#234: Citiparks Outdoor Pools - Not So Great for Your Cell Phone

The Best Place to Spend Your Day Poolside

The city of Pittsburgh offers its residents 19 olympic-sized outdoor neighborhood pools open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer for a nominal fee. Our nearest pool happens to be in Schenley Park.

On a hot Sunday afternoon, Michelle and I packed snacks, towels, and sunscreen and headed poolside. We arrived to find a crowd of all ages, shapes, and sizes enjoying the warm sunshine and water. We found a spot in the shade to set our stuff (I didn't want my chocolate stash to melt in the heat) before jumping in to cool off. It was refreshing and wonderful. I am so grateful to have a pool so close.

A piece of advice from those who make mistakes. Cell phones and water aren't friends. I suggest placing them in your towel away from the pool. Better yet - leave it at home and enjoy a day away from everything. Trust me. It's better this way.

- Emily

76 down, 289 to go.

#236: Penn Ave Fish Co. - TACOS!! Part 2

The Best Place to Find Yourself Up to Your Gills in Great Fish Tacos

As I mentioned in a previous post, until this past weekend, I thought Kaya had the best fish tacos. WRONG. I have never had a better fish taco than the ones I so thoroughly enjoyed at the Penn Ave. Fish Co. This is one of the gems of the Strip District. Do yourself a favor and go there. Right now. When you realize how good the tacos are, go back on a Tuesday for lunch. They are all you can eat for $8.99.

- Emily

75 down, 290 to go.

#33: Just Ducky Tours - Quack! Quack! Quack!

The Best Excuse to Quack Like a Duck

Last Saturday, two of my friends from graduate school, Katie and Robbie, were visiting Pittsburgh. For both of them, this was the first trip to the city in which they spent any significant amount of time. They joined Michelle and I for a tour of the city from the vantage point of a Just Ducky tour boat bus. The hour long tour was filled with corny jokes about ducks, bills, lame ducks, fowls... the list goes on. Even after living in Pittsburgh for more than I year, I had a great time and a few good laughs and learned a lot about the city. For example, it turns out that the reason Pittsburgh, and especially downtown, is so difficult to navigate is that it was designed by three different men. One worked from the Mon north, another from the Allegheny east. When the two started to converge, a third man was brought in to tie them together. This serves as further evidence that men are the intellectually inferior sex. A woman would never have let all this confusion happen.

The other fun part of the tour is when you actually enter the water. The captain gives the passengers a chance to drive the boat. He shared with us the history of these types of vehicles and how they were used during WWII. A piece of advice - get on a boat with the fewest number of children. They tend to want to drive right into the walls and bridges.

- Emily

74 down, 291 to go.

#96: Bossa Nova - A Great Place for a Date

The Best Place for Some Ambiance to Go With Your Tapas

We stopped at this trendy bar on our way to PNC Park for a pre-game beverage. My initial reaction was how cool this bar looked. Huge windows that open to 7th Street, a view of the Allegheny and the Andy Warhol Bridge, and high ceilings all made it seem like an open space. Inside, the decor was just as interesting. There was hand-drawn art on the bar with larger pieces throughout. The Happy Hour special was $1 off all martinis so we each ordered one. We agreed that this could be a great place for a first or second date. The openness of the main room and the quiet music would allow for conversation to take place without yelling and, if good, the conversation would distract from the slow service. Michelle has plans to go back soon to check out the Thursday night Salsa dancing. We'll keep you updated.


- Emily

73 down, 292 to go.

#229: Spice Island Tea House - Nicer on the Inside

The Best Place for Delectable Hole-in-the-Wall Dining

Most days, I'd like to believe I've tried almost every restaurant in Oakland. But every once in a while, I come across something new. In this case, it was the Spice Island Tea House on Atwood Street. While the outside certainly seems your average hole-in-the-wall Asian food place, Michelle and I agree that once inside, it's just a normal restaurant. Michelle ordered the Java Fried Rice, a plate with shrimp, chicken, bell peppers, chili peppers, green onion, and egg-strips, while I enjoyed the Chiang Mai Noodles in a red curry sauce with chicken, hot peppers, carrots, mushrooms, onion, and cilantro. We both enjoyed our meals and had more than enough leftovers to enjoy for lunch the next day. Since then, I've had the Tea House come up in conversation at least twice and learned that they actually host karaoke during the week and feature killer Long Islands. I guess I'll have to go back.

- Emily

72 down, 293 to go.

#48, 163: Natural Stitches and #3: Knit One - Get Your Knit On

Natural Stitches

Best Place to Learn How to Stitch and Best Yarn Shop

Emily and I stopped by Natural Stitches during an afternoon knitting session. There is nothing more awkward than 15 knitters starring at you while they are frantically crocheting their Christmas gifts. We briefly browsed the shelves of yarn and were out.

