Over the Weekend

 I realize it's very close to the next weekend, but the Three Neighbors had a wonderful weekend just a few days ago. The Three Neighbors is a nickname I've given us, and 'us' refers to me, Husband, and our friend {and neighbor for many years}, Ingrid. Over our time in Dallas, we had many "Neighbor Dinners," always on Sunday nights, at one of our apartments. She would cook the main dish, and we would bring sides to accompany, then switch for the next.  When we lived literally next door to each other, we usually had more than one bottles of pinot during and after dinner, and then walked home. It was a very family-style type get-together, and we became very nostalgic when the last dinner in Dallas came last November.

Luckily, Ingrid has family in Pittsburgh, so we knew we'd see her again...and possibly for a Neighbor Dinner in the future. She came in over the last weekend to visit family in Ohio, and then meet up with us over the last part of the trip. We had dinner at a family friend's restaurant here in Pittsburgh, then she stayed with us until dinnertime the next day.  Among having brunch and the many things we did that morning/afternoon, we walked a few bridges, and ended up at the Roberto Clemente statue at PNC Park.

This statue is somewhat personal to Ingrid for a reason that's too funny not to laugh at.  She and her father ended up walking around the field so many times to find this statue, finding out later that it hadn't been moved yet. I think they walked around the park 4 times to find it. She told us this story right after we revealed we were moving to Pittsburgh, and we silently promised ourselves to take her to see the statue one day!

Later that afternoon, we went to the Andy Warhol Museum to see the I Just Want to Watch exhibit on Warhol's media art {but don't worry, it's there until 2017!}.

It was interesting to say the least. It made for some great discussions that evening, when we headed out to the woods to have dinner with Ingrid's family.

Neighbor Dinner was revived!  We were hosted by a lovely couple {Ingrid's Aunt and Uncle}, in their little dumpling of a home just north of the city.  I'm fairly certain I saw a beaver on the way to their home. 

But, the food.  Her Aunt made a fall feast of pork loin, fruit compote, smooth squash and apple soup, fall-style coleslaw, a garlicky grain salad and other fabulous dishes.  I'll post a few photos when I grab them off Husband's phone.  I don't know what made us so lucky to be served that dinner!  Dinner conversation, wine and laughs were all we needed with that meal. It was perfect!

 

I can't believe I have to wait until next year to see Ingrid and her family again! Can't come soon enough.

It's Friday, Friends!

Happy Friday, y’all! It’s finally the last day of the week, and I’m ready for it. My days have been jam-packed with school social functions, meetings, classes, trainings and even a fabulous happy hour.

Through the downpours we’ve been having here and there, we’ve been staying dry…miraculously. Our landlord still has not come to view the potential leak (that we know of). Fingers crossed.

This weekend we’ll be getting ready for our first house guest in many moons {or, just two moons actually}. My close friend and prior college roommate is coming to visit us in her last leg of a northeastern tour. She’s taking the train bus from Philadelphia, and staying with us during the first part of next week. Inside jokes will abound.

What are your plans for the weekend?  I hear there are a few food events happening: A Taste of Grow: Pittsburgh on Sunday, Ramen brunch at SALT {also Sunday}, and I definitely want to hit up this new wine bar in my ‘hood soon.

I, on the other hand, will be reading for school and tidying up the house. On another note…

I’ve done it. Given in. I’m finally on Instagram {Find me: ADashOfSpectacular}. I’m definitely treating it like my Twitter account, with random photos of food, Pittsburgh, travels and cats. By the way, are we friends on Facebook, too?

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Checking In

Our final visitor for the spring/summer is here!  

My sister-in-law is here to enjoy PGH's sights, tastes and sounds.  

I'll be back to post soon!

