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25 most romantic restaurants in Pittsburgh

The once industrial Steel City might be well-known for its dominating sports teams and french fry smothered salads and sandwiches—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a softer side. Take the guesswork out of where to go this Valentine’s Day. From fire-lit dining, to impeccable service, historic architecture, and of course, decadent dishes, Pittsburgh’s most romantic restaurants have something for everyone. 1. Altius Award-winning Altius offers contemporary American cuisine served with a scenic city view. From its spectacular location atop Mt. Washington to its exceptional new dining concept created by B DeFrancis and Chef Jessica Bauer, Altius takes the dining experience “higher”—which just so happens to be the Latin translation of its name. Make reservations here.  1230 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15211, Phone: 412-904-4442 2. Hyeholde Hyeholde sits on four acres of gardens and winding stone paths. It’s easy to see why it has long been considered one of the most…

A519 chocolatier brings sweet passion to Pittsburgh

If February stands for anything, it’s love, passion and chocolate. Those three things are also what happened to inspire A519 Chocolate owner, Amanda Wright leave her gig as a research assistant studying adolescent brain development at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a new career. While Wright enjoyed her previous job, it wasn’t necessarily her passion. “I had this dread of not doing exactly what I wanted to do and having to follow other people’s rules and schedules,” she said. So Wright signed up for Napa Valley’s Culinary Institute of America in San Diego, and she and her husband, Andy Rape, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University in biomedical engineering, made a cross-country move. It was at this school on the West Coast that she would find the next love of her life — chocolate. “I just love how nostalgic and how romantic it is. It brings you back to being a kid,” she says of chocolate. “My eyes just…

Learn to build a charcuterie board like a pro

During the holidays, when we’re almost guaranteed to be entertaining, the charcuterie board is a brilliant way to keep guests satisfied until the main course comes out. It’s the ultimate make-ahead appetizer, giving guests a fabulous feast without wasting any precious space in the already over-worked oven. In case you’re unfamiliar, or have trouble pronouncing it (like me and everyone else), it’s shar-kood-er-ee. But you can make it easy on yourself and just call it a cheeseboard. (Technically a cheeseboard is primarily cheese, while ‘charcuterie’ is the French word that refers just to the cured meats. But most people today use the terms interchangeably.) The larger platters are more appropriately named for the types of items that are included. Italians call it ‘antipasti.’ Greeks call it ‘mezze.’ Spanish call it ‘tapas.’ It’s all pretty much the same idea — small servings of each culture’s take on breads, spreads, meats, cheeses and snackable fruits and veggies,…

Places to pick your own apples and pumpkins near Pittsburgh

Well, that was fast. Summer is officially over, and soon the air will become chilly and night longer. But while you were out having fun in the sun, local farmers were tending to their pumpkin patches and apple orchards, so they’re ready to meet the demand of the new season. If you live in the Pittsburgh area, you’re lucky to have a handful of places to pick your own (PYO) apples and pumpkins right from the farm. Many of the pick your own below farms are hosting fall festivals too, so be sure to call ahead or visit online if you want to attend on a day where your family can participate in other fall favorite activities like hayrides and corn mazes — usually held on weekends through the end of October. So grab a jug of apple cider, and head out in to a local farm for some old fashioned fall…

Catfish is Not a Crime: Best Places to Eat Catfish during the Stanley Cup Playoffs

If you’re a fan of the NHL, you’re probably familiar with the Octopus toss at Joe Louis Arena, the home of the Detroit Red Wings. That tradition started in the 1950’s during a Red Wing playoff run. The Nashville Predators began mimicking the Octopus tradition in October of 2003, during a game against the Red Wings, by throwing catfish onto the ice at their home rink, Bridgestone Arena. And the tradition has continued. Most recently it caused a spectacle at Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when Jacob Deveral Waddell, 36, of Nolensville, Tennessee tossed a dead catfish onto the ice of PPG Paints Arena and was promptly escorted out of the game. The incident prompted local, popular fish market owners to take extraordinary steps to ensure the catfish fling doesn’t get out of control. “You have to show your ID if you want to buy catfish here,”…

A look at the growing artisanal salt trend

A half dozen salts sparkle in the sunlight at a stand in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. They vary wildly in texture, size, color, shape, and, of course, taste. The artisan salt trend has taken off in recent years, and with it, a deeper appreciation for the common mineral. Culinary creators are no longer limited to the taste of table salt, and health conscious consumers committed to the “farm to table” lifestyle have taken to them as a healthier alternative. Still, salt gets a bad rap among most. We’re told by doctors to avoid ingesting extra salt at all cost. But Kimarie Santiago wants to shake up that idea. The Long Valley, New Jersey woman is, of course, biased. She owns the growing artisan salt empire, Saltopia, but her passion for preaching salt’s health benefits, is infectious. And, she backs her bias with science. “I’ve dedicated my life to having my two…

Home & Garden Show Giveaway Winner Announced

Liz McLaughlin, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, was the winner of the Everybody Craves Vitamix giveaway from the 2017 Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show. The random drawing was made from several thousand hopefuls who entered their name during the 10 day long show held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh last month. McLaughlin picked up her Vitamix Professional Series 5200 and gift basket full of recipe books and kitchen goodies from our offices yesterday. McLaughlin said she has heard how easy food prep and blending can be with a powerful blender, and she is most looking forward to making smoothies, vegetables purees, and soups. Congratulations Liz! Here are a few easy Vitamix recipes to get you started, Liz! And for more ideas, keep checking everybodycraves.com. Blueberry, Banana, Kale Smoothie Carrot, Ginger Soup Sweet Potato, Chipotle Hummus

Ent-icing dessert designs by local cake artist

Cathy Burnheimer is turning the cake world upside-down. Her innovative cake designs push the boundaries and defy gravity. “We’ve done chandelier cakes that have hung inverted,” said Cathy Burnheimer. “One was at the Omni William Penn for a wedding. It was a five-tier cake that hung from the chandelier.” The Omni William Penn is a 23-floor hotel located in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The grand hotel has been host to many visiting luminaries including John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama, Mick Jagger and Ewan McGregor—just to name a few. Brides and grooms and other “high society” events regularly rent the famous balconied Grand Ballroom. The hotel was designed in a Renaissance Revival style—which means ornate, Classical details everywhere and tall, interior arches. Impressively decorated ceilings and cornices set the scene for a formal affair. (If you’re lucky enough to visit, be sure to look up!) “To have the Omni as my inspiration…

8 restaurants owned by former NFL players

Former NFL players. Present foodies. Most athletes will spend the majority of their time focusing solely on their skills. They will clock endless off-field hours fine-tuning their physiques so they stay at the top of their game. The most successful and marketable athletes will spend time, with the help of an agent, crafting a public persona — giving interviews, attending fan events, endorsements and appearances. After a physically challenging career, most athletes will disappear from the public eye to a world of beautiful houses, cars and chiropractor visits. Others will get in to commentary. Still others will pursue a different industry all-together: food service. What is it about athletes that makes us flock to their restaurants? Maybe we think athletes know something about nutrition. This might be true, except most of their restaurants revolve around red meat. Maybe we feel a solidarity with the other diners. Or maybe we think, somehow,…