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October 25, 2024

Alex Eats Too Much

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alexeatstoomuch

📷 Alex | Food Enthusiast & Food PR
Just Another Food Content Creator Since 2017
📍 #Pittsburgh
IRL: @agoodstein
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Hometown Homegrown by @goodtastepgh is coming to t

Hometown Homegrown by @goodtastepgh is coming to the @historycenter on Saturday, November 2. I attended a preview event featuring @all_things_empanada, one of the vendors for the event. We tasted some of her empanadas and got a chance to make our own. All Things Empanada is available for home delivery, pickup, and at local farmers markets. We also sampled charcuterie by @thecheesequeenpgh and wines from @mazzottawinery. Hometown Homegrown is a Pittsburgh food festival showcasing locally produced goods and cooking demos. Over 40 vendors will be present. This is a great opportunity to sample and purchase Pittsburgh made foods and gifts. Hometown Homegrown is part of your museum admission price to the Heinz History Center on November 2. Get tickets now because the day usually sells out.

I got to experience a relaxing #hosted getaway for

I got to experience a relaxing #hosted getaway for an evening at @caponspringsandfarms, an old-fashioned, all-inclusive seasonal resort deep in West Virginia. Capon Springs operates from May through October, and it is a secluded getaway that allows visitors to disconnect from the world. There is only one Wi-Fi hotspot in the whole resort. Meals feature a homestyle menu served in their dining room. I got to experience many of the activities the resort offers. They have tennis, basketball, ping pong, shuffleboard and a golf course. Capon Springs is proud to feature the growing sport of Fling Golf. I even got a lesson from one of the sport’s top players. Capon Springs has multiple hiking trails. I hiked to the top of one of their overlooks where I could see the entire resort. I went for a couple of swims in their spring fed pool including a morning cold plunge to start my day. I also got to experience their Hyegia Bath House and Spa. The spa’s main feature is the hot spring soaking baths with aroma therapy. I got time to allow the hot spring water and tub jets to relax me and work out aches in my muscles and joints. The spa also offers massages and other bodywork. The lodging is very rustic too. The rooms are a little dated and have no air conditioning, but cool down well in the brisk forest nights. Many of their guests return year after year to this rustic resort.

The resort was created around the Capon Spring which supplies water to the resort and the water was known for its healing powers. The water has a higher pH making it more alkaline and helps neutralize acid in the stomach and body. The water used to be shipped all over the country and was even provided to US Olympic teams in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, the water is only available at the resort, but bottles and containers can be filled to take with you. I found the water to taste quite good and my stomach and joints felt great for several days afterward.

📍Capon Springs & Farms
3818 Capon Springs Rd.
High View, WV 268

Hazelwood Pittsburgh is now home to three brewerie

Hazelwood Pittsburgh is now home to three breweries within blocks of each other. I spent a nice Sunday afternoon visiting all three. @newfrancebrewco and @abstractrealmbrewing are at @hazelwoodbrewhouse and @hazelgrovebeer is just down the road. Hazelwood Brew House is in the refurbished old Hazelwood Brewery and houses a beer garden, a spacious taproom on the third floor, and a beautiful rooftop patio with city views. I had a beer from each of the breweries, mostly stouts and porters, while experiencing each floor. We also got some delicious tacos from the food popup of the day @dosreyespgh. Just down the road is the third brewery, Hazel Grove Brewing, which brings craft beers and people together in the neighborhood. They also have a large space and a beer garden to enjoy your beers. Both places regularly have food trucks or popups and fun events. Visiting either place will be a great way to spend your afternoon, supporting more of the Pittsburgh beer community and a resurgence in Hazelwood.

Hazelwood Brew House
5007 Lytle St
Pittsburgh, PA 15207

Hazel Grove Brewing
4609 Irvine St
Pittsburgh, PA 15207

The wait is over and @goldengaipgh by @rd_restaura

The wait is over and @goldengaipgh by @rd_restaurants is now open in Pittsburgh’s @bakerysquarepgh. This Japanese restaurant features an incredible menu of traditional and modernized hot and cold dishes. The décor is modeled after the restaurants of Tokyo’s Golden Gai district. I’ve been waiting for this restaurant to open for so long. I eat at its sister restaurant Gi Jin often. I’ve often talked with Chef Michael Taylor about his desire to create innovative dishes and have a hot kitchen. Everything we ordered at Golden Gai was fantastic. We got a selection of sushi, a bunch of hot plates, and all the desserts. I can’t wait to go back soon, like next week, to try more of the Golden Gai menu.

Listing of everything we ordered. The full menu with everything in each item can be seen on their website.