Knit One

Best Place to Pick Up Supplies for Your Next Knitting Project

Knit One was a more welcoming knitting store than Natural Stitches. The space was more open with bright colored

walls and we were greeted by Wendy whom Emily and I chatted with about our jobs as RDs. Wendy talked about how relaxing knitting was and how a project could be taken anywhere such as the hospital when you are on call.

Knit One offers private lessons for only $25 an hour which I scheduled with Wendy. During my lesson, Wendy taught me how to crochet, how to fix common mistakes, how to add yarn, and how to cast off. I'm very satisfied with the progress that I've made on my scarf. What do you think?

-Michelle

70 and 71 down, 294
to go

#89: Riverview Park - Where'd All the Water Go?

The Best Place to Go for a Jog in the City

It's probably more than fair to say we didn't really give Riverview Park a chance. Michelle and I left Oakland around 8:30pm to attempt to jog through the park. By the time we actually found it, it was getting pretty dark and we felt a bit uncomfortable getting out to run. Instead, we drove around in search of a trail or two to attempt in the future. We observed a few deer and other wildlife, giving us the impression that we were no longer in an urban area. In some ways, it reminded me of a park I'd find at home in Rochester, NY. But the odd part was that despite the name, we never found a view of any river. Can anyone shed some light?

- Emily

69 down, 296 to go.

#205: Oh Yeah! Ice Cream and Coffee - Definitely a Treat for Two

The Best Place to Eat the Breakfast Your Mom Never Let You Have

On yet another warm summer evening in Pittsburgh, Michelle and I ventured to Shadyside to test the ice cream at Oh Yeah! Ice Cream and Coffee. To our surprise, the line to order a cool treat was out the door and down the front steps. When we made it inside the coffee/ice cream shop, we were entertained by the unique and creative decor. Old license plates, odd pieces of art, and many advertisements for local classes, shops, and concerts surrounded us. Michelle seemed excited to hear that the ice cream featured was actually from her favorite shop - Dave and Andy's. She ordered something to suite her tastes while I attempted to order LivingSocial's suggestion - a vegan cinnamon waffle with a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream. Unfortunately, they were out of vegan waffles so I opted for a buckwheat one. The best part was that the waffle was made fresh and was warm enough to melt the ice cream. My dessert, which also doubled as dinner, turned out to be huge and could certainly be big enough for two to share, though I'm not complaining.

- Emily

68 down, 297 to go.

#57, #137, #109, #42, #41, #78: A Saturday in the Strip

#57: Hot Haute Hot

Best Furniture Store

Hot Haute Hot was again another reminder of how I am 25 years old living in a residence hall. Though if I did have an opportunity to furnish an apartment or home, I would definitely shop here. Hot Haute Hot has a variety of trendy furniture and decor items from across the globe. In the store shoppers can find anything from recycled furniture to vintage and antique items to jewelry. Hot Haute Hot is a great place to shop or just visit during a morning or afternoon in the Strip. Be sure to check out the manikins while you're there.

-Michelle

#137: Enrico Biscotti Co.

Best Place for Biscotti

My tooth is salty not sweet but Livingsocial recommended the cranberry-pistachio biscotti drizzled in chocolate so I had to try it. It was too hot for tea or coffee dunking so I had to do without during my biscotti experience. The biscotti had a nice buttery crunch with hints of cranberry throughout. The chocolate would have been a great addition but overall the biscotti was a nice day in the Strip treat.

-Michelle

#109: Mon Aimee Chocolate

Best Place for Spicy Hot Chocolate

Mon Aimee Chocolate is like the chocolate factory of Pittsburgh. There was a variety of chocolates to meet every chocolate lovers' needs and desires. Livingsocial recommended trying the spicy hot chocolate but unfortunately the beverage maker was down and because it was summer, it was unknown of when it would be fixed. A Mon Aimee Chocolate employee recommended the Chile Burnt Caramel as an alternative but I will be back in the winter to try the spicy hot chocolate.

-Michelle

#42: Stamoolis Brothers

Best Place to Buy Greek Food

Unless you like olives, an olive bar is really not that exciting. But if you do, I would recommend Stamoolis Brothers for your olive purchases. If I were a little more knowledgeable about the different types of olives available, I would rave about the selection at Stamoolis Brothers. But since I don't, you will just have to check it out yourself.

-Michelle

#41: Mike Feinberg Company

The Best Place to But Steelers Stuff

(Not Even) The Biggest Pile of Steelers Crap

Occasionally, Michelle and I will find that we disagree with LivingSocial's "best" something or other, although typically we find that the restaurant, park, or store is at least average. When it comes to Steelers gear, however, we both wholeheartedly disagree that Mike Feinberg Company is the best. This party shop, located on Penn Ave in the Strip, has a just a random collection of cheap party supplies. The only different between this store and your standard Party City chain-type party supply store is that this one has Pittsburgh team gear. Yet even the gear is nothing to get excited about. It's cheap, tacky, and not attractive. Looking for a Pittsburgh Steelers toilet seat cover? Then this is your place. But if you want something you will actually be proud to display in your home or on your body, I think you'd be better off checking out any one of the other 100s of Steelers gear shops in and around the city. Save yourself the time and excitement. Skip Mike Feinberg Co.

