The Fork and The Road, LLC

Spring 2012 Tours

Homestead / Lawrenceville / Meyersdale / Pittsburgh - 7 weeks ago - Mary

The Fork and The Road does not like winter. Not at all. So, now that the holidays are over . . . hope yours were fantastic . . .The Fork is getting snuggled up under blankets and working on the Spring tours.  I am working with Karen Novak at McGinnis Sisters to plan some amazing wine and cheese tours, driving around finding new hidden stops for a Steel Mill themed culinary tour and thinking hard about a chocolate tour.

 So stay tuned for more info in the next few weeks. If you have specific questions, feel free to give me a call at 412.576.1755.

Happy 2012 to everyone and I hope it is filled with good health, happiness and kindness in your world.  xo

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More wonderful holiday food gifts.

Greensburg / Lawrenceville / Pittsburgh - 2 months ago - Mary

Nothing’s more exciting than coming home to find a package on your doorstep.  That’s why I love food of the  month clubs.  Every month a surprise awaits!   Go local by getting the hard to buy for person on your list a Biscotti of the Month membership. My friend, Anna Jo Noviello, owner of Sunset Cafe and Aunt Anna’s Biscotti in Greensburg, makes the best biscotti around. I never really liked the dry, almond scented biscotti from my childhood, but Anna Jo’s are  different. They’re  a little softer and  come in more contemporary flavors, although they sell the traditional almond ones, too.

Aunt Anna's Biscotti on the cooling rack at the bakery in Greensburg

Anna Jo has lots of varieties, but myfavorites are Red Velvet and Coconut Lemon Macadamia. The Biscotti of the Month Club is a gift that everyone would enjoy.

Another terrific idea for a local gift is a spirit filled growler from Arsenal Cider House. After months of trying to get there, I finally stopped on Saturday morning and I just loved it!  Located in a house across from the Allegheny County Health Dept. in Lawrenceville,  these folks make hard ciders from different local fruit and they also make  mead.  I can’t really describe this place, but I loved it and I loved their products, too.  You  must stop by to have a sample.  I bought the Pear, apple and Cinnamon apple.  I was told that concord grape would be next.  Their bottles are super attractive, the vintages have fun names and the contents are excellent. I can’t think of a better hostess gift for this season. ( If you can keep from drinking it yourself.)

Any other last minute food gifts ideas?  Let me know.  So many great products right here in Western PA.  We are so fortunate.

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Good things in the Burgh

Lawrenceville / PA / Pittsburgh - 3 months ago - Mary

Wandering is my favorite pastime. Exploring new places, meeting new people.  Just looking around and absorbing the vibes.  This past weekend was filled with so many exciting discoveries that I just have to share each and every one. I ended the weekend inspired.

Friday afternoon, on a quest to finish a holiday project, I stopped at  the Oakmont Candle Company in,  duh, Oakmont.  This local company makes 100% soy candles in a multitude of really great scents. Owner, Gene Alese, told me that soy candles are required to be just 25% soy, so make sure you ask about this before you buy.  Soy burns clean, without any toxic smoke, but 100% soy is the only way to go. Oakmont Candles also make an upscale line called Wyk, with super fabulous packaging. Consider buying local for things even like candles.

Look at the lovely packaging of the Wyk candles. And the candles smell amazing!

Next on my drive was a quick stop at  The Pittsburgh Center for The Arts to pick up some lovely work by Rochel Schiffrin  and Martha Ellen Ressler.

The beautiful and talented Rockel. Can't show her work because it's a surprise for a special person.

Then a few miles over to BoxHeart Gallery in Bloomfield led to a major gift for myself . . three framed snowflake paintings by Cella Neapolitan. A few years ago I bought one of her snowflake necklaces (okay, I bough two)   and they always garner lots of oohs and aahs when I wear them.

My beloved snowflake necklace. Made from a magnified actual snowflake photo.

Saturday morning started with a stop to get olive oil refills from David Lagnese at the Farmer’s Cooperative of Easty Liberty.  Always a great way to get my local food fix and much less crowded than the Strip District.  Next stop was the I Made It! Market at Bakery Square, where I made sure to visit Krystal Doring at the Green Bubble Gorgeous booth.  I love her products, especially the Mocha Mint  and Vanilla Coconut Creme Whipped Body Wash.   There’s another I Made It! on December 7 on the Pitt campus, so check it out.

Sweet and creamy, with no icky residue. This minty soapy parfait is delightful!