Sushi
• Golden Gai Roll
• Sashimi Plate
• Nigiri Plate
• Toro Nigiri

Plates
• Grilled Wagyu & Potatoes
• Miso Cod
• Karaage Fried Chicken
• Fried Rock Shrimp

Dessert
• Tropical Fruit Parfait
• Matcha Miso
• Chocolate Brownie

Golden Gai Izakaya
116 Bakery Square Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

I got to see for the first time in person @baracko

I got to see for the first time in person @barackobama speak to hype up people to vote for @kamalaharris and @timwalz. Setting aside political opinions, he is a fantastic speaker. He's great at staying on topic, drawing natural conclusions in a train of thought, utilizing dramatic pauses and inflection and responding to the vibe of the crowd. He relates to the audience making connections to how he loves Pamela's and roots for the Steelers. I was so happy to be able to watch that in person and not just on TV. I minored in college in Communication Arts and Sciences and it was awesome to be able to see such a quality speaker.

Now for the substance of the speech. He didn't hold back on why you need to vote for Harris Walz and vote for Bob Casey for Senate, and other Democrats on the ballot. He acknowledged as the "Hopey Changey" guy he understands why voters on the fence could be looking for a change. But he also reminds us Donald Trump is a billionaire who whines and rants and shares conspiracy theories and wants to keep us divided as a nation because anger and fear he things will boost his chances of getting elected. Kamala Harris grew up middle class and knows what the middle class needs. Tim Walz is a teacher and a coach and fantastic at working with Democrats and Republicans as Governor. Harris wants to help the middle class going after corporations for price gouging. Not creating additional tariffs and giving the rich and corporations tax cuts. Trickle down economics doesn't work. She wants to work with states to build 3 million new homes. She wants to give tax credits to new parents, new home buyers and new small business owners to help Americans start their futures. She wants women to have access to proper reproductive healthcare and all Americans to have continued access to health insurance.

He made the case to vote for a presidential candidate who has a plan and actual hope for the future of the United States, or for a candidate who tells you the country is awful, says degrading things about people and has no plan. I'm really glad he came to Pittsburgh to talk and make a case for why voting for Harris Walz and Democrats is so important.

Enough of you said you want to see just photos of

Enough of you said you want to see just photos of the new food at @ppgpaintsarena for the @penguins 2024-2025 season. If you haven't seen the reel yet, go check it out too! Not all food listed below is pictured.

Steel City Smash (New) - Loaded Smash Burger - Section 108
Tacos on 5th (New) - Hat Trick Tacos - Section 122
North Shore Nacho - North Shore Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos - Section 105
North Shore Nacho - Gouda Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich – Section 105
Polish Hill Grill - Pittsburgh Pierogi - Section 105
Caramelized Onions, Sour Cream.
Polish Hill Grill - Loaded Italian Sausage – Section 105
Mic Drop! - "Lord Stanley": Grilled Shaved Steak Hoagie - Mike Lange featured concept located in the Captain Morgan Club & FNB Clubs
Mic Drop! - "Sausalito Seal": Roasted Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Fuku - The O.G. Sando fried chicken Sandwich - Section 116
Smokehouse - Smokehouse Coca-Cola BBQ Pork Sandwich - Section 224
Suite Table - Charcuterie Board
Suite Table - Street Corn Quinoa Salad
Suite Table - Slow Cooked BBQ Spareribs
Suite Table - Reuben
Suite Table - Cinnamon Roll Bake

I got to taste all the new food coming to @ppgpain

I got to taste all the new food coming to @ppgpaintsarena for the @penguins 2024-2025 season. @412foodgirl, let me know about this chance to tour the arena and taste these great new food items. Chef Terry Davidson and @aramark are bringing so many great new food items, many designed specially for PPG Paints Arena. Some of the food items feature the arena’s new partnership with Coca Cola as the exclusive soft drinks. A new rotating collection of food items is coming to the Captain Morgan and FNB Clubs paying homage to legendary announcer Mike Lange. The arena is also bringing in Fuku by David Chang featuring fried chicken sandwiches. My favorites were the Steel City Smash Loaded Smash Burger, the O.G. Sando from the new Fuku by David Chang fried chicken concession stand at the arena, and the barbecue ribs available in the suites. Everything new is listed below with the location where it is available.

