PGH Crepes

Ohhhh, crepes.  You are the taco of the French.

Well, sort of.

Crepes do serve the purpose of holding together a variety of ingredients like a taco does, but crepes can be either savory or sweet.  I haven't had many crepes in my life, as I've never really had "real" French cuisine, but I have had some.  When the French students had crepes for class (which doesn't happen anymore, as French was CUT from our course of studies 4 years ago due to budgetary reasons), we Spanish (and German) teachers were always invited to partake.  

I miss those days.  A lot.

I think the only other place I have had crepes was at a local diner in Ocean City, MD - not to mention the ones that I made myself at home.  The batter was easy to make, and a crepe pan is a definite necessity to get the correct thin consistency of the crepe (they also make great taco-warmers, by the way).

Now Pittsburgh has an easy way to obtain these foldable, portable gems - at the PGH Crepe Cart.  I saw it one day in the Strip District, and became curious, but did not check it out.  Wow, did I regret that, because about a week later, EVERYONE was talking about it!  

Ilmir Akhm is the owner of the PGH Crepes Cart and Crepes Catering Services, and he is definitely doing something right - portable cart, simple ingredients, and a product that doesn't take long to make.  He has his city permit, and he is vending in the heart of the Strip District on weekends, while taking advantage of the hustle-and-bustle of the city during the work week.  On one occasion, he even popped up in the North Hills at The Coffee Buddha to join PGH Taco Truck and The Steer and Wheel for a Friday midday service.

On Saturday, after my last long, 10-mile training run to prepare for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, I was tired and sore - but I had to venture into The Strip to drop off another Pittsburgh Popcorn Company fundraising order.  One block away, the cart sat - and I had to try it out.

Given that I had just run 10 miles, I felt guilty about wanting to indulge in a crepe smeared with Nutella (as you may know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Nutella!), but I went...uh..."healthy", and instead ordered the Spinach, Tomato, and Cheese crepe.

Ilmir works on my crepe

Ilmir was very nice, asking how my day was.  I introduced myself to him, and he was extremely friendly and personable.  I thanked him for my crepe and walked down 20th street to enjoy my lunch.

The folded crepe

Spinach, tomato, and cheese peeking through. 

Oh, crepe.  You are so light, yet strong in your holding of ingredients.  If I liked the...uh..."healthy" crepe, I can only imagine what one with Nutella would be like...

...I'll find out soon, no doubt!  See you again soon, Ilmir (and have a JAR of Nutella waiting for me!)!


PGH Crepes 
Mobile Food Cart (weekends at 20th & Penn Ave. in the Strip District, most weekdays downtown)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pghcrepes

Kelly O's Diner

I find it funny that breakfast has become a priority in my life.

Growing up, I rarely ate breakfast.  There was no time.  Breakfast meant getting up earlier - something I was NEVER willing to do, especially given that if I didn't HAVE to get up, I'd be in bed half of the day.  My students come to school and complain that they're hungry, and I ask, "Didn't you eat breakfast?"

No.  Of course not.  They feel the same way I did when I was their age - no way am I getting up any earlier than I have to.

When I started dieting, skipping breakfast wasn't an option.  I had to have SOMETHING for breakfast.  And you know what?  I came to love breakfast time, and moreover, I FELT so much better eating breakfast - I had more energy, I was more awake, and I didn't feel like taking a nap by noon.

So on Saturday morning, when I found myself in the Strip District super early (because James had to get moving on the taco truck), I needed to find someplace to have my breakfast.  I left it up to Twitter to seal my fate, and the perfect suggestion came from one of my followers - Kelly O's.

Kelly O's Diner

The diner was once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, a popular Food Network program, and it's easy to see why - quaint, traditional, and even more importantly, FRIENDLY.  Because I was solo, I sat at the counter, and was immediately offered a menu and a chance to order a beverage.

Coffee.  No doubt.

I searched the menu for the perfect item to get me through my shopping - I didn't want to be weighed down by pancakes or French toast, so I went the omelette route - but which to choose?  I was then inspired by another diner aficionado from Pittsburgh - Rick Sebak - and a conversation we had recently (of which I will not divulge the details) - I chose the Crab and Asparagus Omelette.

Crab and Asparagus Omelette (lots of hollandaise)

A closer look inside the Crab and Asparagus Omelette

Don't ask.  I won't tell.

