Pittsburgh Dish

Oyster Shooters at the Original Oyster House

The Original Oyster House is a real, living piece of Pittsburgh history. It is Pittsburgh's oldest restaurant, designated by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, and it can be found nestled in Market Square in the heart of downtown. When it first opened its doors in 1870 it sold oysters for a penny and beer for 10 cents. Today the menu has not changed much, though of course the prices have been updated. Beer still flows freely. Fish sandwiches - so big they require a special bun - and fried oysters remain a beloved classic, and feature the same coating made famous in the early 20th century.

On a recent weekday evening I stopped by the Oyster House to join some friends for a unique Oyster House offering - a cocktail with its own special history - the "Oyster Shooter". For those of you who have never had one, an Oyster Shooter is made by combining a raw oyster in its own juices, vodka, cocktail sauce, and lemon juice in a chilled martini or shot glass. The idea is to swallow it all down without chewing the oyster. Such an exotic concoction might seem like a modern invention but in fact, it was developed in San Francisco around 1860. Legend has it that a gold miner, spurred by his hunger and a plentiful supply of native mollusks, was the person first inspired to assemble the strange combination of ingredients.

A lot of time has passed since the first oyster was consumed at the Original Oyster House, and even longer has passed since the first Oyster Shooter was downed in San Francisco, but both institutions are still quite beloved, as evidenced by my enthusiastic crowd of friends. On this particular evening almost 20 people showed up to enjoy the friendly ambiance of the restaurant and to try the novel combination of alcohol and mollusk. Obviously, much merriment was had by all. The warm and friendly ambiance of the restaurant combined with the delicious food and tangy shooters made for a great night. If you are looking to experience a bit of Pittsburgh history and to have a great time while you are at it, definitely head on down to the Original Oyster House, and make sure to have an Oyster Shooter while you are there. I promise, it's worth the experience.

Written by Pittsburgh Real Estate Group. Our site provides a search of Pittsburgh PA real estate along with a Pittsburgh Real Estate Blog

Why Pittsburgh?

But really, what else is there to say? THE SANDWICHES HERE HAVE FRENCH FRIES ON THEM. This is news that should be shouted from the rooftops. And in a smaller voice it should be shouted: AND COLESLAW!

via www.pittsburghrealestategroup.com

Twilight Market debuts

Locally grown food celebrated on the North Side

A starting tomorrow, a sweet little park in the Mexican War Streets is getting sweeter.

Starting at 4 p.m., The Twilight Market will debut on the sidewalk surrounding Mechanics Retreat Park (pictured) on the corner of Buena Vista and Jacksonia Streets. There, the fruits of the Allegheny Market House Cooperative will be offered amid a joyous atmosphere. TTM will continue every Saturday throughout the summer. The outdoor market will be lit up into the night by small enclosed fires and there will be local musicians strumming in the background. Each week there will be guest food producers and live entertainment. The market will close at 8 p.m.

"Basically we are trying to create community atmosphere," said Megan Cook, market manager of Twilight. "We’d love for people to grab their bottle of wine on a Saturday evening, bring it down to the market, and hang out with their neighbors – all while having access to purchase locally grown or produced foods."

The market is part of the Allegheny Market House Co-op Membership Drive and they hope to encourage people "to eat locally by having them taste the difference, then join as members of the AMHC to help further support local eating."

The idea of the market, said Cook, is "not to create a bustling, commerce-based environment, but rather a community gathering where we can all talk about the neighborhood and enjoy the benefits of eating locally."

Brad Spencer, also involved with the project, added, "Megan is working on bringing old time milk bottles back to the neighborhood and we are also working on bringing meat suppliers. This is our first week at it but we are determined to make the market above and beyond everyone’s expectations. People should be amazed at what is happening at Twilight Market each week and we will work to make it so."

The group is partnering with Beleza Community Coffeehouse to "get their products out the door and into the neighborhood." They are also looking for local acoustic musicians to play at the market. If interested, email Cook at [email protected].

For more more info about eating locally, visit Cook's website where you can find a copy of Pittsburgh’s Local Food Guide.

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