G20 Preliminary Security Zones

Attached is a story from the Post-Gazette from last week regarding street closures for the G20 Summit next week. The main closures apparently run from Wednesday evening, September 23 through Friday evening September 25. Our location, in the Deutschtown section of the North Side, does not appear to be affected by any security closures. Note that this a preliminary report from the Secret Service and is subject to change.

The Post-Gazette has an entire section of its website dedicated to G20 news, if you're so interested.

September Wine Tasting Menu

September 17 Wine Tasting

Here's our passed appetizer menu and wine pairings for the fifth wine tasting of the summer, Escape to Cape Town, featuring the wines of Robertson Winery outside of Cape Town, South Africa. The tasting is on Thursday, September 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Price is $45.00 per person. Please contact Gene Lucente at gene@thepriory.com or at (412) 323-9394 to order tickets.

Chenin Blanc - Melon and Proscuitto

Chardonnay - Smoked Salmon Pastrami on Rye Melba

Shiraz - Grilled Baby Lamb Chops

Pinotage - Smoked Duck on Zucchini Toast

Gewurztraminer - Mini Peach Cheesecake

Plus, as always, a selection of assorted fruits and cheeses.

Above and below are some photos from our August Tasting - we hope to see you here on Thursday!

German American Heritage Day

As a follow-up to an earlier post - see September 2 - about the German-American Heritage Day this Saturday, September 12, check out this great interview on KDKA-TV's Pittsburgh Today LIVE with Brenda Walters of some the key people from the Alliance of Germanic Societies who are putting the event together - they sing and even yodel too! And, click here for more information.

This is truly a can't miss event in Pittsburgh's historic Deutschtown.

Note: the picture above is of one of the featured singing groups - the Swiss Choir - better known as, "Schweizer Maennerchor 'Helvetia."

Toast

Toast!

I had a chance to check out the restaurant Toast last week. Toast is located on Baum Boulevard in Shadyside, and it is fabulous. Located in the space once occupied by the much loved restaurant Baum Vivant, Toast has a savory menu featuring a wide variety of offerings, many of which are off beat. I had calamari, which was sauteed and served in an amazing broth. The squid was the most tender that I have ever had. We also enjoyed wild boar ribs, with a wonderful barbeque sauce, lamb with a truffle mustard crust, and an order of escargot and chanterelles. Each dish was excellent. Service was relaxed, but attentive and our server was well versed in the menu. The restaurant also features a nice selection of wines by the glass (30 or so) and an extensive collection of bottles as well.

Toast is an intimate restaurant with an adventurous menu. It is well worth a try.

Here is your humble correspondent in front of the restaurant Toast.

German-American Heritage Parade Route

Here is the parade route for the German-American Heritage Parade on September 12, 2009 starting at 6:00 p.m. Click the map for a larger image:

Come Celebrate German-American Heritage Day September 12 in Historic Deutschtown

The Alliance of Germanic Societies of Pittsburgh will conduct a public celebration of German Heritage in Pittsburgh’s historic Deutschtown on Monday, September 12, 2009. The celebration will include the first German Heritage Parade through Deutschtown since 1904 – over one hundred years ago – on East Ohio Street. Germans are not only the largest ethnic group in Allegheny County, but also the largest in the entire state of Pennsylvania!

Here’s the tentative schedule of events for Pittsburgh’s German-American Heritage Day on September 12:

5:00 p.m. - Ecumenical church in English and German, St. Peters Church on West Ohio Street. It will include songs by the German singing societies of Pittsburgh.

6:00 p.m. - Parade through historic Deutschtown beginning at the corner of East Ohio Street and Cedar Avenue (by Rita’s Ice). It will feature classic German autos, German folk dancing groups, singing societies, German honorees, Teutonia Hauskapelle and more. Click here for a map of the parade route.

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. - German Buffet served at Teutonia Männerchor, $15.95 per person.

8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. - Celebration of the heritage of German-speaking people in America in the Teutonia Männerchor Sängerhalle featuring performances by Dance groups, Singing groups, recognition of the historic German American citizen of the year and the current German American citizen of the year. Music by the Blas Kapelle band from Youngstown Ohio. Donation of $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

Come celebrate with us, enjoy the parade and other events celebrating the heritage of German-speaking immigrants to our city! Click below to see the full ad for this event!

New Gourmet Cupcakes at Priory Fine Pasties

Priory Fine Pastries, our bakery on East Ohio Street in Pittsburgh's North Side, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year! To celebrate, we've unveiled a whole new line of gourmet, upscale cupcakes that are out of this world! Just a few new favorites include the Northsider, a yellow cupcake filled with peanut butter and topped with Clark Bar pieces and the "Elvis," a chocolate cupcake filled with peanut butter, topped with banana buttercream and garnished with peanuts and chocolate drizzle. Yum!

Don't take our word for it though, stop by the bakery and try one out for yourself! You won't be disappointed!

And, if you're looking for an even BIGGER cupcake to take home, order one of our Colossal Cupcakes - perfect for the cupcake lover in your family!