The omelette was served with a side of homefries (which I chose over the shredded potatoes) and thick, toasted Mancini's Italian bread.  The potatoes were slightly garlicky, and I did not opt to add peppers and onions to them.  It was a lot of food, indeed - so much that I couldn't even finish all of my toast nor potatoes (this is rare, by the way).  This was, by far, typical diner food.  I certainly see why this diner was featured on a national TV program - it is an American classic, with tradition in mind.  Funny, quirky signs, bright colors, and most importantly - a very, VERY friendly staff (definitely friendlier than the Hot Metal Diner staff - they come off a bit "rough around the edges"), catering to your food needs as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Great sign in my line of sight

By the time I left, the place was packed, and there was a wait for a table.  Most (good) diners have a line, and this was no exception.  Get there before 9 AM if you want to guarantee a seat on a weekend, for sure.  

But - even if you do have to wait for a table, the food is worth that wait.

And take this advice - get up "early" (for a weekend, at least), have a fantastic breakfast, and you'll have the whole rest of your day to enjoy (and the Strip District is an ideal place to enjoy the day!)


Kelly O's Diner
100 24th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Strip District)

Website: http://www.kellyos.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Os-Diner/131821080195295

Thin Man Sandwich Shop

The taco truck has introduced James and I to some awesome people.

On the truck's opening night, when I was helping and we were just going with the flow of what was happening, two people introduced themselves to James - they were Dan and Sherri, the owners of what would soon be Thin Man Sandwich Shop, the restaurant that was taking over the former 21st Street Coffee space (since they moved down a block).  We had heard about the shop and excited that there was going to be something "different" coming to The Strip.  Dan and Sherri were super-duper nice, and we vowed to visit the shop soon after it had opened.

Dan and Sherri, working on our orders!

And that we did.  On a cold-but-not-too-cold Saturday afternoon, James and I had made some of our usual stops in The Strip - Marty's Market and the Pittsburgh Public Market, among others - and decided to make Thin Man Sandwich Shop our lunch stop.

Menu, Part 1

Menu, Part 2

The chalkboard menu was bright, colorful...and made me so indecisive.  However, one thing I knew I was getting was the Pumpkin Soup, which is made with the Strip District's own Wigle Whiskey:

Pumpkin Soup

This soup was great - and not made sweet, like most pumpkin soups, which might as well be called "Pumpkin Pie Soup" since it is often doused with nutmeg and cinnamon.  This soup was simply winter comfort food.  I'm not sure what the whiskey adds to the soup - but whatever it is, I like it.  A lot.

I finally decided that the Lamb Kofta Pita sounded the most appealing to me - lamb meatballs (sourced locally by Jameson Farms), cilantro, jalapeno, and a creamy tomato-yogurt sauce:

Lamb Kofta Pita

I love flavor, and this was a packed with it.  Spicy and savory, this was definitely a great choice!

James picked the Braised Local Beef Shank, with shaved celery & fennel, whole grain mustard, and horseradish mayo, served on a baguette:

Braised Local Beef Shank

I thought it was ok, but not as good as my pita!  James liked it a lot, though.

This sandwich shop focuses on local and delicious ingredients, so I definitely want to go back to try more of the menu.  This is no Subway, folks, and the orders take a little time (ours took about 5 minutes - frankly, I've spent more time ordering at Subway), and they are worth it!

The downside - now another place to add to my list of "places totally worth eating at in The Strip"...so any time I go down there, it's a struggle.  I need 5 stomachs....


Thin Man Sandwich Shop
50 21st Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: http://thinmansandwichshop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thin-Man-Sandwich-Shop/393008334104443
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thinmansandwich

Bar Marco's "No Menu Mondays" with Smoke BBQ Taqueria!

Some people just know what's good for this city.

Take the guys from Bar Marco - they don't play by the rules.  They don't let what other restaurants do determine what they should do.  They don't worry about what could "hurt their business" or "take away profits".

Bar Marco (from the car, hence the glare)

They make the rules.  And their rules rock.

For example, there is a big stink in the city right now over food trucks.  Most restaurants in Pittsburgh don't want food trucks because they are afraid of them taking away business (I mean, that's called competition, right?  Is that illegal?), and the laws are currently so strict for food trucks that it makes their operation in town nearly impossible.

Is Bar Marco scared?  No.  In fact, they INVITED food trucks to park in their adjacent lot (private property, which is legal) on Fridays in the summer to sell food during lunch, dubbing the events "Food Truck Fridays".  People feasted on food from Franktuary, Oh My Grill, The Pittsburgh Pierogi Truck, and even the truck-less Fukuda, which sold their sushi before they even opened their Bloomfield restaurant from a cart in the lot.

