St. Patrick's Day: Joey's The Edge

After our visit to Rivertowne on St. Patrick's Day we ended up at a place called Joey's The Edge in Export, PA for a quick drink and a bite. I normally don't venture out on St. Patrick's Day, I look at it like it's the evening of The Purge. You're more than welcome to participate in the shenanigans, but if something goes wrong, you were kinda asking for it! I didn't see much harm in stopping by a small neighborhood spot. It wasn't very crowded at first, but more people poured in as the evening progressed. They have a small bar area with a few high tables and stool seating, a pool table and an area where bands perform. Beer and cocktail specials were listed for the evening. At the end of the bar a young woman was boasting that she had been there celebrating St. Patty's Day since breakfast. (Kegs and eggs I guess) It was around 9pm, so Cohort and I assumed she was joking. After a few long islands I headed to the ladies room. As I walked to the end of the bar I could see the young woman in full view. She sported flannel white pajama pants with colorful peace signs and a fitted night shirt. It was at that moment that I realized she was completely serious. Not only had she been at the establishment since early that morning, she didn't even bother getting dressed! LET THE EVENING BEGIN! I LOVED this place!

Burger and Chips

The people are friendly, laid back and just want to have a good time. The menu was limited due to the fact that they don't have a fryer. They did have burgers, Italian sausage, B.L.T. ect. Cohort ordered a burger with chips, I decided on the Italian sausage with chips. Nothing fancy, more like being at a friend's house and they decide to throw some burgers on the grill. And let me tell you, every bite was good! The old neighborhood bar with a back room kitchen is a dying breed and that saddens me. Growing up everyone in the city knew if you wanted a good fish sandwich the place to go was the Triangle Cafe in Mount Oliver. The Triangle is long gone now, as are many other neighborhood bars. If the neighborhood bars across the city don't continue to get support they will all be gone. Some people may think this is a good idea, that Pittsburgh needs upscale establishments all around the city, but riddle me this, who wants to spend every weekend paying $12 for one drink? Who wants to get dressed to the nines just to grab a quick bite? If you can't sport your flannel jammy pants to the local neighborhood watering hole, than where can you sport them?!?!

Italian Sausage and Chips

I say people of Pittsburgh pick a month and in that month only venture out to small local neighborhood establishments for eating and drinking. Take a break from the high end affairs and just relax. Go out and enjoy yourself without a care in the world, because at Joey's The Edge the people don't care - about what you look like, how you're dressed, how much money you have or where you came from. They're just there to enjoy themselves. I would like to visit Joey's again on an evening when the band is playing. According to their Facebook page it makes for a damn goodnight! Hopefully I'll run into Jammy Pants Girl...she clearly knows how to have a good time! (Rock on Jammy Pants Girl....ROCK ON!)  http://www.coroproservices.com/joeys/index.html

PROS: Good food. Happy hour specials. Live music. They even have S.I.N. (service industry night!)
CONS: A bit of a drive unless you're local,  but if you decide to venture to Rivertowne Brewery, you're right around the corner! They also still allow smoking. (This isn't really a CON for me. I don't mind, but it may be for others.)

St. Patty's Day Beer Run: Rivertowne Brewing

On St. Patrick's Day Cohort and I headed out to the Rivertowne Offices and Brewery on Old William Penn Hwy in Export, Pa for a beer run. They have a tasting room and also offer tours. The website says the tasting room sells six packs, cases, kegs and several beers on tap. It was here that I found my new summer beverage. We tried a few beers and I settled on the Hala Kahiki (hahlah-kah-hee-kee). The name itself originates from the Hawiian word for pineapple. This pineapple ale is light with a soft pineapple taste and an ABV of 4.8%. Don't be nervous, the taste isn't too sweet. It's beyond refreshing and tastes like summer. I closed my eyes and thought I was sitting on a white sandy beach with a flower in my hair. I decided I need to have more of this in my life. My plan? To drink this enchanting pineapple ale ALL SUMMER LONG!

Rivertowne Brewing

Cohort enjoyed a few of the darker beers on tap and purchased a seasonal ale to take with: Bourbon Barrel Aged All Aboard Anniversary Stout. An oatmeal coffee stout with an ABV of 7.1%. - Cohort thought it was excellent!

