Stumbled At The Finish Line: Matteo's

After a nice walk from the North Side to Lawrenceville (Cohorts idea, not mine) we stopped by Matteo's for drinks and eats. The place itself is not large but it has a warm decor and a nice bar area. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks. While we reviewed the menu, a man appeared from the kitchen and announced "Bar wings!" He sat 2 plates of  hot wings on the bar and walked away. The bartender told us they were complimentary hot wings for the bar patrons. SCORE!! It was hot wing heaven! (And FREEE!) These were some good, meat falling off the bone, flavorful with a spicy kick hot wings! (Just spicy enough to leave that oh so good tingle sensation around your lips!) The only issue I had with the wings is the fact that they weren't listed on the menu. Odd considering they were the best thing we ate that night. Can I order wings if I'm not sitting at the bar? I don't know. We didn't see them being served to anyone else.

Hot Wings

Anyway, I suggest you ask for the wings or fight for them if you must. They are worth it.  Next up, greens and beans, an amped up version of an Italian favorite that included sausage, banana peppers, caramelized onions, great northern beans and spinach. I've never had greens and beans served this way and I was pleasantly surprised! I could not wait for my entree. I had ordered the lobster ravioli listed as a feature on their blackboard, but after a few drinks, the bartender informed me they were out of the ravioli. I'm not sure why it took so long for them to inform me, but I was disappointed. I ended up with the crab campenelle, a pasta with jumbo lump crab and sun dried tomatoes in a chive cream sauce. It looked delicious...looks can be deceiving. It was flavorless and bland. I was so displeased. Cohort ordered the BLT pasta and again something was missing - mainly flavor. We both expected so much more after the fabulous appetizers. I sat eating my dull dish looking at the blackboard that still read "Lobster Ravioli" wondering what could have been. We both ended up taking our entrees home. (Cohort is NOT in the habit of taking home leftovers!) Oddly enough the next day, with a few seasonings and some oven time, both dishes came together nicely! Amazing what a bit of garlic, paprika and Italian spices can do.

Greens and Beans

I would definitely go back for drinks and appetizers. When it comes to entrees....I would tread lightly.

http://matteospgh.com/

PROS: Happy hour specials. Friendly staff. Good drinks. Awesome appetizers.
CONS: Entrees just didn't measure up. Blackboard features not always available. (It's a blackboard....just erase it!)

An Oldie But Lots of Goodies: Max's Allegheny Tavern

Located in the North Side's Deutschtown area, the building that holds Max's Allegheny Tavern has been serving patrons since the 1800's. The present owners purchased the building in 1977 and Max's Allegheny Tavern was born. The bar is a large carved wooden masterpiece. The restored decor represents the grandeur from an older era. Described as "A Fine German Restaurant." I find these words to be an understatement. (A Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious German Restaurant perhaps?)

Jägerschnitzel and Schnitzel ala Holstein

We started with the Bavarian stuffed pretzels, jumbo soft pretzels stuffed with creamy cheddar cheese, deep fried and served with honey mustard sauce. Why would someone deep fry a pretzel? To make it more better, that's why!! If you just stop in for a quick beer, please, I beg of you, order the pretzels. It will make your day. (Maybe even your life!) For my meal I had Jägerschnitzel. Vienna-style veal covered with mushroom sauce served with sweet and sour cabbage and potato pancakes. I enjoy a good piece of veal and this was DEFINITELY a good piece of veal! So tender you could slice through it with a fork. The sweet and sour cabbage is a mix of sliced red cabbage and sliced apples, slowly cooked until tender. The blend of the sweetness with the sour is rather refreshing. Cohort had the Schnitzel ala Holstein. A Vienna-style veal topped with fried egg, anchovy and capers. For sides he settled on kase spätzle (dumplings in a creamy Gouda cheese sauce) and sauerkraut. The beer selection (pils, dunkels und schwarzen) pairs nicely with the German fare and is served in old style mason jars. Towards the end of our meal we spotted our bartender making a large Spanish Coffee for another patron. It was something of a masterpiece! So we decided to take the liquid dessert route. I don't regret a thing. Except for the fact that we ordered one to share and Cohort can get stingy! Prosit!  http://www.maxsalleghenytavern.com/index.html

Spanish Coffee

PROS: Delicious German food, authentic German beer all served in Pittsburgh's Deutschtown!

