20140212 shliving

The food issue!

How Roberto Clemente, photography & wine came together Comfort food + good company at Bob’s Diner

Duane Rieder & Nino Tolomeo FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014 A FREE BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION

22

contents February / March 2014

features 14 Point, Click, Sip

Take a tour of Engine House 25 – it houses a photography studio, winery and a Roberto Clemente Museum.

18 City of Wine

Believe it or not, Pittsburgh has a

number of offerings to satisfy your palate.

22 Sunny Side Up

Start your morning with coffee, breakfast and friendship at Bob’s Diner.

28 14

in every issue 6 From the editor 10 Calendar of events 12 Photo album 26 Neighborhood favorites 28 Gardening 30 Historical flashback

4 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

HOME EQUITY AND MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS IN MINUTES

APPLY ONLINE www.communitybank.tv

Community Bank Stock Symbol CBFV

from the editor I katie green

Food, glorious food Few things bring us together more than food does.

Think about it – the holidays are celebrated with large family dinners, date night typically includes a meal, we do business over lunch, and Sunday brunch has become an event of its own. With that in mind, we decided to dedicate this issue to food, glorious food. We got Walnut Grill executive chef Randy Simpson to share the recipe for his delicious parmesean crusted chicken and gnocci with us, and from now on, we’ll be featuring a recipe from a different area restaurant in each issue.

We also got the back story of Bob’s Diner – which has locations in Kennedy Township, Imperial, Carnegie, and coming this spring, Upper St. Clair – from Bob Marshall himself.

And what goes better with a good meal than wine? Staff writer Allison Duratz shows us that while Pittsburgh isn’t the next Napa, we certainly have plenty of options when it comes to vino around here. She also visited an old fire house in Lawrenceville owned by Upper St. Clair resident and photographer Duane Rieder – the space is home to a wine cellar, photography studio and a Roberto Clemente Museum. Take a tour on page 14.

Cheers,

Published bi-monthly by Observer Publishing Company South Hills 2600 Boyce Road Plaza, Suite 142 Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 724.941.7725 Washington 122 S. Main Street Washington, PA 15301 724.222.2200 Greene County 32 Church Street Waynesburg, PA 15370 724.852.2602 PUBLISHER Thomas P. Northrop DIRECTOR OF NEWS Lucy Northrop Corwin EDITOR Katie Green ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Matt Miller CONTRIBUTORS Deana Carpenter, Allison Duratz, Lorraine Gregus, Megan Wylie Ruffing

On the cover

Katie Green

Duane Rieder and Nino Tolomeo at Engine House 25. Courtesy Rieder Photography.

6 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

Hearing is the doorway to our heart...

Hearing at family gatherings and noisy events can be difficult, but state of the art digital hearing technology will keep you in the conversation! Make one of your goals this year to improve your hearing. It’s an investment in yourself, your life and your family!

“If The Eyes Are The Window To The Soul, Then Surely The Ears Are The Doorway To The Heart.”

Let us help you HEAR, in YOUR heart of hearts.

Visit our Audiologists during this special event for a complimentary diagnostic hearing evaluation and demonstration of today’s cutting edge technology!

At Swift Audiology our commitment to service is prevalent in everything we do.

• Complimentary diagnostic hearing assessment and individualized treatment plan for your hearing loss.

• Personal demonstration of the latest digital technology (wide variety of options offered) • 45 day No Risk Trials and a 90 day exchange for satisfactory hearing results guaranteed.

• Free Batteries with purchase (for 4 years advanced and 5 years premium) Save hundreds!

• Extended three year warranty including loss and damage.

Convenient, personalized and outstanding patient care is our commitment to ensure patient satisfaction. Call us for your free consultation to find out more.

Today’s Hearing Aids are so discreet, no one even knows you’re wearing them! Almost 90% of the population with hearing loss have sensori neural (nerve loss) and hearing aids are the solution.

