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by KATE CHYNOWETH, JUSTIN HOPPER, ROBERT ISENBERG
AND DANA BLACK MCGRATH / Photography by richard kelly
Back by popular demand, we bring you our 'Best of Pittsburgh' issue!
You told us what you liked, and we added many of our own. From hairstyle on a TV personality to new chocolatier, here's our list of the 100 best picks of 2006. Congrats to all.
1. Drive-Through Java
The morning rush hour brings more than a few cars to this former gas station turned coffee-fueling station, and why not? You can get a full dose of caffeine here in the time it takes Superman to do a fly-by. Best of all, the espresso drinks are top-notch - Island Bean Co. owners Paul Schwendeman and fiancée Dorie Hill traveled to the nation's coffee capital, Seattle, to train as baristas before opening their North Hills destination last January. They offer everything from to-go snacks and smoothies to a full menu of espresso drinks.
Island Bean Co.
8035 McKnight Road, Ross
412/366-2812
2. Coffee Shop
Yes, we love the hiss of the espresso machine, the scent of freshly ground coffee and the tantalizing sight of desserts, but what makes a truly great coffee shop is personality. Happily, Squirrel Hill's 61C Café has it in spades, from the art created by Casey Pettitt Johnston - she's the wife of baker and manager Keith Kaboly - to the homemade desserts. Kaboly uses recipes from his grandmother and his wife's grandma to make those amazing cookies. Enjoy free wireless, chat with a friend for hours or simply watch the world go by - it's all equally delightful when you're sipping a drink made with the perfect frothy foam.
61C CafE
1839 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill
412/521-6161
3. Strawberry Pancakes
What makes the perfect pancake? Our vote goes to Pamela's crispy, buttery flapjacks filled with delectable strawberries, brown sugar and sour cream. A far cry from those kid-sized silver-dollar pancakes, these plate-sized beauties are more than enough to satisfy - especially at the bargain price of $5.95. Add a mug of hot coffee (perpetually refilled) plus the friendly ambience of any one of this homegrown chain's five locations and you'll agree: It's the perfect pancake breakfast.
Pamela's
60 21st St., Strip District, 412/281-6366
3703 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412/683-4066
5527 Walnut St., Shadyside, 412/683-1003
5813 Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412/422-9457
232 N. Ave., Millvale, 412/821-4655
4. Italian Hoagie
Whether you call it a hero, grinder, hoagie or sub, you probably agree that this classic sandwich made with Italian meat and cheese is truly satisfying. This is especially the case at Rudy's Submarines in Monroeville, an old-fashioned sub shop on William Penn Highway. Here, the sandwich is piled high with tender cured meat, layered with lettuce, tomato and onion, and doused with just the right amount of tangy oil-and-vinegar dressing. We like it hot with melted provolone. If you're hungry, the subs do come in 2-foot lengths. (Please note that each Rudy's is under different ownership; our winner is the Monroeville location.)
Rudy's Submarines
3942 William Penn Highway, Monroeville
412/372-9738
5. German Chocolate Cake
It's no wonder the German chocolate cake from this beloved Pittsburgh bakery won top billing in this issue - the description alone will make your mouth water. To make this delectable dessert, Bethel Bakery fills and ices its signature made-from-scratch chocolate cake with homemade German-chocolate filling. This scrumptious mixture combines butterscotch, coconut, evaporated milk, egg yolks and sugar with toasted pecans that release their richly flavored essential oils when cooked over heat. Usually, the cake is available by special order on just one day's notice. But during the bakery's Oktoberfest (Sept. 25-Oct. 7), it will be available in the store every day.
Bethel Bakery
5200 Brightwood Road, Bethel Park
412/835-6658
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