- Emily

#78: Kaya

Best Restaurant to Dream of Warmer Weather

(Fish) TACOS!!

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Kaya. Many people (including two of my supervisors) have reported the fish tacos to be the very best in the city. I became a seafood-eater in the more recent years of my life and consider fish tacos to be some of my very favorite fishy foods. Even taking my level of hunger into consideration, Kaya did not disappoint. I would have told you that they did, in fact, have the best fish tacos in the city. That is, until this past weekend. That's when I discovered the Penn Ave. Fish Co. fish tacos. Game over. PAFC wins.

- Emily

62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 down, 298 to go.

#8: Piccolo Forno - A Cheesy Slice of Heaven

The Best BYOB and Pizza Combo

While in LoLA, Michelle and I debated between checking out Piccolo Forno and the Round Corner Cantina. Because Piccolo Forno is on "the list" and I really love pizza, we put Round Corner Cantina on hold. Don't worry though - it may not be on "the list" but it is on my list.

Without a spirit store nearby, we arrived without the B from the BYOB. We were quickly seated at an indoor table and, due to the extreme heat, the air conditioning and ice water could not have been more welcome. We decided to split the polpete toscane as an appetizer and the quattro formaggi pizze. I thoroughly enjoyed both. As a connoisseur of fine pizza crusts, I can honestly say this was the best I've had since I moved to Pittsburgh. For that alone, I would be willing to go back for more. But next time, I'll bring some wine.

- Emily

61 down, 304 to go.

#149: Sugar Boutique - Where Lady Gaga Shops

Best Place to Find the Next Up-And-Coming Designer

At Sugar Boutique, shoppers could find eclectic clothing from local independent designers. Emily and I had a variety of expressions for both the styles and the prices of the pieces. I'm not sure where and for what event anyone would wear these items, but when lady Gaga is in town, I am sure this is her first stop. I did find a cute romper that was on sale but with my work schedule, I wasn't sure if I would have another opportunity to wear it this summer so I decided not to buy it.

Unfortunately Sugar Boutique closed it's doors on July 24th. Yeah, I am extremely late with this post. Sue me.

-Michelle

60 down, 305 to go.

#13: Crystal Bead Bazaar - Where Beads Come True

Best Place to Buy Beads

If you enjoy beading, Crystal Bead Bazaar is a great place to shop for beads and supplies. They offer a large selection of beads in a variety of different colors ranging in prices. Though neither Emily nor I bead, we thought it would be a great program for our RAs to have. For only $2.95, a jewelry maker is able to get a bag of mixed beads from a large barrel.

Even if you don't bead, I would recommend for you to stop by the store anyway. Joanne the store owner is a delight and will offer you a glass of wine.

-Michelle

59 down, 306 to go.

#188: Smallman Street Deli - Movie Theater Snack Attack

Best Place for Matzah Ball Soup

Also while on the way to see the new Harry Potter movie, Emily and I stopped in Squirrel Hill to go to 61C Cafe. It had been some time since we last did something on the list, so any opportunity to complete a thing was welcome.

I had not eaten anything that morning, so I was in search for a movie theater snack to take with me. As we were walking to 61C Cafe I noticed Smallman Street Deli across the street and Emily remembered that it was on the list.

Livingsocial recommended a steaming bowl of matzah ball soup. Steaming and summer aren't a good combination and eating a bowl of soup in a dark, crowded theater could be difficult so I opted for a chicken salad sandwich on multigrain bread.

Though the chicken salad sandwich was just ok, I would go back there for their Sunday brunch or breakfast or to buy a six pack of Blue Moon in cans.

-Michelle

58 down, 307 to go.

#192: 61C Cafe - Sunday, Study Sunday

The Best Place for a Truly Relaxing Cafe Experience

In searching for a snack to sneak into the local movie theatre while on our way to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II, Michelle and I decided to stop off at 61C Cafe on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. While we didn't stay long, I did notice that there seemed to be a decent collection of homemade baked goods from which one could select to enjoy with a cup of joe. The cafe offers both indoor and outdoor seating, which proves excellent for a nice afternoon. The atmosphere was quiet and I got the impression that many of the customers who were there were regulars. It seems like a nice place to spend a Sunday afternoon reading, studying, or catching up on e-mail from friends. Oh, and the cookie was pretty good too. =)

- Emily

57 down, 308 to go.

#113: The Pittsburgh Banjo Club - Bengay anyone?

Best Place to Hear a Banjo Jamboree

I like to consider myself a very open-minded individual who is willing to experience new things. From these new experiences I have learned a lot about what I like and what I don't like and I recently learned that I really really don't like Banjo music.

On Wednesday Emily and I went to Elks Lodge #339 where the Pittsburgh Banjo Club rehearses. When we entered the dining hall, I thought we had entered a retirement home with reserved tables. There were senior citizens EVERYWHERE. We immediately grabbed a table to absorb the sounds of the Banjo Club.

