Molten Lava Cake

Molten Mocha Cakes 

 

If you want to double or triple this recipe, just add three minutes or so to the baking time.

Everyday Food, January 2007

• Prep Time 10 minutes
• Total Time 35 minutes
• Yield Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for ramekins
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for ramekins and serving
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• Pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter two 6-ounce ramekins, then dust with sugar. Place butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until melted. Let cool slightly.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together egg, egg yolk, sugar, espresso powder, and salt. Add chocolate mixture; whisk to combine. Add flour, and whisk just until combined (do not overmix). Pour batter into prepared ramekins. (Recipe can be made ahead up to this point.)
3. Bake until a toothpick inserted 1/2 inch from edge of ramekins comes out clean, and a toothpick inserted in center comes out wet, 10 to 12 minutes (do not overbake). Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Run a knife around inside of ramekins to loosen. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Dust with sugar; serve immediately.

For more information see Martha Stewart.

Do You Have a Valentine This Year?

Check out these great places in Pittsburgh for your Valentine's Day date.  These restaurants have the perfect atmosphere for the Valentine's Day date of your dreams. There are even some great places for singles listed. 

#10 --If you're single and already considering clicking the big red X at the top right of your screen...DON'T! The Naked Grape in Sewickly will pop your cork. This Thursday, February 10, you can celebrate being single with a selection of special "Single" Vineyard Wines, "Single Servings" and, of course, a game of "Single Trivia," all while mixing and mingling with other singles! Any place whose wine menu exceeds the length of it's food menu is a place I would suggest.

#9 -- OK, ok -- so it's not a Pittsburgh proprietary, but I have to tell you I've been to quite a few different Morton's across the country and if we're talking romantic atmosphere, I CANNOT neglect to put this place on the list. The ambiance at Morton's Pittsburgh makes you expect that Frank Sinatra will be joining your party at any given moment. The scent of red wine and a good char fill the air as candlelit tables are scarcely accompanied by dim overhead lighting.  With out-of-this-world Oysters Rockefeller that would make John D. himself sing praises from the beyond and a chocolate lava cake that will melt even the coldest of hearts, the food will certainly not fall short  in the romance department either. Make your reservations today, because Valentine's Day is one of their busiest of the year! A V-day special will get you a three course dinner for two for only $109.99.

#8 -- Who could forget about Mount Washignton on a day like Valentine's Day? While I have to give props to Georgetowne Inn, and of course to Monterey Bay for being my runner's up in the romance category, I have to say that, though it's been a while since I've eaten there, Isabela on Grandview will forever be etched in my mind as the loveliest of all Mt. Washington restaurants I've had the pleasure of experiencing. Voted by Pittsburgh Magazine readers as Pittsburgh's most romantic restaurant, I can confidently suggest it knowing I've got some trusted voices confirming my opinion.

#7 -- For a date night OR a group of 14 excitable women on a night out on the town, SOBA on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside certainly did a fine job of setting the mood.  The multi-level restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and with a diverse menu of Asian and American cuisine, it will be sure to satisfy both you and your sweetheart.

#6 -- Shadyside is my home away from home, and so I must take you on the tour from Ellsworth to Walnut and suggest Walnut Grill which just happens to be one of my long time favorites, especially if you're in the mood for a delicious pasta or hand-tossed pizza. **UPDATE - Walnut Grill has closed and is in process of being replaced by a new joint (sure to please) called "Up." I'll be sure to keep you "Up"dated!

#5 -- While I typically would only send you here in the summertime when their back patio is open for business, if you're looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience this Valentine's Day, be sure to check out the cafe I go crazy for: Cafe du Jour.  With a quaint dining room adjacent to the kitchen, you can be sure to share delicious food and audible conversation with your date. Be sure to ask them what off-menu specials they're offering.  I've found their best dishes that way.

#4 -- One of the my favorite destinations just happens to be in my neck of the woods.  Bistro 19 on Washington Rd. in Mount Lebanon was a place that took my breath away. With a plethora of options in every food group, this place will be sure to please.

#3 -- I find it only appropriate that Eleven would make my TOP-ten.  With it's uniquely delicious seasonally changing American cuisine, never fails to impress. Congrats to the Big Burrito Restaurant group for making the TOP-ten twice!

#2 -- I have to tell you a short story, the number two most romantic restaurant on my list is a huge part of the reason I began and kept up with this blog in the first place.  I had never heard of Willow (thank you, Groupon) and after spending an evening amongst the crackling fire, intoxicating aromas, mouthwatering flavors and extremely friendly waitstaff, I knew I had to tell the rest of the town about the secret in the woods. If you haven't yet taken a date to Willow, you're seriously missing out.  If you're just starting out in a relationship, seal the deal by suggesting a Valentine's Day dinner here.

#1 -- So far, in my mind, Spoon in East Liberty has yet to be beat. Neither PID nor I could think of a single negative thing to say about our evening here. The Tuna Two Ways was, to me, one of the greatest culinary accomplishments I've ever tasted -- and it was only the appetizer! If you read my review, you'll begin to understand why.  Give it a try, once you do you'll understand my utter fascination.


For more information see Taste the Burgh.

