Sunday was probably one of the best days I've had here so far. I made reservations at Lidia's Italy in the Strip District for brunch. I think I mentioned that in one of my previous blogs but basically she is about the only "Celebrity Chef" that I know of so far that has a restaurant in Pittsburgh. The brunch was fantastic! 
Basically, you start off with your choice of a mimose or bloody mary - here is Miguel and I imbibing in our morning cocktails.
Next, they bring you a basket of marvelous, baked on the premises, breads and pastries along with fruit infused butters - there was some slices of rosemary bread, some chocolate chip and walnut scones, a sugar donut twist and a cinnamon crumb muffin - YUM!
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The next thing you are offered is a buffet of fresh Italian salads and sliced meats along with some marinated vegetables and different varieties of olives. It may not look great in the picture but everything was delicious! The salads were mostly made with beans of all varieties and had wonderful vinegar based dressings.
Once you have had your fill of that, it is time for your main course. You can order off the menu or choose to have their house featured pastas of the day. The pastas are brought to your table just off the stove in a pan and then served on your plate - there are 3 varieties and it is all you can eat. If you order one of the entrees, you are served just a single plate. Not that that's bad, cause we couldn't eat more than one serving of anything - too much food but so yummy! Here are the pastas - I wish I could remember at this point what each of them featured but that was a week ago. I know the ravioli was a gorgonzola cheese and maybe mushroom and one of the pastas was made with sauteed squash but all the pastas are also made on the premises.
Lastly, you are welcomed to enjoy the dessert bar which features Italian cheesecake, tiramisu, a chocolate ganache tart and some Italian cookies - sorry I forgot to take pictures of the desserts.
Here is one last picture of the inside of the restaurant - they had these really beautiful and interesting "chandeliers" which looked like they were made of some type of handblown glass.
So that was our Sunday morning, after this amazing meal we were so tired we took naps. Later that night we went to a dinner at a country club sponsored by one of the surgeons at UPMC. It was a welcome dinner for the new sports fellows. The country club was gorgeous and the surrounding landscape absolutely beautiful. We had a very nice time and I got to meet the other fellows and their wives along with some of the staff from UPMC.
Unfortunately that night everything went downhill when we got home. I have no idea why it happened but I broke out in hives from head to toe! I was itching all night long from about 11 p.m. until 3 in the morning. Luckily Miguel had some claritin that I took along with some benadryl and finally it subsided. The worst part is, I had it almost everyday this week - seems as soon as the claritin and benadryl wore off - about every night at 6 p.m., it set in again. Miguel thinks I'm allergic to something but I haven't ever had allergies. Other's have told me it's nerves but honestly I'm not stressed or anxious. Yeah - I don't love Pittsburgh but believe me, I know there are worse places I could be. I can find the beauty in Pennsylvania for a year. Anyhow, last night I seemed to be "rash" free so I'm hoping it was a fluke and everything will be fine from now on.
I'll continue to keep you all posted on what's happening in the 'Burgh. Hope everyone is well and happy!
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