If you have resisted wearing hearing aids, but struggle daily within your family or social life, let us help you investigate your best hearing solutions. You will be amazed at your options of lower prices with improved technology like never before. Take a few minutes of your time to be tested so you can truly enjoy the new year with your loved ones. Do it for them! After all, who is more important to you in your life.

Call to schedule your complimentary, no pressure, no obligation, diagnostic Hearing Test and Demonstration.

Try Lyric Extended Wear for a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! (No obligation)

Daily wear hearing instruments: Save $400 per pair off Mid and Premium level technology Dr. Janelle Kisiday Leslie Dunst Debra Swift, BC-HIS Tammy Swift Au.D., Dr of Audiology Original Founding President MS-CCCA, Pa-HIS Senior Audiologist Over 25 Years in Practice Certified Lyric Professional

(Beyond our recent $1,200 reduction per pair) Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or on previous purchases.

Expires February 28, 2014

www.swiftaudiology.com Washington

& HEARING AID SERVICE

Over 25 years as Your Preferred Hearing Healthcare Providers

2107 N. Franklin Dr. Washington, PA 15301 (Washington Eye Center)

724-222-9010

Peters Township 3035 Washington Rd. McMurray, PA 15317

North Hills

5900 Corporate Dr. Ste. 260 Pittsburgh, PA 15237

(Dr. Feuer/Happel Laser Bldg.) (McCandless Corporate Center)

724-942-4700

412-364-8338

SHL021214

“Hearing - Why Does It Matter So Much?” The True Story: By

Founder - Debra Swift

If you were fortunate to have a Grandmother like mine, YOU were truly blessed! As a child I couldn’t wait to spend the weekend at my Grandparents house. Simple things like cocoa with melting marshmallows to dunk my toast, or a cantaloupe filled with vanilla ice cream. The best homemade raisin filled cookies in the world! Meals that were always so delicious you never wanted to leave the table! Easter bonnets, white paten leather shoes, little white gloves and the cutest little Easter dresses with coats to match! That’s what my Gram provided for her 5 Granddaughter’s at Easter. Little bow tie and vest for her one Grandson. I would cry when my Mom came to take me home. (I am blessed with a great Mother too). My Gram would always defend me no matter what; and above ALL ELSE, made me feel like the most special person in the world until she passed at 91 years of age.

She did this for all of her family. She was there for all of us and at 4 ft. 10in., she

was the strongest woman I had ever known.

Spiritually, emotionally and physically like many people in her era, she worked so hard, both inside and outside of the home. For over 45 years, she worked at Channelock in Meadville lifting heavy trays of tools, would go home, plant a large garden, canned and froze the vegetables, not only for herself, but the entire family and neighbors. I cherish my memories of picking berries with her even though at the time I disliked it, but knew it made her happy. I called her back yard “The Garden of Edith”, because of her beautiful

flower gardens and trees. She would feed the deer and turkeys, and she looked so cute in her little holly hobby boots, coat and hat, carrying the buckets of grain out to the edge of the woods. She would bake and cook for her church to earn money for a new edition to the building, to the point of me taking an SUV with the back seat down, loading it full of food! She grew up on a farm in a family of 10 children, and lost her Mother at a very young age. Edith and her sister Edna outlived their siblings and were the best of friends. They did so much for family in need and their churches, that one feels they could never live up to their examples.

THE POINT OF THIS STORY IS: No matter what they did for others, nothing else mattered more than the time they spent talking with us, sharing their hearts and their wisdom.

“Que Serra Serra” my Gram would say when faced with hard times. “Stress, what do they mean, Stress?” She had to care for my Grandfather who had severe gout, a tracheotomy, and was on oxygen for a very long time. She would get up in the middle of the night and every 4-5 hours tend to his needs.

Sterilizing equipment, changing gauze and wraps, and nursed him at home until the end, and viewed it as something she was supposed to do. Never complained about it, and was always our “Rock.

When I was going through a difficult divorce, I traveled 2 hours each way, almost every weekend, to be with my Grandmother.

She never judged, always listened and of course, was in my corner. It was the talking.

The communication - heart to heart sharing.

