The Fork and The Road, LLC

Spring 2012 Tours

Homestead / Lawrenceville / Meyersdale / Pittsburgh - 1 year 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

Homestead, Steel Mills and Vegetarian Food

Pittsburgh - 3 years ago - Mary

Back in the Sixties, local steel mill towns like Homestead, Duquesne and McKeesport were bustling with activity. Stores, restaurants, churches. We got dressed up in fancy clothes and nice shoes to go into town to the bank or to have lunch. These days, many storefronts are boarded up and the streets are almost deserted. But something exciting is happening on the main drag in Homestead in the form of The Tin Front Cafe.

I first stepped into this hip eatery  last spring for a cup of coffee after purchasing a new kitchen  knife at the old Walnut Street institution, Annex Cookery,  next door. After hearing recommendations from a few friends about the good food, my younger daughter (currently a vegetarian) and I stopped in for lunch.  I ordered a black bean, corn risotto burger and my daughter had a grilled zucchini sandwich. Both came with a side salad of mixed greens topped with fresh blueberries. Fresh and tasty.  The Tin Front (which by the way, is now the home of the beautiful wooden bar from the gone but not forgotten Chiodo’s Tavern) has all sorts of fun things going on during their happy hour and in the evenings. Quirky things that I love like Craft Night and an evening with some a capella Appalachian singers.    Check their Facebook page for all the details.  This place is so close to the Waterfront  that there’s no reason to eat some mediocre mall food when you can walk or drive up a block and have some really great food. If you’re a fan of public transportation, the good ol’ 61C  stops right nearby. Oh, and  one more thing. For more info about Pittsburgh steel mill history, including tours of the area, click here. I picked up a map of historic Homestead and as soon as the weather cools down, I’m taking myself on a tour of this old, yet new steel town. Go Homestead!