Monday, January 10, 2011

The Oyster House, Pittsburgh PA

Hello Friends,
I was on an unofficial food trip this weekend! What makes it unofficial is a) I was just visiting my hometown and b) I didn't announce that I would be making a food stop. However when I go home I cant seem to resist the urge to have an original fish sandwich, onion rings and some oysters at the Original Oyster House in Market Square. I remember my family talking me there to eat as a child. It still smells the same. They make this special vinegar sauce that has some type of red peppers in it. I have to have this vinegar, tauter sauce, hot sauce and ketchup on my fish sandwich. Oh my mouth is watering again. Price is reasonable that huge fish sandwich is about 6 bucks. There are many other items on the menu. They have a bunch of black and white pictures all over the walls, some are of pageants others are boxers and some are just famous people that ate at the restaurant. Lots of History in the place. I spoke with the cashier and one of the cooks. The Original fish Sandwich is made with Cod. This place has been in existence for about 140 years! They have a restaurant entrance and a bar entrance thee two are connected. So it's great place to take the family for lunch or place to hang and have a couple beers! I'll post a few pics! 

Food stop in New Orleans, La

Hi friends,
It's been a while since I've been here but I'm still writing and traveling in my spare time. I went to New Orleans, Louisiana on October 23. Have you ever been there? Well I was looking for a place to go for a day trip and I asked the listeners of The Keith Larson Show on WBT Newstalk 1110am to help. My goal was to find a place that I could experience the culture and find some local food favorites. I absolutely loved New Orleans and can't wait to go back. So I flew in on a Saturday morning with two places listed as "Must Visit" and a few other things I'd like to check out scribbled in my notebook. I caught a Jefferson Transit public bus (route E-2) From the Airport towards downtown/Canal Street. This happened to be a bad idea on a Saturday because the bus schedule was limited and we had to make a connection. So I jumped in a cab with two other ladies traveling from the airport. I arrived at my first destination in the French Quarter. The Central Grocery at 932 Decatur St; Home of the Muffuletta sandwich! All that I can say is WOW what a sandwich. It was huge and cost about $12. They cut it into quarters and I was almost full after one quarter but couldn't help but be greedy and eat two. I also has a bag of Zapps Cajun Dill Gator-Tators recommended by a local woman I met in line. I sat at the counter in the back of the store it was very busy and hard to find a place to sit. The Central Grocery had a hometown feel. You sit and eat amongst total strangers but imagine they are neighbors you haven't seen in a while. The food and the atmosphere was so good. For those of you who have never had one let me try to explain. The Muffuletta (pronounced Moof-Ah-Letta) is made on a round sesame seed bun, filled with ham, salami, cheese and olive salad. I found a really cool website that explains better so read about the ingredients and it's history here!
Next destination on my list was Cafe Du Monde, Home of Coffee and
Beignets! Before making this trip I had no idea what Beignets were. So in case you don't know, they are square shaped, fried dough covered in powdered sugar. The best thing I could compare them to is elephant ears at the State fair. I'm all about the sweets so they were wonderful to me!
There is so much to see and do in New Orleans I really need about a week there. My next trip I want to find some gumbo!