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

...The Smiling Banana Leaf [off-topic]

I love my blogger friends.


In my last restaurant post, I mentioned how I had befriended Food Collage after our first meal at Aji Picante, and how we have shared many awesome meals since.  After meeting her there, we shared another meal through a FoodBurgh Meetup at Alma Pan-Latin Kitchen, where I met none other than FoodBurgh himself.


And so the blogger friend circle grew.


Of course, I met James not long after, and we have met many other bloggers through many other events, but I feel that our close circle shares so many similar interests and tastes that going to dinner with them makes the experience that much better.


James had gone to The Smiling Banana Leaf in Highland Park with a work friend one day, and fell in love with the place immediately.  He befriended the owner, Tookie, and made more trips back after the first encounter.  He insisted that our circle of friends had to try it.

Don't be fooled by the outside - this place is amazing inside!

 Well, duh.  Of course the food bloggers want to try a new place!


The weather was warm and sunny, but very windy that night; however, we still decided to sit outside, since the crowd inside was large and loud.  James, Food Collage, FoodBurgh, his friend Julia, and I all sat around the outdoor table, perusing the menu, indecisive, yet eager to eat.


We let James take charge.  The flood gates opened.  I swear we had most of the menu:

Crispy Calamari - not fishy, and not rubbery.  Perfect.

Fresh spring roll - my favorite Thai appetizer!

Thai Samosa - potatoes, carrot, and peas in a lightly fried puffed pastry. Kind of like a fried pierogi, for traditional Pittsburghers.

Papaya Salad - good, but I'm more of a fan of mango :-)

Mango Chicken Salad.  The perfect summer-like salad.

Steamed dumplings. Standard.

Chicken Satay - that peanut sauce (upper right) MADE this appetizer.

Spicy Green Bean. Way better than green bean casserole...by like, a LOT.

Green Curry with Shrimp and Eggplant. Not my favorite - very lemongrass-y. 

Pad Kee Mow with Vegetables - liked this A LOT. 

Pumpkin Curry - my favorite of the entrees!

Thai Fried Rice with chicken - a good choice for the pickiest of eaters (who may also enjoy Chinese fried rice).

Sweet Mango with Sticky Rice - a light, sweet, DELICIOUS dessert option (necessary after all of this food!)

Fried Smiling Banana with Ice Cream (smiles come naturally after eating this)

 Despite a lot of napkin chasing (due to the wind), the evening was more than delightful.  Good friends, great Thai food, and lots of conversation - some about food, some not, and all entertaining.


Although I haven't had much experience with Thai food (my first was at Nicky's Thai Kitchen), I'm kind of loving it - it's similar to Vietnamese, and so much more than Pad Thai, the most recognizeable Thai dish.


More meals will be had by all of us - some as a large group, some as smaller groups, and some as part of a much larger group - and I'm sure we'll all have more meals here. 


Smiling Banana Leaf
5901 Bryant St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206


Website: http://www.smilingbananaleaf.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Smiling-Banana-Leaf/186209418056787
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Smiling_Banana