Sunday Brunch at Dozen Bake Shop

Rich and Mary have a weekly routine. We go to Mass on Sundays followed by brunch at a local establishment in one of the East End neighborhoods (we've ventured to the South Side once). We've been to a handful of places but we always seem to head back to the same place every two or three weeks: Dozen Bake Shop on Butler Street in Lawrenceville.

If you've only had the cupcakes at Dozen, you are truly missing out. (Though Rich is still convinced that the "Elvis cupcake" is one of the greatest accomplishments of mankind.) The Bake Shop serves cookies, pies, scones, and all sorts of other delicious pastries appropriate for any time of day. Rich loves the Thanksgiving scone and the pecan pie. Mary loves the cinnamon rolls and Pumpkin mini-cakes (only available in the fall so you'll have to wait a year to taste 'em). The Bake Shop also serves light lunch and does catering throughout the week. And of course you can get their cupcakes any day but Sunday.

But the real triumph at Dozen is brunch. Brunch is only served on Sunday. It is a limited menu of stratta (bread and egg casserole), quiche, stuffed french toast, tempeh hash, and biscuits and gravy. They also have granola, in addition to their usual assortment of awesome pastries and baked goods. Unfortunately, Rich and Mary are such creatures of habit that we always get the same thing; Rich gets the stratta, Mary gets the quiche. That's all we can report on, but maybe one week we'll mix it up and get something different...highly unlikely.

This week, Dozen served their Southwestern stratta. The casserole has black beans and red onions baked into it and is topped with a generous slathering of salsa and a dollop of sour cream, sprinkled with cheddar chesse. They've served this stratta the past three times we have been to Dozen for brunch, but Mary and Rich both enjoy it. Rich wouldn't have thought that the aforementioned flavors would have worked for a brunch atmosphere - I order it every time...so clearly it works quite well!

The winner today though was the quiche. This week it was zucchini, summer squash, red peppers, asiago cheese, and ham. The flavor was absolutely divine - a mix of the salty flavor from the ham and chesse balanced with the freshness of the vegetables. And, as always, the crust was a perfect balance of flaky and crusty. We also got our old standbys on the pastry front - Rich with the ABC scone (apple, bacon, and cheddar) and Mary with the cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll is big enough for two (Dozen makes a mini version too) so Mary tends to share her pastry with Rich. The distinguishing feature of the cinnamon roll is the creamy icing. First, there is way too much for any person to eat and live to tell the tale of the sugar coma that ensues; second, it tastes as if it’s made with a sour cream base which nicely complements the sweetness of the cinnamon and sugar.

Additional Info about Dozen Bake Shop: The seating area is small on the first floor (seats 15 – 20) but they also provide seating on the second floor for another 15 – 20 people. It is a very casual, laid-back atmosphere - you get your own coffee and water and bus your own table. But brunch is modestly priced (entrees $7 – 8, pastries range from $1.50 – 3.50) and guaranteed to be delicious. If you’re a brunch aficionado and like to try new things each week, Dozen Bake Shop is the place for you.

First Post: Fanciness at Richard Chen's Pittsburgh

Tonight as a part of Christmas - Rich decided that we should dine in style (in jeans no less) and he chose Richard Chen's in Pittsburgh. Supposedly, he opened a restaurant in Pittsburgh because his wife is originally from the area and as a testament to his love for her, he built a restaurant of bricks, mortar, and glass on Centre Ave. in East Liberty.

So on to the important stuff: the dinner.

So as we were first pulling up to the restaurant, Rich was nervous that it would be too crowded. He had called for a reservation and the restaurant called to confirm in the afternoon, but you never know how reliable those types of things can be. We were surprised to find ourselves one of two couples in the establishment. Mary just thought that Rich had called in a favor and rented out the entire restaurant for her. But I guess we weren't too surprised that is wasn't crowded considering it was 5 pm. Mary sure does like to eat with the early birds (and the Old People).

Our waiter was very attentive and courteous, starting us out with a small "palette cleanser" - a "blood orange gelatin/jelly with a whipped topping and olive tapenade" While not my favorite thing Rich had ever eaten, he found it to be an interesting experience to say the least. Mary took one bite and thought it was gross. Took a second bite - still gross. No third chance for the palette cleanser.

On to appetizers - we decided to try the spring rolls, but were pleasantly surprised with a complimentary portion of Tuna Sashimi over a bed of jelly fish, greens and carrots with citrus based vinegar. Rich started with the Sashimi and found it to be quite excellent - very flavorful and not overly intimidating for someone who has little experience with this type of food. Mary tried the tuna and liked it but the real winner was the spring rolls. Unexpectedly stuffed with chicken and vegetables with the sweet and sour dipping sauce and hot mustard, it made for a great start to the meal.

The main event - Dinner. Mary had the Sea Bass special which was Sea Bass over bok choy, potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and a light sauce. It was pretty good - Mary forgot that she doesn't like shiitake mushrooms. Rich however ordered the real winner. Rich ordered the Beef Rib Eye with the Soy Garlic Glaze - served medium rare (as recommended by our excellent waiter) - this dish was melt in your mouth delicousness.

We chose to forgo dessert for some heavily iced sugar cookies from Giant Eagle back at Mary's house, but the menu looked great.

So in the end, Richard Chen's in Pittsburgh offers a very nice environment, a friendly, knowledgable and attentive staff and an eclectic menu (with some awesomeness and some not so much...). Though the price tag is a little heftier than our normal fare, we would certainly recommend checking it out.