{As of Late}

Let’s just say there are LOTS of things going on in the life of Ashley O.  My busy cycle is coming to a close at work {I’m working normal hours again!!!}, and our visitors keep coming in droves.  At this point we’ve had 7 houseguests over the course of 3 months – whew!  We’re thrilled to have people wanting to stay and visit us, but it can take a lot out of ya!  Husband and I are trying to be the BEST host and hostess, sight-seeing, shopping and eating with each of our guests.  We’ve also seen so much of Pittsburgh since our guest started arriving at the end of April, and it’s been a real treat to act like tourists along with them.  Yes, I’d love another pierogie!

We've gone to several games;

Visited the Phipps Conservatory; 

Walked around the Pitt campus.

Tomorrow night, in fact, we’re going on a water taxi ride that’ll take us on a tour of the Allegheny river and Point State Park.  How touristy.  I can’t wait though, because those city lights on the rivers will be gorgeous.  Hopefully some of my photos will turn out!

This weekend I’ve also been invited to the Hometown-Homegrown event at the John Heinz History Center.   

You guys – it’s an event for foodies that will feature foods from the region… I can’t wait!  Check for my forthcoming post and tweets from the event.

Remember, there are only 10 days left to claim your free MOAB juice coupon!  All you have to do is make a comment on the post, and I’ll connect with you to send your coupon.  Simple.  Comment away!

While I’m thinking about it, have you Liked {ADOS} on Facebook or Google Friend Connect {on the left-hand bar of the page}?  As Kristina from PSS says, it’s my social tip jar!

PGH Dining: Grandview Bakery

Heads up - This will be a retrospective post. When James was here, visiting from Texas, we stopped in on a late, rainy morning, to have a second {or third?} breakfast before diving in to a noon beer. It was Pittsburgh's Craft Beer Week after all. 

We'd heard about Grandview Bakery from a random party-goer at one of my coworker's Mustache Party/BBQ {?!}, and sampled a chocolate cupcake and a peanut butter kiss cookie. I finished off two of the cookies, and vowed to visit the next time we were up on Mount Washington. It just so happened, we were there, after riding the Duquesne Incline.

We stepped into the bakery/store and walked immediately up to the colorful case of baked goods.

Gorgeous.

PGH Dining: Bar Marco

If you're walking in the right direction on the right street in Pittsburgh, you'll be lucky enough to see Bar Marco.  Walk in, sit down, and order a drink, because this is an experience all to itself.

Checking In {Best Friend Weekend}

Hi Folks!  I'm taking a second to check in after a fabulous weekend with the best friend and Husband.  We missed having her husband here, but that's how the cards fell this time, unfortunately.  We had a relaxing weekend of food, drinks and taking photos as we walked along, seeing the sights of Pittsburgh.  We were lucky to have great weather {compared to the heatwave of a week ago}. I'll share a few photos from our weekend:

Just arrived!

Drinks & dinner at Round Corner Cantina.

Drinks at Bar Marco. 

Shopping on Butler; at Wildcard.

Lawrenceville Farmer's Market; opening weekend.

Picnic in Highland Park. 

Three Rivers Arts Festival

Monogahela Incline; Mt. Washington.

Love Lock in Oakland.

The Cathedral of Learning.

Diplomacy Rooms: Africa.

Bunny Friend at the Stephen Foster Memorial. 

We had such a fantastic time this weekend!  Next time can't come soon enough.

Blogger Past & Future

Several years ago, I started this blog as a way to connect to others around me, mostly those I knew, in order to draw them in and have a stronger friendship. Somehow, through difference choices and avenues I’ve taken, it’s become more of a way for me to connect with my surroundings – in a strange way, it’s an out pour of myself to reach out to others I may not know or will ever know. Similarly, it’s also become a way for me to keep in contact with those I love and am not able to see each week, or even each month. 

{Guest Post} Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week

Our friend James was in town this past weekend for Pittsburgh's first Craft Beer Week.  How advantageous that our most knowledgable beer buddy would visit PGH while this craft beer celebration was going on! It must have been fate. Either way, since I don't know much about beer {other than it tastes good!}, I've asked him to write a short guest post on the subject. Without him by our side, we would have been full of questions about the beer menus.  Thanks for accompanying us, James, on a week we hope to replicate many times over!  