Steel City Smash (New) - Loaded Smash Burger - Section 108
Tacos on 5th (New) - Hat Trick Tacos - Section 122
North Shore Nacho - North Shore Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos - Section 105
North Shore Nacho - Gouda Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich – Section 105
Polish Hill Grill - Pittsburgh Pierogi - Section 105
Caramelized Onions, Sour Cream.
Polish Hill Grill - Loaded Italian Sausage – Section 105
Mic Drop! - "Lord Stanley": Grilled Shaved Steak Hoagie - Mike Lange featured concept located in the Captain Morgan Club & FNB Clubs
Mic Drop! - "Sausalito Seal": Roasted Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
Fuku - The O.G. Sando fried chicken Sandwich - Section 116
Smokehouse - Smokehouse Coca-Cola BBQ Pork Sandwich - Section 224
Suite Table - Charcuterie Board
Suite Table - Street Corn Quinoa Salad
Suite Table - Slow Cooked BBQ Spareribs
Suite Table - Reuben
Suite Table - Cinnamon Roll Bake

I attended Goose Day festivities in Lewistown, Pen

I attended Goose Day festivities in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in partnership with the @juniatarivervalley. Lewistown has been celebrating Goose Day on September 29 for over two centuries. The saying Eat Goose, Get Luck is all over the town as restaurants serve goose dishes. Eating goose that day is believed to bring luck and prosperity for the next year.

Lewistown hosted a Lucky Friday street festival with live music and vendors. At the street festival I ate goose tacos and I could have also gotten goose nachos, goose pizza and goose meat pies to go. I also walked around the town to do some shopping from vendors and the local shops. One of the themes this year was Goosebusters, a very well done parody of Ghostbusters. They also had an amazing Goose Day themed drone show. The drones formed many goose themed animations in the sky over the town. Some of the activities I didn’t do were a Goose Day 5K race, Goose Day bike ride, a Goose Day scavenger hunt, and special Goose Day movies at the Miller Theater in town.

The rest of my Goose Day weekend was spent eating great locally sourced farm to table and hearty meals. I got the opportunity to dine at @revivalkitchen. Reservations are required months in advance for this locally sourced farm to table restaurant with globally inspired dishes. I also returned to @thenooklewistown for brunch after getting the goose tacos. I ordered the Lil Bit of Everything which I’ll even say was too much food, but delicious.

I joined the Juniata River Valley Flight School to discover local restaurants, wineries, and breweries to visit. The Flight School isn’t about flying but invites you to elevate your tasting experience with curated beer, wine, spirits, coffee, and ice cream flights. Purchasing different flights allows you to earn points to win prizes. I went to @BurntTimbers, where I tasted their wide range of wines and listened to a local band. I also went to @shybearbrewing for a Goose Day brunch and got the Duck Duck Goose flatbread and a flight of beers.

My Goose Day weekend lodging was at @coffeeruncottage, a cozy spot in the middle of farmland.

Last night I got to be one of the many Kamala/Walz

Last night I got to be one of the many Kamala/Walz supporters who joined together in Schenley Plaza for a special campaign concert. Second Gentleman @douglasemhoff spoke about the importance of voting for his wife @kamalaharris. He gushed over being such a big fan of @REM. The evening concluded with a 4 song acoustic set by @michaelstipe of REM and @jasonisbell. They played one of my favorite songs, 'The One I Love' which was also the first time Michael has performed it in 16 years.

Other speakers included @mayoredgainey and @malcolmkenyatta among others. The message of the evening was vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz so we DON'T GO BACK. There's 31 days until election day. Allegheny County already has early voting. The last day to register to vote in PA is Oct 21.

The Kamala Walz Campaign is supports the working middle class. They want to see living wages and opportunities to be able to buy a home. They stand for women's rights and reproductive healthcare. They are fighting for our Democracy and against the Project 2025 plan that will dismantle our government services and take away many rights.

#kamalaforpa #pittsburghforharriswalz
@creatorsforkamala @kamalaforpa

A #TBT to earlier this summer I was in Hershey, PA

A #TBT to earlier this summer I was in Hershey, PA and one of the places I visited was @troegsbeer Independent Brewing. Troegs is a family-owned brewery known for scratch beers like Mad Elf, Troegenator, and best seller Perpetual IPA. The brewery offers both guided and self-guided tours. We spent the evening there tasting a flight of some of their craft beers and enjoying dinner. We were there during Christmas in July so I could get some fun darker beers. I ordered a flight with their Grand Cacao, Mad Elf, Mad Elf Grand Cru and and Bourbon Barrel Mad Elf. They were quite tasty. The brewery has a snack bar featuring locally sourced ingredients. Their menu contains both year round and rotating seasonal items. We ordered the brisket sandwich, crispy red snapper, and the charcuterie board and everything we ate was delicious.

