Dark Lair of Kopecs

Yes, after weeks of joking around about it, I finally suggested we actually go to Kopecs.   This was one of our favorites back at Labwerks because it was right across from the street.    Also the walking was kept at a minimum for Dan’s non-exercise needs.   It is the quintessential scary, dive bar with good comfort food.   

Of course Dan didn’t need any further persuasion + I was surprised that Kristin very reluctantly agreed to go.   I thought I’d seen more sulking than Dan’s visit to Sushi Kim.   Uh, it was pretty scary.   There was no one around except one drunkie working the machines.   Also the dining room, didn’t even look remotely like what I remember and it was initially completely dark.   I was about ready to take a U-turn but we decided to stay.

Anyway the food was decent, we both got a double-decker hamburger w/fries that was delicious!  It had two large patties – one beef, the other hot sausage… just what the doctor ordered.    Probably my only complaint was the smell of cigarettes, but it was worth a good laugh and a walk down memory lane.   Kristin also is demanding two lunches at Picolo Forno to wash out the experience.  

It’s also been about an hour, and I’m still alive.

Kopecs Korner
3523 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 683-4190

               

 uh-oh                        double decks                  mmmeat stack

Food Flash in the WV Panhandle

For Super Bowl weekend, I went to visit my girlfriend in Wheeling, WV.    There are a couple places in the city that are worth a trek if you’re looking for an excursion outside of the city.    For lunch, we went to Salsa Cafe, a recent fav, which has fresh, delicious Mexican food in a small coffeeshop setting.   I had my usual, 2 chicken tacos with soft flour shells with a small side of rice with cheese on it.  

For dinner, we went to Later Alligator in the Centre Market district in Wheeling.   The restaurant features paninis and crepes with humorous names like “Crepes of Wrath” (mild Italian sausage, sauteed onions, roasted red peppers, fontina and mozzarella), Aesop’s Feta (cheddar, onions, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, tomato and feta), Salsa the Border (cheddar, pico degallo, chicken, roasted red peppers and red onions) and even The Crepe Escape (chicken with rosemary, carmelized onion and fontina).    Afterwards, we finished the night off by watching the Wheeling Nailers on their Shred Rich Rodriguez night.

Salsa Cafe
56 Carmel Road
Edgewood, WV
(304) 242-1033 
http://www.honesttogoodnesssalsacafe.com/

Later Alligator
2145 Market Street
Wheeling, WV
(304) 233-1606

        
almost heaven           american in paris        later alligator         

   
salsa cafe tacos         wheeling nailers

Veggies in the Hood

Since over half the team were at an all-day client meeting, Rob and I decided to pick something out of the ordinary and blogable, The Quiet Storm out in Garfield on Penn.   This was another old favorite back in the day, but I haven’t gone there for about 3 years.   All I remember was they had awesome soups and it was primarily a coffeehouse with a vegetarian menu.   The venue is eclectic and vintage – with neat trinkets to check out.   They supposedly have a killer brunch on Sundays.

What a surprise!   The menu was immense, with lots of selections for vegetarians and those that like their veggies to taste like meat (ie: gardenburgers).   I got a cup of chili and a falafel with jalapeno slaw.   Then Rob ordered a potato soup with buttermilk and a gyro burrito.   The service was a little slow but we weren’t too much of a hurry.   The “drug dealer” or “sketchy dude” that kept coming in and out of the restaurant got to be a little annoying, but it was a meal to remember.   

            

 the place                        the falafel                      the burrito

The Quiet Storm
http://www.quietstormcoffee.com/
5430 penn avenue
412-661-9355

Geno’s Fine Food…Indeed.

The SpaceTeam traveled, once again, into the very depths of Lawrenceville to uncover another gem, Geno’s. A very quaint bar/restaurant run by a very large, burley fellow with a thick Boston accent. His hands were like bear claws as he served us our drinks…they looked like ‘Killin’ Hands’. The gentle giant then brought us our food…of the bar variety:

Dan & Kristin both started with the chili which got rave reviews. Kristin followed up her chili with an order of Garlic Bread, which was to die for. Rob and Dan both split a Homemade Meatball Sandwich and a Deluxe Steak Sandwich…both incredible (although a little overtoasted on the bun). And Brian also had the Deluxe Steak sandwich. The alcoholics in the group (i.e. Rob & B) ordered a Guinness and a Dogfish Head respectively. Eclectic atmosphere for a bar/restaurant…local art adorned the walls along with some old Pittsburgh city photography from the early 1900’s. Great place to eat and enjoy each other’s company and you won’t leave hungry.

