lover of Mexican and I think this place is one of the best. Definitely the very best salsa I’ve ever had.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:02 am
Sausalido’s in Bloomfield. BYOB Nice specials, perfect service and fantastic food!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Gran Agave: new Mexican at the Waterfront! Yum!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Have you already reviewed Nicky’s Thai Kitchen or the Smiling Banana Leaf? What about Juice Box, the new sandwich and smoothie shop in Shadyside on Copeland? So many places to try! Enjoy! :)
May 20th, 2010 at 9:35 am
I’d like to hear your thoughts on Tamari or Plum
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Brunch at Little Athens in Sewickley is a nice little surprise.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:15 am
Rey Azteca in Penn Hills. Great quanitity, quality, service and price.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:15 am
I like La Cucina Dolce in Monroville. They have the best greens and beans and it is BYOB too.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:46 am
You should definitely try Little Tokoyo in Mt. Lebo. Yum!
May 20th, 2010 at 10:49 am
One part of my brain is telling you to go to Tessaro’s and order a huge bacon cheeseburger in my honor (no beef here unfortunately…also, remember when we went there and you ordered a salad, so typical!) But for real, Tin Roof Cafe in Homestead, it’s vegetarian! I wanted to try it before I left.
May 20th, 2010 at 11:10 am
I’ve been wanting to try Pangea in Shadyside. Their appetizer menu looks awesome! I also second the recommendation that you give us your take on Tamari – I’ve been hearing lots of great things about it and I definitely want to try it out.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I know you asked for reccomendations for restaurants or other eateries, but you seem like a guy interested in good beer as well as food. I am strongly encouraging you to check out East End Brewing in Homewood (yes, on the actual homewood side not the point breeze side). They make some excellent beers–a really good one at this time is the Monkey Girl Dunkle Weizen. Perfect for the transition from spring to summer. They use a lot of local supplies and are committed to sustainability. While this place is certainly not a restaurant, they do offer (on occasion) free samples of pretzels out of a bag if you are that hungry. If your just going for the beer (as you should be) they have growler hours almost every day of the week. Just stop in, sample, sample another, pick one, and enjoy.
P.S. Hopefully this is not redundant and you have not already written about this place.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Try Tamari in Lawrenceville. I love the different food options and the atmosphere.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Pan-Asia on Rt. 51 in West Mifflin is an excellent mix of Chinese and Japanese cuisine. The sushi is incredible, and my husband says the General Tso’s chicken there is the best he’s ever had. And he’s very picky about his General Tso’s!
May 20th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Il Pizziolo in Mt. Lebanon…best Pizza, hands down.
May 20th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Cafe Notte on Ohio River Boulevard in Emsworth. Just a few miles from Downtown Pittsburgh, this new restaurant offers great tapas in an intimate, neighborly setting. A great patio and wine list round out the experience. Truly a new gem on the PGH dining scene! (And I echo the shout out for Udipi Cafe in Monroeville from a previous post. The best Indian food I’ve had in this area.)
May 20th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
I highly recommend the restaurant at Narcisi Winery on Route 910, between West Deer Township and Richland Township. You won’t be disappointed.
May 20th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
J’eet on Penn Ave. near the Children’s Hospital is an awesome brunch/lunch spot. They have awesome crepes and sandwiches on the most amazing bread. Fresh, simple meals!
May 20th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Seems like most people are suggesting places they already know they love… but I like to hear your opinion beforehand to find out if a place is worth visiting :)
So, I have had the Dor-Stop, a diner in Dormont, on my Urbanspoon wishlist forever, but the reviews are mixed, and at the extreme ends of the spectrum: details.
I wonder if people like it just because of diner nostalgia. I think you should try it and let us know if it is worth the drive out there!
May 20th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Mantini’s Woodfired on Carson St in the South Side is very good. Love the Grilled BBQ chicken club sammich!! Upscale casual, very nice decor, very good food. Definitely worth a visit! Hope you like!
http://www.mantiniswoodfired.com/
May 20th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
17th Street Cafe is a long time favorite. They have just previewed their new menu (had a sample a couple of weeks ago). Always a great choice!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Well, they’re not a restaurant, technically, but I’d love to see you review the new frozen yogurt place in Squirrel Hill–Razzy Fresh.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
patron in wexford, pa is the best mexican i have add in the metro area!
