Smiling Banana Leaf

It's 2016 and a new year and Lisa's Best Of is back!!!! This year, I plan to not only talk about food and wine but about all things new and up and coming. I will continue to talk about food and wine but also bars, fashion/beauty, diet/exercise and of course 2 Local Girls (my dessert catering business) events!

To start off the new year, we begin at the Smiling Banana Leaf. This is a quaint little BYOB Thai restaurant. There may be at most, ten tables, which provides a quiet, intimate setting. The service was good and the food was delicious. I ordered the Cashew Chicken with a side of vegetables while my sister ordered the Yellow Curry. Even though she ordered it at a level 3 (spice level), we had to switch meals, it was a bit too spicy for her!

Both meals had very good flavor; however, the Cashew Chicken was lacking in actual cashews yet overall had lots of flavor and was a pretty large portion. Then there was the Yellow Curry. It was delicious; it was the best I had by far. Yes, that's right, it was better than the curry I usually order from Nicky's Thai. Only at a level 3, it could've been a little spicier for me but regardless, the curry flavor was prominent and the vegetables were cooked perfectly.

Even thought this restaurant isn't located on a main street, it is definitely worth the trip. It's a hidden gem! Try it today and don't forget to take a nice bottle of wine or beer of choice!

Hal's Bar and Grille - Babcock Boulevard

Hey All....I want to apologize for being M.I.A the last few months, my new bakery business 2 Local Girls got busy very quickly and although we are still very busy with full-time jobs and our bakery, I have become more organized and begun to manage my time better so I can still find great eateries and blog about them!! Let's get back in to it..

Hal's is a great place to watch a sporting event or even to join a corn hole league and get out of the house a night a week. My business partner and best friend, Stephanie Symosko started going to Hal's when we decided to join a corn hole league. We play in the Fall every Tuesday night. It's a nice way to break up the monotony of the work week while we wait for our dart league to start in the winter! Anyway, when we would go for corn hole, the times would differ every week so there were times that we decided to order appetizers. All the items on the menu are reasonably priced and are very tasty. Our favorite, aside from the usual appetizer favorites; calamari, nachos and chicken fingers, are the BBQ Pork Or Chicken Quesadilla. We always opt for the Chicken! These are different than any other quesadilla you have ever had. Onions, chicken, sour cream, pico de gallo and, of course the BBQ chicken. DELICIOUS!!!!

Next time your craving that Sport's Bar theme with a twist on the typical Bar fare, try Hal's Bar and Grille on Babcock Blvd in the North Hills...you won't be disappointed!!!

2 Local Girls...Sweet and Savory Treats

Hey All,

Today I am writing about my new business venture: 2 Local Girls. My best friend, Steph Symosko and I recently started a sweet and savory dessert business that provides for birthday parties, charitable organizations or just to satisfy your sweet tooth. We recently catered to The Relay for Life in Waynesburg University to support Breast Cancer and Hodgkins Lymphoma. Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/2LocalGirlsPgh....we have a lot of desserts posted such as: cake balls, Cream cake, Pumpkin Pie, and of course cupcakes, not to mention other delicious desserts. I have been told that our cupcakes 'melt in your mouth!' You can order through facebook or at 2LocalGirlsPgh@gmail.com. In the upcoming months, there is Cinco De Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Graduation Parties, Weddings, Father's Day, etc. Let us cater your next event, hope to see you soon!


Here is a photo of desserts we created for Relay for Life:




To check out other desserts please visit our Facebook page!

New Year, New Food to Discover!!!!

Hello all - HAPPY NEW YEAR,

     Now that we are in 2013, there are gonna be alot of things happening on LisasBestof that I am excited to share with all of you!!!

     In the upcoming year, not only will I still be blogging about the amazing food around the city but also, I am going to expand my blog to include: details and planning for the wedding of my good friend, Kathy Maire, tons and tons of recipes - food, desserts and more and introducing the new, tasty (if I may so myself) home-'made' 2 Local Girls - Treat shop, which specializes in all different treats and desserts; cupcakes, cakes, cookies, etc along with Dog Treats. 2 Local Girls - Treat shop can also offer catering declicious foods for different event needs. Yes, although currently amateur, this is the wonderful beginning to share my culinary and pastry skills to the world.  Contact info for ordering to come soon!

     Like it says in the post title; 'New Year, New Food to Discover' and I hope to continue to find all things amazing when it comes to foods and desserts and share it with all of you. Also, please comment and share with me any wonderful recipes or restaurants that need to be discovered or recognized. Til the next post, Happy Eating!!!!