A Spoon Full of Sugar: Vanilla Pastry Studio

Have you ever needed just a bite of something sweet? If so, I know the perfect place! Located in Regent Square you'll find a posh little bakery called Vanilla Pastry Studio. So much more than your neighborhood sweet shop, it's a full blown boutique bakery experience! The shop is set up like a girl's dream house. They have a seating area with a metal table and pastel painted chairs. The ceiling is filled with brightly colored chandeliers that make the shop look decadent and cheerful. They offer everything from lollys (sweet little desserts on a stick) to custom made celebration cakes.

Cupcakes

My sweet of choice are the cupcakes. They are simply divine! On this visit I had the Lemon. It was perfectly moist with a burst of tart citrus balancing out the sweetness. The frosting was light, creamy and fluffy. I could very easily eat a bowl full of the butter cream frosting and be completely content. They offer flavors like Strawberry Shortcake, Mango-Passion fruit, and even Grapefruit. Their cupcake combinations are always changing, so what they have in store changes from day to day. I have never been disappointed and I always try something new. They play a lot with sweet, salty, tart and chocolate flavors. You're sure to find a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you're ever in the market for a one of a kind wedding cake or an over the top birthday cake, this is the place!  http://www.vanillapastry.com/

 PROS: Freshly baked sweets made with natural ingredients.
CONS: Pastry items change daily; if you have a favorite, they may not have it everyday.

Out of Prohibition, Into a New Era: Speakeasy Social Lounge

Located in the lower level of downtown's Omni William Penn Hotel sits a hidden gem -  the Speakeasy Social Lounge. In the 1920's, during prohibition, this intimate room was actually used as a Speakeasy. When alcohol became legal, there was no longer the need to hide things in the basement, so for decades this lovely space was used as a storage room. Recently they decided to resurrect this Speakeasy to it's former glory. The term "Speakeasy" originated right here in Pittsburgh. Patrons would speak quietly (or easy) about such places in public, or when inside, so that the neighbors and police would not catch on.

Omni William Penn Speakeasy

The space is small and low key. (I'm sure most Speakeasy's were set up this way during prohibition.) The decor is rich, warm and luxurious and definitely takes you back. I expected the great Gatsby to come over and welcome us. I wanted to sport a bob haircut, flapper dress and take a drag on a cigarette in a long holder. It has a nice bar and small plush cranberry colored chairs in the center and luscious bench seating with low tables surrounded by round golden ottomans along the back wall. Once seated the bartender produced a distressed leather booklet which contained the menu. The menu has a selection of curated spirits that would have been served during that era with a few local twists. We had just popped in for drinks, but they do offer small plates.

Speakeasy Menu

Cohort ordered a Blind Tiger, named after the dispensaries of unlicensed alcohol in the Carolina's, a punch made of Batavia Arrack Van Oosten, Benedictine, Cherry Herring, Chai Tea, Birch Bark Sour, Ginger Beer with fresh seasonal fruit. I had a Raspberry Lemon Vodka Cobbler- citrus infused Boyd & Blair Pennsylvania potato vodka, Schladerer raspberry liqueur served over LOTS of ice. Both were yummy, but Cohort clearly won this round. (I drank his and mine!) The punch was brimming with a blast of flavor. I love a good, classy cocktail - we ordered an entire pitcher! Worth every sip!

Blind Tiger

It's one of the coolest drink spots in town. The prohibition back round makes it even better!

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn/Dining/Speakeasy.aspx  

PROS: Very good drinks. Nice decor. Historic place.

CONS: Not much signage, so you have to know that the Speakeasy is down there-but then again, maybe that's the point!