Author Archives: michael

February Coffee Talk: Commonplace Coffee

Achievement: #78. Monthly Coffeeshop Feature

Each month, we’re visiting a different coffee shop somewhere in or around Pittsburgh. This month, we checked out the Squirrel Hill location of The Commonplace Coffeehouse. Have a look! Continue reading

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Filed under #78, #78-17, coffee, coffee shop, dessert, squirrel hill

Proper Cocktail Hump Day: Vieux Carré

Achievement: #67. Craft Cocktail Lab

Fat Tuesday approaches, so in honor of that we opted to make a cocktail with a little New Orleans flavor. Continue reading

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Filed under #67, #67-17, booze, cocktails, drinking, education, home bar

Cheese Of The Month Club: Swiss Returns

Achievement: #13. Cheese of the Month Club

We had the pleasure of revisiting some of our favorite Swiss cheeses this month; take a look and maybe get some ideas for your own board. Continue reading

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Filed under #13, #13-17, cheese, cheese of the month club, pennmac, strip district

January Coffee Talk: The 61c Cafe

Achievement: #78. Monthly Coffeeshop Feature

Once a month, we’re going to be checking out a different coffee shop somewhere in the Pittsburgh area. First off: the 61c Cafe, a favorite of ours for nearly two decades! Continue reading

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Filed under #78, #78-17, coffee, coffee shop, pittsburgh, squirrel hill

Proper Cocktail Hump Day: The California Widow

Achievement: #67. Craft Cocktail Lab

We return for a second installment of our latest series to present a gin and eau de vie-based delight! Check out the recipe. Continue reading

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Filed under #67, #67-17, buy fresh buy local, cocktails, education, pittsburgh, strip district

Proper Cocktail Hump Day: The Major Tom Collins

Achievement: #67. Craft Cocktail Lab

Every other Wednesday in 2017, we’ll be chronicling the preparation (and perhaps imbibing) of a new craft cocktail at our home bar. First up: a David Bowie-inspired mashup of two classics! Continue reading

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Filed under #67, #67-17, cocktails, education

Jelly Of The Month Club: Soergel’s B.E.A.R. Jam

Achievement: #12. Jelly of the Month Club

One of our earliest food challenges returns in the January edition of Jelly of the Month Club! This month, we’re reviewing Soergel’s Orchards B.E.A.R. Jam. Check back the first Friday of every month for more reviews! Continue reading

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Filed under #12, #12-17, breakfast, jelly, jelly of the month, layla, pittsburgh

Our California Holiday: In Summary

Achievement: #39. Ontario Ridge Trail | #40. Tour the SLO County Food Scene | #88. Joshua Tree | #90. Lompoc Wine Ghetto | #91. Gaviota Wind Caves | #92. Hike Bishop Peak Again

We took a 10-day trip out to California and banged out a number of achievements. Take a look! Continue reading

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Filed under #39-16, #40-16, #88-16, #90-16, #91-16, #92-16, california 2016

Our California Holiday: The Heights Of Bishop Peak

Achievement: #92. Hike Bishop Peak Again

In previous years, we’ve done a bunch of cool things out in California that we then failed to blog about. Hiking Bishop Peak was one of these, so this year, we revisited the towering hike, made sure to get lots of good shots, and actually wrote about the damn thing. Enjoy! Continue reading

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Filed under #92, #92-16, bishop peak, california, california 2016, hiking, SLO county

Our California Holiday: The Tapas Of SLO County

Achievement: #40. Tour the SLO County Food Scene

There is an ever-growing number of terrific food options in San Luis Obispo County; here are four that we think stand especially tall! Continue reading

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Filed under #40, #40-16, burgers, california, california 2016, cocktails, dinner, paso robles, san luis obispo, SLO county, tapas, wine