Food

Pittsburgh is full of restaurants, and luckily tons of local restaurants to try! That means that you have plenty of ordering options and could try new things for a long time! I haven’t had the ability to try every restaurant in town, but here are my favorites. I realized after looking at my list that my personal favorites are on the southside, but that’s where my favorite local joints are at! Below are my four must try restaurants, I hope you enjoy and if you have tried them or have your own Pittsburgh recommendations, leave them below in the comments!

First Pittsburgh Restaurant: My Thai

Website: Home (mythaipittsburgh.com)

This restaurant has some of the best Thai food around! They have an easy ordering system and their food always hit that Thai food craving. My husband and I’s personal favorite at this restaurant is the Thai Noodle Curry with beef at the level 3 spice. Literal perfection, not too hot and the beef was very well cooked. I’ve also tried the Duck Soup which was very very good. However, it comes in several containers if you get it to go. Make sure you SHAKE the containers and get all the spices out before you heat it up! In their regular entree section, the Garlic option was really good. Packed with veggies and your choice of meat and spice. We got it a couple different ways, but this was my favorite dish for my daughter. We got the lowest spice level, and it was easy for her to eat without any crazy heat! Also, a lot of times restaurants make accidental mistakes, My Thai was amazing at rectifying the mistake and also giving us a milk tea for our inconvenience. Ya’ll… that milk tea became a craving for me it’s so good. I don’t love the boba’s so mine came without it and I was so happy with it.

Second Pittsburgh Restaurant: Riley’s Poorhouse (Reubens)

Website: Riley’s Pour House – Irish Restaurant in Carnegie, PA (rileyspourhouse.com)

Let me be very upfront here, the entire reason we go to this restaurant are for the Reubens. We used to be avid fans of Penn Brewery, however they got rid of their classic Reuben, so we had to look elsewhere. After trying a few places, we were given the recommendation of Riley’s Poorhouse. Riley’s Poorhouse is definitely a hole in the wall location, which as you know tend to be the best. That is exactly how Riley’s is for their Reubens. The sandwich is huge, filled with meat and honestly gives me about 2 meals every time I order it. They do have limited sides, mainly fries or tater tots, which isn’t bad but nothing to write home about. While I haven’t tried any of their local brews, they do offer them, and their atmosphere would make for fun dinner with friends!

Third Pittsburgh Restaurant: Venice Pizzeria

Website: Venice Pizzeria (venicepizzeriaonline.com)

Okay so we have tried several different pizza places, usually based on what friends/locals have ordered for us when we were hanging out. But we found this Venice Pizzeria that was down the street from our house, and it instantly became a family favorite. Our go to pizza is the Meateaters Pie. We get a large/extra-large, so we have leftovers for the next day. It’s stacked full of meat and is on a thinner crust. It does make the crust a bit flimsy so be aware of that. However, the flavor paired with the Ranch dip they give you is perfection. We’ve had all of our family members try it, it’s that good. I’ve also tried their standard pizzas (cheese and pepperoni and was equally happy with both). Venice Pizzeria also offers food options outside of pizza, but just like any other restaurant, I tend to stick to the restaurant’s strengths, in this case their pizza.

Fourth Pittsburgh Restaurant: Mike and Tony’s Gyros/The Original Gyro

Websites: Mike & Tonys Gyros – Mike & Tony’s Gyros – Greek Restaurant in PA (mikeandtonysgyros.com)/The Original Gyro | 2 Locations | Greek Food, Pizza, and Hoagies (ogpgh.com)

My husband and I are big fans of Gyro’s and I have to say I have two favorites in Pittsburgh. They would be Mike and Tony’s Gyros and the Original Gyro. Mike and Tony’s are a sit-down restaurant that offers beer and TVs to watch the local game. They have a very nice restaurant, easy parking (which is rare in Pittsburgh) and really wonderful service. I opt to get their Original Gyro with coleslaw on the side and am never disappointed. They also have a great kid’s menu with a broken-down gyro which is perfect for young kids and also comes with a ton of meat. My husband also tried their steak gyro the other day and said it was tied with the original gyro in flavor!