This is why ”Hearing those we love” matters so much.

As a Hearing Healthcare Provider, I kept my Grandmother wearing hearing aids for over 25 years. She remained active, sharp and clear minded and could talk to me like my best friend. At the age of 90 my Grandmother suffered a mini stroke that affected her ability to process and communicate well. It immediately created a wall and barrier around her, and was heart wrenching for me to see her frustration and inability to communicate.

There was nothing I could do to help her!! She Advertisement

Swift Audiology Hearing Healthcare Professionals (Debra Swift third from left) could hear, but not well, even with hearing aids. She could talk but not really communicate fully in a conversation. She withdrew.

Never before in my career, did I fully realize the impact of one’s hearing in their life.

Never did I realize how our quality of life was so greatly impacted by one’s ability to communicate and to stay in touch with people and the world. Never did I think there would be such a wall between my Gram and myself.

I had spent a lifetime studying and observing hearing loss through our patients. I witnessed their improvements through wearing hearing aids, both cognitively and emotionally, through clinical verification, and in their stories. However I did not experience the pain of hearing loss until it involved my dearest friend and myself.

I did experience the benefit of maintaining “Good Hearing” through wearing Hearing Instruments and the value they provided in my Gram’s life. The impact she had on my life and on the lives of my family, was enormous for those 25 years. How sad it would have been if we missed out on those wonderful years we shared with her in close, heart to heart communication. How thankful we all are, for the “gift of better hearing”. Hearing aids, along with Professional Care and Services, offer an active and “in touch” way of life.

If you are a Grandparent with Grandchildren of any age, never underestimate the valuable role you play in their lives by communicating with them. Maintain your cognition by feeding your brain with all of the information it needs to stay sharp. A hearing evaluation by a qualified Hearing Healthcare Professional, will give you the information and guidance you need for help with your hearing.

“If the Eyes are the window to the soul, then surely our Ears are the doorway to our heart” THIS IS WHY OUR HEARING MATTERS SO MUCH! For more information or to schedule a complimentary diagnostic hearing test, please call 724-222-9010.

SHL021214-2

what’s happening I calendar of events 2.14-17 Pittsburgh International Auto Show

2.24 Italian Beef Stew Cooking Class

David L. Lawrence Convention Center pittautoshow.com

Merante Brothers Market,Canonsburg 724.743.5900

2.14 Fourth Annual Hearts & Jokers Valentine’s Celebration

2.28 Masquerade: The 2014 Charity Ball

Sheraton Station Square Hotel pittsburghwinefestival.com

Benefitting Washington Health System Children’s Therapy Center Southpointe Golf Club 724.223.3875

3.12 Pittsburgh Muscle Team Event

Bella Sera Venue, Canonsburg 724.745.5575

2.20 Italian Desserts: Biscotti vs. Fritters Cooking Class Crate Cooking School, Green Tree 412.341.5700

2.22 Winter Wine Festival Trax Farms, Finleyville traxfarms.com Read more on page TK!

3.1 Washington & Mon Valley Heart Ball Benefitting the American Heart Association Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe 412.208.3577

3.2 Fourth Annual Cookies4Chris Luncheon & Vendor Show Benefitting Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation South Hills Country Club, Whitehall 412.885.2374

3.6-4.6 “An Iliad” Pittsburgh Public Theater O’Reilly Theater, Cultural District ppt.org

3.6 12th Annual Crushed Grapes Wine Tasting Benefitting Sisters Place U.S. Steel Tower, Downtown 412.233.3903

3.7-16 Duquesne Light Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show David L. Lawrence Convention Center pghhome.com

3.8 JCC Big Night 2014: Game On

Benefitting the Muscular Dystrophy Association Heinz Field 412.823.3094

3.19 March Mega Event with The Pittsburgh Social Exchange, Southpointe CEO Association and Peters Township Chamber of Commerce Southpointe Golf Club peterstownshipchamber.com