University of Pittsburgh Week Events

Make sure to check out these great events being held at the University starting this Monday February 3rd. There are movies, lectures, and career events that are great ways to learn something new outside of your classes. Check out the list below! FILM
Anime Film Series, showing of film Akira set in Neo-Tokyo in the year 2019 follows a biker with psychic powers, 7 p.m. Feb. 5, The ToonSeum, 945 Liberty Avenue, Downtown, Pitt Asian Studies Center, visit www.ucis.pitt.edu/asc/animefestival/index.html for more information.

LECTURES
“Shale Gas: From Poland to Pennsylvania,” Dimiter Kenarov, fellow at the Pulitzer Center in Washington D.C., 7 p.m. Feb. 5, Frick Fine Arts Auditorium, European Union Center of Excellence/European Studies, Global Studies center, Center for Russian and East European Studies, contact Eleni Valliant (env1@pitt.edu) for more information.

“Firefights and Foot Patrols: Documenting America's Engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq,” Carmen Gentile, foreign correspondent for the New York Times, USA Today, and other publications, noon Feb. 6, 3911 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St., Oakland, Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, contact Beverly Brizzi (beb38@pitt.edu) for more information.

“Negotiating Decay, Delay, and Debt: Speculation and Time-Travel in South India's Grocery Trade,” Laura C. Brown, Pitt assistant professor of anthropology, noon Feb. 6, 4130 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St. Oakland, Pitt’s Asian Studies Center, Asia Over Lunch Lecture Series, contact Adam Reger (reger@pitt.edu) for more information.

“Shale gas in Poland and Europe,” Dimiter Kenarov, fellow at the Pulitzer Center in Washington, D.C., noon Feb. 6, 4217 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St. Oakland, European Union Center of Excellence/European Studies, Global Studies center, Center for Russian and East European Studies, contact Eleni Valliant (env1@pitt.edu) for more information.

“In the Center of Europe, But on the Fringe? Liechtenstein and European Integration,” Claudia Fritsche, ambassador of Liechtenstein to the United States, noon Feb. 7, 4217 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St. Oakland, free and open to the public but contact Allyson Delnore (adelnore@pitt.edu) to RSVP.
For more information see the University of Pittsburgh.

Affordable Delicious Night Out

Noodlehead is a great restaurant with an eclectic feel.  They serve food from Thailand, and all the dinners are under nine dollars.  There is a very specific menu that gives you a variety of tastes to choose from.  This great restaurant is something for everyone to try, and it will not break your budget for a night out with friends.

Nearly a decade ago, the opening of Typhoon on Shadyside's South Highland restaurant row seemed to signal a sea change in local Asian dining. It elevated Thai food from "ethnic" category to stylish cuisine, served with refinement in an artistic, upscale setting. In Typhoon's wake, other restaurants now provide a similarly splurge-worthy experience of Thai dining, while a new, far more humble but still delectable, trend has taken hold in the once-elegant space Typhoon occupied: noodles.

To say that Noodlehead isn't elegant is not to suggest that it isn't fashionable. But the recycled wood-plank walls, old-fashioned filament light bulbs, picnic-style utensil caddies and eclectic seating (from industrial stools to plastic-fantastic mod chairs) evoke a feeling more than a specific place or culinary tradition: simplicity, authenticity, rusticity, noodles.

Such rough-hewn chic does not necessarily come cheap, but by taking cash only, not accepting reservations, being BYOB and not even having a phone, Noodlehead is able to offer an elemental approach to the delightful street food of Thailand in which nothing is over $9.

Noodlehead's tightly curated menu is another part of this equation. It has four short sections: a pair of noodle soups at $6 apiece; five no-substitution noodle dishes for $9; three more with your choice of shrimp, chicken or tofu, also for $9; and five finger-food "snacks," each at about $6. You can try the entire menu for $104 — and, with the help of some holiday guests, we nearly did.

As their title suggests, the snacks are small plates, and good for sharing. Thai fried chicken came as a mound of moist, sliced cutlet, coated in a light, ultra-crisp crust that was delightful on its own and better with a generous dollop of sweet garlic-chili sauce. Pork belly steamed buns were actually less labor-intensive rounds of fluffy dough folded over several chunks of succulent pork belly in a smoky-sweet, barbecue-esque sauce, while paper-thin slices of house-pickled Asian cucumber added brine and tang.

An order of pig wings inevitably led to jokes about when pigs will fly. But these morsels of pork shank were worth the groaners. Butchered to resemble drumsticks, they were spicy and intensely flavored; unlike chicken wings, pork has more than enough robust flavor of its own even beneath minced herbs, spices and chilies. Perhaps disadvantaged by following the pig wings, garlic nam pla chicken wings were plump and crisp, but not especially flavorful.

After all these delights, it was noodle time. The 10 noodle preparations on offer included fully six different types of noodles, a testament to Noodlehead's commitment to its craft. Thin rice noodles were tender in both Sukothai and Love Boat soups; the former punched up the flavor quotient with sliced pork loin, slivered green beans, peanuts and hard-boiled egg in a spicy lime broth, while the latter relied on the rich savor of simmered beef and pork cracklings. 

For more information see City Paper.

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.

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.