As for The Original Gyro, they are more of a takeout location, which is completely ideal some days! They are very fast and their gyros are full of meat and flavor. They also come with fries and a drink as part of their combo which makes it a great deal. Now I’m not going to lie, the fries and not good. I’ve been many times and I could live without the fries every time. You may end up liking them, but in my opinion, you’d be better off getting some McDonald’s fries to pair with it if you really want fries!

Don’t just try through Pittsburgh, make sure you take the time to stop in try some local Pittsburgh restaurants and experience all that Pittsburgh has to offer!

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Do you count the first day of fall as September 1st or September 22nd (the official first day)? All the pumpkin flavored drinks are out, the boutiques are selling fall clothes and Hobby Lobby has Christmas Decor out! Guess that means it’s time to start working on fall foods! If you’ve ever seen or read Harry Potter, you will be familiar with the term Pumpkin Pasties. HOWEVER, I had no idea what they were supposed to look like, so this turned out… interesting to say the least. I definitely did my best, but this was a rough go around. The dough was real sticky no matter how much I floured the surface. I’m going to have to retry this recipe or find a better dough recipe.

Pumpkin Pasties Overall Review: 3/5

The pumpkin pasties dough was so sticky and hard to work with, I double checked I put all the proportions in right and it just didn’t seem to want to work. I don’t know whether it’s worth trying this recipe again and seeing if I made a mistake this first time or trying a different recipe where I might get a better dough to work with. Mine was nowhere near as thick as pictures that you see of Pumpkin Pasties online. It was really disappointing to work with and frustrating trying to get it to work. Now the taste was really good! I thought the filling was sweet but not overpowering and I loved the flavor of the dough with it. It was simply that it was so hard to work with. I am no expert at pastries or baking, so this is a very ametuer review. But want to be very clear before you try this one that it’s a bit more difficult than meets the eye. If I choose to try another recipe/retry this one, I will post an update below letting you know if it was me that made a mistake or not!

One more note, this is why you need pictures of the final product with recipes, so you know what you are trying to accomplish! I think that would have helped the shaping as I had no clue what I was going for! haha! I will be trying another recipe to see if I can get a better outcome for these pumpkin pasties. If you’ve made them before, what recipe did you use? Leave them below in the comments! xoxo-Kayla

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Are you looking for a new recipe to make your pork chops taste even better? Well look no further! These salt and pepper pork chops seem simple and don’t seem like they would taste good, but this recipe far exceeded all my expectations. You can honestly use those cheaper pork chops at the grocery store or invest in a bit thicker/better quality pork chops. Either way, this is an easy to make pork chops that packs a ton of wonderful flavor. I’m not saying that these are exactly like Chinese takeout, because they are better. Homecooked, full of flavor and worth every bit of love you put into them.

Overall Review: 5/5

I honestly have zero complaints about this recipe, its everything I could have asked for and more. My husband and I loved it so much I made the recipe twice in a week and a half. I found that it does take bit for the pork chops to cook to that nice crispy level, but it’s worth the wait to do them in sections! These pork chops were served with brown rice and topped my bowl with soy sauce and my husband’s bowl with siracha. I think it just adds an extra kick, but they are perfect on their own as well! If you try these pork chops, let me know in the comments below!

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With today’s inflation being out of control and everyone looking to shop on a budget, I wanted to share 3 Aldi Dinner Recipes that you need to try! These are recipes you should be able to pick up at any Aldi grocery store (or grocery store near you). Aldi is a budget grocery store where I live which is why I am referencing it. Below are my three tried and true recipes that are perfect for any weeknight dinner. You can customize the stir fry listed with any meat of your preference; the kielbasa is a cheap but great option which is why it’s one of my staples.

1.) Ham & Cheese Sliders

Ham and Cheese Sliders are without doubt one of my favorite recipes to make and its simple and quick to assemble and bake! I highly recommend you try it. This recipe makes 12 sliders, which feeds my husband and I easily. However, if you are feeding more than two (or are really hungry) I would double the recipe.