Sing-Along books were available for listeners to join in on the songs. In honor of the first day of summer, the club played "Roll Out Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" by Nat King Cole. Emily and I listened to a few songs until my ears began to bleed (not really) and we left. Never again.

-Michelle

56 down, 309 to go.

#208, #58, #174, #169, #20, #7, #34, & #76: A Sunday in the Strip

#208: 21st Street Coffee and Tea - The Best Coffee Shop to Disappear Into

#58: Peace, Love, and Little Donuts - The Best Place to Feed Donuts to Your Inner Hippie

#174: Pittsburgh Public Market - The Best Place for Locavores to Go Cuckoo for Local Stuff

#169: In the Kitchen - The Best Place for Cooks to Feel Like a Kid in a Candy Store

#20: Penzey's Spices -The Best (Foodie) Place to Spice Up Your Life

#7: Pennsylvania Macaroni Company - The Best Italian Grocery Store

#34: Art of Steel - A Make Up for a Skipped Number!

#76: Right By Nature - The Best Place for Organic Meat in the Strip

The Strip District is located between 11th and 33rd Streets and incorporates three main roads - Smallman Street, Penn Avenue, and Liberty Avenue. Formerly home to many mills and factories along the Allegheny River, Michelle, my friend Tom, and I spent this past Sunday exploring the shops, cafes, and stores in this fun neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

We started with 21st Street Coffee and Tea where Tom ordered a cup of coffee from Nicaragua. As the barista made his order, it appeared as though each cup is individually brewed and incredibly strong. As Tom said, if he was going to pay $4 for a cup of coffee, it better be the best cup of his life. And it was (according to him... neither Michelle nor I drink the icky stuff).

Our next stop was just next door - Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. Here, we put our dollars together and purchased a six pack of little donuts. Michelle and I both ordered a cinnamon and a glazed while Tom had two glazed. Branching out, obviously. Anyway, all donuts were good but I think that the most delicious was my cinnamon donut as it was still fresh out of the frier and therefore piping hot. Luckily for Michelle and I, a new Little Donuts just opened up down the street from work. Thank you!

After the donuts, we continued down Smallman Street to the Pittsburgh Public Market. Located indoors, this little market has all the free samples anyone could ask for just before payday. We tried soups, cheeses, crackers, jams and jellies, Jamaican food, Indian food... the list goes on. Michelle bought a hot raspberry jam while Tom opted for a delicious cup of lentil soup that he so kindly left in my refrigerator (thanks Tommy!). We all agreed we'd like to come check the market out on a Saturday to see if there are more vendors.

Our fourth stop was In the Kitchen, yet another kitchen store filled with overpriced supplies and bakeware. We spent about 20 minutes perusing the aisles and examining the goods. I was the only one to walk out with anything - a small plate decorated with various sights of Pittsburgh - and am looking forward to hanging it in my new apartment in two weeks.

A few shops down from In the Kitchen is Penzey's Spices. This store is a mini warehouse of spices. They have quite the selection. Michelle and I explored just a handful of the 250 different offerings with our noses - there was a mustard bratwurst spice, a lot of southwest/Mexican/Tex-Mex spices, and even more from Italy and Europe. We both felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the selection and believe that we would first need to upgrade our cooking skills before adding to our collections of spices.


Leaving Penzey's Spices empty handed, we hopped across the street to my favorite store in the Strip - the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company. They have olives, bread, pasta, spices, mustards, sausages, seafood, fruits, veggies... and the cheese selection is HUGE! I have never been by this place without seeing a long line for their selection of cheeses from around the world. While we didn't make any purchases on this visit, I will be going back very soon. I have decided that I could do all of my weekly grocery shopping in this store. It really is that awesome.


To make up for one of the "Things to Do" that LivingSocial skipped on its list, Michelle and I decided to recommend to you all Art of Steel which is located at 2125 Penn Avenue in the Strip. This art store was filled with unique finds. We easily spent a half-hour or so wandering the two rooms filled with pieces of art. Michelle was struck by the wine bottle holders pictured to the left, while I found a few paintings I am interested in. Again, with payday looming, I decided to hold off on making any purchases but I can't wait to go back, look around, and make a couple purchases.

Our final stop for the day was supposed to be at Right By Nature, a grocery store that focuses on providing as many natural and organic products as possible along with top selling supermarket/mainstream brands. LivingSocial called Right By Nature the best place for organic meat in the Strip. However, we found this to perhaps be less true than it seems as the store has suspended services as of Saturday, April 30, 2011. The signs in the window stated they hope to re-open their doors later this year in a new location. We shall see!

Overall, I felt like the four hours we spent exploring the Strip District were some of the most fun I've spent in Pittsburgh. I look forward to returning soon, this time with a bit more money to spend.

- Emily

47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 down, 311 to go.