Awesome.  Just awesome.  And fearless.

Speaking of operating from a cart, on the weekends, a woman named Lucy Nguyen sells Banh Mi from just that in the Strip District - right in front of Bar Marco.  Do they try to move her?  No.  She is INVITED to use whatever she needs in Bar Marco to prep her spicy, delicious Vietnamese sandwiches.  Right now, Lucy is back in Vietnam for the winter - but she'll be back in April.

One of the most awesome things to come out of Bar Marco recently is "No Menu Mondays" - which used to be these guys' only day off.  One day, they were at the establishment, and Bobby Fry started mixing drinks  for fun - then opened the doors so that people could try his concoctions.  This then led to being open every Monday, but without a menu - and instead, inviting local chefs to come in and get crazy in their kitchen with experiments and tastings.  Justin Severino of Cure and Brandon Baltzley of CRUX (a traveling food experiment) had guest chef-ed previously, and just recently, Bar Marco made this taco-lover's dream come true.

Smoke BBQ Taqueria tacos on a Monday.  Never before seen, as the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

James and I can never resist Smoke's tacos, and this was a perfect opportunity for us to check out No Menu Mondays.  We drove to the Strip and couldn't wait to see what this turned out to be.

Giuseppe, my favorite person in Bar Marco, waited on us, as he had during the Sabroso Brunch a few weeks earlier.  Rocking a shorter 'do and his signature mustache, he remembered us and let us know that Smoke was offering 4 tacos that evening: Smoked Turkey (in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday), Prosciutto, Pork Belly, and Wild Mushroom.  James got a a turkey and a prosciutto:

Smoked Turkey Taco (Bar Marco is very dark, sorry for the quality!)

I also got a turkey, in addition to a mushroom, which I had had as a special at their restaurant before and loved, despite my usual hesitation about mushrooms:

Wild Mushroom Taco

And again, they deliver - and the place was busy!  Tacos were coming out of the kitchen right and left - James walked in the back to say "hi" to Jeff and Nelda, who were so busy taco-slinging that there was no time for chit-chat - definitely not a bad thing!

Who will be at "No Menu Mondays" next?  Going to have to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to find out...

Bar Marco
2216 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Strip District)

Website: http://www.barmarcopgh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar-Marco/167136583366244?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarMarcoPGH

Vietnam's Pho

Oh, Pho.  You are so perfect on a cold day.

I can't take the sudden change to cold weather.  I love fall weather, but now it's getting to that time of year when it's TOO cold.  Brrrrr.  The furnace can't be turned up high enough for me to get warm.  My skin is drying out.  I have to use the remote starter on my car every morning.

Pho is the answer.

I had missed going in to the Strip District throughout October due to my busy schedule, and I was itching to go again soon.  James agreed to accompany me, and he suggested getting pho for lunch.

Pho warms you up.  Pho makes you sweat.  It was a perfect solution.

We had already tried Pho Van last year and had become fans, so now he wanted to take me to the other end of Penn Avenue to Vietnam's Pho to compare.  No problem there.

Vietnam's Pho

When we walked in, I was overwhelmed by the smell of bleach.  Not so much when you walk into the area of an indoor swimming pool - in fact, that may have been a bit less abrasive.  It was obvious that they had cleaned with bleach recently - good to know that the place was clean - BUT, seriously, the smell was giving me a headache.  I tried to overcome it and focus on the food.

To drink, James suggested trying a Bubble Tea - AND one of the Bubble Tea options was taro, a root that Food Collage had introduced me to, and to which I have been hooked ever since!  I can't even describe the taste, but it's awesome:

Taro Bubble Tea

And this Bubble Tea did NOT disappoint.  The "bubbles" are actually tapioca balls that are chewy and come right up through the unusually thick straw.  The taro flavor was amazing, and I am SO glad that James talked me in to getting one (and it was making up for the bleach smell immensely)!

We ordered the spring rolls for an appetizer.  I always feel good about eating them, because they're so...clean-feeling.  I guess that's the best way to describe it.  Very simple, fresh ingredients, with a delicious peanut sauce.  A perfect appetizer:

Spring Rolls

For our entree, we both chose Pho Tai, which is beef pho.  Just as we had at Pho Van, bean sprouts, jalapenos, and basil accompanied the steaming bowl of broth, beef, noodles, and veggies to make the pho your own.  Chili sauce and hoisin sauce were also on the table, and James added much more of those than I did.