3.21-22 Eighth Annual Farm to Table Conference

David L. Lawrence Convention Center farmtotablepa.com

3.29 Fourth Annual Comedy Night

Benefitting Mainstay Life Services Cefalo’s Banquet & Event Center, Carnegie 412.344.3640

4.11 16th Annual All-Star Celebrity Roast Benefitting the Mel Blount Youth Home Wyndham Grand Downtown Hotel 724.948.2311

4.12 Rainbow Gala

Benefitting Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh 412.471.1414 x7

Jewish Community Center, Squirrel Hill jccpgh.org

4.25 Taste of the Township

3.10 and 3.24 Ravioli Cooking Class

Benefitting Peters Township Public Library Valley Brook Country Club 724.941.9430

Merante Brothers Market, Canonsburg 724.743.5900 10 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

3.11 Pittsburgh Wine Festival Seminars: French Wines Made Easy (to Understand)

photo ALBUM Photos by LORRAINE GREGUS

Symphony of Food It was a foodie’s paradise at Bella Sera Event Venue for WOMEN of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Annyal Symphony of Food – A Chef’s Showcase. Fine fare was prepared by chefs from Giant Eagle Market District, Bistecca Steakhouse, La Tavola Italiana, il Burloni, Angelo’s, Piccolina’s and Country Confections Chocolates. Monica Saporito and Donna Nardine co-chaired, and WTAE-TV’s Sally Wiggin emceed. The organization has raised $300,000 for women and children in need since its inception.

Market District Executive Chef Raymond Wesolowski, il Burloni Executive Chef Rob Bernoski

Rich and Marianne Ferris, Mary Stark

Mime and magician Dan Kamin 12 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

La Tavola Italiana Restaurant owners Giuseppe and Carmela Giaramita

John and Carol Bevec

Monica Saporito, Sally Wiggin, Donna Nardine, Cathy Shader

Budd Baer

Certified Service 30-DAY PRICE MATCH ON TIRES BUY SELECT TIRES AND IF YOU FIND A BETTER PRICE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PURCHASE, WE’LL REFUND THE DIFFERENCE.* Eligible Tire Brands: BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Harkook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli and Uniroyal *Ad, written estimate or internet quote for identical tire(s) from a local competing tire retailer /installer located with 50 miles of the dealer required during guarantee period for price match.

THE HONEST DEALER

Exit 19A Off I-79/70 Rt. 19S, 71 Murtland Ave. Wash., PA.

(724) 222-0700

www.buddbaer.com

Point, Click, Sip How Duane Rieder combined photography, wine and No. 21 into a livelihood

P

BY ALLISON DURATZ I PHOTOS COURTESY RIEDER PHOTOGRAPHY

hotography, wine and Roberto Clemente are not things that would typically be associated with each other. But, thanks to a series of serendipitous coincidences, the three have come together and led Duane Rieder to where he is today.

14 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

The Upper St. Clair resident owns Engine House 25, a renovated fire station on Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville. He purchased the 12,000 square foot dilapidated property in 1994 to house his thriving photography business. Today, the building is home to Rieder Photography, Engine House 25 Wines and The Roberto Clemente Museum, where antiques and memorabilia Rieder has acquired over his 52 years are dispersed throughout all three levels.

When Rieder needed a respite from photography 21 years ago, he began making wine with his close friend and neighbor, Nino Tolomeo, in Friendship. At the time, winemaking was a hobby and actually owning a winery was merely an afterthought.

All that changed when Rieder moved a few barrels of wine from the Upper St. Clair farmhouse he and his wife, Kate, had purchased, which was built in 1800.

“The basement was dirt,” he says. “We started digging it out by hand. Because it took a couple of months, I brought my wine here. All of a sudden everyone was like, ‘Wow, this is cool. This could be a wine cellar.’”

When Reed Smith wanted to turn the studio into a winery for a shoot, Rieder’s photography and winemaking became intertwined. “I made Nino a label for his wine in 1993. Everybody in Bloomfield saw his wine and his whole family wanted a label. Then, I made a label for my own wine and called it ‘Nino’s Neighbor’s Vino’ because he taught me the grassroots of it, how to make the dago red.”

