New Mt. Washington Bakery Satisfies Sweet Cravings

Plus, Mad Mex fits an entire holiday meal in one burrito and Meat & Potatoes gets reviewed.

BY PM STAFF

Meat & Potatoes photo by Laura Petrilla

Talented pair brings taste of Brooklyn to Pittsburgh with hearty pub fare
Meat & Potatoes, one of the Cultural District’s newest additions, is a modern-day Pittsburgh speakeasy, with a Paris-meets-Brooklyn interior, a wealth of interesting mixed drinks and decadent food. Owners Tolga Sedvik and Richard DeShantz are also the forces behind nearby eatery Nine on Nine.

The central focal point of the stylized restaurant is, no doubt, the large wood, granite-topped bar that seats 30. Sit down and try one of the barrel-aged drinks—like the Manhattan ($11), which was magnificent.

Moving on to the appetizers, you should absolutely order the bone marrow ($14): three roasted, halved bones about 8 inches long that, together, provide an outrageous amount of marrow, served with little ramekins of capers, onion relish, sea salt and gremalota to help cut the richness. In terms of bread service, I was miffed at first when I learned that the housemade bread cost $3 for a few hearty slices. But when I tasted it, grilled and served with butter and homemade rhubarb compote, my feelings softened.

Among the main courses, my top picks were the “Mom” Meat Loaf ($16): a sweet loaf served with perfect buttermilk mashed potatoes, spicy tomatoe [sic] jam and fried leeks; and the hamburger ($14, not always available): a special version topped with cheddar cheese and short ribs, served on a super fresh housemade bun. The fried taters are salty and delicious complement; be sure to ask for the truffle mayonnaise, which elevates the fries to a whole new level.

Click here to check out the full review.

(Meat & Potatoes, 649 Penn Ave., downtown. Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 5-11 p.m.; Fri., 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sat. brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sun. brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.; contact restaurant to check on lunch. Info: 412/325-7007, meatandpotatoespgh.com)
—Valentina, PM Restaurant Critic

New Mt. Washington bakery satisfies sweet cravings
Atop Mt. Washington sits its newest addition, Grandview Bakery, a shop that greets visitors with a rainbow of colored sprinkles and chocolates to their right and a mouthwatering array of sweets and treats on the left. Needless to say, everyone who enters feels like a kid on Christmas morning. The bakery, which opened nearly two months ago, has embraced the holiday spirit right down to the glittering cupcake ornaments on its 12-foot tree. The hand-dipped chocolates, iced sugar cookies and creatively flavored (and designed) cakes and cupcakes tout red and green accents. And the bakers have whipped up some seasonal goods, too—such as the gingerbread Swiss roll and the velvety mocha or peppermint cupcakes, all made from scratch.

You can try your hand at decorating, too, during one of Grandview’s upcoming events in the on-site party room—free for kids and $2 for adults—to create gingerbread cookies and houses as well as cookies for Santa. Or you can turn your kitchen into the workshop, since the bakery doubles as a candy and cake-decorating supply store; with all of the molds, adornments, packaging and inspiration in one place, you can become a confection connoisseur yourself. And for those looking to make their holiday dessert spread extra special, Grandview is accepting orders for cookie trays and personalized goodies through Dec. 18.

(Grandview Bakery, 225 Shiloh St., Mt. Washington. Hours: Tues.-Sat., 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Info: 412/251-0811, grandviewbakery.com)
—Richelle Szypulski, PM Editorial Intern

Mad Mex skillfully wraps an entire meal in a tortilla
Nearly everyone has seen the classic holiday flick Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. All the Whos in Whoville buzzed about while preparing their holiday meal, which featured a rare Who roast beast.

For anyone who's longed to dine Who style, Mad Mex has stepped up to the plate. Similar to its November offering (the Gobblerito), the eatery has essentially wrapped all the components of an elaborate holiday dinner into a tortilla with its Roast Beast offering. Diners can attack the perfectly tucked (and overstuffed) burrito that comprises delicious braised short ribs, roasted garlic-chili mashed potatoes, peas, carrots and pearl onions. They’ve truly thought of everything—it comes with a side of perfectly spiced, golden-brown gravy for dipping. And for those who are really in the holiday spirit, why not order a Nog-A-Rita, perfect for washing down mouthfuls of Roast Beast?

(Mad Mex: All area locations. Info: madmex.com)
—Kristina Martin, PM Associate Editor