CONS: I honestly don't have a con. I left feeling full. Is that a con?

Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle of Rum!: Maggie's Farm White Rum

We came across an interesting yet random sign while walking through the Strip District one evening:

I had no idea what to make of it. Cohort, on the other hand, immediately started looking for an entrance to what clearly was an abandoned building. This is a set up if I ever saw one! I didn't know if we would be jumped or robbed, but judging by the look of the sign, something shady is clearly going down.(Ok, I exaggerate.) While Cohort opened the door and began to walk in, I began looking for the best route to get away. I don't have to run fast, I only have to out run Cohort! We walked in and found....a white rum distillery with a tasting bar! And go figure, it was tasting time.

Maggie's Farm White Rum

I cannot begin to tell you the sheer joy that came over me. The bar is cozy and has a view of the distilling area. They even let us go back for a sneak peak. This white rum has a light taste and a smooth finish. It can be drank straight but mixes well in cocktails. We first tried a sample neat, then shared 4 cocktails from the list. Each one is very good. Cocktail hours are Fri-Sat 4pm-10pm. Bottle sales are Wed-Thu 11am-7pm,  Fri-Sat 11am-10pm and Sun 12pm-4pm.

Farm Fizz, White Haitian, Corn n Oil, Painkiller

I say the next time you're in the market for a white rum, why not support a local distillery? I also recommend you stop in for the cocktail hour!  http://maggiesfarmrum.com/

PROS: White rum made in your backyard!

CONS: I wish they made more than just white rum, but have no fear a spiced rum is near! (according to the Facebook page)

Accidental Valentine: Roland's Trattoria

Let me start by apologizing for the late review. I've gotten backblogged! I'm hoping to get caught up over the next few days.

Wyit Sprowls Bridge

 My Valentine's Day was an amazing accident. Cohort and I decided on a driving tour of covered bridges in Washington County. With the snow storm that came through it looked like a scene straight from a movie. It was beautiful...until we got stuck in the snow....in a toy rental car....on an unmarked road. We tried everything to get free, but the toy car would not budge. Cohort bundled up and walked to the nearest house. He returned with a local man, a large truck and a dog named Sam. After a quick tow, we joined him in his workshop to warm up, have a beer and then we hit the road. I've traveled the world and can attest that you just can't beat Pennsylvania hospitality! We decided to forgo the rest of the covered bridge tour and head home. Cohort spotted a place to pull over for a rest stop and a quick drink. Roland's Trattoria. A family owned neighborhood restaurant in Washington, Pa. The dining area was crowded with Valentine's Day reservations, but we snagged 2 seats at the bar. The staff was extremely friendly, even with the holiday rush. We ordered drinks and reviewed the special Valentine menu. Cohort ordered the Veal Oscar while I ordered the Scallops with asparagus. The scallops were topped with roasted tomatoes, wrapped in prosciutto and also covered in bearnaise.

Scallops and Asparagus

Cohort noted this is probably the kind of Italian family restaurant that has a kick ass lasagna! I'm sure he's probably right, but they didn't offer it on their Valentine menu. A tinge of disappointment. And then it happened. DESSERT. To be honest with you I was a bit full, but Cohort had already spotted the dessert case. It was all downhill from there. We tried the Tiramisu and the Italian Cream Pie. Oh my god, that pie. I've had Italian Cream Cake before, but this was on another level! Perfect crust filled with a creamy, thick custard submerged with sour cherries, sprinkled with powdered sugar. I would drive from Pittsburgh, Pa all the way to Washington, Pa just for a slice of that pie. Maybe you should do the same!  http://www.rolandstrattoria.com/index.html

PROS: I love a good, old school, family owned restaurant! Their Facebook page has daily specials listed.

CONS: They only had the special Valentine's Day menu, so choices were limited.