Soon, Rieder was snagging photography gigs in Napa and Sonoma, shooting

A portion of the wine cellar and tasting room at Engine House 25 Winery.

for Kendal Jackson and Murphy Good. “I’m going out there and photographing these winemakers and spending time at Mondavi and Beaulieu Vineyard, and I’m learning while I’m there,” Rieder says. “I decided that’s what I wanted to make, not the dago red. I wanted to elevate to Robert Mondavi’s reserves, so I started asking questions. Then, I’d take my wine out and put labels with my own photographs on the bottles. That’s the reason this grew so large.”

Around that same time, while Rieder was renovating the fire house, he was hired to shoot a Roberto Clemente calendar. The Pittsburgh Pirate legend and humanitarian died in a plane crash at the age of 38, just off the coast of Nicaragua while on his way to deliver supplies to survivors of an earthquake there.

Enter a few more coincidences. “One, Roberto Clemente only drank homemade red wine, dago red, made by an Italian up in the Hill District. He died on New Year’s Eve, 1972.

The firemen moved out of Engine House 25

on New Year’s Eve, 1972,” Rieder says.

When he flew to Puerto Rico and saw how poor his wife, Vera, was – driving a junky car, her house falling apart and memorabilia getting ruined – Rieder wondered how he could help. The answer was through photography.

He salvaged a red binder filled with photos found floating in a puddle at the Clemente home, and constructed an archive. “I started bringing the photos that were ruined back here, and started looking for the negatives.”

Rieder has spent approximately $100,000 on Clemente negatives, photos and other small pieces. One of the most stunning images displayed is a larger-than-life photograph of Clemente with what looks like angel wings, but is actually a cloud. “That’s a real image. It wasn’t altered,” explains Rieder. “If that image doesn’t get you to look at Roberto Clemente in a different light, nothing will. That’s how he died – helping people.”

The Clemente family has donated a large selection of personal items on loan to the museum for public viewing.

The museum boasts documents, photo-

graphs and memorabilia form Clemente’s life, including two Gold Glove Awards, two World Series rings, a Silver Bat Award, cleats and a World Series home plate, a collection of Pittsburgh Pirate team bats, a contract negotiation document, documentation and photographs from Clemente’s military career, the last jersey Clemente wore (San Juan jersey), plus more than 300 photographs and personal items including a Clemente hand-glazed vase, one of Clemente’s pinstriped suits and family photos. Rieder even has the propeller from the plane in which Clemente perished on display.

“I have to put it away when Roberto Jr. comes to visit, because he doesn’t want to see it, but Vera wants it here,” Rieder explains.

All the while, Rieder’s wine business continued to flourish. For 10 years, he continued to do mailings of his wine, researching the person’s interests and matching up a label, then adding a story and a link to his photography website to a hang tag on the bottle.

“It wasn’t about the wine at that time, it was SOUTH HILLS LIVING 15

more about getting them to go to the website,” explains Rieder, who would mail two bottles – one to save and one to drink. Suddenly, calls began pouring in from all over the country, asking if the wine was available for purchase. But, without a license, Rieder was unable to sell it.

Then, in December of 2008, when the state liquor law prohibiting wine not made from Pennsylvania grapes to be sold in the state changed, doors opened for Rieder, and

by March of 2009, he had his license.

“I probably would have never even tried to get the license had it not been for my wife,” Rieder says. “She was on me for 10 years in a row for giving the wine away as a promo. Two weeks later, I’m set up at the Wine Festival at Heinz Field, and it just kind of exploded. You go to these wine fests and they’re very controlled. Most people don’t even work for the winery. I have my barrels and my photography and labels with Franco Harris and everybody’s like, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ and everybody’s hanging out at my booth.”

When Rieder first learned winemaking from Tolomeo, it was using Tolomeo’s grandfather’s recipe, what Rieder calls the “Plowman’s Lunch” of wines. “It was real simple stuff. They bought cheap grapes.

