Afternoon Commute

At the prom on Friday night, DJ Ill (@djILL215) played this song, and I fell in love with it immediately. In fact, I downloaded it while he was spinning it, and then listened to it on repeat the entire way home. It's the perfect song to get anyone moving and grooving and breaking it dahn during an afternoon commute. Enjoy!

Song: "Blurred Lines"
Artists: Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharell

Hold Off On Rumfish Grille (For Now)

Tucked in the far left corner of Bridgeville's Great Southern Shopping Center is a work in progress, Rumfish Grille (1155 Washington Pike, 15017). With four seasoned diners on my side, we attempted to get the full Rumfish Grille experience last night for a late dinner, and despite our favorable reviews of the decor, the meal and the service were underwhelming. As the rest of this review will explain, Rumfish Grille is consistently inconsistent.

Upon entering Rumfish Grille, one cannot help but notice the careful attention to detail. There is an abundance of bar seating around the actual bar, around the raw bar, and around the open kitchen. In addition, there are low top tables and large booths, both standard and rounded. This large amount of seating is critical as Rumfish doesn't take reservations. There is a combination of both natural light (which will open up to the outdoor patio that's under construction) and electric light that comes from four different kinds of fixtures that coordinate tastefully (I love the table top lamps on the actual bar and the strung old-fashioned light bulbs across the dining area). Along with bamboo, the interior is a blend of vertical lines in a variety of textures... stone, wood, and fabric that mesh to create a welcoming and unique atmosphere, especially for the suburbs.

Bamboo accents that add style without cliché

The view from the back of our booth: the actual bar and raw bar

The view from the front of our booth: the open kitchen and more bar seating

Needless to say, the decor of Rumfish Grille elevated our expectations, which were already high from looking at their online menu earlier in the day. Between the five of us, we started with Octopus ($12, potato, red onion, smoked paprika, arugula and aioli), two orders of Steamed Mussels ($8 each, a basil wine broth and a green curry-coconut broth, grilled bread slice), and Lobster Bisque ($8, sherry cream). The Octopus was undercooked in its thickest part of the tentacle, the aioli was bland, and the red onion dominated the potato salad garnish. Only the thinnest tip of the tentacle achieved the perfect of exterior crispness and internal warmth that I've come to prefer when eating this particular seafood. As for the mussels, we all liked both broths, but enjoyed the basil wine option more. The portions were plentiful, and quite nice for sharing. The Lobster Bisque was loaded with lobster, and the sherry cream added a nice layer. Although a bit pricey for an individual appetizer, this soup was worth every penny.

Octopus

Steamed Mussels

Lobster Bisque

For our entrees, one choose the Chef's Feature, Rumfish Stew ($20, lobster-saffron broth, clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, fresh fish), while the others opted for the "create your own" experience in which the diner chooses a protein, a vegetable, a starch, and a sauce. Here are the combinations ($19 each) that we ordered:

• Tuna, Green Beans, Risotto, Ponzu sauce 
• Tuna, Grilled Corn, Risotto, Ponzu sauce 
• Sea Bass, Grilled Corn, Risotto, Ponzu sauce 
• Hanger, Grilled Corn, Mac 'n Cheese, Red Pepper Cream Sauce 

The Rumfish Stew was tasty and very large, and we would recommend it for sharing rather than as an individual entree (unless of course you have an insatiable appetite). The Tuna and Sea Bass were prepared nicely, albeit the sauce selections came on the side rather than on the protein. Unfortunately, the Hanger wasn't the desired medium, and was closer to "Pittsburgh rare" than anything, so much so that the beef juices nearly spoiled the Grilled Corn on the plate. Speaking of vegetables, the Grilled Corn was done well, as were the Green Beans. As for the starches, the Risotto was bland and needed a dose of spice; while the Mac 'n Cheese pasta had both a nice texture and pleasing light, cheesy flavor. The Ponzu sauce isn't detailed on the menu, but our waitress described it as a "fruity teriyaki," which was accurate. This sauce is our recommendation if ordering fish from the "create your own" portion of the menu. The Red Pepper Cream Sauce sufficed on the Hanger.

Mac 'n Cheese

When it came to service, this might be where the biggest inconsistencies were the most evident. The staff was friendly and kind; yet, we waited for significant amounts of time to order, to receive orders, and for our checks. For instance, we waited for ten minutes to be served our initial waters, and our cocktails ($8.5) took even longer, only to be inaccurate (rum and tequila aren't really substitutes in certain drinks). That was disappointing. Also, the food runners were not synchronized with our waitress. For instance, the Lobster Bisque was delivered without a spoon and we had to ask the cooks from the open kitchen to find us one, which wouldn't have been too problematic if we hadn't had to ask for silverware again once the appetizers came. All of this can be fixed with time and practice.