📍Troegs Independent Brewing
200 East Hershey Park Drive
Hershey, PA 17033

My September 2024 Restaurant, Event and Travel Rou

My September 2024 Restaurant, Event and Travel Roundup is now live on the blog. September was a weird month. I didn't eat out much. I was a little in a funk. I think I've finally kicked it though and I'll be good until the winter seasonal depression hits. This month included a few great concerts, a few great events and two road trips. I also trying to make a effort to get caught up on my posts and update the blog more.
1) Goose Day in @juniatarivervalley
2) @taqueriapastorcitopgh tacos at @beersoftheburgh Tacomania
3) @eastlibertychamber Cooking Class
4) Wings and sides from @cuddys_soulfood
5) Cavatelli at @thecommonerpgh
6) @braddocklibrary Chili Cook-off
7) @lapizzettapgh cheese pizza
8) Lamb Shank course at @revivalkitchen
9) Alice Cooper concert
10) Sashimi at Umi

https://alexeatstoomuch.com/2024/09/alexeatstoomuch-september-2024-restaurant-event-and-travel-roundup

On Tuesday, October 1 is the next session of A Nig

On Tuesday, October 1 is the next session of A Night of Hope and Hops at @goldenagebeer. A couple of months ago I attended a session of A Night of Hope and Hops, a brewery talk by Debbie Leuchter Stueber (@craftbeerwizard12/@bruchsal_meets_vienna) about her parents stories of survival in 1940s Europe. This talk tells the amazing stories of her parents surviving and meeting and lessons. The talk ends with her parents Kurt & Edith joining via zoom for a Q&A. I found this talk informative and moving and filled with knowledge from a couple with years of experiences to share. It's a great opportunity to learn about a sometimes difficult subject in a welcoming environment while enjoying a beer.

New Blog Post! I spent an afternoon at @libertypol

New Blog Post! I spent an afternoon at @libertypolespirits in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Whiskey is part of the American heritage, and Liberty Pole Spirits is a family-owned distillery honoring that heritage by producing a great line of whiskeys. I started my visit by tasting their regularly available whiskeys like Full Proof Monongahela Rye and Peated Bourbon. They also have food with specials like this house-cured and smoked pastrami Reuben and a delicious trout dip. They have a cocktail menu with monthly special cocktails and old classics. I need to go back for more of their food including some of the special menu evenings.

After eating, we got a behind-the-scenes tasting in their Founder’s Room of some special tastings like an upcoming yet to be announced whiskey and their library of previous releases.

We then toured the distillery, which has two stills, Harold, their original still, and Howard, their new still. We learned they use bloody butcher corn for bolder whiskey and heritage grains. All their spent grain after the mash is complete is given to local farmers to be used for feed. They then get meat from those farms to use in the restaurant.

After the distillery tour, we toured the barrelhouse where they store and age the whiskey barrels. It is the only five story barrelhouse in Pennsylvania. They had a wall acknowledging their first investors who believe in the Liberty Pole mission. We went up a couple of stories to be whiskey thieves and sample a rye directly from the barrel. We saw how holes are drilled in the barrel to allow the whiskey to flow and then covered. We finished our tour tasting other single barrel ryes and bourbons.

I had a great time at Liberty Pole Spirits and if you love whiskey, I recommend visiting them too.

📍Liberty Pole Spirits
800 Adios Dr.
Washington, PA 15301

I was in @city_of_roanoke,, Virginia for the @mida

I was in @city_of_roanoke,, Virginia for the @midatlantictourism Marketplace hosted by @visitvbr. During the conference, I was taken to multiple great restaurants. Here are three of my favorites.

@sidecar.va, partly named after the cocktail, is located downtown. This restaurant is in what looks like a renovated former bank. We sat in a space that looked like the former front desk with a small vault. They feature French and European style dishes. I ordered the Haus Sausage plater and Duck Pastrami. Both were fantastic.

@scratchbiscuitcompany for a tasting of some of the best biscuits I’ve ever eaten. Located in the Historic Grandin Village, they feature down-home southern biscuits made from scratch. They had a wide range of different meats for the biscuit sandwiches. I tried the bacon, the brisket and the chicken and all were so good. I was also told I had to try the Stone Ground Grits and they were the creamiest and most buttery grits I’ve ever eaten. They also roast their coffee.

I recommend @sixandsky Rooftop Grille for a dinner with a view. This restaurant sits at the top of the @centerinthesquare downtown and features beautiful views of the city and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. We had a buffet-style dinner as part of a reception. The Red Snapper Creole Style and Sesame Crusted Tuna were my favorites, but the prime rib was pretty great too.

A bonus place to eat is the @hotelroanoke. We ate several meals during the conference at the Hotel. They provided an incredible spread for both breakfast and lunch. Roanoke fed me very well, and I would definitely love to explore more food in the future.