Pho Tai

I was definitely warmed up after eating the pho, even to the point of overheating.  Sweating, even.  My nose was running, and the flavors lingered in my mouth.  It's fair to say that my pho experience at Vietnam's Pho was comparable to that at Pho Van down the street - delicious, flavorful, and satisfying. Basically, no matter which end of Penn Avenue I end up at in the Strip District, great pho is never far away...

Vietnam's Pho
1627 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Strip District)

Sabroso Brunch at Bar Marco

Social media is a powerful medium.

I received a message on my Facebook page from Sabroso: Comida Latina about a brunch being held at Bar Marco, featuring Latino foods from the Caribbean region of the Spanish-speaking world.  Knowing that "sabroso" means "flavorful" in Spanish (while my alias, "sabor", means "flavor", the noun form of the same word), my interest was piqued, as this sounded right up my alley.

I checked the logistics and discovered that two women, Tara Sherry-Torres and Carolina Almarante-Terrero, were behind Sabroso.  Their mission: bring authentic Caribbean Latino food to the 'Burgh.
That's a mission I can surely support!

Pre-sale tickets were available for $20 through Brown Paper Tickets, a service that I had never used, but found very easy to navigate - and I especially liked that it was paperless, as it is always so much more convenient to have the tickets available on your phone than printing them.  I also found out that I was able to make a reservation via email, which I did, because I did NOT want to have to wait around long, smelling the flavorful foods and not being able to indulge immediately.

Of course, I brought James with me, and when we drove into the Strip District, I was glad that I made a good decision making that reservation.  The Strip was bustling with shoppers, as it was a beautiful fall day, and parking was at a premium.  After 3 laps around The Strip, we found a spot in the $5 section next to the Produce Terminal, and arrived right on time for our 12:00 reservation.

Bar Marco

Bar Marco was PACKED, but because we had that reservation, we were able to snag two spots at the bar (other people who arrived before us had to wait, because they did not have a reservation), thanks to Tara, who introduced herself upon hearing my name for the reservation.

We were waited on at the bar by Giuseppe, a Bar Marco worker with one of the best mustaches I have ever seen on a real person (I didn't want to be creepy and take a picture, but for sure go to Bar Marco at some point, and you'll see what I mean!)  The menu was simple - pick your appetizer, pick your entree and your side, and pick your dessert - all for the $20 that I had already paid for the tickets.

But first - coffee.  I had taught on Friday, then worked Kennywood from 5:00pm-1:00am for the first night of Fright Nights, and needless to say, I was not nearly awake by noon.

We had a choice of either chicken or queso blanco pastelitos, which resemble the more popular empanadas of other Spanish-speaking countries.  James and I were trying to cover as much of the menu as possible, so he chose chicken, while I chose cheese:

Pastelito de Queso Blanco

Pastelito de Pollo (chicken)

Both were incredibly flavorful, but I preferred the queso blanco over the chicken.  Cilantro sprinkled the plate, and the combo of that plus the cheese and fried goodness was a great warm-up for my palate.

For our entrees, I chose the Pastelon, "a Puerto Rican casserole with sweet plantains, seasoned ground beef, topped with eggs and pepper jack cheese", with a side of Mofongo, "fried green plantains mashed with garlic and spices".  Each entree was also served with Ensalada de Repollo, which included shredded cabbage, tomato, and avocado in a lemon-cilantro vinaigrette:

Pastelon, Mofongo, Ensalada de Repollo

James chose the Pernil, "slow-roasted pork shoulder, seasoned with oregano and garlic", with a side of Boiled Yucca topped with sauteed red onion:

Pernil, Boiled Yucca, Ensalada de Repollo

Wow.  Wow wow wow.  That's all I can say about both meals.  "Sabroso" is an understatement for what these women make happen in the kitchen.  James's Pernil was incredibly tender (I only had a small taste, as I cannot technically eat pork - this made me wish I could!), and the yucca was a fabulous alternative to a typical potato starch.  My Pastelon was succulent, and anyone who thinks that garlic is just for Italians should definitely try Mofongo sometime - SUPER garlicky, but not by any means overwhelming!

We were already so full, but there was one more course - dessert.  With two options, James and I got one of each - he chose the Pudin de Pan, a Dominican bread pudding with cinnamon, sugar, golden raisins, and rum, while I went with the Tembleque de Coco, a Puerto Rican coconut flan:

Pudin de Pan

Tembleque de Coco

The Tembleque being the lighter of the two desserts, I for sure made another good decision there, but I could not resist trying James's Pudin de Pan.  Rich.  Definitely rich.  Incredibly yummy!

