Little book the toast of the town

Dish chats with one of the authors of "Where We Like To Eat n' At"

Sitting in a wooden booth at the Monterey Pub on the North Side last night, Gail Nesbitt Jones beamed as she answered questions about her new book, "Where We Like To Eat n' At." The 50-something mother of three was there with family and friends as Dish "staff" mobbed her as if she were a rock star. Since the book came out only a few days ago, she and co-author Marsha Dugan Kolbe have become unwitting celebrities in Pittsburgh.

The book, which features 57 neighborhood restaurants and watering holes, came about on a lark. Nesbitt Jones, of Mt. Lebonon and Kolbe, of Highland Park, enjoy galavanting through Pittsburgh neighborhoods in search of local fare. After many calories consumed and tabs paid, they decided "why not?"

They teamed up with illustrator Lani Challburgh Walker whose delightful drawings accompany each location. The slim volume took off and the mothers became local media darlings.

"I never thought this would happen," laughed Nesbitt Jones. "I'm going to be on the radio, whould've thought that!"

The Monterey Pub is featured in the book. "This is the kind of place that defines a neighborhood restaurant," she said. "This is one of the many reasons I love this city."

The $10 book is available at local bookstores and can be purchased on their website.