Lastly, it must be noted that Rumfish Grille clearly has good intentions of bringing fresh fish and a fresh vibe to the South Hills. Despite the inconsistencies in overall quality of dining and service, I look forward to their improvements once the dust settles.

(2.5 stars, 2.5/4)

Another Good Cause

In the early months of our dating phase, JTP and I went to Cleveland for a quick weekend away. One of the places on our agenda was Michael Symon's Lola Bistro (2058 East 4th Street, downtown Cleveland). Since it was just the two of us, we sat at the bar, where we met an incredibly amiable bartender named Dan Rogan. We got to know him a bit as our meal progressed, and by the end of the night he had invited us to meet up with him and some friends at another bar in downtown Cleveland for karaoke. So we did, and it was a blast (Dan and I sang Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and I butchered it beyond recognition).  Consequently, we became facebook friends... and if we lived closer to Cleveland, I am quite sure that we would be seeing each other more often.

Now facebook is a funny thing in that it drives me crazy, but I cannot deny its value. This brings me to the point of today's post. Yesterday, via facebook, I discovered that Dan Rogan has cancer. And it hurt my heart. He may not have realized it at the time, but JTP and I really appreciated the vitality that he added to that evening in Cleveland... a vitality that cancer is trying to take away.

Fortunately, there is a way to help Dan. With the support of the service industry in Cleveland, Dan is hosting an "Ultimate Cancer Meet & Greet" this Sunday at the House of Blues. For a donation of $20, you can help Dan "Kick Cancer's Ass!" If you cannot make it to the event, you can send donations and thoughtful gestures to: 2513 East 126th Street, Cleveland, OH 44120. All of the information is listed below.  

And to Dan- 
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cheers to you, friend. 
XOXO
-HGB

Afternoon Commute

One of my favorite family members thought that The Beach Boys and their "tunes" (as he would refer to songs) were "pretty sweet." Today is his birthday and mixed with significantly warmer temperatures, it seems fitting that for our afternoon commute, we jam ahhhht to this iconic band.

Song: "When I Grow Up to Be a Man"
Artist: The Beach Boys

Song: "Kokomo"

Song: "Wouldn't It Be Nice"

Kennywood According To PSB

I have been to Kennywood Amusement Park more times with my mother PSB than any other person, and while there with her, I have accumulated a lifetime of wonderful memories. Several of those times were on Mother's Day, including a great trip to the park yesterday to celebrate her with MAB.

As I walked around the park yesterday, I realized that it's time (and possibly overdue) that The Steel Trap's readers learn a thing or ten about Kennywood (and ultimately life) according to PSB. Please note that nobody I've ever met does Kennywood as well as my mother, and therefore yinz should take the following tidbits as gospel.

1. Be prompt. Whether you are going on a regular season day, Phantom Fright Nights, or Holiday Lights, you must be there before the gates open. 
2. When you get into the park, prioritize. Go directly to the ride that means the most. The line will be shortest at that point and you will start off your day with pure fun. This also ensures that you get to ride your favorite ride before inclement weather and/or mechanical problems. 
3. Dress practically and comfortably. This does not mean that you can dress like a ragamuffin. Avoid white. Wear sunscreen. As in any situation, fanny packs are optimal yet optional. Cross body purses are an accepted substitute. 
4. Don't waste your money on any games unless you are guaranteed a prize. This limits you to two things: Fish Pond and Skee Ball, where your efforts will always be rewarded no matter how much "skill" or lack of "skill" you possess. 
5. Put smaller riders on the outside. That way the larger riders can squish them into fits of giggles (with the help of centrifugal force of course). This method works well on Musik Express, the Thunderbolt, and the Kangaroo.  
6. Wear your seat belt and lap bar tightly, put your arms up all the way, and yell with glee. If you are riding with a tiny person on the Jack Rabbit, put your leg over his/hers. That double-dip drop will get yinz every time. 
7. Don't forget to see the forest through the trees the nostalgia through the attractions. Kennywood is brimming with charm if you take the time to experience it and embrace the history of the park. 
8. If you get lost, meet at the Mushroom. 
9. Travel with a buddy that has similar interests as you. 
10. You must end the day with a sweet treat. This should be a Kennywood Dip Cone (chocolate dipped and peanut covered vanilla ice cream cone with a cherry on top) from The Golden Nugget, but cotton candy, Dippin' Dots (MAB's favorite), a candy apple or homemade fudge will suffice. 

With that in mind, I wish a happy Kennywood season to all of yinz! May your memories be as perfect as mine, and may your mother's advice be almost as great!