James asked me after the meal if the ladies of Sabroso planned on opening a restaurant.  My response: "After that meal, I wish they would!"  Then again, the idea of pop-up brunches and dinners seems pretty cool

I made sure to tell Tara how fabulous everything was before I left.  She asked me how I got into Latino foods, and I told her about my background and how difficult it is for my students to realize that there is Latino culture in Pittsburgh.  She informed me that there will be more Sabroso meals in the future, and she hopes to partner with me in the future for more educational opportunities for my students.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Thank you, social media, for bringing Sabor and Sabroso together.  My students, my belly, and I will be forever in your debt.  And thank YOU, Bar Marco, for allowing these ladies the opportunity to accomplish their mission!  I can't wait for more!

Sabroso: Comida Latina

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SabrosoComidaLatina
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SabrosoPGH

Bar Marco
2216 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: http://www.barmarcopgh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar-Marco/167136583366244
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarMarcoPGH

Sunday Brunch, Part 2: Penn Avenue Fish Company

I'll eat anything that comes out of the sea.

Fact.  I have always been a seafood aficionado (in Spanish, "aficionada", as I am a female).  I used to always request that my birthday dinner be held at Red Lobster, so that I could get the Ultimate Feast -- and once, I got a whole lobster (and creeped out my best friend at the time because the lobster was "looking at" her).

I had read about the Penn Avenue Fish Company two years ago in Pittsburgh Magazine and told myself, "I need to go there!"  However, being that they are only open for lunch, it hasn't been easy for me to do so, nor have I made it much of a priority, despite my love of seafood.

Penn Avenue Fish Company

So after our Bar Marco/Lucy's Banh Mi meals, we were on our way back to the car, and James suggested stopping in to check out what their deal was.  I had no problem with it, having wanted to check it out myself, so we walked in and immediately walked to the back to the wholesale fish counter.

Fish for sale!

 We checked out the selection, and James asked some questions to the super-friendly fishmonger who was eager to answer his questions.  He spotted a treasure that we had yet to see in Pittsburgh: Smoked Salmon, cut right off of the fish itself:

The origin of our smoked salmon

 The gentleman cut us a sample, and it was amazing.  James purchased a 1/4 pound (as it sells for $36.99/lb!), and the fishmonger was kind enough to set up a plate for us to enjoy it:

Smoked Salmon with accompaniments

It was just as good as what we had enjoyed at Russ & Daughters (so it was fantastic!).  The fishmonger mentioned that they get sable in around the holidays -- so I will definitely be stalking them until it comes in!

 James was so impressed by the quality of the fish that he could not help ordering the sushi special for the day: Salmon, Avocado, and Yellowtail Roll; Spicy Tuna Tartare; Eel & Avocado Nigiri.

Sushi Special: Salmon, Avocado, Yellowtail Roll; Spicy Tuna Tartare; Eel & Avocado Nigiri

Wow.  Such fresh sushi.  Probably the best I've had -- no exaggeration.  Far better than the quality of sushi at Giant Eagle (although in a pinch, it's satisfactory), and better than that of Nakama, Yokoso, Benichopsticks, Sushi Kim...everywhere I've had sushi.  I normally cannot stand eel - it's the one seafood that I pass on - but to be honest, those pieces were the best on the plate!

Being that it was a Sunday, there were no soups offered, only "brunch".  Everything was pay-at-the-end - order what you want, tell them what you had before you leave, they'll ring it up, you pay -- an honor system that works.  Hopefully, people don't try to ruin that.  

We had to come back.  So we did -- 2 days later.

On our first visit, we noticed that on Tuesdays, they had all-you-can-eat fish tacos for $8.99.  Yes.  That needed to happen.  AND I just happened to have that Tuesday off, so we went to partake in the fish tacos:

Fish Tacos!

They were definitely good, but they needed to use the "double-up" method with their corn tortillas, as they fell apart as you ate them.  No harm in that, but it was pretty messy.

The soups sounded interesting, so James and I first tried the Spicy Seafood Gumbo.  The setup is "serve-yourself", and James was careful not to strain the soup, as the menu warned that if you do -- you get a spanking.  Ouch:

Spicy Seafood Gumbo

Note the soup straining warning

 Spicy seafood is always a good, standard choice, but I really wanted to try the Watermelon Gazpacho, since a woman at the table next to us on our first visit was raving about it to her family (she had had it earlier in the week, apparently):

Watermelon Gazpacho

 What a perfect summer soup.  Although on this particular day it was not sweltering hot, the soup was refreshing, nonetheless.  Spicy, sweet, and savory, all in one bowl.  Ahhhhhh.

