#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.