#193: The Pittsburgh Scrabble Club - Not for the Faint of Heart

The Best Way to Mind Your Ps and Qs

I have always enjoyed a great game of Scrabble, especially when I frequently beat the likes of my parents and friends (i.e. Kellen, Ed). So when I heard about the Pittsburgh Scrabble Club, I was pretty excited.

Michelle and I arrived right at 7:00 and were quickly buzzed into the Imperial House in Squirrel Hill where the club meets every Wednesday night. We were greeted by Terry to whom we explained what we were doing with LivingSocial's list of things to do in Pittsburgh and our blog... she didn't seem to fully understand and asked us to talk to Stan. We again explained our challenge, to which we received a look of disappointment. This Scrabble Club wanted us to join pretty badly.

Rather than jump right in, Terry provided us a set of the Scrabble Club playing rules, a cheat sheet of 2 and 3 letter words, and a list of words that most people consider to be proper nouns but, in a certain form, are not. (I will not be sharing them here, for fear I will play one of our readers one day.)

Soon, Stan assigned that night's competitors. He invited us to watch how the play unfolds, including how challenges are made and determined with the help of a computer program. For an old game, the whole thing is pretty high tech.

I found myself to be fascinated by the style of play. Every player was focused and serious - there were no smiles or jokes, and certainly not any laughter. One women told us how joining the Scrabble club has completely ruined recreational play for her - she can't stand the conversation and lighthearted nature of it all. Those of you who know me will agree that this is not for me. While I enjoyed observing the Scrabble club, I think I'll stick to social Scrabble - I need to talk trash!

- Emily

55 down, 310 to go.

#217: Double Wide Grill - Carson Street Hot Spot

Best Place for a Night Out With Everything

On June 18th I participated in the South Side Summer Open and began my morning at the Double Wide Grill. At 10:30am there were already several diners enjoying meals and engaging in the active atmosphere of the miniature golf teams. Emily's friend Tom came to the city and the Double Wide Grill was somewhere she was very excited to take him to hangout, so we agreed to meet that evening back at the restaurant when the event was over.

I drank all afternoon, so when I met up with Emily and Tom the only thing I was concerned about was food. I asked the waitress what she recommended and she said that you could never go wrong with their burgers. I ordered a Black N' Blue burger which was a tad bit too salty for my tastes but satisfied my hunger. Emily and Tom ordered Rogue Dead Guy Ales.

The patrons ranged from miniature golfers that had been at the South Side for several hours to bars hoppers who were making their first stop of the night. At the Double Wide Grill, there never seemed to be a dull moment and definitely is a hot spot on the South Side.

-Michelle

46 down, 319 to go.

#190: Mattress World - Sneaking In, Stealth Mode

The Best Place to Find a Good Night's Sleep

Michelle and I are both fortunate enough to have our furniture supplied by our jobs. This means that we will have no need for a new bed or bed frame for at least another year. Rather than getting stuck talking to a salesman, we decided to operate in stealth mode while checking out Mattress World in Mt. Lebanon. We ran in and took a lap around the store while scoping out the products before I hopped in a child's bunk bed. While cozy, I'm not sure that this bed will fit either of our needs even if we are looking for a new bed this time next year. I might, however, find a use for that giant stuffed giraffe.

- Emily

45 down, 320 to go.

A Trip to the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon

Conveniently located across the street from the Holy Cross Church is the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon where three of the 365 things can be found.

#80: Restoration Hardware - Best Place to Buy Cool Lighting, Knobs, and Pulls

If you are searching for a modern look for your home or apartment, Restoration Hardware is the place to shop. Earth tones, metals, and hardwoods adorn the store from wall to wall. There are quite a few interestings pieces such as tripod lamps, lion head door knockers, and domed chairs. If you enter with full pockets, expect to leave with them pretty empty.

#194: Jezebel - Best Place to Get a Leg Up on Prom Dress Shopping

For Emily and I the days of prom are long behind us, but it's always fun to get dolled up for a special occasion. Jezebel had racks of short and long dresses in almost every color and pattern. We felt pretty old criticizing the styles of dresses girls are wearing to prom these days. In the photo I am modeling a hot pink Kardashian inspired dress though I usually prefer the classic little black dress.

#152: Jernigan's Tobacco Village Scotch and Cigar Bar -Best

Place to Find First-Class Stogies

Neither Emily nor I are cigar aficionados, so we were pretty clueless when we went into Jernigan's Tobacco Village Scotch and Cigar Bar. We browsed shelves of cigars using our noses to determine which ones we liked and didn't like. From experience I have learned that smoking a cigar actually attracts men, so don't be afraid to grab a stogie ladies!

-Michelle

42, 43, and 44 down. 321 to go.

