Thanks to my sister for being my apple model.
Food and Drink
Another beautiful day for Jazz in the Park, but on the eve of a new semester, things felt a little bit different. (Yes, that's deep-fried cheese).
CAN a grilled cheese change your life? That was the question I desperately needed an answer to today, and, as it turns out: it's a start. I'd been having quite a bad day; the kind of day where the very financial viability of your career path is called into serious question. I needed something, anything, to cheer me up. My trip into the city to photograph the Lorelei fountain was already scratched to take care of more pressing matters, so I remained in Summit and went in search of a sandwich and a place to lose myself in a book. Enter 'food,' Summit's chic, contemporary comfort restaurant.
The item on the menu that drew my attention was the fig and brie grilled cheese (I admit I was looking for a grilled cheese and canvassed all of Summit for the best-looking one). I'd had such a sandwich before, but it did not compare to this one. This was easily the best grilled cheese I've ever had, and one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I don't consider myself a connoisseur of cheese; on the contrary, I tend to stick to hard cheeses that are somewhat safe, occasionally sweetening things up with some quince paste. It was that very delectable blend of sweet and savory that 'food' nailed with their creation, with the added bonus of buttery, perfectly-grilled bread. Add that to the delicious sweet-potato fries and half pickle, and I was on my way to feeling that maybe everything would be alright after all. (Comforting words from Mom always help too, I should acknowledge). But if you're truly in need of some comfort food, in a slick, friendly environment, then 'food' is for you.
There are a few culinary legends--local or otherwise--in every city, and Pittsburgh is no exception. There is no shortage of contenders in this city, especially with the major surge in cultural revitalization that's been taking place here over the past ten or so years. One of those young restaurants that has already established a major presence for itself among the top food destinations in Pittsburgh is Salt of the Earth (Or, as most Pittsburghers simply refer to it, "Salt"). Salt opened just four years ago in 2010 as the brainchild of chef and restaurateur Kevin Sousa (who also runs Union Pig and Chicken, and whose consulting firm helped shape Yo Rita, one of the saddest food losses in Pittsburgh when it closed this year). Though Sousa has since left to start another project in the Braddock neighborhood, Salt remains one of the most celebrated restaurants in Pittsburgh. (Two James Beard nominations in its first three years).
Although it's basically in my back yard--just one neighborhood over in Garfield--this was my first trip. There's no need for me to reiterate all of the laudatory reviews found on dedicated food blogs (nor do I have the expertise to do so), but I can say that Salt lives up to its hype. Simple, gourmet, friendly, inviting. The food is locally sourced from farms in the area, and the bar even serves liquor from the local distilleries, Wigle and Maggie's Farm.
We were on a mission tonight, as we heard some claim that Pittsburgh's best burger resided at Salt. That's a dangerous claim to make in the same city as Tessaro's, BRGR, and Burgatory. No crazy combinations or endless options here: ordering "The Burger" gets you beef, house-made American cheese, some pretty intense dijon mustard, pickles, lettuce, and frites. Well I won't come down on one side or the other, but I will say it was damn good. Made even better by my rye and mint gastrique cocktail.
