Pittsburgh, PA

New La Prima

4 posts · Oct 30, 1996 to Nov 3, 1996

Jeffrey F.Carnegie Library of PittsburghOct 30, 1996

 I had lunch at the new La Prima location on Liberty Avenure (next
 door to the Harris Theater) yesterday.  I can recommend it to
 people looking for a light bite downtown.  It's a small menu of
 salads, focaccia pizza, soup and dessert (plus coffee of course). I
 had a Porchetta Sandwich which was roast pork with fennel, Garlic,
 lemon and a focaccia heated in an "italian sandwich press". It comes
 with a small (too small) portion of tasty cold white beans and an
 orange slice.

 The Chicken Pastina soup looked very good. I overheard a coversation
 that the soups might be on a schedule with Vegetarian Chili on monday,
 Chicken Pastina on Tuesday, Chef's choice on Wednesday, Pasta Fazool
 on Thursday, and Tomato Florentine on Friday, plus Chef's choice again
 on saturday.

 It is a very pleasant space BTW.  Nice tables, very nice flatware,
 warm colors, and on a sunny afternoon at 1:30 it was really quite
 suffused with natural light.  Would also be a good place to sit and
 have a cuppa and read.

 Jeff

James K.Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PAOct 31, 1996Subject: Dinner Salads: 1889 Cafe &17th Street Cafe

 Having recently been dissapointed at both the 1889 Cafe &17th Street
 Cafe on the South Side recently, I cannot help but comment on their
 dinner salads.  Both were appalling.

 I only ate the single cucumber slice from the very wilted and browning
 iceberg lettuce salad last night at the 1889 Cafe.  As I recall their
 dinner salads used to be good, especially the greek "house" version
 usually served with black olives and feta cheese and such.  Not last
 night!
 A small dish of feta cheese was available to add though.

 I did eat some of the iceberg dinner salad the other week at the 17th
 Steet Cafe, but was disappointed as well in the unimaginative fare.
 Maybe I am eating too well at home these days?

 The dinners my companion and I had at both cafes were good.

 The best dinner salad I have now have on my ever dwindling list is from
 Cafe Victoria, and I've never had a bad meal there either.  Guess it is
 time to go back.

 Jim Kocher-Hillmer, Pittsburgh  PA  USA

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lois J.city-netNov 1, 1996Subject: Mitchells- N. Hills

 Hi have discovered a new place for treats - barbeque and homemade ice
 cream.  The latter was delicious - many different flavors.  Tried the
 ribs - thought them very good - though I am not a rib fancier.  The sauce
 tasted good to me, which means it is on the mild side - do not know if
 they have a choice.  this is a take-out place (with some outdoor tables)
 where Rochester, Evergreen and Babcock roads converge.  Oh yes - ribs
 were $13.75 a rack - small cones - $1.55.  It really is only about a 20
 min. drive from Oakland and the leaves are still lovely.  I found it
 easily - take 279N to exit 19 - Perrysville.  Go through the light to
 Cemetqry Road(?) - and follow it past West view cemetary all the way to
 the end - make a left - go 1/2 mile and it is on the left.  Give it a
 try!

Gary P.Carnegie Mellon UniversityNov 3, 1996Subject: Re: Mitchells- N. Hills

 I'll have to second the review of Mitchells. I like
 to go there for hamburgers. It takes about 15 minutes
 to cook one on their smoker, but they are worth the wait.
 Slightly more expensive than McDonalds but probably the
 tastiest hamburger around.

 If you make it a dessert first day (a favorite of my kids)
 then you can eat your ice cream while you wait.

 Gary