Pittsburgh Restaurant Week

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week starts this week.  There are some great deals and restaurants participating all throughout the city.  However, to get the most out of this week make sure to follow these tips and tricks listed below.  This will allow you to experience the most restaurants at the best price.


Tips for Getting the Most out of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week

Excited to celebrate Pittsburgh Restaurant Week? Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your restaurant week experience.
 
Make reservations early, many of the most popular restaurants get booked up. If making a reservation by phone, be sure to mention Pittsburgh Restaurant Week when booking.
 
Read menus and reviews of participating restaurants. Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to experience the diverse restaurants available in Pittsburgh. Some restaurants offer pre-fixed menus as their restaurant week special, others offer a flat discount.
 
Be aware that not all restaurants participating in Pittsburgh Restaurant Week offer the promotional menu at lunch AND dinner. When you make your reservation, you should confirm with the restaurant that they are participating in Restaurant Week. Some restaurants may have seats set aside for diners participating in the celebration.

For more information see Pittsburgh Restaurant Week.

21 and Over at the Carnegie Science Center!

Did you ever want to run around the Carnegie Science Center like a kid, but without having little kids push you out of the way for the Earthquake Ride?  Now Carnegie Science Center is letting everyone be a kid with their 21 and over nights.  Come enjoy the robots, space exhibits, and even the miniature railroad while enjoying a cash bar and food.

  

All those who have ever wanted to enjoy Carnegie Science Center without having to elbow 8-year-olds out of the way for a chance to compete against the Air Hockeybot or peer at the baby seahorses, will not want to miss 21+ Night at Carnegie Science Center.

For just $10 (in advance, $15 at the door), adults ages 21 and up will have access to all four floors of exhibits, including SpacePlace, SeaScape, the Miniature Railroad and Village^®, roboworld^™, the Earthquake Café, the weather station, a planetarium show, and scientific demos. There will be a cash bar, and snacks will be available for purchase.

Get $15 in free slot play at Rivers Casino - just a short walk away!

For more information see the Carnegie Science Center.

Gifts for the Commuter

Do you know somebody that commutes far distances to work everyday?  Making that commute easier could be the best present they could ever ask for.  Here are some great presents for the person that sits in rush hour traffic most of their mornings and evenings.

1. Noise Silencing Earbuds: Not only to keep yourself entertained, but to drown out the unavoidable noises around you. These are great because the ear buds work like ear plugs, and they even come with an app to use with your smart phone that further silences noises. Etymotic hf5 earphones, $149.
2. Thermos: Coffee is key to being awake by the time I get to work. I've tried several travel mugs, and this one is hands down the best at keeping beverages piping hot for the winter and icy cold in the summer. Klean Kanteen Insulated, $25.95-29.95.
3. A Durable Bag: Because a canvas bag just isn't going to cut it on the floor of a wet train or bus, or outside in nasty weather. Look for a leather, nylon, or waxed canvas bag with a reinforced bottom, or even one with little feet to keep it elevated off the floor. 2Unfold Laptop Bag / Heritage by hard graft, £400.
4. Reusable Bags: I use these all the time for toting stuff back and forth from work. They stash away so easily in my desk drawer or bag, and actually expand to a fairly large capacity. Envirosax, $39.95/set of 5.
5. iPhone/iPad (or other mobile device): If I had to pick one thing that has made my commute more tolerable, it is the invention of mobile devices. I can talk to my mom, browse the web, check email, listen to a podcast, etc. And last year I was gifted an iPad, which even further improved my commute by providing an abundance of reading material without all the weight. iPhone & iPad, prices vary.
6. Touch Gloves: So that you can still use your mobile device without your hands freezing while you're waiting for the train or walking to work! Agloves, $19.99-29.99.
7. Bike Handle: Genius. This handle makes carrying a bike up and down stairs and onto a train so much easier. Bicycle Frame Handle, $38.
8. Boots: Because trudging through the rain and snow is one of the worst parts of commuting. I have a few different boots to wear depending on the weather, but if you're going to pick just one, Hunters are classic, and you can get boot socks to keep your feet warm in the winter. Hunter Boots, $135-225.
9. Lunchbox: This is the one thing I don't actually have, but should. I usually use one of my reusable bags, but they don't do anything to protect from spills, and they definitely don't keep food warm or cold. Something insulated and lightweight that folds up seems ideal. Lunch Tote by BUILT, $24.99.

For more information see Apartment Therapy.

Skate at Schenley Park

This Sunday you can have some holiday fun at Schenley Park.  Bring your kids, brothers, sisters, and everyone else in your family to skate with Santa. There will be music and refreshments at the event from 1:30-3:30pm.  There are also some other great public outdoor ice rinks throughout the Pittsburgh area such as PPG place.
 
