The debate of where you can find the best burger is an age-old one argued everywhere from burger establishments nationwide to the Food Network. Many Pittsburghers will say that Bloomfield’s Tessaro’s has the best burger in the Burgh, and some claim the nation as well.

Many who travel through the area make the stop to try the famed burger and judge for themselves. After a recent visit, Nick Solares of SeriousEats.com’s A Hamburger a Day (AHT) asked “Pittsburgh: Does Tessaro’s Serve America’s Greatest Pub Burger?”

“Many places brag about getting beef delivered daily from a butcher, but how many burger joints actually have a butcher in house?” asked Solares. “Texturally, the chunky, flaky grind is just about perfect. Served on an airy Portuguese-style roll, the burger needs nothing more to achieve burger greatness.”

The gourmet burger.
Photo Courtesy of Nick Solares, Serious Eats

Tessaro’s is an institution for some locals who claim it is the best around, and the ground beef gourmet agrees. “Either plain or loaded the burger at Tessaro’s is the finest example of a pub-style burger I have had. Actually, I’m understating the case. Tessaro’s burger is one of the finest hamburgers I have eaten, period”, Solares concluded.

Even if you’re not dreaming of a white Groundhog Day, you can have a lot of fun in the freshly fallen snow. Just outside of Pittsburgh in Monroeville is the Boyce Park Ski Area, a small ski park that is perfect for day trips out of the city. The county park offers downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, and its nine runs include moguls, halfpipe, Nastar timing runs with gates, jumps and night skiing. The trails are mostly beginner with a few intermediates, so take a friend who’s never been on the slopes.

The concessions at the ski area are run by Bloomfield’s Grasso Roberto Café, and include standard park food along with homemade soups, Italian hot sausage and daily specials, plus the infamous fried Twinkie! The rates are very affordable: an adult slope fee is $10, and for another Hamilton you can rent skis, boots and poles. Check the Allegheny County Parks Department website for more rates and hours.

Bloomfield’s restaurateur newcomers Cara DelSignore and Chef Stephen Felder of Stagioni continue to receive rewarding reviews in the press from some very satisfied food columnists. In addition to a recent article of acclaim for this Italian-American gem from the Post-Gazette’s China Millman, the focus is again on Stagioni in the City Paper’s dining review by Angelique Bamberg and Jason Roth, who stated, “Stagioni has revolutionized a piece of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy with its marriage of traditional Italian ingredients and modern, seasonal sensibilities. Welcome to Bloomfield!”

Bamberg and Roth praised the owners on the intimate, inviting environment and raved that Stagioni is a great addition to Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, adding “the storefront restaurant, across from West Penn Hospital, has succeeded in wrapping an atmosphere of decidedly urban elegance around an Italian menu that is modern, seasonal and superb.”

Since its opening in November, Stagioni has been the talk of the town or in this case, critics and foodies alike. Bamberg and Roth described the menu as “elegantly conceived” and dined on dishes like beef short ribs, braised in Chianti and balsamic vinegar and a vegetarian dish, acorn squash risotto with walnuts, sage and chestnut honey, that was described by the reviewers as “a masterful combination of flavors and textures — sweet, earthy and herbal; tender, moist and crunchy — that was unexpectedly, perfectly satisfying,” both items on the seasonal menu.

“We can hardly wait to see what the kitchen will produce in the spring,” wrote Bamberg and Roth.

Continuing yesterday’s foodie theme, another Bloomfield restaurant has received positive press in social media. Earlier today, blogger Cassie Wallace posted a review of Wai Wai in which she praised the three-dish Dinner Box as “some of the best Chinese I’ve ever had.”

Is anyone else making dinner plans based on these posts? I’m thinking Chinese.

“Pittsburgh’s Little Italy & More” has received a lot of recent recognition for its international dining. In the spread “Bloomfield’s Stagioni takes a different approach with its Italian-inspired menu“, the Post-Gazette’s China Millman emphasises the Italian in Stagioni’s Italian-American menu:

Stagioni, a restaurant that opened in November, has chosen to go in a different direction and is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Owners Cara DelSignore and chef Stephen Felder are not obsessed with Italian authenticity — salads are listed before entrees and pasta is listed as an entree rather than a first course — but whatever liberties are taken, the heart and soul of this restaurant is Italian. Felder understands the cuisine’s most important dictates: Keep it seasonal, fresh and simple; let each ingredient contribute clearly to the flavors of the finished dish.

Relative newcomer Sausalido was also the subject of a recent article, this one in the Pittsburgh Business Times. The gourmet bistro has received plenty of praise from both press and patrons since its opening in 2008, and it looks like this year will be another one of success for owners Nicholas Mineo and executive chef Michael Simpson. In “Sausalido: Good food, casual elegance“, R.J. Phillips wrote that “Sausalido in Bloomfield brings a contemporary and casual elegance to a business district chock full of some of the most delicious food in town.”