May 20th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
I think a great place for you to review would be Bartram House Bakery in McMurray. They have such good food and pastries!
May 21st, 2010 at 2:21 am
Smiling Banana Leaf in Highland Park. Delicious Thai food and what a cute name!
May 21st, 2010 at 6:34 am
I would like you to review Tram’s in Lawrenceville, especially if that means the Foodburgh meetup will go there! I’ve been meaning to try it for a while.
May 21st, 2010 at 6:50 am
I suggest Ali Babba in Oakland! Great food!
May 21st, 2010 at 8:14 am
I agree with the vote for Mexico City. Very good!
May 21st, 2010 at 8:18 am
Interchange Lounge in West Mifflin/Jefferson Hills right off of 51. It’s not on a main road & it’s nit the best looking place. The food is amazing. Homemade & fish samdwiches and seafood dishes to die for.
May 21st, 2010 at 8:24 am
E2 in Highland Park — I almost fainted from how good my brunch was there. I’ve been back about 5 times. You’ll love it!
May 21st, 2010 at 8:26 am
Try out Green Mango in regent square. They have wonderful Thai and a nice atmosphere.
May 21st, 2010 at 8:45 am
Try Spadaforas in Allison Park on Rt. 8. They have wonderful food – the best fried zuchini (I know, how cliche) in the world and the most perfect marinara sauce. The Greek pasta is yummy too and I love their crab cakes….oh, I could go on and on.
May 21st, 2010 at 9:06 am
Have you tried LaCapella in Fox Chapel yet? It’s a fun little Italian restaurant. I believe they’re even hosting a beer tasting coming up in June.
May 21st, 2010 at 9:08 am
wednesday i used a groupon to try out silk elephant in squirrel hill and i am in love. already planning my next visit. they are fantastic; every item was beyond delicious. i highly recommend silk elephant.
thanks for offering such a wonderful prize!
(now i am craving thai food. at barely 10 am.)
May 21st, 2010 at 9:26 am
I suggest China Palace on 19 in the North Hills. Amazing Chinese food and they have great sushi.
May 21st, 2010 at 11:10 am
Try Sausalido on Liberty in Bloomfield. BYOB, yummy Italian, to die for cheesecake, what more could you want?!
May 21st, 2010 at 11:54 am
I love Mike & Tony’s in Southside but every time I go there I walk past Lesvos Gyro. I say to myself that I want to try it but keep walking. So I would like to know how they compare to Mike & Tony’s.
May 21st, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I’m a big fan of Piccolo Forno in Lawrenceville. BYOB and such yummy food!
May 21st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I have only lived here 3 years and in that time we have been searching for our favorite places. I can honestly say that Tillie’s in McKeesport has won our hearts in the Italian food department! Homemade EVERYTHING for eating in or taking out. Delicious! They are well known to those who know Tillie’s is there, but they are a well-kept secret in Pittsburgh from what I can tell.
May 21st, 2010 at 1:56 pm
You really should try Claudio’s Ristorante and Pizzeria on Painter’s Run Road- Best pizza I’ve had in years! Tried them for the first time 2 weeks ago, really good taste and texture….
May 21st, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Keeping in mind that Foodburgh leans vegetarian, I would recommend Kous Kous Cafe in Mount Lebanon on Washington Road.
It’s one of, if not the only, Moroccan restaurant in town and has fantastic fire-roasted vegetables in many of their dishes, including the namesake dish of couscous. The flavors are fantastic and the tangine serving dishes are authentic.
It’s a little tight of a fit, but worth it.
May 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 am
And that’s the contest. That’s 63 total comments, and I’m closing down comments on this thread.
There were two email entries that I’ll go ahead and list here. I wasn’t sure whether I would count them at all, but I’m not going to be a stickler.
Now I need to figure out a fun way to post the results.