• Hawaiian Rolls
• 1 pound of Ham
• Pepper jack Cheese Block (cut into thin slices)
• Mayo
• Hot Sauce
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Olive Oil
• Black Pepper
• Salt
• Optional: Pepperoncini (Cut into slices)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Gently cut your Hawaiian Rolls in half horizontally. Be as even as you can be. Place the top to the side and place the bottom on an ungreased baking sheet.
3. Spread your mayo mixture on the bottom layer of rolls. The Mayo Mixture is 3 parts mayo, 1-part hot sauce and about a 1/2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce.
4. After your mayo sauce is on, layer on the entire pound of ham as evenly as you can.
   1. Optional – Add pepperoncini slices here if you desire
5. Cut your pepper jack cheese into thin even slices. Place your cheese evenly on top of the ham.
6. Place the top half of the Hawaiian Rolls on top of the cheese
7. Mix 3 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper together and using a brush; brush the mixture on top of the rolls.
8. Place the rolls in the oven and cook for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and rolls are golden brown.
9. Slice the rolls into individually sandwiches and serve immediately. Enjoy!

2. Kielbasa & Veggie Stir-fry

Kielbasa is almost always available and reasonably priced. One of my go to dinners is chopping up a Kielbsa and veggies together, its a quick one pan dish perfect for busy weeknights.

• 2 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Kielbasa
• 1/2 Yellow Onion
• 1-2 Peppers (Orange, Yellow or Red)
• 1 Zucchini
• 2-3 Whole Carrots
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prep your veggies. Chop your onion into small pieces and set aside. Cut your peppers into long thing strips, I find they cook better and are easier to eat evenly with your meat. Chop your zucchini into fourths and then into smaller sections, not as small as your onion but not too large that they won’t cook evenly. Peel your carrots and chop into small circles as evenly as you can. Set all your veggies aside.
2. Prep your meat. Cut your kielbasa in half and then cut that into about 1/2-inch half-moons to make them able to evenly cook.
3. Heat your cast iron (or cooking pan) over medium heat and then add your extra virgin olive oil. Once heated throw in your kielbasa and allow that meat to sear on one side, once its seared flip to the other side and add in your onion and carrots. Once the other side of the meat is seared and your onion is slightly translucent.
4. Then add your peppers and zucchini and cook until veggies are tender but not falling apart, between 8-10 minutes depending on your stove and preferences.
5. Add salt and pepper and stir to combine.
6. Serve warm and add hot sauce or other condiments based on your preference.

3. Traditional Fettuccini Alfredo

I’ve made this alfredo several times and it is SO different than alfredo in the states. I really love this type as its lighter and easy for your stomach to handle. It’s very easy to make, it just requires doing things a bit different than your traditional pouring canned alfredo into your pot. If you’re interested in pictures from the time I made it, check out our post here: Traditional Alfredo.

• 1 Stick Unsalted Butter (Diced)
• 4 oz Parmesano Reggiano (or Parmesan) Cheese (Grated)
• 1 pound Fettuccine Pasta
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Add fettuccine pasta and cook until al dente. DO NOT DRAIN!!
3. In a separate large bowl, dice the butter and add the grated cheese
4. Using tongs add the pasta on top of the butter and cheese.
5. Add a half cup of the pasta water to the pasta, butter, and cheese bowl. Mix with tongs until combined and creamy. Add more pasta water if you want a creamier texture.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Grate some extra parmesan on top and serve immediately! Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed my 3 Aldi Dinner recipes and if you have your own suggestions/favorite Aldi recipes leave them below in the comments for us to try! xoxo-Kayla

One of my favorite bakery treats to go with my morning coffee is scones. They are the perfect complement to a piping hot cup of joe. My mom sent me this Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones recipe from Half Baked Harvest and I knew I needed to try it ASAP! I think the hardest part of these scones was finding the dried lavender. I went to three different stores with no luck so I ended up ordering some on Amazon. Just an FYI as you go into this recipe and try to find all the ingredients. Additionally, the recipe isn’t hard to make but there are a few more steps than some of the other scones I’ve tried. I’d highly recommend reading through all the instructions once before starting so you know what the plan is.

My favorite part of these Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones is that there are so many flavors in every bite. The tartness of the blackberry is offset by the white chocolate chips and the lavender glaze really brings all the flavors together. The original recipe calls for additional butter once the scones are done, I felt that the scones didn’t need butter with all the other flavors that are present. Of course, you are free to add anything to your scones, but I recommend leaving them as is, at least for the first bite!

Overall Review: 5/5

These scones were a huge hit with my husband and his co-residents! My husband is not a huge lavender fan, and the balance of flavors was absolutely perfect. The lavender is not overwhelming, and you can easily adjust how potent the lavender taste is based on your preference. If you love scones, I would highly recommend you make these Blackberry Lavender White Chocolate Scones. You will not be disappointed!

