It was a very hot day in July, 2006. Dave and Chris, who had previously shopped for each other on Match.com, had their first date at Lucky Bar, Dupont Circle, D.C.
Chris had just finished her first year of PhD coursework at Maryland, and Dave was in between his first and second year of law school.
Chris was a little bit late for that first date, but Dave never knew. Despite working a summer internship next door to the bar, Dave was very late. He had stopped back home to pick up his new motorcycle (motorcycles impress all women but Chris, he would later find out).
They talked, ate nachos, and finally got chased out of the bar by a loud and aggressive salsa-dancing tutorial. After a quick stop at the bike, they continued their first date at a bar next door.
As the evening came to a close, they planned a second date. And the rest, as they say, is history!
What follows is a quick guide to Pittsburgh cuisine. Not surprisingly, this steel town is best at down-home, rib-sticking breakfasts and lunches, and even the fanciest dinner restaurants never require more than "business casual." We've listed our favorites below (as well as some of our lighter, healthier favorites).
Breakfast
We (along with President Obama) strongly endorse Pamela's Diner in the Strip. If you're not the President, you'll have to wait - maybe for a long time - but the thin, crispy pancakes are worth every minute!
Other standout breakfast options include Deluca's Diner, also in the Strip, and Crepes Parisiennes in Shady Side. If you make it out to Shady Side, which is just beyond the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Melon campuses, be sure to stop by Prantl's Bakery.
(NB: Parking will be difficult in the Strip on Saturdays and Sundays. Try to find a spot on Smallman Street.)
Lunch
You should probably eat at Primanti's, Pittsburgh's epicenter, unless you think you'll really hate cole slaw and fries on your sandwich. There are now a few branches throughout the city, but the original is again in the Strip.
If you're looking for a little less grease, check out Enrico Biscotti Cafe, also in the Strip. Nearby Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor makes a nice after-lunch treat.
Additionally, you might head out to The Original Hot Dog Shop (The "O") in Oakland, Pittsburgh's college 'hood, or to Tessaro's in Bloomfield for killer hamburgers. One quick and healthy option is vegetarian Hoi Palloi Cafe and Coffeehouse, located very close to all the North Side hotels.
Dinner
For a casual dinner, you might hit Pittsburgh's South Side, where you'll find Yo Rita, a fairly new and pretty unique taco place, DISH Osteria Bar, for Italian, or Mallorca, for Spanish.
Max's Allegheny Tavern is a tasty German restaurant conveniently located near all North Side hotels.
Or trek out to Bloomfield (a 10 minute drive) to our favorite, Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, for delicious Polish food and for some Pittsburgh heart and soul.
More sophisticated dining (be sure to tuck in your Steelers jersey) includes Nine on Nine and Six Penn Kitchen, both in Pittsburgh's Cultural District; or Eleven and Lidia's Italy, blocks away in the borderland between Pittsburgh's Cultural District and the Strip.
Best highbrow option for both atmosphere and food is Isabela on Grandview, serving Italian.
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