Bonus: Foster’s Meats (Butcher) is located right next store.

Extra Bonus: They don’t wash their hands when they cut up your meat.

Geno’s Restaurant and Big Belly Deli
5147 Butler Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 781-3432
Website

Back to the Grind or Will it Blend?

For Monday, the lunch group made a stop at W.g. Grinders in Bloomfield.   Our mission was to get a labcoat at the local Uniforms store.   We’re using it as a prop for this video we’re doing at the Addys.   Reluctantly, I am the star of this video.     Anyway, I opt’ed for a soup and salad since I pretty much gorged over the weekend.    I had a tomato bisque and a small Southwestern Chicken Salad.    Both were delicious.    The salad was especially good – nice and spicy – normally I will buy a sandwich here since that’s their speciality.     But I’m a convert!    Here’s a link to their menu.

W.g.Grinders – 4765 Liberty Ave, 412-682-8000

        

my soup and           rob’s sammie – buffalo chix
salad

Trattoria Time

Thursday – for today, we did a late lunch and stopped at Piccolo Forno on Butler Street.   It’s a great little Italian restaurant in Lawrenceville with a modern flair.   The best part about it – is the pizzas which are done in the traditional Naples style.    I fondly remember the pies from the original Regina Margherita, which was in the same space.   Fortunately the recipes have stayed the same.   I ended up getting the Pasta Fagoli which was excellent to start.     Trying the remember all of the four pizzas we ended up getting.   I believe they were the Bianca, Quattro Stagioni, Quattro Formaggi, and the Focaccina Ripiena… fortunately there’s a menu online at their website.     It’s also a great place to go for dinner just remember to BYOB!

piccolo Forno – 3801 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 – 412-622-0111

       

Bianca I presume            Group shot                     Stagioni Slice

A ‘Lot’ of Good Things

Friday’s adventurous group tackled an old favorite, Lot 17, in Bloomfield.  Always a good meal and a good beer, the Lot never disappoints.  On friday’s menu was a special Cajun Chicken & Shrimp over pasta…paired up with a Magic Hat #9 made Rob’s day.  Dan’s Turkey Sandwich looked scrumptious with bacon, lettuce, and cheese.   Brian attacked the Jalapeño Steak Wrap and Kristin took on the Grilled Chicken Wrap.  Lot 17 is a crowd favorite and comes highly recommended.    It’s an old Labwerkian fav.

 

     

 

brian’s steak wrap        ned’s chicken parm

 

     

 

kristin’s chicken            rob’s shrimp and chicken

wrap                            pasta

The Ghost of Thanksgiving’s Past

The immortal Carved Turkey Special at the Smallman Street Deli in the Strip District is indeed a treat. Reminiscent of the day-after-Thanksgiving leftover lunches I hold so dear, this sandwich includes hand carved turkey (no processed meat), lettuce, Swiss Cheese, tomato, and a heavenly herb mayo spread. Available every week on Thursdays, the Outlook calendar reminds me with a nice jingle and a memory of family thanksgiving dinner’s past. Clearly, this gets my pghslop stamp of approval. Now, it’s time to accept my turkey coma.

Hot Sausage and a piece of Pie

Dan and I stopped by Graziano’s Pizzeria on Penn… another old favorite.    Watched the guy in front of me buy some Hurricane malt liquor – tons of beer 40s.    This is the best local place for some old school pizza.    Bring the napkins to sponge off the grease or whatever that is.    It’s right off of Penn near Main street.   The hot sausage hoagie was divine but causing some problems Houston.    Any other good local pizzeria’s out there?

Graziano’s 401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-2135

      
my lunch                dan’s lunch

YOU ORDER NOW!!!

Tram’s Kitchen was splendid…as seen in photo is remnants of Vermicelli w/chicken & the Saigon Soup in the background.  Meal starter…..2 Spring Rolls.   Atmosphere is much like my days in ‘Nam.

Other bonus:  served by one-armed Vietnamese man who yells and pokes you with bamboo stick.