The BBA and the BDC are thankful for all of our member businesses who have supported our community throughout 2008. The coming year will be our most exciting year yet, and we’re looking forward to sharing new initiatives and opportunities with the community. Stay informed by subscribing to Shopping Bloomfield, and we hope to see you at next year’s six bi-monthly Community Outreach Meetings, starting on January 27.

As a community, we should all be thankful for our award-winning restaurants and unique shopping, and for the local media that promote these assets to the City. This Thanksgiving, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review both tempted readers with tastes of the feast that is Bloomfield.

Sausalido “The Gourmet Bistro and Full Service Catering Company”

The Post-Gazette celebrated the savory side of Sausalido in China Millman’s article “Little Bites: Reasons to celebrate”:

In Bloomfield, the empty space left by Mezzanotte has been filled by Sausalido, which describes itself as New American and European but has an Italian-American slant, at least that’s pleasant to see in Pittsburgh’s Little Italy. Owner Nicholas Mineo, cousin of the pizzeria Mineos, has been managing the Shadyside Deli and developing its catering arm for the past five years. The menu at Sausalido includes pancetta-wrapped scallops ($26) and chicken breasts stuffed with caramelized apples and cranberries ($22). BYOB with a $2 per-person corkage.

Paddy Cake Bakery

In “Paddy Cake in Bloomfield satisfies sweet tooth”, Tribune-Review reporter Mark Kanny investigated Paddy Cake’s indulgent offerings of doughnuts, cookies, French pastries and cakes:

The trays of cookies take up two counters in the store. Pumpkin cookies are one of the basic options (69 cents, $4.99 a dozen). Holiday cookie trays are available in two-dozen ($11.95), three-dozen ($17.95) and larger orders, up to 10 dozen ($55.95).

Consider supping at Sausalido and other Bloomfield restaurants for a break from Thanksgiving leftovers, and patronizing Paddy Cake for your Christmas cookies.

Bloomfield received more press in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this weekend, in Joseph Mistick’s article “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy”. In the article, Mistick discusses the benefits of distinct neighborhood “destination spots”, and the modern challenges they face.

Can the city once again be all things to all people? Only if the distinct cultural character of every neighborhood is emphasized — not blurred.

If the city were a homogenous urban blob, there would be no reason to spend time here.

The article focuses on Bloomfield as an example of a successful neighborhood business district, and cites our award-winning “Little Italy Days” Festival as a sign that the neighborhood, and the city, is going to make it.

What do you think about the future diversity of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods? Leave us a comment below if you have an opinion.