The "Burgh"


Welcome to Pittsburgh!

I have to say that driving into Pittsburgh is probably the coolest drive into any city. You pretty much drive through tunnels that open up onto this beautiful city. Now, driving in Pittsburgh itself isn't the easiest thing with construction and "challenging" merges and traffic patterns but just suck it up and you will be rewarded with a really fun city to visit. 

I was here about 30 years ago and it was fun to revisit a city that has changed so much in those years. I didn't have much time there, about 10 hours of awake time, so I quickly dropped off my things at my hotel and took a Lyft into town. First of all, that was my very first Lyft ride and I'm already a fan. Since I was there on a Saturday afternoon, it was a quick ride to downtown for less than $10. 

My first stop was an early dinner at Butcher and the Rye. 

I've read about this place and was excited to give it a go. I didn't have lunch so I got there right when they opened at 5:00 and sat at the bar. The place did not disappoint. I had such a delicious meal to fortify me before I took a rain soaked walk around the area.

Just a warning, I love food so, at times, this blog will be more about what I ate than what I saw. My apologies in advance.

I had this cocktail called "Wild Kind" that had bourbon, smoked honey, ginger, lemon and more goodness. It was the perfect end to a day of driving. I then had 3 small courses - shishito peppers with sriracha aioli, an arugula salad with fresh strawberries and chevre vinaigrette and Dirty Pasta with ground duck, sage and pecorino cheese. Yum, Yum and Yum!! I loved every moment.

Then I walked around the neighborhood in a downpour but I wasn't going to let a little rain stop me from exploring the area. 
PNC Park where the Pirates play.

The bridge over the Allegheny River

 PPG Place








Overall it was a beautiful drive through Pennsylvania and a fun, albeit short, visit to the Burgh. Tomorrow, I head to Kentucky. The first part of my journey that will be new to me! Woohoo!

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