(via miltonarbogast)

Sarris chocolate was one of those things (along fries on salads and chipped ham) that I never realized was specifically a “Pittsburgh” thing until I moved away.  And now I seriously ask myself, what do people do without Sarris chocolate in their lives??

And if you are really a die hard chocolate/ice cream person (like me) then you have to go to the Sarris chocolate place down in Canonsburg.  From the city, take 79S down to Exit 45 (Canonsburg), and it’s only a couple turns from there (511 Adams Ave).  

This place was seriously like a wonderland for me when I was a kid.  We didn’t go very often, but when we did it was just THE most exciting thing ever.  I hadn’t been there in years and years when we went a couple weeks ago, but it’s still a pretty cool place.  And their ice cream is just awesome.

The ice cream parlor part is on the left (if you’re looking at the building from the outside) and the store/where they sell all the delicious chocolate treats is on the right.  I think it’s just fun to go look around, and I usually have to get a chocolate covered pretzel because they are just so good.  Also their ice cream sundaes and all their homemade ice cream flavors are amazing.  

WARNING:  Their ice cream sundaes are HUGE and are really meant for two (or three) people to share!  I ordered one and didn’t realize how big it was going to be.  I barely got halfway through it.  And I’m always one to eat A LOT of ice cream. :)

Here’s a nice MAP so you can get there.  511 Adams Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 11am-9pm

Joe Mama’s Italian Deluxe is a little corner diner-y place in Oakland right on Pitt’s campus.  It’s right across the street from the O and Primanti’s, and when we went to Phipp’s last week we decided to give it a try.  

I loved that atmosphere inside.  It looks like a tiny 50’s style diner with a bar when you first walk in, but it opens up on the second floor.  The lighting is dim and the chairs don’t match, but it sure does have character.

The prices were great - urbanspoon told us entrees were between $10 and $15, but most were under $10.  They have a pretty large menu: classics, pastas, sandwiches, pizza, etc.

We started with an order of zucchini fries with their parmesan ranch dip - so good.  I love fried zucchini, but I’d never had zucchini fries before, but they were pretty awesome.

Pasta Fresca (whole wheat spaghetti with spinach, tomatoes, olive oil, and basil) was pretty good - though after I tried the Bacon Linguini that my husband ordered I wished I would have gotten that - it was SO good!  

Pasta Fresca

Bacon Linguini

The Eggplant Parmesan also looked delicious!

And this is the aftermath of our dessert which we ate in about 2.4 seconds:

The bread pudding was to die for, and the tiramisu and the chocolate cobbler were also amazing.  I recommend the trio (you get little mugs of all three) if you can’t decide.  We shared it and it was perfect!  

Joe Mama’s is open everyday from 11am to 12am.  They also offer a lot of things on their menu for half off after 11pm -everything with a little star by it. 

3716 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 MAP

joemamas.com for full menu, directions, back story, etc!

I visited Phipps Conservatory for the first time ever today, and it was just awesome.  It was a rainy, gray, chilly day which was perfect to be inside the warm, humid, colorful, spring-y conservatory.  We didn’t really get to see the outside gardens because of the time of year, but that’s okay.  The inside was beautiful enough to make up for it. :)

There is just SO MUCH to see here - it took us at least a couple hours to get through the whole thing.  There’s lots of interesting plants, flowers, trees, etc - lots of things I’d never seen before, like this awesome plant right here:

Most of the rooms have a theme - from the Tropical Fruits and Spices room to the Orchid room to the Desert room.  It’s all so beautiful, but I think my favorite was the Broderie room - filled with lilacs and hyacinths in a French style garden and it smelled AMAZING.  I could have spent my whole life in there and been happy.  Also the fountain in the Victoria room where you can program and then run your own fountain show with lights and effects was just so much fun.  

Phipps definitely makes for a nice, relaxing afternoon adventure.  It’s only $12 for an adult ticket and is definitely worth the money spent.  Check it out soon to see the Spring Flower Show (it ends April 24th) or check out their website for more information on their upcoming exhibits and events.  

Phipps Conservatory: 1 Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213  MAP

Hours: Mon-Thurs, Sat, Sun 9am-5pm and Fri 9am-10pm