Guests of both restaurant are spreading the good word as well. On Chowhound, an online community where users can swap recipes and share their opinions on restaurants, bars, and basically anything food, one woman called Sausalido’s French double cut pork chop with gorgonzola, caramelized pears, and a leek risotto “perfection!” In her review of a meal at Stagioni, the same foodie recounted having “the best gnocchi I have had in Pittsburgh”. In fact, she describes an impressive selection of dishes ordered by her party of eight that I recommend reading, but not on an empty stomach.

Bloomfield is such a foodie paradise, we even have much to offer for the home cook. Merante Gifts holds cooking classes several times a week, and they have just released the entire winter/spring schedule. They will also be planning three more spring/summer trips: the wineries in Erie, the Greensburg area DeLallo trip and New York in early June. Call 412-682-3370 or email if you’re interested in the classes or trips.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently posted two great articles about Pittsburgh’s Little Italy that we are excited to share with you. In the first, “A Bloomfield Ramble“, writer Diana Nelson Jones and the BDC’s Karla Owens join walking group the Ramblers for a stroll down Liberty Avenue.

Diana doesn’t normally shop while walking through neighborhoods, so on this trip she discovered Merante Gifts and Box Heart Gallery, which she called “both treasure-troves of artwork, craft and artifact.” The Ramblers slowed to amblers as they stopped in Bloomfield’s unique shops like Groceria Italiana and the Junior League’s Wear After Shop, and we agree with Diana that she “could probably do all my Christmas shopping next year in Bloomfield’s neighborhood shops.”

In yesterday’s Post-Gazette, we were surprised to read “Ten things to love about Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s Little Italy“, although what made the top ten will come as no surprise to anyone who lives, works, shops or dines here. Of course the number one spot went to Little Italy Days, Bloomfield’s annual festival of Italian food and culture, and the rest reads like a menu of Bloomfield’s international dining options. Read this article, but not on an empty stomach.

In Development News, Pop City highlighted the streetscape and gateway study that the BDC recently completed with Burt Hill Architects and transportation engineers Wilbur Smith. We would like to thank the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh (CDCP), Senator Jim Ferlo, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority for funding this design study.

The final design recommendations will be presented to the community in March. Read more in “Bloomfield plans Liberty Avenue updates after $26K design study” by Caralyn Green.

As a new semester begins, students all over Pittsburgh are beginning to think about their future plans. For many students, these plans involve finding housing for the summer and the upcoming year. With all of the neighborhoods available to choose from, it can get pretty confusing. From what looking I’ve personally done over the past couple of years, I can say that Bloomfield certainly tops the list of many University of Pittsburgh students.

I have reached a point in my life where living next to a college campus is no longer worth the money. I’m graduating this spring, but I plan on living with two roommates who are still attending college. So while living close to campus is still an important element in our decision, it is no longer a major element. Of all of the neighborhoods available, I find that Bloomfield is one that works well with this dilemma. Like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, Bloomfield is easily walked to and has a bus that stops right on campus. This gives my roommates and me the benefit of being close enough for them to get to school easily and getting away from the college atmosphere.

Another benefit that Bloomfield gives college students is the relaxed atmosphere that the community has. Unlike Oakland, which is always rather hectic, Bloomfield gives college students a relaxing and unique experience. With over 40 restaurants and bars to choose from, students can easily find whatever food they’re craving. And going out to the bars is never as crowded and uncomfortable as the bars in Oakland and Southside can get. Bloomfield is also one of the leading neighborhoods for new music: bars like Howlers, Brillobox and Bloomfield Bridge Tavern are always bringing local bands to Bloomfield. Bloomfield’s ideal location also gives students easy access to the other neighborhoods.

Bloomfield offers many great opportunities to the students who move in there. I know that for us, Bloomfield is an ideal location because it gives us a more “grown-up” atmosphere that we’re looking for. And while I don’t know what’s going to happen with the upcoming semester, I do know that Bloomfield remains at the top of my list of possible locales.

Pittsburgh’s Birkenstock Store is currently celebrating their 33rd anniversary with their only sale of the year. Running until January 16, all shoes are up to 20% off, including Birkenstock, New Balance & custom-made shoes & orthotics.

For more information, call Best-Made Shoes at 412-621-9363 or visit bestmadeshoes.com.

Saturday, January 9, 2010
9:00 PM

Pittsburgh Dance & Theatre Arts
4765 Liberty Avenue (Lower Level)
Pittsburgh, PA 15224

$5.00 Admission

Bloomfield Events Calendar