Cury-licious!

I have a new food obsession... INDIAN!

Though I have not completely gone out on a limb yet with this new nationality of food, I have fallen in love with their cuisine. This spicy international delight will open your taste-buds and mind to the delectable art that is Indian.

And the best place for Pittsburgh students to try it out... India Palace on Fifth Avenue.

India Palace is located in the heart of downtown where it's lunch buffet is the best around. I discovered this alcove of perfection with a friend and can not get enough of it. It is happiness on a plate.

I suggest going for the lunch buffet because you get a chance to taste all they have to offer with one low price. For the lunch buffet and a pop it only costs your wallet $9.62!!! And you get as MANY helpings as you want at the buffet!

Chicken Curry is my favorite there and their flat bread. You will want to dive into a pool of the curry and float on the bread. And the service is SO nice and the atmosphere is modern Indian.

Why wouldn't you try it then?

Located at 1 Fifth Avenue, between Liberty and Penn Avenue.

Go to Mexico in a Microwave!

Late night munchie cravings? Then try this microwavable MEAL that will cook up in just about 10 minutes.

Found at our fantastic friends at About.com, you can find this recipe with comments, other dorm worthy recipes (and just about everything else you need help with - any range of topics too!)

MEXICAN CHICKEN

Prep Time: :15

Cook Time: :10

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tsp. taco seasoning mix
• 1/2 cup chunky salsa
• 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream
• 
  
• Preparation:
• Sprinkle chicken with the taco seasoning mix, making sure to coat both sides of each piece. Place chicken in a square microwave safe dish and pour salsa over.

Cover and microwave on HIGH for 5-8 minutes, turning dish once halfway through cooking time. Make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked. Juices should run clear when pricked with a fork. Sprinkle chicken with cheese and return to microwave. Cook for 45 seconds until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream to serve. 2 servings

Full article at http://busycooks.about.com/od/chickenbreastrecipes/r/mexicanchicken.htm

The Revolution is ICE CREAM

Forget Ben & Jerry’s, Pittsburgh’s got Dave & Andy’s!

Located in the heart of Oakland this mom and pop shoppe has got it all. Ice cream, pops, floats... any kind of ice cream mixture you could dream about.

I encountered this delectable place when I was up in Oakland with the friends to visit the Carnegie Art Museum. After we hit The "O" (from the last post!) we scoured the streets for ice cream. We thought it would be the perfect treat to end this hot day.

Low and behold we found Dave & Andy's, an old style ice cream place where ice cream reigns supreme. They have flavors from vanilla to apple pie.

When I was there I tried their root beer float (you can actually have several kinds of floats). A large cup of any flavor ice cream you want (I chose vanilla) filled with IBC Root Beer. Wow, all I can say is I fell in love, with the float, ice cream AND IBC root beer.

You can also get cones: homemade waffle cones (with an M&M at the bottom!) or sugar and cake cones. One scoop or two... Dave & Andy's serves up service with a smile (and the best ice cream in the city).

Floats cost $3.64

Waffle cones - single scoops are $3.27 and doubles are $4.30

Sugar/Cake cones - single scoops are $2.34 and doubles are $3.46

The only thing I should warn you about is seating is minimal, inside and out. But the ice cream is so good you'll want to walk around and show it off.

Located on 207 Atwood Street, you cannot beat Dave & Andy's.

The Outstanding "O"

I recently visited the Carnegie Museum of Art (and Natural History - yey Dinosaurs!) for a class with some friends. After spending an educational few hours there (and buying another monkey for my growing collection) we decided to hit Oakland's food scene for some linner (lunch + dinner).

Oakland has a very diverse neighborhood of restaurants from big-name chains to small holes in the walls. All in walking distance for you Pitt students (Point Park can hop the shuttle for free and go up for the day).

The Original Hot Dog, or more affectionately called The "O", is a hot dog place where you place your order and they pull it off the grill right before your eyes. It's a hot box of smells with sticky floors but their food is pretty darn good ya'll!

The Chicken "O" Club is a delectable piece of fried chicken with lettuce, tomato, bacon and mayonnaise on a bun. Order it up with fries and a large Chocolate shake and it only costs $11. This is enough food for two (or maybe even three.)

Other delicious orders are an Original dog anyway you like with a small drink for $5.07. And their dogs are BIG people, so no worries on getting some scrawny little wiener.

HollyEats.com gives details on where The "O" is and some spicy pictures on what to look forward to.

Wait for the next posting on what came for DESSERT after we visited The "O".

CHOW Blog produces Dorm-worthy Crème Brûlée

So I found this amazing site that you all might be interested in. It's called CHOW and it certainly has a section for the college crowd.

A super amazing recipe I found on this site for your dorm rooms is Microwaveable Crème Brûlée:

The whole story and the recipe is here at the ORIGINAL site: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10479

Game plan: Do not put custards in the refrigerator immediately after broiling, because the caramel tops will liquefy. Also, the timing used in this recipe is based on our averages from multiple tests. Since each microwave and toaster oven operates differently, you may need to adjust the times slightly.