Bourbon Barrel Aged All Aboard Anniversary Stout

The tasting room is open Mon-Fri 3pm to 9pm; Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-5pm Closing times vary, depending on what time parties disperse. You can grab a pint and a small bite to eat. (Ask about their mason jar club for those who want to stop in more often.) Tours are offered every Sat at 2pm, but reservations are required to guarantee your place in the tour. Call to make reservations 724-519-2145.  http://www.myrivertowne.com/brewing/index.asp

Tours cost $8 per person and include:

* Sampling of Rivertowne Beers

* Technical tour of the brewery with a pint for the ride

* Keepsake can for you to drink or take with you

* $3 beers after the tour

Rivertowne Brewery

After a few beers we headed out for the rest of our St. Patrick's day celebration, but that story is for another day!

PROS: Local brewery with top notch ale. Available at establishments all around the city.

CONS: Seasonal brews are so good you'll want them year round!

A Lively Affair: The Livermore

One evening Cohort and I found ourselves at a wonderful place called The Livermore located in East Liberty on S. Highland Ave. I adore this little spot! It's part cafe, part corner bar, but the best of both. They offer wonderful drinks and small plates. For drinks, our bartender Abbie was amazing! I love a bartender who knows their stuff. The type of  bartender you can tell, "I like sweet" or "I like sour" and BOOM a fabulous drink appears! That's Abbie! These drinks can come from the menu, but not always...(There are 2 versions of the corpse reviver, but only 1 is listed on the menu.)

Aviation and Corpse Reviver #2

For eats we ordered a few small plates and shared. Tomato & white anchovy toast, mussel & potato escabeche, smoked whitefish pate, pork rilletes and scallop ceviche. My favorite being the whitefish pate served with toast. Pate can sometimes taste bland, but this had a very appealing smokey taste with a smooth texture. The scallop ceviche was light, refreshing and the scallops were very fresh. I even enjoyed the anchovy toast and I am NOT a big fan of anchovy. But Cohort insisted I tried it and I'm glad I did. It sounds like a lot of food but it wasn't. This is not a stuff your face and leave feeling full kind of joint. It's a place to stop by for drinks and light fare. The servings are just a few bites, so savor and enjoy!

A little bit of everything!

The bar was extremely noisy. The music wasn't playing loud, the people weren't talking loud and yet it was very noisy. I think it may be because of the tile along the walls and floor and everything echos. It's not the place for a quiet romantic evening, but then again, who needs that every night?
https://www.facebook.com/TheLivermorePGH

PROS: Experienced bartenders. Lively atmosphere. Good snacks.
CONS: Can get a little loud and crowded during busy times.

A Nice Piece Of Tail: Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar

I recently took my niece out for her birthday to Cornerstone Restaurant & Bar located in Aspinwall. It was early on a Wednesday so it wasn't crowded. It's a nice neighborhood bar with an upscale feel. The bar area is separated by a partial brick wall. We sat at a booth in the dining area which is small but nice and comfortable.They also have outside seating for warmer weather. (Not that we would be using that area anytime soon considering we are living in some type of Game of Thrones winter season!) There is a very good reason to visit this establishment on hump day-a little thing they call "Lobster Tail Wednesday." I'm impressed by any restaurant that would choose such a bold main dish for their midweek special. We started with a smoked salmon soup. A hearty soup with a lingering smokey flavor that warms you to the bone.

Smoked Salmon Soup

Then came the Maine event: a tender nice sized lobster tail served with clarified butter, roasted brussel sprouts and parmesan risotto. The risotto was rich and creamy, soft but still al dente with a bit of "stickiness." I was very pleased! My niece ordered the spaghetini; smoked mozzarella stuffed meatballs, san marzano marinara and parmesan reggiano over a bed of pasta. When she sliced through the meatball, cheese poured out over the top of the pasta. When I tasted her pasta, I almost forgot about my lobster tail. I wanted to eat the entire dish, but since it was her birthday, I resisted! 

Lobster Tail with Brussel Sprouts and Risotto

For dessert we shared a bread pudding, served warm with caramel drizzle, a scoop of ice cream on top and a bottom that had started to caramelize. That's right, caramel candy-coated bread pudding! It doesn't get any better than that! 

I would like to revisit when the weather breaks. (If that ever happens...) I would love to see their summer menu.  http://cornerstonepgh.com/index.shtml

 

PROS: Daily menu specials.($10 off bottled wine on Thursday!) Good drinks, even better food!

CONS: The dining area itself is small, but don't let that deter you.