I ate at @reva_pgh a couple of weeks ago and enjoy

I ate at @reva_pgh a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed one of the best modern Indian meals. This restaurant in East Liberty features an extensive menu. We ordered several items and split them family style. Everything was delicious and the spice level was on point. I'm looking forward to eating here again to work through their menu.

We ordered:
- Salmon Tikka
- Sweet Potato Chaat
- Tikka Chicken Wings (these were so good I got a second order)
- Chicken Vindaloo

📍Reva Modern Indian Cuisine
220 N Highland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

8 hours in Cleveland... 1. Cleveland Script Sign

8 hours in Cleveland...

1. Cleveland Script Sign - North Coast Harbor
2. @mabelsbbq4th fatty brisket
3. @rockhall
4. One of @joanjett leather jackets (zoom and read the buttons)
5. Part of the Revolutionary Women in Music exhibit
6. Birthplace of Rock n Roll marker
7. New York Dolls signed drum cover
8. Pharrell quote
9. House of Blues
10. @thehives (see other post)

For the third time in a year I saw one of my favor

For the third time in a year I saw one of my favorite bands, @thehives. They put on one of the best performances. So much audience interaction and they give it their all on the stage. I drove out to Cleveland to see them at the @hobcleveland because I'll be out of town when they get to Pittsburgh to play @stageae next week. If I was going to be in town I'd see them again. However, since I'm not, all you should go see them.

This year’s One Bite One Day, a best bites of Pi

This year’s One Bite One Day, a best bites of Pittsburgh event benefiting @oneday_toremember was bigger and better than ever. It is one of my favorite events every year. I get to try so many amazing bites and try great cocktails all for a good cause. This year the premier food tasting event was held at the @pittsburghopera. I had so many great bites this year I can’t even pick just one to say was my favorite. Each of these bites is paired with a craft cocktail. There is also a VIP bar with additional specialty drinks. New this year was an after party with more of a nightclub vibe to keep the evening going featuring more bites and specialty cocktails.

This year I didn’t just attend, but also served as a member of the host committee. This allowed me to support this organization more by helping to find restaurants to participate and items for the silent auction. I learned so much about what it takes to plan such a big event. I also get to see a little more of how their biggest fundraiser helps make an impact to their organization.

One Day to Remember is a non-profit organization whose goal is to give families with a parent dealing with advanced-stage cancer the opportunity to make lasting, positive memories. One Day to Remember strives to provide a curated experience that is individualized for each family at no cost to them. Included in the special day, they send a professional photographer to capture the family activity and provide every family with a commemorative photobook.

The One Bite One Day event is usually in early September and is one of the premier food tasting events in Pittsburgh. I’m proud to attend this event every year and support One Day to Remember. If you would like to learn more about One Day to Remember, please visit their website at onedaytoremember.org.

I ate at @sporkpgh in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neig

I ate at @sporkpgh in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood the other night. This is another restaurant I haven’t eaten at in years. Now I regret not eating here more often as they prepare to close after service on Sept 21 to change concepts. Soon, Spork will reopen as One by Spork, a mutli-course dining experience. I went to dinner with @karen.hoang, @sopheating, and @mike.jams and we ordered a bunch of starters and main courses to share. Everything was amazing. My favorites were the Crispy Octopus and Dream Mountain Ranch Elk Tagliatelle Bolognese. They also provided amazing amuse-bouche items to whet our appetites and get us excited. Although I didn’t get to Spork enough before they close soon, I look forward to trying to eat there more often under their new concept.

Starters:
Crispy Octopus
Sporkgarden Salad
Grilled Chambersburg Peach Tartlet

Mains
Dream Mountain Ranch Elk Tagliatelle Bolognese
Halibut
Elysian Fields Lamb Saddle

Amuse Bouche (I don’t have these exact)
Asparagus Soup
Watermelon bite
Tomato Crisp

📍Spork
5430 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

I was invited to @fiveirongolf in Pittsburgh’s M

I was invited to @fiveirongolf in Pittsburgh’s Market Square for an evening. Five Iron Golf is an indoor golf simulator featuring recreations of real courses, games and lessons. You can also get a membership to play golf indoors all the time. I went with a couple of friends and we had a great time taking swings at the different scenes on the screen. We had fun playing the different target games and geeked out over our swing stats. Five Iron Golf also has a great selection of food and cocktails. We tried so much like the boneless wings, mac and cheese bites, an autumn salad, and my favorite, the Pittsburgh Poutine. The cocktails were tasty too. We wrapped up with the brownie and donut hole dippers for dessert. We had so much fun at Five Iron Golf and ate so well that I am ready to return for another round and perhaps a lesson too.

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