Tag: Italian in Pittsburgh


Sep
2016

Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh Italian Wine Dinners!

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Restaurant Review

Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh, an Italian favorite in the Burgh, brings a chic edge to traditional Italian. The cuisine and the ambiance reflect a twist on the classics, while permiating comfort and style.  I have visited the downtown Pittsburgh restaurant before with friends many times for drinks, a pizza or an antipasto platter with wine, but never had the full dining room experience.

This time, they had me at Sicilian Wine Dinner…

One week per month Vallozzi’s is taking guests on a regional wine tour. The concept is innovative.  The course dinner is offered with or without wine pairings all week, in addition to the regular menu.  This On Demand wine dinner is awesome.  Not everyone in your party has to order the same way.  How much?  The Prix Fixe is $55 + $30 for all of the wine pairings.

Who else was in the restaurant?  Young trendy foodies, dressed to kill.  It was a Friday night.  There were a few generational family tables, and couples of all ages out for date night.  Point being, this Italian restaurant is totally not moth balls and red sauce.  It’s fun and hip and Italian, a rare combo.

This coming week September 19-24th the menu is from the Tuscan region. Let me begin by saying I was here for the food and friends. I dined with The Food Tasters Pittsburgh, Breelicious Bites, and Pittsburgh documentarian Rick Sebak.  If you want to hear about the wine specifics, I’m not sure. The wines were delicious, smooth, and arrived at the table so fast -because we were talking and eating-that I barely got the story. There was so much food! I did get one photo of one bottle.

Those of you who aren’t in Pittsburgh and won’t be traveling to Pittaburgh anytime soon, that’s ok. Have your friends over, grab some wine, and we will cook together ; )

We started with and a glass of Prosecco and an antipasto platter that blew me away! The choices, the quality, the freshness, were unmatched. The mortadella was a favorite!

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Primi, was the fried cuttlefish with pepperoncini, lemon, arugula, and a garlic aioli. Very similar to calamari it was something new for me!
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This dish…this dish was my everything about the dinner. Before I showed up i had my eye it. Food and smells sometimes take me back to my childhood. I remember my grandparents pan frying zucchini blossoms. I was young, but I remember the delicacy with which they were handled, and the joy that they brought my family. Excellent job, Chef. These were phenomenal.
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Eggplant Copanata with a twist!
The twist being a chickpea polenta.
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Now for the main courses, yep I’m serious.
Fettuccini al Nero di Calamari
I am not a fan of squid ink pasta, but the flavors were delicious!
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Farsumagru- Veal cutlet rolled with ham, sausage, cheese and pan braised with herbs, white wine sauce, eggplant coponata. This dish was ridiculously good! Ummm meat rolled with meat and cheese, yes!
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Tonna alla Pelermitana-
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Dentice all Forno con Cipolle e Brodo di Carne- Baked Sea Bream
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Dolci! Desserts and Limoncello – Sfingi Sicilian Donuts & Cannoli – the gelato was gone so fast I didn’t get a photo!  Those of you who watch the cooking tvshow I co-host Between The Eats know my favorite dessert every is Sfingi. These were incredible!
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Thank You, Vallozzi’s for a beautiful Sicilian wine dinner. See you in Tuscany!

Ciao!

Vallozzi’s Pittsburgh
220 5th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA
412-394-3400


Nov
2014

Pittsburgh Winery and Matteo’s Lawrenceville Celebrating 2 Years! Have You Stopped In Yet?

categories: Around Pittsburgh

As I walked down the staircase I could see the twinkling lights. Candles flickered on the glass-top wooden barrel tables and the smell of grapes filled the air. The band was doing a sound check and I actually got butterflies! I couldn’t help but think to myself- I need to have a party here- it’s so magical! How have I never ever been here before?

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Pittsburgh Winery was born when owner and Buzz Poet’s bass player Tim Gaber’s wine hobby got serious. “I was making more and more wine, we [the Buzz Poets] stopped touring and it seemed like the right time,” said Gaber. Making wine with friends in the cellar of an old firehouse, Gaber networked with California vineyard owners and winemakers to prepare to launch his own line at 2815 Penn Ave. in the Strip District, Pittsburgh Winery.

Pittsburgh Winery credits the best grapes from the best vineyards as being responsible for their high quality, incredibly elegant and smooth wine offerings. My favorite on this visit was the California red blend, but I can’t wait to try them all!

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Gaber brought his love of music to the winery. Bands, musical talent, and entertainment groups take the stage as the evening entertainment at the winery. With no windows and an incredible sound space, Gaber has equipped the winery with a sound and recording panel. Please check out the website for upcoming events. Get your tickets!! They sell out fast!

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For their one and two year anniversaries, Pittsburgh Winery has held grape stomps! What an awesome opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience to stomp grapes and sample the wines! Gaber called Matt Cavanaugh owner and chef at Lawrenceville hotspot Matteo’s for the occasion. Matteo’s was also celebrating their two year anniversary. I tagged along behind the scenes with Matteo’s to see what was cooking.
As you can see in the photo above, our crew had a great time!

Sweet Thai chili wings, pumpkin ravioli, chicken sliders, and Matt’s wife Andrea’s famous rum cake were just a few of the delicious menu items.

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Matteo’s food is delicious whether it is catered or served as individual dinners. As Winter 2015 Pittsburgh Restaurant Week approaches, Cavanaugh has rolled out some new winter offerings as well as old favorites!

Like the Lobster Mac and Cheese! Yes, that is a Lobster tail…
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Matteo’s winter weather tender and flavorful lamb chops will warm you up!

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Flavorful Dumplings…
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Caramelized Brussels Sprouts in a balsamic reduction with just enough smoky char to warm you up!
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And my winter warm up pick, the linguini clams in a red sauce! I ate the entire bowl! Seriously, ask them, I did!

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Hopefully, Pittsburgh Winery will celebrate their 3rd anniversary with another grape stomp and more delicious food from Matteo’s!

Wishing Pittsburgh Winery and Matteo’s the best of luck for another successful year! Pittsburgh is lucky to have you!

Ciao!