December Picks
What you can catch me wearing, eating, drinking, and doing this month!
Eat/Drink
Vegan options, late night, and sweets!
Umami: I went here for a nice dinner with my best friend, and the food did not disappoint! Get the Robatayaki to start with! The quail egg is especially good and not something you can get everywhere. My friend got the sashimi plate, and said it tasted fresher than any other sushi she had eaten in Pittsburgh! I got the Tonkotsu Ramen, and it was super delish! Aside from the food, the atmosphere is super cool! It’s hidden away in Lawrenceville on top of Round Corner Cantina. Make reservations here, because it’s small or sit at the bar like we did! P.S. They offer late night grub!!
B52 Café and Espresso Bar: This is my new favorite go-to spot. While I am not vegan, I try to be dairy free as much as possible, and they offer exclusively vegan options! The falafel is to die for, as is the avocado toast. They make their own almond milk, and I think it tastes wayy better than the stuff you buy in store. They also brew Madcap Coffee, which is one of my favorite roasting companies! They work with really small farms and roast small batches. Try the orange vanilla latte or the lavender vanilla latte!
La Gourmandine Bakery: The line is out the door after Sunday brunch, and I found out why! I’m not big on sweets, but I’m a sucker for a well-crafted, quality pastry! I got the pistachio eclair, and I ate the entire thing. It wasn’t too sweet, and had plenty of flavor. Their pain au chocolats are simple and delicious as well! Check their website for all their locations.
Wear
The investment piece.
In Pittsburgh, it rains. A lot. Lately, it seems like at least every other day. I was overdue for a nice raincoat. I’ve always wanted a classic trench coat, and I finally splurged on one. It has a hood, is truly water-resistant, but still has a classic cut! Shop it here.
Do
Museums & dancing
Swing City: I used to swing dance all the time, but sort of got out of it as life got busier. When I got a new co-worker, she mentioned she was a big swing dancer. We immediately hit it off and decided to go swing dancing together! Swing City in squirrel hill has a great weekly dance on Saturday nights! They even host a lesson before-hand. Check their website for announcements and their schedule. They often have bands there!
Mattress Factory: My friend Christina and I visited the Mattress Factory Museum recently, and had the most fun! The art installations are super unique, some are interactive, and the photo ops are endless. Check out the café too! I got a their soup and Christina got a delicious chai latte! Visit their website here.