I’m the first person to bring grapes from Napa and Sonoma here. No one was shipping grapes from Napa to Pittsburgh back

16 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, until I started doing it in the ’90s.”

Rieder imports grapes from California and Chili. Twenty-five tons of grapes are crushed and de-stemmed, then pressed by three to four people on a simple, wooden wine press, two times per year. “We try to keep it as traditional, as old-fashioned as possible,” Rieder says. “I even hate having stainless tanks, but it’s only for holding the wine while we’re bottling it.”

Rieder buys the best barrels – all oak – made from trees from Greene County, and finished in Australia. “I do this out of love,” he says. “My quest is to make the best wine you can make with the limitations we have.

So many wineries are adding so many chemicals. We don’t add sulfates to our wine.”

Everything, he says, from start to finish, is done by hand.

Rieder formed The Clemente Society, an exclusive organization that benefits underprivileged children in the area. There is one requirement in joining the group – members purchase barrels of privately labeled wine then donate a portion to various fundraisers to support inner city youth. The Society boasts sports celebrities such as Mario Lemieux, Jason Grully, Franco Harris and Carlos Beltron. Actor David Conrad is also a member. He purchased five barrels and donated them all to charity.

The society continues to grow. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is set to become the 41st

member. Pittsburgh Steelers Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and LaMarr Woodley are also thinking of joining.

Barrels don’t come cheap – half barrels cost $5,000 (30 gallons/144 bottles) and full barrels (60 gallons/250 bottles) are priced at $10,000.

Rieder wants celebrities in the organization so that other members can trade bottles.

“It’s kind of a neat little thing,” says Rieder.

“If you want some Franco Harris wine, join our society and you can trade a case of your wine for a case of his labels on your wine without asking him.”

“We store it here, keep it here and label it here when you say you’re ready for it,” says Rieder. “This is something we do for the Clemente family and myself. We have a license to sell these and I can sell them in the liquor store, but I choose not to go into the PLCB because they take 30 percent of the money.

Rieder sells his wine for $50 a bottle and says he can’t keep them labeled fast enough.

Fifteen percent of the museum’s wine, shirt and hat sales are donated to Vera.

“All these things happen every day to me, the coincidences of my life that let me know I’m doing this for a reason.” n

Tours of The Clemente Museum are scheduled by appointment only. For more information, call 412-621-1268, or visit www.clementemuseum.com.

I’m not doing all of this “because the guy got 3,000 hits, I’m doing this because that guy was an unbelievable person.

He gave his life helping poor people. This guy was amazing and we have to tell his story.

”

– Duane Rieder

cutline

City of Wine

Pittsburgh has a slew of offerings for the oenophile

BY ALLISON DURATZ I PHOTOS COURTESY J & D WINE CELLARS

T

hink you have to go to Napa or even Lake Erie Wine Country to taste great wine?

Think again. The Pittsburgh region, while already known for its restaurants, cultural offerings and championship sports teams, is quickly becoming a haven for wine lovers.

Whether you’re looking to tour a vineyard, visit an urban winery, take a class or just sip great wines, Pittsburgh has something for everyone.

18 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

Taste Great Wines/Pittsburgh Wine Festival Wine educator and Pittsburgh native Pete Hanowich leads the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the oldest, most prestigious food and wine society in the world. The Pittsburgh Bailliage offers six Black Tie events each year and several casual afternoons. For a list of upcoming events, visit www.chainepittsburgh.org.

Hanowich also currently partners with the Pittsburgh Wine Festival to offer local seminars year-round. Now in its 12th year, the Pittsburgh Wine Festival will be held May 8 at Heinz Field, featuring 165 vendors and more than 500 different wines. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.pittsburghwinefestival.com.

The Pittsburgh Wine Festival and Hanowich also offer an ongoing Wine Seminar Series through Taste Great Wines. For more information on upcoming seminars, visit www.blacktie-pittsburgh.com.