This recipe was featured in our 2007 dorm cooking story.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 5 tablespoons for topping
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Hot water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large microwaveable mixing bowl, microwave cream uncovered for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, andvanilla extract in a separate large mixing bowl until well combined.
2. Whisking constantly, pour heated cream in a thin stream down the side of the bowl of egg mixture. Once combined, divide custard among four 1/2-cup ramekins (or any ovenproof or microwaveable container, like a mug).
3. Place custards in a shallow microwaveable dish, making sure they don’t touch one another. Pour hot water between the ramekins until it reaches two-thirds of the way up the sides. Microwave until center of custards is just set, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the microwave and let completely cool in the water. When cool, refrigerate covered for at least 1 hour.
4. Once custards have rested, heat toaster oven to broil and, once heated, sprinkle about 4 teaspoons sugar on each custard. Place custards under broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the tops arecaramelized and golden brown; watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove from oven and serve. (Alternatively, heat a conventional oven to high broil and arrange the rack in the upper third of the oven. Once the broiler is heated, sprinkle sugar on each custard and place under the broiler until tops are caramelized and golden brown, about 2 minutes; watch carefully to avoid burning.)

All Aboard the HONG KONG EXPRESS II

Downtown Pittsburgh is the home of the best Chinese food you will end up CRAVING for every time:

HONG KONG EXPRESS II

529 Court Place

(Between Ross & Grant St.)

They have all the traditional favorites that one could ever want. And they give them to you in the BIGGEST portions I've ever seen (lunch and dinner for the next day ya'll!).

Also, their service is amazing. The lady in the front is SUPER nice and the coolest person you will meet. She is friendly and get your orders fast and out to you hot! She is also hilarious, I'll tell you a story.

Last time I was there, two friends and me went to HKE2 for dinner at 9:00pm (so they are open late too!) We ADORE (I'm not kidding) their fortune cookies, they are the best ones in downtown that I've had (I don’t know why but they are!). Well the lady gives us a BAG of cookies and the three of us start to play-fight over them. My friend stuffed a ton in her purse while me and the other friend fight over the rest. The lady, laughing and playing along, pushed all the rest to the friend... I was shocked!

But then the funniest thing happened. As we're all laughing hysterically she comes out and stuffs my SHIRT full of cookies!!!! Needless to say I am STILL eating fortune cookies now.

Pricing is perfect there too. For a normal meal you get charged between $5-$10 (more expensive stuff is the more intricate dinners). I suggest the Kong Po Chicken, it costs around $6 and you get fried/steamed rice or lo mien. The food is also produced fast and cooked to perfection.

I’ll warn you here, it looks like a little hole in the wall. But do not let that deter you. Hong Kong Express II has the best Chinese in downtown Pittsburgh.

I TOTALLY suggest going there or calling in (they deliver!). Tell them Liz sent you.

Hong Kong Express II: (412) 281-7288

P.S. They take debit and credit (Visa and Master card)

Please leave a tip! Their place is great and they deserve it!

The Madness that is Mocha Marianne's

This is a long time overdue, but I feel the need of informing the public more to the deliciousness that is Mocha Marianne's on Wood Street!

A new location but the same Marianne; she has truly outdone herself in her drink expertise. She's been around the espresso machine a few times and only knows how to perfect your favorite drink even more.

Her new coffee shop (which is the old downtown Mexico City - which moved NEXT DOOR people!) has terrific style and perfect curb appeal.

Now onto the drinks! Not only can she top Starbucks’ espresso she puts a spin on old favorites. Her smoothies are to die for (try the Very Cherry with Chocolate Sauce! It's sinful!)

For the fall season try her Hot Apple Cider with Caramel Sauce (and/or whipped cream!) Also, her Hot Chocolate is the tastiest around and will warm your winter-chilled heart.

Now let's talk prices. Her drinks are a steal! She has the best prices ever on everything. A regular smoothie costs around $4 and the Hot Apple Cider is about $3.

Service is friendly, and Marianne really gets to know you. If you repeatedly come in she’ll start remembering your name and what your major is.

As an added bonus she isn't just a coffee shop! She has pastries and desserts and other foodstuffs: salads, some sandwiches, and produce at times! Also, she sells her teas and coffee mixes and has this crazy brand of pastas you can cook yourselves!

Just tell her Liz sent ya! :)

A Simple Slice

Welcome everyone to my blog! I hope you all enjoy food as much as I do (no wonder why I am undertaking the privilege of writing this).

A Slice of the Steel City, originally started out as "Our Slice of the Steel City" a blog concept started with a friend because we continually ate out and were trying new places in Pittsburgh after classes. But now the NEW and refurbished blog will contain the same idea but so much more. Restaurant reviews that entail pricing, great menu ideas, some comparisons and atmosphere will be posted here for the COLLEGE student to use. Also recipes able to be cooked in dorm rooms and apartments will be posted up.

I willingly accept comments, ideas and even the reader's input on maybe a recipe THEY have tried out in their dorm room. It is a free food (don't we all wish we had that in college?) GUIDE to eating in the Steel City a.k.a PITTSBURGH!