#220: Greek Food Festival and Village - Arrive Early

The Best Greek Festival

 Michelle and I will soon become quite the gyro connoisseurs. On Friday, we dared fight Pittsburgh's Friday evening traffic through the Fort Pitt Tunnel on our way to Mt. Lebanon for the Greek Food Festival and Village. We arrived around 7:30pm to find limited parking and even more limited food selection. It turns out this festival is so popular, they frequently sell out of food. Luckily, they had at least two gyros left and we made sure we grabbed them. We sat outside the Holy Cross church while people-watching and gobbling up our delicious dinner. 

Special note - although the festival runs until 9pm, the food will run out. I suggest arriving earlier than 7:30pm if you want to try everything. And you should - it looked and smelled fantastic (on other people's plates)!

- Emily 

41 down, 324 to go.

#92: Trader Joe's - "Cheeeeeessseeee"

Best Place to Find Gourmet Cheeses for a Steal

I usually shop at Market District because of the convenient location and the fuel perks (gas prices are insane!). Emily on the other hand, drives alllllll the way out to Walmart in West Mifflin because of the lower prices. Insert Walmart rollback jingle here. We made the trip to Trader Joe's in search of English Blue Stilton, Livingsocial's favorite.

The cheeses are displayed with a brief description of where it is from, how it was made, and how it should be eaten. Unfortunately we couldn't find the English Blue Stilton, so we had to settle for an alternative. I selected Trader Joe's spotlight cheese, Idiazabal, a Spanish cheese that is only available during the summer months and should be paired with spring fruits. Perfect.

-Michelle

40 down, 325 to go.

#87: Anthropologie - Funky Expensive

Best Place to Buy Funky Dinnerware

This was my first time in Anthropologie and in my opinion, the store was a blend between Ann Taylor and Pier One Imports. When Emily and I entered the store, our attention was immediately drawn to the clothing sale rack. I eventually drifted over to a sale table full of trinkets, journals, and other books. I stumbled across a book of William Shakespeare's sonnets and found my favorite poem, sonnet 132. "Then will I swear her beauty itself is black. And all they foul that complexion lack."

Emily and I browsed the vibrant dinnerware but with no place to put it, we left the store only with this picture and dreams of one day owning our own homes.

-Michelle

39 down, 326 to go.

#162: Rowdy BBQ - There's a First Time for Everything

Best Place for Deep-fried Perogies

Emily and I have driven past Rowdy BBQ on several occassions on our way to and from Walmart in West Mifflin. Each time Emily would mention how she wanted to try the food there and I would always refuse because it didn't seem like a very welcoming establishment. Well thanks to Livingsocial and the list of 365 things, we had to go.

After our trip to Sur La Table we made our way over to the good ole Rowdy BBQ. Emily was quite excited about the deep-fried perogies because neither one of us had tried them. Emily also ordered a pulled pork sandwich and I ordered a half rack of ribs with fries. The deep-fried perogies were ok and seemed to taste the best when they were covered in the butter sauce. After trying them, I still don't understand what the rave is about.

After eating at Rowdy's BBQ, I woke up the next morning feeling like death which is usually my body's way of telling me that I have been eating out too much. But I would like to think that Rowdy's BBQ was truly out to get me.

Rowdy's BBQ-1, Michelle-0

-Michelle

38 down, 327 to go.

#79: Sur La Table - Nothing Special

The Best Place to Buy Bakeware for the Holidays

Michelle and I made a side trip to the South Side to explore Sur La Table. Located in the South Side Works just off of Carson Street, Sur La Table is complete with every type of gadget and gizmo you could ever want or need for your kitchen. I found myself a bit overwhelmed with everything that was on display. (For those MBTI types - my S was going crazy!) Pots, pans, bakeware, plates, apple cutters and corers, teaspoons, tablespoons, salt and pepper shakers, colanders, spices, oils, candy, cards... whatever - you name it they have it.

Despite having everything, we agree that this kitchen store is not entirely unique. In fact, we feel that you may find many similar items at stores such as Bed, Bath, & Beyond (plus they have linens!) that are slightly less expensive. Your thoughts?

- Emily

37 down, 328 to go.

#23: PPG Place Plaza - Feel Like a Kid Again

Best Place to Cool Off Downtown

On our way back from the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Michelle and I decided to stop off and check out the fountain at PPG Place. Not only is this the best place to cool off downtown (unless you're brave enough to hop in one of the rivers...), it's also the best place to remember the pure joy that kids feel as they run around attempting to hug, kick, or stomp on water. There were at least a dozen kids wearing various outfits screaming, laughing, and generally just enjoying themselves without a care in the world. If only we could do that every day...

- Emily

36 down, 329 to go.

#215: Three Rivers Arts Festival - Look at Art, Eat Food

The Best Way to Get Your Summer Culture Fix

The Three Rivers Arts Festival is a 10-day celebration of the arts held annually in downtown Pittsburgh. This year, the festival was held June 3-12 and featured performances, visual art, hands on activities, and an artists market. Michelle and I took the bus downtown on a warm Thursday evening to check out what the artists market and, perhaps more importantly, make a dinner out of festival food. 

