Wednesday, June 18, 2014

For the Love of Travel

This past week, Boyfriend and I took our show on the road and flew to Denver, Colorado to visit his sister and brother-in-law.  It was my first time in Colorado and my third trip involving airplanes, so I was an anxious mess of excited and hyperventilating as we took off, but after landing and immediately being greeted by mountains, I was feeling much more calm.

We were gone for six days and the time spent was a jumble of hiking, delicious restaurants, breweries, and popular Colorado landmarks, like the Garden of the Gods.

    View from our hike through Garden of the Gods


On our last full day in Colorado, Boyfriend and I ventured off sans sister and brother-in-law to visit Boulder, specifically the Pearl Street Mall.  Multiple people had recommended this spot to me, due to its many restaurants, shopping gems, and street performers.  As we meandered through the outdoor mall, our eyes were met with fire jugglers, unicyclists, and African drummers.  We enjoyed our day of dropping money into the hats of the most impressive performers and partaking in some of the best people-watching that I've experienced in ages.  Boulder is a definite must see when visiting Colorado.

During his trip to Colorado last summer, Boyfriend had visited Boulder and had what he described as the best burger that he had ever eaten.  He was determined to reacquaint himself with the meaty god of yesteryear and we walked around Pearl Street until he found his Burger Mecca, the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery. 

Mountain Sun offers a variety of common American food with creative flair, while being managed with a full team-initiative.  Employees of the Mountain Sun are not defined by titles.  The person serving you also buses tables, pours drinks, cleans, and cooks.  The restaurant operates on this system and even tips are split and divided among all employees.  


The team-based approach seems to have created not only a cool and relaxed atmosphere for dining, but also an exceedingly friendly staff.  From the moment that we walked into the restaurant, Boyfriend and I were greeted with smiles and friendly words.  The restaurant decor is funky with brightly colored statues hanging from the ceiling, while eliciting a relaxed vibe to match our experience in Boulder thus far.

We had a brief wait for a table, but not to fear, for we were quickly ushered to the back of the restaurant in front of the bar.  We were given a draft list and the server behind the bar poured us free sample after free sample of Mountain Sun's own brews while we waited.  Serve me free beer to take away the pain of waiting 15 minutes for a table? Oh, Mountain Sun, you know how to win my heart (while defeating my liver). 

We sampled a variety of summer ales, but both Boyfriend and I opted for a pint of Mountain Sun's raspberry brew.  It was crisp, fruity, refreshing, and incredibly smooth.  I wish that it was a beer that I could find locally at a distributor.  

It did not take Boyfriend more than a minute after opening his menu to slam it closed on the table and say "I know what I'm getting." The burger from last summer that been haunting his taste buds was once again about to be at his mercy.  Boyfriend's beloved Date Night Burger is a 1/3 lb. patty served with hickory smoked bacon, roasted poblano peppers, goat cheese, and date purée.  He also ordered fries rather than chips.  



His burger was just as Boyfriend had remembered.  The blend of seemingly abrasive flavors blended together harmoniously to create a sense of burger bliss in Boyfriend.  I didn't sample his Date Night Burger, but the look on Boyfriend's face said enough.

I ordered the Basil Bleu Burger, a delicious medium-cooked patty smothered in a dressing made of basil and bleu cheese, garnished with a basil leaf.  The dressing had a pesto-quality, but the tang of the bleu cheese really stood out.  


I devoured my burger and most of my fries, which I used to scrape up any of the basil-bleu cheese dressing that may have dripped onto the paper beneath the burger.  It was the kind of meal that requires no conversation because you're too busy chewing and savoring.  

The fries were freshly cut and appropriately salted.  Mountain Sun's menu proclaims that any imperfect fries will be taken away and replaced, but I couldn't even pretend to have a complaint about any part of my meal.  

After our bellies could fit no more, Boyfriend and I paid our bill and ventured back into Pearl Street for more performers... And when we had a tiny space in our stomachs, we filled it quickly with ice cream.

We are home now and reacquainted with our furry family, but memories of the trip are still fresh.  We experienced some amazing views, hip locales, and delicious food, but I can easily say that my Basil Bleu Cheeseburger from the Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery was my favorite meal.  