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My perfect, beautiful daughter just turned one! It’s crazy how fast time flies by! There was one thing that I promised myself I would do and that was a first birthday cake smash photoshoot. As with most women I knew I went straight to Pinterest for inspiration and found all of these adorable teepee cake smash photos! That was when I knew that was the route I wanted to take. Our photographer was completely on board (she even had a tent already) and boy did she deliver! I’ve listed all the items that you will need for your own first birthday cake smash below, as well as all the links I could find.

Items Needed for the Perfect First Birthday Cake Smash

• Smash Cake – Mine was $7 at my local bakery. I got mine from Oakmont Bakery in Pennsylvania.
• Birthday outfit – Mias Outfit is from Bailey’s Blossoms
• White Teepee- Mine was provided by our photographer, but here is a great option on Amazon! White Teepee option
• Chalkboard & Easel – Target $5 Section Find!
• Kick Butt Photographer – Victoria Isabel Photography just KILLED THIS CAKE SMASH!
• Wood and flowers – Items I had at the house. I encourage you to repurpose as much as you can for these shoots, but if you need to buy them, here are the links.
  • Large White Flower
  • Flower Garland

How to Make Your Photos Go Off Without a Hitch

Once you have all the items for your photos, you need to ensure that your day of photos go off without a hitch. That means, choosing the right time of day, and preparing in advance. Below are my five tips to getting your baby prepared for these photos!

1. Eat First! I made sure that we fed Mia dinner before we headed to the park that way, we didn’t hit any hungriness before the photos.
2. Arrive 10-15 minutes early so that your kid can get out and move around before the photos. Give your baby some time to decompress so they are ready to have fun and pose for photos.
3. Change diapers, have snacks and milk ready and available during the shoot. Be okay with taking breaks to help keep your baby happy.
4. Don’t put the cake down until all of your decorations are up, the photographer is ready, and all family photos are done. The cake smash should be the last thing you do (if you do family photos). As soon as the cake smash is over, be prepared for your baby to be tired, overstimulated, and on a sugar high. We got her cleaned up and, in the car, and she was out like a light, trust me it went so smoothly you will want to leave right away!
5. Have fun! The more fun you are having, the more fun your baby will have. In the first two pictures below, I am jumping up and down make a fool of myself to make Mia happy and ready for the photos.

Remember to have fun with this! The entire goal of this shoot is to remember your baby at this age and to watch them eat cake. Even if everything doesn’t go the way you imagined, it will be the perfect first birthday cake smash because its your baby. If you did a first birthday cake smash, comment with a picture so we can all enjoy the cuteness! Can’t wait to see all their adorable faces! xoxo- Kayla

Chicken is a dinner staple in my household, so finding new and more flavorful chicken recipes is a must. This Chicken Florentine from the Magnolia Table cookbook is one of my new favorites and was instantly added into our dinner rotation. The biggest and best part about this recipe is the sauce. The use of white wine is what really brings it over the top and makes for a great dinner for guests or just for yourself. I used a cheaper dry wine that I found at the grocery store, but this is a dinner that will be enhanced by a better wine. So don’t skimp if at all possible!

One negative that I will say about this Chicken Florentine recipe is that the recommended way of cooking the chicken in this recipe does require quite a bit of time. You could definitely cook the chicken earlier and then heat it before you serve dinner. The sauce itself won’t take you long so I would prepare that right before you are about to eat. We ate the entire thing in one sitting so I’m not sure how it tastes reheated but my guess is it would be just as good if not better so you could make both pieces ahead of time and then combine and heat right before heating. This Chicken Florentine would be great paired with some roasted broccoli, carrots and asparagus to add some veggies into your meal.

Overall Review: 5/5

This Chicken Florentine was a huge hit! My parents and sister were over when I made this, and everyone loved the flavors and how great the dinner tasted! Was definitely worth every spare minute in the kitchen. There are far less pictures of me making this recipe than normal, that would be because I was busy talking to family while making it and we devoured it too quickly to take a lot of photos! If that tells you anything it should tell you that it’s an amazing dish!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe review and if you are interested in more reviews, check out our page here: Recipe Reviews.

xoxo-Kayla