As we perused the rows and rows of artists work, I found myself somewhat overwhelmed by the prices of some of the art. I understand these people have to make a living, but this served as a strong reminder why I have very little art in my apartment. I was drawn most strongly to the photographers' work, particularly if it was from a location with which I am familiar. Someday, when I'm a real grown up, I going to have an entire wall of photographs from around the world.

It didn't take long for the smell of sugar to make it our way. We walked to Point State Park and moseyed our way to the largest carnival-type food selection I've seen in a while. Michelle went for a huge gyro while I opted to try the kettle corn. Both were quite delicious. 

The one thing you should know about our trip to the Arts Fest is that we arrived about an hour before everyone closed up shop for the evening, which caused us to miss out on demonstrations and hands on activities. I suggest heading down in the middle of the afternoon as I think you may have greater success.

- Emily

35 down, 330 to go.

#129: Gluuteny - Big Enough to Hurt Somebody

Best Place to Find a Gooey Whoopie Pie

While Michelle took responsibility to try the deserts at Gullifty's, I quickly volunteered to taste one of the huge Whoopie Pies from Gluuteny. Gluuteny is a gluten- and casein-free bakery located on Murray Avenue in Squirrel Hill. This cute little shop features wheat-free and dairy-free goodies. This massive piece of goodness proved to be a tasty little post-lunch treat and was certainly big enough for two, three, or even four people to share. I also picked up a pumpkin loaf which I intended to compliment my breakfast over the course of a week or so. Unfortunately, it lasted just three days as I felt an overwhelming desire to gobble it up.




Check out Gluuteny. Just do it.

- Emily

34 down, 331 to go.

#26: Gullifty's - Just Nutty

Best Dessert Selection

As Emily and I waited outside of Gullifty's for it to open, we overheard a couple discussing how they had gotten dessert there before. Popular place I guess.

We were greeted by who we presumed to be the manager and told him we didn't need to be seated and just wanted to order dessert to go. Emily asked if they had a macadamia tart thingy (we like to get technical) because she didn't see it on the menu. The manager said that the macadamia truffle tart was a seasonal dessert but they had made some for the Pittsburgh Magazine party and he would check to see if there were any leftover. I had my eye on the New York style cheesecake with strawberry, so I was hoping that there weren't any left but of course there was one.

The macadamia truffle tart wasn't the best dessert I had ever had but it wasn't the worst either. The inside was made of a chocolate pudding and a plethora of macadamia nuts. I like nuts but I don't need a mouthful in every bit. I shared the dessert with my supervisor and she enjoyed all of the nuts but didn't care for the chocolate.

Though the macadamia tart thingy wasn't my favorite, I'll definitely go back to Gullifty's to try the cheesecakes.

-Michelle

33 down, 332 to go.

#171: Prantl's Bakery - Sugar Shack

Best Place to Wreck a Diet

My diet consists of EVERYTHING, so eating a burnt almond torte from Prantl's Bakery wouldn't ruin it though I prefer greasy foods over sweets. For $20, baked good lovers can enjoy a log of the burnt almond torte or the cupcake version for only $1.25. Emily and I each got a cupcake to go and Emily devoured hers on our walk to Victoria's Secret. I on the other hand began to develop diabetes on the spot. The custard was too rich for my taste and I begged Emily to eat the rest but she refused. In an effort to not waste food, I took a couple more bites but then had to throw the rest away.

-Michelle

32 down, 333 to go.

#19: Hey Betty! - A Trip Back in Time

Best Place to Buy a Vintage Frock

After two failed attempts, Emily and I finally made it to Hey Betty! (Third time's a charm I guess). Hey Betty! is your average vintage boutique with clothing that was worn before we were born or maybe even thought of. There was a variety of women (and men's) clothing including dresses, skirts, shoes, tops, and jewelry. Getting married? They even had a wedding dress. While we were browsing, I was a tad bit creeped out by the bathsuitings. There are just somethings you should not buy used. Though Emily and I both agreed that we would not shop here regularly, Hey Betty! is the best place to shop for a Derby or royal wedding hat.

-Michelle

31 down, 334 to go.

#178: Schenley Park Plaza and #117: Pittsburgh Magazine - The Best of the Best

The Best Place for Green WiFi AND The Best City Magazine

Michelle and I are semi-frequent visitors to Schenley Plaza. We enjoy sitting outdoors, soaking in the sun, and enjoying the free music that is often played under the tent. Last week, we decided to use the free WiFi to check out Pittsburgh Magazine's "Best of the 'Burgh 2010." We found that a lot of the items listed as "Best of the 'Burgh" were also on LivingSocial's list of 365 Things. Oddly enough, Schenley's free WiFi was one of these items. Coincidence? We're not so sure. 

- Emily

29 and 30 down, 335 to go.