I look forward to a return trip to Denver next year, but not for the sights, not for the legal marijuana, and not for the high altitudes.  I look forward to the Mountain Sun Pub and waiting for a table at the bar with some free samples. 


Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery on Urbanspoon



Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Buon Compleanno

Yesterday was Boyfriend's birthday and we won't mention which one, but just know that like a fine wine, cheese, or (according to Boyfriend) a can of Mamwich, he has improved with age.  To commemorate his birthday and to celebrate the upcoming year of his life, Boyfriend and I dined at one of our favorite restaurants, Il Pizzaiolo, a fantastically delicious Italian place in Mount Lebanon.

Boyfriend had frequented Il Pizzaiolo in the past and introduced me to its authentic Italian food a few years ago.  We save it for special occasions and always leave feeling completely satisfied.  Last night was no different.  

The restaurant was established in 1996 and, according to their website, is the only restaurant in Pittsburgh to hold a Vera Pizza Napoletana certification.  I don't know what that means, but it sure sounds impressive, doesn't it?  There are two locations of Il Pizaiola, but I have never visited the Market Square location.  In Mount Lebanon, you can expect great service, flavorful food, and long weekend wait times; however, the separate wine bar is more than welcoming.

Last evening, I reserved a table for 7 p.m. and was, unfortunately, unable to specifically reserve a patio table, due to the unpredictability of Pittsburgh weather; however, when we arrived, we asked if an outside table was available. Without waiting more than three minutes, we were ushered to the patio and seated at an intimate table with an umbrella to protect us from the rays of the setting sun.  

The patio is small, but not overly cramped and the waitstaff seems to have no issues weaving in between tables with ease.  Our server, Colleen, was extremely attentive and friendly.  We liked her a lot and the fact that she was sincerely apologetic when she initially neglected to bring our glasses of water. We assured her that it was not a problem in the slightest, but she was exceedingly accommodating in supplying beverages afterward. 

While enjoying our outdoor table, Boyfriend ordered a Hoegaarden beer, while I requested a glass of Gragnano Frizzante Grotta del Sole, a sparkling red wine served chilled.  Despite bordering a back alley, Il Pizzaiolo's patio is quite private and serene; potted plants and herbs add to the ambiance and make you feel ask if you're in your own backyard (if you have a lovely backyard garden). Unfortunately, sitting outside also means sitting with ALL forms of nature and after about half of my glass of wine was gone, a garden bug decided to go for a swim.  Fortunately for me, Colleen quickly brought me another glass and disposed of the presumably then drunk fruit fly.


While we sipped our drinks and feasted on Italian bread and oil, Boyfriend and I decided to order an appetizer of Panzarotti, Neopolitan fried potato croquettes also filled with fresh mozzarella and sprinkled with Parmesan.  The starter was a perfect size for two people and I greatly enjoyed the cheesy, creamy goodness with the crispy outside.  I'm a sucker for fresh mozzarella.  


For our entrees, both Boyfriend and I decided on lasagne.  Usually, I don't like to order the same meal as my dining partner, but I am so thankful that I did this time.  The large portions of lasagne were delivered to our table with a nice presentation and an appropriate wait time... And they looked beautiful.


After only a few bites, Boyfriend proclaimed that Il Pizzaiolo's was the best lasagne that he's ever eaten.  The pasta was layered with both fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, plus a smooth tomato sauce, with both meatballs and sausage pieces.  The cheese oozed out between the layers of pasta and easily made this dish my favorite of any that I've had at Il Pizzaiolo.  


    (Just look at that gooey cheese!)

We ate until we could eat no more and Colleen boxed our leftovers before bringing the check.  I felt as though I could have demolished the remainder of my lasagne, but I knew that I'd miss it once it was gone and would develop some sort of violent cheese monster food baby.  I promised the lasagne that we'd see each other again and began to contemplate lunch for the following day.

There is a reason that we reserve Il Pizzaiolo for special occasions and that is because it's such a special restaurant with special food.  Every menu item that I have had has been more than palatable and has left me saying "that's amore."  

There was seemingly no better way to celebrate Boyfriend's birthday than with a fine dinner together at Il Pizzaiolo. So happy birthday to Boyfriend and may this year be filled with delicious lasagne, good times, and perfectly aged Mamwich. 

Il Pizzaiolo on Urbanspoon