On to the holiday glass sale at the Pittsburgh Glass Center.  I love glass because it is cold to the touch and with my current state of hotness ( the temperature kind of hotness, not the cool kind) having gorgeous handmade glass around the house is helpful. The center has a small shop and has classes (great gift idea) throughout the year.   Onward to the Holiday Book Fair at the Heinz History Center where I met travel and roadside “wonder” author Brian Butko and his publisher at Stackpole Books.  This actually made my day, as I have been  Butko fan for years. After paying for my books (too many books), it was time to get home.  The day ended with a bison burger from Burgatory for dinner.   My favorite burger in the city.

Sunday began with some cookie baking ( dark chocolate cherry and  Mexican wedding cookies) and then a visit to the tail end of the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour.  Some terrific new finds here . . Atelier at 5204   Butler Street  and Trinity Gallery on Hatfield Street.    Glass artist Meeghan Triggs does amazing work (I wanted to buy everything in the shop) and,  lucky me, I got to meet talented photographer Adam  Milliron, who was hanging out in Meeghan’s gallery. Adam showed me some of his recent Carrie Furnace photos and also some stunning food shots. True talent, here.  The lighting in his photos gave me chills. Really great work.  Dan and Carol Gaser at Trinity Gallery  have a gem in their place off the main drag in Lawrenceville by focusing on newer artists.  The had more of Dressler’s work and some lots of other art that was so beautiful. Definitely going back to all of my new Lawrenceville finds.

One last stop at the Pittsburgh Public Market  in the Strip for some OMG fantastic duck prosciutto from The Crested Duck, and I was finished for the day.  So pumped by all of the fantastic artisans following their passion. Thanks to all for making the end of my week so fulfilling!

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Beet Greens, Bees, Bardine’s and Babies – A Beautiful Day!

Lawrenceville / PA / Pittsburgh / Strip District - 10 months ago - Mary

Yesterday was  my idea of a perfect day. It kinda started the night before at a wine tasting at Palate Partners/ Dreadnought Wines, where Eric Miller from Chaddsford Winery was signing his new book, and Debbie at Dreadnought was sampling six different wines.  Too fun.  Too much fun, maybe?  Look at the photo below.

My best photo from the wine tasting. Hmm. A little too much wine, maybe?

The joy spilled over into Saturday, when I met so many great people, got to wander around, tasted some new foods and saw an amazing pre-Mother’s Day event.  Saturday started with a visit to the Farmers’ Market Cooperative of East Liberty for some PA cheese and a few baked goods. A quick drive to the Strip for the season opening on Farmers@Firehouse was next, where I bought some asparagus, tender beet greens and chard, and got to meet Lucinda from Paradise Gardens and Farm. I’ve enjoyed her super fresh goat’s milk products for a while now and love putting a face to the name behind the goodies.

Finally, I meet Lucinda!

Then on to Salem’s (2923 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15201-1518,  412- 235-7828) for some Middle Eastern goodies and Greek treats at Salonika, both in the Strip.  I love these stores because the selection is great, the parking is easy and they’re a little bit away from the Saturday craziness of Penn Ave on a Saturday. And look at the happy exterior of Salem’s.

Next stop?  A quick drive ( it’s on the way home) to Lawrenceville to find the perfect last minute M-Day gift.  The Gallery on 43rd proved to be the right choice – not only did I find the perfect mosaic for mom, but I also had energizing conversations with Jennie from Bee Happy Honey, Zo Re of  ZoBaby and Mona of The Artful Tart.  Wonderful women.  By then, I was way behind schedule, and I needed to check the route for part of my upcoming Italian tour.  Mapquest wasn’t working for the backroads out near Latrobe, so I had to test the route myself. It was one of those afternoons with sun, rain, dark clouds and blue skies, all within minutes of each other. Fabulous.

The sky outside of Bardine's

With tour route nailed down,  I decided to pop into  Bardine’s Smokehouse in Crabtree to introduce myself, as I had written about them in the May issue of Frommer’s Budget Travel, and although I shop there frequently, I thought I should probably let them put a face to the name on the story.  Gary Bardine, the owner, was there and we had a long chat about sausagemaking and his passion for quality.  Thank goodness for people like Gary.

On the way back to Route 22, through gorgeous spring farmland, I noticed a cow standing in the field, looking kind of odd. I stopped to stare and right then and there she gave birth to a calf. Oh, my.  I pulled over and watched for a bit, then took some photos as the little one tried to stand for the first time.  It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

A mom's first Mother's Day!

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