We couldn't resist getting more sushi, so James ordered a few things a la carte directly from Pana, the Sushi Chef:

Pana, Sushi Chef at Penn Avenue Fish Company (in focus, not the blurry guy)

Hamachi (yellowtail), Nigiri, and Maguro (Tuna) Nigiri

Maki Roll (Hamachi & Tuna)

Again - best sushi in Pittsburgh!  Confirmed!  Both James and I were largely impressed.

We all know by now that I love the Strip District, but this is probably one of my new favorite spots (on a long list, of course, but this is a gem!).  Fresh fish, awesome sushi, and all-you-can-eat tacos on Tuesdays?  

I'll be back.  Often.

Penn Avenue Fish Company

2208 Penn Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: http://www.pennavefishcompany.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Penn-Avenue-Fish-Company/167826429917297

Sunday Brunch, Part 1: Bar Marco + Lucy's Banh Mi

Brunch and the Strip District.  Two of my favorite things in Pittsburgh.

Not having to work until later on Sundays in the summer is such a benefit to me, since I can partake in Sunday brunch.  Having had brunch at the Tin Front Cafe and Zenith on a few occasions, plus other experiences at Sugar Cafe and Kaya, have made me fall in love with the concept.  A laid-back meal, intended to fill me up in the way breakfast and lunch would do separately.

I love it.

A friend of ours, David Roth, a Pittsburgh architect with a passion for playing jazz-style music on his synthesizing keyboard, was to play on a Sunday at Bar Marco, a newer place in the former Embry/Firehouse Lounge space in the Strip District.  It was the perfect excuse to go there for brunch and explore the Strip on a Sunday, as I love to do.

David Roth provides our brunch entertainment

 It was the best of both worlds.

Bar Marco maintains the original firehouse architecture

 We arrived and sat at a table for two.  David greeted us with hugs and his usual cheery personality, as he was just getting back from a short break before beginning another set.  After a brief catching-up session, we ordered our coffee -- French pressed from local Commonplace Roasters:

Coffee - I really like this cup!

 The menu was impressive, but a bit expensive.  I thought about getting the Skirt Steak and Eggs, but at $19, I couldn't justify a good reason to order it.  I instead went with the Plantain Pancakes, with a side order of Brown Sugar Cardamom Bacon:

Plantain Pancakes, Cinnamon Butter, Local Honey, Brown Sugar Cardamom Bacon

 Wow.  This was a FANTASTIC choice.  The cinnamon butter and local honey made these pancakes.  Plantains are not sweet, but these pancakes did not need to be sweet; the accompaniments made this dish.   The bacon was sweet and crispy, as good brown sugar bacon should be.

James went with the Breakfast Risotto, and a side of Cheesy Potatoes:

Breakfast Risotto

Cheesy Potato

James and I sampled each others' foods, and I think I made the better choice, although his risotto was cheesy and creamy, and the cheesy potato was warm and crispy.  However, we both agreed that there was one problem --

We were both still hungry.

I was glad that I did not spend $19 on the Skirt Steak and Eggs, because if I had, and I were still hungry, I would be...well, demanding more food.  Our choices were excellent, but not enough for the double meal that James and I so desired.

After saying our goodbyes and thanks to David, we walked outside -- and as usual, Lucy's banh mi tent was set up just outside of the doors of the restaurant.  Banh mi is a simple Vietnamese sandwich, often sold as street food, with a variety of ingredients.  A French-style baguette (yes, French), usually topped with meat (today it was chicken) cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro, Daikon radish, carrot, pickled onion, and a sweet, sticky sauce; ours was wrapped in foil for easy transportation:

Lucy's Banh Mi

This was JUST what we needed!  James and I split one $6 sandwich (James tried to get 2 for $10, but there was no bargaining with Lucy), and it was spicy, savory, and overall fantastic.  Street food in the Strip District is the way to go -- whether it be the tacos at Reyna's, or the many other options (pepperoni rolls from Mancini's, gyros, Korean pancakes...)

You'd think we'd be done, but...no.  Not yet.  Not even close.  There's more to this eating adventure.

To be continued...

Bar Marco & Lucy's Banh Mi Stand

2216 Penn Ave.

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Website: http://www.barmarcopgh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bar-Marco/167136583366244