A Random Train Trip To NYC

Achievement: #45. Mini Train Vacation Getaway

Last year, we had a train trip that Lemony Snicket couldn’t have topped. The result was a sizable credit from Amtrak, which we finally got to use to take a train trip to New York City, to see Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Check out the results! Continue reading

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Filed under #45, #45-15, hedwig, kimpton, new york city, trains, wine

Charcuterie Face-Off, Exhibition Round: Paris 66 Bistro

Achievement: #21. Charcuterie Face-Off | #40. Wildcard #2 - The Great Pittsburgh Blog Swap

For The Great Pittsburgh Blog Swap of 2015, we’re guesting over at Nicky D Cooks, and Erin from the blog, Don’t Forget to Eat! is filling in for us. Erin and her husband tackled one of our favorite achievements by checking out the charcuterie at Paris 66 Bistro. Take a look! Continue reading

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Filed under #21, #21-15, #40, #40-15, charcuterie, cheese, east liberty, french food, guest blogger, meat

A Cocktail For Every Season: Back To The Earth

Achievement: #82. Invent One Cocktail Per Season

This year, we’re attempting to create one new cocktail for each season. First up is winter, and we’re coming at you with a beet-infused spin on the Blood and Sand that we call…Back to the Earth. Continue reading

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Filed under #82, #82-15, beets, cocktails, home bar, winter

The Baller Meatball Ball-Off: Lombardozzi’s Restaurant

Achievement: #22. Meatball Ball-Off

In this third installment of the Baller Meatball Ball-Off, we return to the site of one of our very first Achievements, Lombardozzi’s Restaurant. We remembered well the succulent balls of Lombardozzi’s; but were they truly baller enough for this ball-off? Read on to find out. Continue reading

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Filed under #22, #22-15, bloomfield, italian food, meat, meatballs

Jelly Of The Month Club: Strawberry Basil Jam

Achievement: #42. Jelly of the Month Club

Round two of 2015’s Jelly Of The Month Club brings us an intriguing local product — Basil Strawberry Jam from Ruk’s. What was the result? Stop in and evaluate along with us. Continue reading

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Filed under #42, #42-15, buy fresh buy local, jelly, jelly of the month

In Which Michael Loses An Oscars Bet And Humiliates Himself Publicly

Achievement: #85. Oscars Bet

Every year, Fox and I bet each other who will predict the most winners at the Academy Awards. The stakes this year: win, or be forced to read terrible teen poetry aloud in public. Have a look at the ugly results. Continue reading

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Filed under #85, #85-15, academy awards, bet, husband, oscars, wager

The Famous Fish Fracas: The Original Oyster House

Achievement: #13. Famous Fish Sandwich Tour

We surveyed another spot serving a Famous Fish Sandwich — this time, the historic Original Oyster House in downtown Pittsburgh. How’d their nearly-century-old breading recipe measure up? Come investigate with us. Continue reading

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Filed under #13, #13-15, downtown, fish sandwich, french fries, pittsburgh

The Commoner Is Anything But Common

Achievement: #21. Charcuterie Face-Off | #44. Kimpton Staycation

Rounding out our trio of Kimpton Staycation posts…on the night we stayed at the Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, we had a pretty sweet board of cheese and charcuterie at the hotel’s restaurant, The Commoner. Check out the hit parade of cheeses and meats, plus our recommendations! Continue reading

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Filed under #21, #21-15, #44, #44-15, charcuterie, cheese, downtown, hotel, kimpton, restaurant, staycation, valentine's day

Everyone Could Use A Little Head Cheese

Achievement: #44. Kimpton Staycation | #57. Eat Head Cheese

During our Kimpton Staycation, we had planned on going downstairs to the Commoner to judge their charcuterie. Little did we know that their charcuterie boards would also allow us to strike another long-in-the-coming achievement: try head cheese! Come read the verdict. Continue reading

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Filed under #44, #44-15, #57, #57-15, charcuterie, downtown, head cheese, kimpton, pittsburgh, staycation, valentine's day

The Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh: Our Wondrous Kimpton Staycation

Achievement: #44. Kimpton Staycation

When we learned that Pittsburgh was getting its very own Kimpton hotel, we immediately made a date for a little staycation. Here is the chronicle of our trip down the road to the Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, a lovely new jewel in the Kimpton chain. Continue reading

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Filed under #44, #44-15, breakfast, cocktails, dessert, dinner, downtown, hotel, kimpton, pittsburgh, restaurant, staycation, valentine's day