Nutcracker Package

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater has the classic Christmastime ballet "The Nutcracker" down to an art. With its Victorian era Pittsburgh setting, and stunning sets, the PBT's version of the Nutcracker is a memorable one, not to mention a holiday tradition. The Priory Hotel is proud to offer a package with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater featuring two tickets to the Nutcracker at Pittsburgh's downtown Benedum Center, along with dinner at the fabulous Carlton Restaurant. After you enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the Theater District, circle back to the Priory for a quiet glass of champagne in your room. Your stay includes:

* One overnight stay in a Priory Hotel Standard Queen or Deluxe King room;

* Complimentary bottle of champagne in your room upon check in (or later if you prefer);

* $75 dinner voucher to the Carlton Restaurant, downtown.

Rates: $314 per night for a Standard Queen room; $344 per night for a Deluxe King. All rates are exclusive of occupancy and sales tax.

See the Nutcracker schedule here.

Please note that your dinner at the Carlton includes complimentary parking in the One Mellon Center garage and limousine service to and from the restaurant. Please also note that the Nutcracker is playing on weekends only from December 2-22, and that this package is subject to availability of tickets for the show. Please note that the Carlton restaurant is closed on Sundays.

Eleven Eleven Mississippi - St. Louis

I happened to be in St. Louis a few weeks back for the World Series (Game Six -- the 11 inning historic thriller I might add), and had a chance to have an excellent meal at one of their locally owned bistros, Eleven Eleven Mississippi (so named for its address). Located about a 10 minute drive from downtown, Eleven Eleven Mississippi is casual and comfortable restaurant specializing in locally raised produce and meats. They have an extensive, but well priced, wine list. The menu is broad, and seems to focus on country-style cooking (braised rabbit is on the menu).

I had a rib-eye, dry rubbed, while my 16 year old son had a pork loin with a bacon wrap. Both were fabulous, though I will say that I was especially pleased with my rib-eye, which crushed steaks that I've had in nationally renowned steakhouses. We also got to taste an excellent serving of charcuterie as well as a succulent selection of locally produced pates.

Service was professional and unobtrusive. The menu prices were extremely reasonable, making EEM surprisingly affordable, even for a Pittsburgh boy. The atmosphere was dark and hushed, though the dining room was very busy.

If in St. Louis, by all means look up Eleven Eleven Mississippi. You'll be pleased with the wholesome menu, professional execution and intimate surroundings.

Pittsburgh Chosen as Top Destination Worldwide by National Geographic

What Pittsburghers have known for years is finally being reflected in the national and international media: that Pittsburgh is a unique destination, and one which is competitive on the world stage. This conclusion was trumpeted by National Geographic magazine this month, which named Pittsburgh as one of the top destinations in the world (along with Greece, London and many other exotic spots). According to Nat Geo: "[T]he Steel City's transformation over the past quarter century qualifies as revolutionary."

Read the National Geographic piece on top travel destinations here.

Interestingly, the Priory was the only hotel mentioned in a Nat Geo piece from a couple of years back which lauded Pittsburgh as a great "adventure city." ("Your Kind of Town: Pittsburgh). Read the story here.

Teutonia Mannerchor -- Here in Deutschtown

The Teutonia Mannerchor has been an anchor of our Deutschtown neighborhood for more than 150 years. Located just a few blocks to the east of the Priory, the Mannerchor has served as a social club, bastion of Germanic culture, and home to a renowned Men's Choir (thus the name "Mannerchor" since its founding in 1854.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently profiled the Teutonia Mannerchor, which is thriving (it has in excess of 2,500 members) after these many years. The club plays host to many German cultural events, including concerts by its Men's and Women's Choirs, and German dancing by its Shuplattlers corps.

Read the Post-Gazette story here.

Priory Featured in Miami Herald

The Priory was recently featured in a story in the Miami Herald, "Pittsburgh's Happy to Show Off Its Riches," by Eleanor Berman. Ms. Berman calls Pittsburgh the "Cinderella City," and chronicles its rise from the wreckage of a decimated steel industry to a world class destination.

The Priory is one of four hotels featured in the article, and was the only independently owned hotel mentioned. Ms. Berman referred to the Priory as a "42 room boutique hotel with charm."

Read the Miami Herald story here.

Deutschtown House Tour

Our Deutschtown neighborhood put itself on display recently, with a house tour featuring seven homes. The tour was a smashing success with more than 800 visitors wandering through the neighborhood on a warm Sunday afternoon. The Priory was the starting point for the tour, and we were proud to show off our new addition and new guestrooms. We also hosted a wine sampling in our courtyard after the tour, which was well attended. All in all, the tour featured seven spectacular homes, including one that was renovated from a shell and completed just this year.

Click here for a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story on Al DiPasquale's transformation of this townhouse across the street from the back gate of the Priory. And kudos to Al for such a lovely renovation.

Please note that the home photos are from the Post-Gazette; the photos featuring tour-goers are courtesy of Jen Saffron.

Chuck Noll Way Dedicated

We had the honor of being present for the dedication of a new street near Heinz Field, just down the way from us. The street was named for legendary Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll, Hall of Famer and winner of four superbowls. Here are few shots from the event, which featured current Steelers president Art Rooney II, his father Dan Rooney (Steelers owner and present U.S. Ambassador to Ireland), former Steeler cornerback Mel Blount, former Steeler linebacker Andy Russell, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and County Executive Dan Onorato. It was a fun event bringing back many memories of those Superbowl years, and an opportunity to honor a fine coach and finer Pittsburgher.