Bluebird Kitchen located in downtown Pittsburgh at the beginning of Market Square. Decent food, and good location. They serve breakfast, lunch and desserts and its all hand-made and organic; however, it is quite expensive.
FOOD:
Two sandwiches and a small pasta salad was nearly $20.00 but was light and refreshing. I decided that I was going to get the roast beef; OVEN DRIED TOMATO, CONFIT GARLIC, THYME ONIONS, ARUGULA, HORSERADISH AIOLI, CIABATTA. During the rush of lunch, the sandwich would have been pre-made, but since I don't like oven-dried tomatoes, mine was made fresh. The pasta salad had great flavors but the small, is exactly what it means, small. If you are going to get it as your meal, I would suggest getting the large, even for lunch. But if you are just ordering it as a side for your sandwich, then it is plenty. Overall, the food is based on tasteful, simple, French cuisine and is a lovely addition to the city of Pittsburgh.
LOCATION:
The location is great! Right at the start of Market Square, you can and should take your food to go and sit at the many tables surrounding the entire Market Square area. There are only like 6 seats in the entire place all along the front windows - bar style seating and in the summer that isn't bad, because like I mentioned, you can find seating outside, but come winter it's going to be based on first come first serve basis or you will definitely have to take your food to go. The line gets long and if waiting is necessary for your order, it gets kind of cramped.
Overall, the food is good and light. Location is iffy but if you don't mind a lot of people in your personal space then the space inside would be alright with you. For first-timers, go now, prior to drastic weather changes and see for yourself!!!
Showing posts with label Market Square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Market Square. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Las Velas Mexican Restaurant
Holaaa,
When I was in Queens, New York visiting friends, I experienced the best, most authentic steak tacos this side of the border. Very simple with a bold flavor; corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, spicy sauce and marinated steak. So I headed to Las Velas Mexican Restaurant located in Market Square. Now, I have been to El Campesino and Emiliano's and, while they claim to specialize in authentic Mexican food, they both are more of chain restaurants and I was looking for more of a straight from across the border flavor. Boy, was I not disappointed.
Not only was the food amazing but the service was very accomodating. For one thing, I did not get there until 9:45pm and they close at 10pm. To be polite, I wasn't going to stay but they were adamant that it was perfectly fine and that the kitchen was still open. I sat at the bar and began reading the menu. There were so many options but I knew that I wanted to try the tortilla soup and hopefully find tacos that rivaled the taco vendor from Queens.
The tortilla soup. I am in love with the tortilla soup from Max 'N Erma's; its creamy and hearty and just the right spicy. But, Las Velas tortilla soup is the complete opposite. It is broth based and light but the tortilla strips were crispy, it has just the right spice and there was chunks of avocado. Delicioso!!!
The tacos. I ordered the Tacos De Arrachera: A must try! Three tacos with marinated hanger steak (a special cut), onions and cilantro, and salsa (mild or hot). Served with rice or beans. Aside from no homemade spicy sauce, this is exactly what I was looking for. The flavor profile was the exact same; soft corn tortillas, juicy, flavorful steak and fresh, crisp onions and cilantro. The extra bonus with Las Velas; you not only get three of these wonderful tacos but also a heaping serving of soft, Spanish rice. It took me immediately back to the taco truck that was parked on the side of Queens Boulevard. Also, the added lime wedge really brings out the flavor in the steak and I don't even like limes.
The Quesadillas. Traditional cheese Quesadilla with chicken. Served with lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. This Quesadilla was huge and was stuffed to the gills. It was cheesy and meaty all at the same time. The fresh, homemade salsa and guacamole paired amazingly with each bite of the Quesadilla. With the portion size of this selection, you will not go home hungry but maybe with yummy leftovers.
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So, if you're looking for the flavors from south of the border, Las Velas is where it's at. 'Til next time, adios amigos!!!!
When I was in Queens, New York visiting friends, I experienced the best, most authentic steak tacos this side of the border. Very simple with a bold flavor; corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, spicy sauce and marinated steak. So I headed to Las Velas Mexican Restaurant located in Market Square. Now, I have been to El Campesino and Emiliano's and, while they claim to specialize in authentic Mexican food, they both are more of chain restaurants and I was looking for more of a straight from across the border flavor. Boy, was I not disappointed.
Not only was the food amazing but the service was very accomodating. For one thing, I did not get there until 9:45pm and they close at 10pm. To be polite, I wasn't going to stay but they were adamant that it was perfectly fine and that the kitchen was still open. I sat at the bar and began reading the menu. There were so many options but I knew that I wanted to try the tortilla soup and hopefully find tacos that rivaled the taco vendor from Queens.
The tortilla soup. I am in love with the tortilla soup from Max 'N Erma's; its creamy and hearty and just the right spicy. But, Las Velas tortilla soup is the complete opposite. It is broth based and light but the tortilla strips were crispy, it has just the right spice and there was chunks of avocado. Delicioso!!!
The tacos. I ordered the Tacos De Arrachera: A must try! Three tacos with marinated hanger steak (a special cut), onions and cilantro, and salsa (mild or hot). Served with rice or beans. Aside from no homemade spicy sauce, this is exactly what I was looking for. The flavor profile was the exact same; soft corn tortillas, juicy, flavorful steak and fresh, crisp onions and cilantro. The extra bonus with Las Velas; you not only get three of these wonderful tacos but also a heaping serving of soft, Spanish rice. It took me immediately back to the taco truck that was parked on the side of Queens Boulevard. Also, the added lime wedge really brings out the flavor in the steak and I don't even like limes.
The Quesadillas. Traditional cheese Quesadilla with chicken. Served with lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. This Quesadilla was huge and was stuffed to the gills. It was cheesy and meaty all at the same time. The fresh, homemade salsa and guacamole paired amazingly with each bite of the Quesadilla. With the portion size of this selection, you will not go home hungry but maybe with yummy leftovers.
.JPG)
So, if you're looking for the flavors from south of the border, Las Velas is where it's at. 'Til next time, adios amigos!!!!
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