I was lucky enough to visit Pittsburgh on their inaugural craft beer week. While we didn't do too many of the events, we still had fun. We got a sneak peak of the Dogfish Dinner at Shiloh Grill and went to Hofbrauhaus for their party/trivia event. I also got to try a ton of new beer {he can't get in the South}, so it was a successful trip.

Here is a little Q&A from Ashley.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between craft beer and regular beer? How is the process different?

Craft beer is brewed on a smaller scale with more thought and stories behind the beer. The process of brewing doesn't change materially but the ingredients and the style varies. I would compare it to the local restaurant vs the mega-chain.

2. What are some of the most 'known' craft beers? Or are there any?

Sam Adams' Boston Lager, New Belgium's Fat Tire and Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale are probably the top 3 most recognized craft beers. The more well-known craft breweries are Sam Adams, Dogfish Head, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Rogue, Avery, and Stone among others. (Shiner for the people in Texas.)

3. What are the types of craft beer {i.e. hoppy, stout, etc.} What do they taste like?

There are way too many styles of beer. There are also people like Sam Caligione at Dogfish Head that pretty much invents a style each time he brews a new beer. You have your popular styles like Pale Ale (semi-hoppy), IPA-India Pale Ale (very hoppy), Stout (dark and thick), Lager (clear and crisp). I maintain that there is a beer/style for every palette.

4. What are some of your favorite craft beer makers?

My favorite brewery right now is Great Divide out of Denver. They make an incredible stout (Yeti) and even a good fruit beer (Wild Raspberry Ale), among other solid beers. Dogfish Head is another favorite. They brew from the tiny state of Delaware and they are known for stretching the boundaries of beer. Of note is their line of Ancient Ales, recipes researched by historians to get close to historic as possible. Also their Music line, with ales brewed for greats such as Miles Davis, Pearl Jam and Robert Johnson.

James in the background texting his Beer Buds about Hellhound.

5. What are some of your favorite local/PA/PGH craft beers?

Yuengling is a great representation of what a macro pale lager (Bud/Miller/Coors) should be. The Troegs bros also make some great brew.

6. Can you give some recommendations for those of us novices on ordering craft beers we'd like? (ex. if we like red stripe/dos equis/stouts, what should we order?)

My first piece of advice is to try a lot of beer. You will most likely find you don't like before you find the one you love, don't give up so early. If you are used to the lighter macro brews then try a lager/pilsner/golden ale from a craft brewery. If you are a Guiness Fan then go for the stouts/porters/barleywines. If you are a Shiner fan then gravitate towards the bocks/swarzbiers/ambers. If you are a Blue Moon person then try the hefeweizens and fruit beers. The only beers that I suggest new craft beer drinkers avoid are sours and IPAs. They have very strong tastes and can be quite a shock to the palette. Brooklyn Brewery and New Belgium are both great breweries for you to try as they aren't too crazy with their normal selection.

7. How many craft breweries have you been to, and where would you like to visit next time you're in town?

I've been to way too many craft breweries to count. {I see a trend here!} Next time I visit Pittsburgh I want to hit up their version of a flying saucer. I want to see a bar with a diverse selection of east coast brews.

If you aren't a beer fan then maybe craft sodas are your take? If so, then check out Maine Root or Jones (Nationally). For the Texans, hit up Dublin Bottling Works(former maker of Dublin DP) or Armadillo Ale Works.

Thanks, James! 

Readers, if you have questions about craft beer you'd like answered, leave them in the comments!

Seeing the Sights with Our First Guest!

This past weekend {give or take a couple days} was a blast! Husband's BFF came in town, and was our first guest to stay with us in PGH.  It was {for lack of a more grown-up word} awesome to show someone around our new turf. 

 Essentially, this photos sums it up nicely:

Dogfish Head's Ta Henket

Read about the rest of the weekend after the jump!

Visitors

This weekend we have our first visitor in PGH!

Bloomfield/Lawrenceville

Bloomfield Bridge

 I'll see y'all on Sunday!