#52, #70: La Feria - A Local Trip to Peru

Best Place for Peruvian Food AND Place for Peruvian Crafts


On Thursday Emily and I took an impromptu trip to La Feria for lunch. We had originally scheduled to go there on Sunday but it was closed (something to keep in mind when planning to dine or shop there). We caught the 71-A Negley to Shadyside with the hopes that it would head south toward Walnut. While on the bus we learned that it was actually headed north, so we hopped off at Centre and Graham. Emily and I wandered though a neighborhood and eventually found ourselves crossing a bridge over a highway. I was starving and not wearing appropriate walking shoes and Emily's optimism of "It's all part of the adventure" was not helping the situation. Two cell phones and two master's degrees later, we managed to find our way to La Feria. To our surprise, La Feria is located above Pamela's diner.

In La Feria we passed through the craft store which included a variety of clothing, rugs, and figurines. I took interest in the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) figurines and Emily looked at the jewelry.

Livingsocial's favorite pick is the sampler plate with two empandas and Peruvian dips served with bread and sweet potato chips for dipping. With our luck, the menu had recently changed and we had to order the empanadas and the sweet potato fries separately. The sweet potato fries were served with what tasted like a spicy french onion dip and was a great appetizer. Emily and I also shared a spinach and feta and spicy apple empanada. Both were delicious and we wished we had ordered more than two.

We would both go back again for a taste of Peru.

-Michelle

17 and 18 down, 348 to go.

#190: PNC Park - The Most Beautiful Ballpark in MLB

The Best Reason to Cross Roberto Clemente Bridge on Foot

One of the best deals in Pittsburgh is the Pirate's #ClubTicketTwosday (follow them on Twitter - @BucsInsider). On Tuesdays in which the Buccos have a home game, @BucsInsider tweets a location within the city and a time at which to show up. The first 15 people to that location receive two free club seats to that night's game. That's right - club seats... meaning three inches of padding for your tush! Last week, the #ClubTicketTwosday location was none other than the old Forbes Field Wall on Pitt's campus. Utilizing our lunch break, Michelle and I scooted over to the wall 45 minutes before the announced time and found ourselves to be the first fans in line. We watched as others arrived, some by foot, some by bike, some even ran.

My favorite part of waiting was an older couple who had traveled from out of town to see what remains of Forbes Field. I overheard the couple asking a construction worker about the wall and the location of home plate (known to some as the home of Mickey Mantle's tears) which is now inside Posvar Hall. As a friendly gesture, I informed the couple that if they moved to the other side of the wall and waited approximately 10 minutes, they would find themselves owners of free tickets to that night's game against the Dodgers. They seemed surprised, but chose to follow my suggestion. I don't think I've seen a happier couple of tourists in quite some time.

Someone once told me that PNC Park is the best ballpark in Major League Baseball. I told him I kindly disagreed. Now, having been to 18 of the 30 current stadiums, I have to say I have changed my mind.

There is no view better than that from the third baseline of the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. And there's no better deal. Parking a hop, skip, and a jump from the ballpark is just $5. As you walk across the Roberto Clemente bridge, you hear the pleasant sounds of the sax man jamming while you contemplate whether or not you would ever be adventurous enough to jump into the river... or maybe that's just what Michelle and I do. At any rate, you can get tickets to a game for as little as $9 - a steal for any professional sport. Don't forget to pack snacks - unlike many ballparks, you can bring your own food into PNC!

Last but certainly not least, don't forget to say hi to my good friend Jim, the usher for sections 117/119. He might be the best part of the PNC experience! Let's go Bucs!

- Emily

16 down, 349 to go.