Skate with Santa at Schenley Park

 

Event: Skate with Santa at Schenley Park
 
Location: Schenley Ice Skating Rink, 1 Overlook Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 (Schenley Park – Oakland)
 
Date: Sunday, December 16, 2012
 
Time: 1:30pm until 3:30pm
 
Cost: Adult admission is $4.00, youth (17 and under) is $3.00, and seniors are $3.00. Skate rental is $2.50.
 
Description: Create memories while skating with Santa at Schenley Park Ice Rink. Enjoy great music & refreshments while you skate with the big guy himself! For more information, please visit the City of Pittsburgh website.

For more information see Living Pittsburgh.

Let's Go Panthers

The University of Pittsburgh Football Program has had a great season, and now they are prepping for the BBVA Compass Bowl.  The game is held at the historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.  The Panthers will take on Southern Methodist University, who are in the USA Conference.  The game will be broadcast on ESPN January 7th at 1pm.

The University of Pittsburgh football team has accepted an invitation to play in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The game, held at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., will be played on January 7, 2012 in front of a national ESPN television audience (1 p.m. ET).

The Panthers (6-6, 4-3 Big East) will face Southern Methodist University (7-5, 5-3 Conference USA). It will be just the sixth meeting ever between the two schools and the second in a bowl game. SMU defeated Pitt in the 1983 Cotton Bowl, 7-3. The all-time series is tied, 2-2-1.

"You play an entire season to earn the opportunity for one extra game -- a bowl game," Pitt coach Todd Graham said. "Our team is excited for the chance to put that Pitt helmet on one more time for the BBVA Compass Bowl. Birmingham is a great college football town. We're looking forward to our visit and playing SMU in front of a national ESPN television audience."

"On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh and our football program, I would like to thank the city of Birmingham, BBVA Compass Bowl committee and executive director Mark Meadows for the opportunity to play in this year's game," Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson said. "We know firsthand the great hospitality shown to the teams and fans, and we're looking forward to our visit in January."

The Panthers will be playing in their ninth bowl since 2000 (12 seasons) and fourth consecutive since 2008.

Pitt defeated Kentucky in last season's BBVA Compass Bowl, 27-10. The Panthers are 12-15 all-time in bowl games.

For tickets and travel package information, call the Panthers Ticket Office at (800) 643-PITT. The ticket office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets and travel packages can also be purchased online through Altour, the Official Travel Provider for Pitt Alumni and Fan Travel. Contact Altour for your customized travel package http://www.alumni.pitt.edu/event/2011bowl/. Go to "Bowl Central" at www.PittsburghPanthers.com for additional information.

For more information see Pitt.edu.

I Made It! Holiday Market

Make sure to check out this great Holiday Event at Bakery Square on November 30th and December 1st.  There will be a craft market held with Pittsburgh regional artists selling their work at the first floor space of Bakery Square.  Bakery Square will also be lit up red in honor of World Aids Day on Friday Night.  Make sure to check out all the details below.

I Made It! for the Holidays {our 6th annual holiday market}

Shop with us: Friday, Nov. 30 from 5 pm – 10 pm

&  Saturday, Dec.1 from 11 am – 6 pm

Inside the first floor space @ Bakery Square (map)
6425 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, FREE Indoor Parking

Visit our Facebook Event for updates!

I Made It! for the Holidays announces its sixth annual handmade arts marketplace to be held on Friday, November 30th from 5 pm – 10 pm and Saturday, December 1st from 11 am – 6 pm at Bakery Square. More than 90 Pittsburgh-regional artisans will offer handmade goods including children’s items, house wares, clothing, jewelry, plush, ceramics, sweets, photography, toys, bath & body products and much more. Saturday brings TAPPED Pop Up Beer Garden and Santa! To learn more about the artists or for event details, visit www.imadeitmarket.com.

For more about the event and our sponsors, visit the I Made It! Market blog. Sponsors include: Assemble, Bakery Square, City Paper, Cotton Factory, Green Light Wireless, Indie Foundry, MailChimp, Outright, Play Unplugged, Port Authority, Quiet Storm, Square, Revive Marketing Group, SouthSide Works, 82 Concepts.

We are excited to announce that Friday night the Delta Foundation will be lighting Bakery Square in red in honor of World AIDS Day. On Saturday, Santa will be onsite for photos from 12 pm – 3 pm and Tapped brings a pop up beer garden from 12 pm – 5 pm. ABOUT BAKERY SQUARE: Bakery Square is a new mixed-use development located in the East End neighborhood of Pittsburgh, built out of the existing site of the historic Nabisco Factory. Offering an exciting lifestyle center environment while hosting numerous free events to connect with its neighbors and guests, Bakery Square is home to Google, UPMC, Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Active Fitness, Coffee Tree Roasters, Learning Express Toys, Jimmy Johns, Springhill Suites Marriott Hotel, Massage Heights, Boxwood, University of Pittsburgh, Veteran Administration and the newly opened Panera Bread.

For more information see I Made It.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Spend some time with your friends and family and remember everything in life that you are thankful for.