#110: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - A Little Slice of Nerd Heaven

The Best Place to Give Your Library Card a Workout

I love books. I mean, I really love them. I love to look at them. I love to buy them. I love to read them. And I really love to be the very first person to open them. Because I love books so much, I also love libraries. And, as far as public libraries go, I have never in my life seen one better than the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. Not only is there a large collection of books, movies, and CDs, but they have made it sooo easy to use them! Anyone with a library card can go online and request the items they want. The library contacts you when they are ready for pickup and you pick them up! If, however, you are one who likes to browse the stacks, the Carnegie library offers a "self-checkout" similar to the grocery store (only this version actually is quicker than waiting for a staffer to do it). 

Recently, my friend Ms. Kelsi Bridgeman (née Robinson) suggested I read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. When I failed to respond to her tweet, she e-mailed me a recommendation from Goodreads.com. She meant business. Anyway, it was this book that I requested through the library's interlibrary loan. It took only a few days before I had an email telling me the book was waiting for me. I walked from Pitt's campus to the library, picked up my book, and returned to my apartment in about 20 minutes. It's that easy. So go check out the library. I promise you won't be disappointed.

- Emily

PS - I started "The Help" this past weekend. It's pretty good. I suggest you give it a try.

28 down, 337 to go.

#39: The Duquesne Incline - The Best View in Pittsburgh

The Best Touristy Thing to do With Out-of-Town Guests

Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of hosting a friend from OSU, Rob Richardson, for an overnight. When he called to ask if he could stay the night as he passed through town, he also said, "And can we please do one of the 365 Things?" Why of course! Seeing that Rob had never before been to this great city, Michelle and I decided the best thing to do was to show him how beautiful it is so we took him to the Duquesne Incline. Rob was a ball of excitement the entire trip. I knew it would was a success when he whispered, "This is so cool!" as he got his first glimpse of the city skyline as we climbed Mount Washington. We rode the incline down the slope and Michelle and I pointed out some of the more important Pittsburgh things on the way - Heinz Field, PNC Park, the Golden Triangle, etc. With nothing to do at the bottom, hopped right back on to ride to the top again. While it was a brief glimpse of all the city has to offer, it was great to share the excitement of new eyes and, for me, to remember riding the incline as a small child.

- Emily

27 down, 338 to go.

#173: Ibiza - Tapas, tapas, tapas!

The Best Sangria

On Wednesday, May 25, Michelle and I joined our co-workers to help celebrate the 30th birthday of Ms. Karyn Rabourn at Ibiza Wine and Tapas Bar on Carson Street. The Ibiza menu feature over 45 tapas from around the world and changes with the seasons. To those on a tight budget, the prices may be a bit daunting at first; however, a second glance at the website will reveal great happy hour specials that runs from 4:00-6:30pm every day. 

Our group was literally the very first to arrive for happy hour. We chose to sit on the "outdoor" patio in the back, but were disappointed to discover that it was really indoor seating as the entire patio was surrounded by a plastic tent causing the room to feel more like a sauna than a restaurant. Michelle and I elected to split a pitcher of white wine sangria (a glass was $11.50, a pitcher was $22... we each had 4 glasses out of a pitcher). I also ordered the shrimp dumplings and fruit and cheese platter off the happy hour tapas menu while Michelle opted for a couple of that night's specials - a meat, cheese, and olive platter and some sort of cilantro lime shrimp. As anticipated, all the food was delicious. And, like any tapas place, the best part is tasting a little bit of everyone else's food. =)

- Emily

26 down, 339 to go.

#142: Harris Grill - Bacon, bacon, bacon!

Best Place to Get Your Bacon On

Every Tuesday evening after happy hour, Harris Grill has it's well known Bacon Night. For only a $1, patrons receive a basket of freshly cooked, crispy bacon. If you are dining on a budget (or just really cheap), sit at the bar. Baskets of bacon are free.

When we arrived at Harris Grill the bacon fanatics were already out drooling over their baskets of fatty goodness. I put my name on the waiting list for a table outside and Emily, Amy, and I took seats at the bar to order drinks. Harris Grill has an extensive drink menu of beers, wines, and mixed drinks, so we spent time deciding on what to order. Amy inquired about the Bacontini-a martini made with bacon infused vodka. The bartender suggested against it saying that the drink wasn't good and that bacon vodka was better suited for a Bloody Mary. Emily ordered her signature diet coke, Amy ordered Dogfish Head Midas Touch, and I ordered a Dropping the Kids Off at the Pool. My drink included three helpless sour patch kids and my goal soon became to save them from their tragic fate.

After about 25 minutes, my name was called for our table. We were quite disappointed after not receiving one basket of bacon during our wait at the bar. Emily and Amy split Buffalo Chicken Dip and Dippo de Queso con Carne (hopefully your Espanol is decent) and I ordered Delmonico a Go Go a steak sandwich and a frozen cosmo. Unfortunately, the Dippo de Queso con Carne was too spicy for any of us to bear. We all indulged ourselves in two baskets of bacon.

I'm not sure where American's love for bacon originated, but I would love to thank the citizens of this great country for making it perfectly acceptable to eat baskets of bacon with no remorse.

-Michelle

25 down, 340 to go.