Farm to Table Pittsburgh Local Food Tasting 2013

I looooooove trying new things.

You all know I'll try any food once - if I like it, great; if I don't, never again.  That's how I've come to appreciate foods like ox tail, octopus, and even grasshoppers.  I'm sure there are things that I'll try that will gross me out, but...it's all a part of the learning process, right?

At this year's Farm to Table Pittsburgh Local Food Tasting, I had the opportunity to try many foods from a variety of vendors.  Many of the same vendors were there from last year; however, there were many additional vendors this year, which was fantastic to see!

I could go on about every single thing that I tried, but...no.  I won't. Instead, here are some of my favorites:

Restaurant Echo is proving to make me into a beet-eater, as that is one of the foods that I avoid most often.  They offered smoked trout with beets and creme fraiche on endive.  This dish was delish!  I need to try them on one of my adventures up north someday.

Restaurant Echo's offering

A gourmet ice cream caterer? YES! Kleido Kone Creamery does this - and it's BRILLIANT!  The ice cream was rich, creamy, and...well, if you had them cater your party, you had better invite me...

Kleido Kone Creamery's gourmet ice cream catering

I love Regina Koetters, and Marty's Market, but I couldn't try what they had because...you know, pork. They did run out of samples very quickly, so they must have been great!:

Regina Koetters of Marty's Market dishes out the pork!

One of my best discoveries of the night - shrub, a fruit syrup made with vinegar that tastes AMAZING (don't be put off by the vinegar!).  I bought 3 bottles, because I loved each beverage that I tried with the shrub in it.  Not to mention that it's also made near my alma mater, Penn State. I can't wait to experiment.

Tait Farms Schrub (available in lemon, lime, ginger, cherry, and raspberry)

Wow, my hands must have been pretty full the whole night, because I didn't take many pictures...but, I can tell you that I also purchased my favorite hummus in the whole world from The Greek Gourmet (although I missed Michael himself), in addition to bread from Mediterra.  I sampled great Buffalo Dip from Schneider's Dairy, as well as wonderful pesto from E2. I can't complain about anything that I tried, and I was very happy to make some new discoveries (some of which I can't comment on, since students read this).  Overall, the Farm to Table event was successful and left me feeling inspired.  Also, big thanks to my friend Cara for being my "date" that night (since the taco truck was pumping out tacos!!) 

My breakfast the next morning, which included Mediterra bread and The Greek Gourmet Smoked White Bean Hummus

I can't wait until the fall for another food tasting!

Farm to Table Pittsburgh

Website: http://farmtotablepa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Farm-to-Table-Pittsburgh/274070585830
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FTT_Pittsburgh

E2 (That's "E, squared")

Birthday dinners can be special.

Outside of E2, Bryant Street, Highland Park

But nothing is as special as having your own, private birthday celebration with your closest friends in one of the most hospitable chefs in Pittsburgh.  James had donated to E2's (E squared's) Kickstarter campaign, and earned a private dinner in the beneficiary of the campaign, "The Party Dungeon". 

Stairwell to "The Party Dungeon"

 Progress has been made in The Party Dungeon, but it is not quite finished as of yet.  New paint, new wiring, new lighting, and a new bar grace the basement, along with some new tables (and there will be more tables coming in).  Personally, I like the space a lot, and it was perfect for an intimate private event.  We could have definitely fit at least twice as many people in the space quite comfortably (as there were 12 of us), but the space itself could easily suit a party of 50 or less.

Tables set for the party in "The Party Dungeon"

Of course, our main focus after taking in the renovation process was the food.  Chef Kate Romane had prepared a special menu for James's birthday, one that she knew he and his guests would all enjoy.  As people arrived, we enjoyed Anti-Pasta, plates of olives, cheese, roasted garlic, and more, with Chef Kate's famous Gorgonzola Mess to accompany warm, toasted bread.  Demand for the Gorgonzola Mess was so great that the staff generously sent out more on its own (with more bread, of course):

Anti-Pasta

More Anti-Pasta

Our next two courses were salad courses: Big Fat Salad, a simple leafy-green salad with blue cheese, toasted walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette; and Heirloom Caprese Salad, a late-summer classic:

Big Fat Salad

Heirloom Caprese Salad

As simple as these salad were, they were full of flavor.  James and I were sure to snag the leftovers of the Big Fat Salad for lunch for the next day (we're sensible, yet smart).

