It’s the end of the year, and December has not slowed down. I visited many restaurants. Some of them were really good. I did a bunch of sponsored posts. The holidays are when national PR firms seek the most promotion. I made a trip to Hershey and Harrisburg for a big event.
Restaurants & Bars
I started December with brunch at Eleven Contemporary Kitchen. They have a fantastic prix fixe that includes a starter, a main, and a drink. I got the Smoked Short Rib and Egg, the Fried Pickle Brined Chicken and Waffle, and a Bloody Mary.
I went to Sippin Santa, the sister holiday popup bar to Miracle. This is a tiki themed bar. It’s like if you were doing Christmas in the tropics. I’m not a tiki bar person, but the drinks are good. They also donate proceeds to different charities, which gives me reason to keep going back. Which I did several times in the month.
I went to The Warren Bar & Burrow for dinner in between pop up bars. I got The Warren Burger and sweet potato tots.
I visited the Bridge-Tahn popup hosted by Space Bar. It was a Regency era themed popup based on a certain hit streaming television show. This was a lot of fun for someone who might have loved the show and dressing up in frilly clothing.
I returned to Shenanigan’s Bar & Grille in the North Hills for a sponsored post I was working on for Samuel Adams American Light beer. I got Mozzarella Sticks and a Chicken Parm sandwich. Both were pretty good. I didn’t mind having to go back since the food was good. They even had the beer this time.
I got dinner one night at Whiskey B’s in Market Square. I got another burger and fried pickles.
I went to Burghers Brewing in the Highline in Southside. I was there for a holiday party collaboration with Jessie’s Eddies. They have some great beers and burgers, but my evening favorite was their pierogies.
I got lunch at Noodlehead. I almost always get the Street Noodle 1. The fried chicken on it is pretty good and the noodles in the Thai sauce are always delicious.
I was not in Pittsburgh, but I was in Hershey and Harrisburg for 24 hours. I got lunch at Troegs Independent Brewing. I got some great barrel aged beers and a fantastic confit chicken and a biscuit. I also brought a bunch of those beers home with me to Pittsburgh.
I went to City Kitchen in Bakery Square to try out Seoulful Korean, their new popup menu. I was there with Lisa, It’s Gouda Fooda on Instagram, to try out some new items like their K-Town BBQ Wings and Kimchi Wagyu Burger, and some regular menu items like the Bibimbap and Ramen.
I ate an amazing meal at Oak Hill Post with Karen and Sophia. Oak Hill Post has transitioned to a Supper menu. We decided to get everything on the small menu. I liked the Stew and Lamb Chops the most.
I stopped by Strange Roots Experimental Ales and PGH Sandwich Society to do a film shoot of their chicken wings and In-n-Aht Burger. PGH Sandwich Society started a Thursday wing night and the In-n-Aht Burger is one of my favorites in Pittsburgh. I also got some great Strange Roots classic fermented beers like Relic and Plague.
I went back to Soba for a friend’s birthday dinner. I got a fantastic Thai Chicken Curry ramen.
After Christmas, One by Spork opened, and Karen managed to get a reservation for four seats to try their new chef’s tasting menu. Sophia and Mike joined us, too. We were served eight amazing courses with drink pairings. It was really an incredible meal. There is nothing like this anywhere else in Pittsburgh. It was also the most expensive meal I’ve had in Pittsburgh.
I got the opportunity to try Kyuramen, the new Japanese restaurant in East Liberty. They invited me in to try a wide range of dishes. They are also the first in Pittsburgh to serve Omurice omelets over fried rice. I really enjoyed my meal, and it’ll be a great option for when I’m over that way.
Takeout
I got lunch at No.1 Sushi Sushi in Market Square. This has been a lunch staple of mine for years. It’s good, no thrills sushi.
I got Roy Rogers on my way back from Harrisburg while I was on the Turnpike. It’s still one of my favorite fried chicken places and a treat every time I have to deal with driving on the Turnpike.
Events
I only went to one big event this month, and it was Holiday Brunch at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence. The Governor’s team invited content creators who worked with Governor Shapiro this year to a thank you brunch. I like that the Governor works with creators to let Pennsylvanians know about the great accomplishments of the government. Governor Shapiro is an incredibly nice person and a fantastic speaker. I’m honored to get to interact with him and his team on announcements.
