Our Favorite Spring CSA Packages

Kick the winter blues by signing up for a spring CSA package with fresh fruits and veggies.

Enroll in a spring (or summer) CSA
The time has come: Kick the mopey attitude and think spring as you pick your CSA package, which will bring you lots of in-season fruits and veggies.
 
Area farms and cooperatives have started accepting sign-ups; on average, packages are as short as eight weeks and can go up to 32 (carrying you right into late fall).
 
Not sure where to start? Check out a few of our favorites: Penn's Corner (pennscorner.com) is taking applications at the moment — and is even offering a little bonus: Turn in your form by the end of the month and receive a price break. Over at Blackberry Meadows (blackberrymeadows.com), farmers suggest considering CSA packages as gifts; typically, sets only include fresh produce. Kretschmann Farm (kretschmannfarm.com), though, may be the one that accepts sign-ups for the longest period of time (through April) — so if you haven't yet picked an option, consider Kretschmann. —Kristina Martin, PM Associate Editor


Rose Tea Cafe expands to Oakland
When the Rose Tea sign was posted in the fall at 414 South Craig, locals rejoiced, for that meant there’d no longer be a need to trek to Squirrel Hill every time a craving for bubble tea and/or Taiwanese chunk chicken set in.
 
After a few delays, the new location is set to open in the near future. Word of advice: Go hungry; meals are hearty.

(Rose Tea Cafe, 414 S. Craig St., Oakland; facebook.com) —K.M.


Carlton Restaurant offers Italian wine dinner
In the first installment of its 2013 wine dinner series, The Carlton Restaurant crew (including Stan "the wine man" Lalic) will proudly present renowned winemaker Christoph Kunzli at next Friday's Le Piane wine dinner.
 
Kunzli, owner of Le Piane, a small winery located in the hills of Northern Piemonte, Italy, produces one wine — Le Piane Boca, a blend of Nebbiolo and Vesppolina.
 
That night, guests will enjoy a five-course meal — which includes filet mignon and s'mores creme brûlée — and afterward, they'll try five award-winning Italian vintages. In addition to top-notch fare and a notable wine selection, Kunzli's animated personality is promised to add another dimension to the evening event.

(The Carlton Restaurant, BNY Mellon Center, 500 Grant St., downtown; Le Piane wine dinner: Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m.; $119 per person, excluding tax and gratuity; 412/391-4152, thecarltonrestaurant.com) —Emily Marmion, PM Editorial Intern