We were then served Arancini with Marinara, which looked like large, fried doughballs covered in marinara sauce.  Basically, that's what they were, but on the inside - rice!  They were amazing:

Arancini with Marinara

Alongside the Arancini were dishes of Beans and Greens with Sausage:

Beans and Greens with Sausage

Surprise!  I loved it.  I've made similar dishes at home that taste...well, nowhere near this yummy.

Our main dishes were Rabbit Ragu, and Tortellini with Chive Butter, Pine Nuts, and Chiles:

Rabbit Ragu

Ok, so, my dad (the picky one, remember) wasn't all about eating rabbit.  Of course, I was all about it, since it was something I had never tried before.  I liked it, and the entire dish itself just reminded me of a traditional beef stew - honestly, I would have never guessed that the meat was rabbit.  

Tortellini with Chive Butter, Pine Nuts, and Chiles

The tortellini - wow.  Beautiful color, even more fantastic flavor.  It was my favorite of the dishes:

Ok, it was my favorite before the dessert - Chocolate Bread Pudding a la mode:

Chocolate Bread Pudding

This was SO RICH (no pun intended, if you know James).  This should have been called Fudgy Chocolate-y Awesomeness - you know, because that's what it was.  Oh, wait - "Fudgy Chocolate-y Awesomeness a la Mode".  Yes.

By the end of the evening, our bellies were full, our spirits were high, and our faces hurt from laughing.  Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday at all.  Thanks so much to everyone who came out to the party, and a special thanks to Chef Kate and everyone at E2 for making the evening so, so special.  

E2
5904 Bryant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (Highland Park)

Website: http://e2pgh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e2pgh
Twitter: https://twitter.com/e2pgh

...Farm to Table Conference 2012

Qui qui ri qui.

That's the Spanish equivalent of "cock-a-doodle-do".  Weird, right?  Who knew roosters spoke a different language, too?

Oh, and dogs say, "Guau, guau".  Totally close to "Woof, woof".

I had always enjoyed going to farms as a novelty once a year to pick my pumpkin, but until I started frequenting the Pittsburgh Public Market, I didn't realize just how many farms, dairies, etc. existed in the area - and not only that, but they also produce some fine foodstuffs.

I was thrilled to take part in this year's Farm to Table Conference Local Food Tasting.  I left with a full belly and a lot more knowledge about the local farming and food producing business:

An overall shot of the event and attendees

 A sampling from Greek Gourmet - best hummus in Pittsburgh!

Michael from Greek Gourmet and his mom - visit them on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill (next to Mineo's!)

A lot of hummus from Freshapeel - coming to Pittsburgh soon (Michael's still wins, in my opinion!)

Cheese samples from Wild Purveyors - I miss them in the Pittsburgh Public Market. I need to get to their new storefront!

I'm not a big fan of regular milk (I drink soy), but this grass-fed milk from Manchester Farms was actually really good!

Pretzel Crazy!  Love this display!

More from Pretzel Crazy - those Chipotle Loco pretzels were much better than they may sound!

Clarion River Organics - bought spelt from them here, and bought 2 more bags at the Pittsburgh Public Market since!

The most delicious item of the night - Chicken Terrine from Restaurant Echo. Soooo yummy! 

Gorgonzola Mess from E2.

More from E2

More from E2 - remember, I take pictures of the good stuff, and I took pictures of 3 things from E2!

I've bought Cabot Cheese in the grocery store - it's great!  Especially this Hot Habanero flavor!

Remember my speculoos obsession after New York City?  Next best thing - Maple Honey Butter from BumbleBerry Farms.  Holy cow.  Don't get me near a spoon while this is around, or it will be gone by the spoonful!

Honey from BumbleBerry Farms

 There were so many other things to taste - I just didn't want to take a million pictures!  I was focused on...well, eating.  There were other vendors with juices, dressings, vegetables, you name it - needless to say, I was pretty full when I left!

James and I also had the opportunity to attend the local breakfast at the convention center on Day 2 of the conference, which featured foods made from ingredients from local farms, in addition to local jams and breads:

Breadworks bread highlights my plate at the Farm to Table Local Foods Breakfast. 

Espresso, made with love, from the mobile espresso cart.

The Farm to Table Conference was a great opportunity for local farms, dairies, and other food providers to showcase their products and allowed the attendees the chance to see that great things are made in and around Pittsburgh - while great products exist in other places, too, we don't have to look far to find quality, healthy, well-made foods.  As farmers' market season begins, please keep this in mind before buying your produce, etc. at a supermarket!  The quality (and price) difference will surely amaze you.

Farm to Table Pittsburgh

Website: http://farmtotablepa.com/

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