Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a pleasant and delightful surprise! This was my first visit to the 'Steel City', and I am already looking forward to visiting again in the near future. Work brought me here; started my week in Herndon, Virginia for a meeting then on to Morgantown, West Virginia for another meeting where I then drove to Pittsburgh to fly out the following day. A busy and picturesque week to say the least.
I always thought of Pittsburgh as an older rustic industrial town. Where everyone either worked in steel or played professional sports for the Steelers, Pirates, or Penguins. A rough and tough blue-collar town. And, sure, I saw that. But I also saw much more. I saw a beautiful city. A growing community. An artistic town. A mix of older architecture mixed with modern art deco. And I met some salt-of-the-earth folks. I seriously fell in love with this city! If you have never visited Pittsburgh (especially if you have any stereotypes of the city as I did) quickly book a trip to this fantastic city, you will not regret you did!
Photo above is of the prestigious William Penn Hotel. I did not stay here, however I did have a coffee in the lobby and enjoyed the amazing interior. The hotel dates back to 1916.
I always thought of Pittsburgh as an older rustic industrial town. Where everyone either worked in steel or played professional sports for the Steelers, Pirates, or Penguins. A rough and tough blue-collar town. And, sure, I saw that. But I also saw much more. I saw a beautiful city. A growing community. An artistic town. A mix of older architecture mixed with modern art deco. And I met some salt-of-the-earth folks. I seriously fell in love with this city! If you have never visited Pittsburgh (especially if you have any stereotypes of the city as I did) quickly book a trip to this fantastic city, you will not regret you did!
Photo above is of the prestigious William Penn Hotel. I did not stay here, however I did have a coffee in the lobby and enjoyed the amazing interior. The hotel dates back to 1916.
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Fun fact: There are a total of 446 bridges within Pittsburgh. Truly mind-boggling. I walked across one of these bridges, appropriately named the Andy Warhol Bridge.
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Pittsburgh has a total of 32 museums, 14 of which are Art museums. The Carnegie Museum of Art is located here. And the official and one-of-a-kind Andy Warhol Museum is walking distance from any downtown hotel. A must visit for any fan of art of any kind!
The Andy Warhol Museum was everything and more! It is the largest museum in the country that is dedicated to a single artist. Truly remarkable. Through August 28th, 2016 there is a joint exhibit going on with the modern day Warhol-inspired-yet-one-of-a-kind-amazing-in-his-own-right-artist Ai Wei. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase an autograph copy of their joint Art Book.
Now onto the food shall we...
Now onto the food shall we...
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The Carlton has been a staple in Pittsburgh for well over 30 years now. The secret to their success (besides the great food) has to be the exceptional service. We were treated as regulars, even though it was our first time dining at this establishment. The sommelier recommended a perfect wine, and was quick to point out they only markup their wines 10% at the most...wow!
Shown above, I had the succulent soft shell crabs, literally melted in my mouth with each bite I took. For dessert, I had their 'specially divided' flourless chocolate cake; half of it was warmed and the other half kept at fridge temperature...like eating 2 totally different deserts. Delicious!
Now that we have eaten, let's talk about books...
Shown above, I had the succulent soft shell crabs, literally melted in my mouth with each bite I took. For dessert, I had their 'specially divided' flourless chocolate cake; half of it was warmed and the other half kept at fridge temperature...like eating 2 totally different deserts. Delicious!
Now that we have eaten, let's talk about books...
Caliban Book Shop:
What a discovery! I was more than impressed. It was organized very well with no real clutter or mess, a very clean shop. They know what they have but they also have fair prices. And the staff was very friendly.
I walked out of there with 3 incredible books, ones I have been searching for.
2 Nobel Prize Fiction winners and 1 signed near-classic novel.
Miguel Angel Asturias' Mulata: 1967 Nobel Prize Fiction winning author.
Winston S. Churchill's Savrola: 1953 Novel Prize Fiction winning author, oh yes and also the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The Aristocrat by Conrad Richter: Signed First Printing. Author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Town and the NBA winner The Waters of Kronos.
What a discovery! I was more than impressed. It was organized very well with no real clutter or mess, a very clean shop. They know what they have but they also have fair prices. And the staff was very friendly.
I walked out of there with 3 incredible books, ones I have been searching for.
2 Nobel Prize Fiction winners and 1 signed near-classic novel.
Miguel Angel Asturias' Mulata: 1967 Nobel Prize Fiction winning author.
Winston S. Churchill's Savrola: 1953 Novel Prize Fiction winning author, oh yes and also the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The Aristocrat by Conrad Richter: Signed First Printing. Author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Town and the NBA winner The Waters of Kronos.
Other recommendations:
Cocktail Bars:
Speakeasy Social Lounge (inside William Penn Hotel)
Olive or Twist
Butcher and The Rye
Bookstores:
Rickert & Beagle Books
Half Price Books (chain)
What have I missed?
What do you recommend?
Once again, thank you!
Speakeasy Social Lounge (inside William Penn Hotel)
Olive or Twist
Butcher and The Rye
Bookstores:
Rickert & Beagle Books
Half Price Books (chain)
What have I missed?
What do you recommend?
Once again, thank you!
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