Trax Farms

J & D Cellars

Nestled in a little corner of Trax Farm Market in Finleyville is a quaint little wine shop and satellite store for Arrowhead Wine Cellars. Offering 32 different varietals including white, blush, sparkling, red, fruit and ice wines from the Lake Erie region winery, Trax Farms Wine Shop has something to please even the pickiest pallate. Peruse the shop and pick up a wine accessory or two. Cookbooks, drink mixes, wine racks, gift bags, whimsical wine glasses and more can be found in addition to gift baskets. A Wine of the Month club offers special wines at discounted prices for members. Free tastings are offered daily, with a $2 charge for ice wines.

None of the wines are priced over $15, with the exception of ice wines, which can be purchased for $39.99 – considerably less than others in the area.

On Feb. 22, Trax will hold its second annual Winter Wine Festival. The event, which takes place from noon-5 p.m., will feature seven award-winning Western Pennsylvania wineries – Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Christian Klay, La Vigneta Winery, Ripepi, Greenhouse, Kavic and J&D Cellars. “We stick with local wineries so people can visit them if they want,” said Jeff Dascenzo, Trax Wine Shop manager. The event, he added, is held in the green house. Only 800 people will be admitted. There will also be food and craft vendors and live bluegrass music by Shelf Life String Band. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the event. For more information, visit www.traxfarms.com.

After shelling out $500 on wine 10 years ago during a trip to the Finger Lakes region of New York, John Husk and Dot Harvison did what most people only dream of – they started a winery.

“We decided we needed to find a cheaper way to enjoy good wine, so we started making our own,” says John, who did a lot of reading and sought advice from local wine makers. “As my success grew, my craving for knowledge about the subject grew.”

A small batch winery set amongst 16 picturesque acres in Eighty Four, J&D Cellars pays close attention to each barrel it makes.

At any given time, at least 15 different wines are available in a small tasting room located in the basement of the couple’s log home.

“Our tasting room can hold about a dozen people, and our main feature is our rustic outdoor seating area that can accommodate another two dozen,” says John. “Our guests love to buy a bottle of wine and sit outside and enjoy the country view.”

The grapes for J&D’s sweet wines are cultivated on an acre of the couple’s vineyard.

“When Mother Nature does not cooperate, we buy juice from the Lake Erie area and sometimes from other local wineries.” J&D’s dry wines, however, come from the valley just east of Napa, Calif., and are crushed, destemmed and fermented on-site. A stainless steel press the couple just purchased allows a half ton of grapes to be pressed at one time.

Sweet wines start at $10, dry and semisweet whites are $12, and dry reds run $15$20.

J&D Cellars, which produces 3,000 gallons of wine each year, has won several awards in the home winemaker category, including five silver medals in California and a Best of Show at the Washington County Fair.

J&D Cellars can be found at many local events, including Trax Farm’s Wine Festival, Wine and Jazz in the Park, American Cancer Society Dinner Dance, Hearth Foundation Dinners, Washington Main Street Farmers’ Market, Eighty Four Farmers’ Market and Bedners Farmers’ Market.

Free tastings are offered at the Eighty Four location as well as Central Theater Wine Shoppe in Herminie, near Greensburg. For more information, call 724-579-9897, or visit jndcellars.com.

R Wine Cellar This family-owned urban winery located in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District celebrates its second year in May. While the location’s limited space prohibits Steve and Kathleen Russell from crushing grapes on-site, Kathleen explained that all other aspects of making hand-crafted wines are done at the winery. The Russell’s sanitize, ferment, test, blend, taste, filter, cork, cap and label at the Smallman Street location.

The couple’s interest in wine and winemaking stems from much travel, to places like Borduax and Napa. From there, Kathleen and Steve began making small batches at home.

Their interest grew when Steve, a stay-athome dad after retiring from Russell Industries, a family-owned business, wanted to build a new career. “We wanted to do a family project and do something that we had a passion for,” says Kathleen, who did a great deal of world travel, to places like Hong Kong, Dubai and London, as president of Nu/Hart hair clinics. “I wanted to travel less

and focus on a business in Pittsburgh. Three years ago, I emailed Steve with ‘let’s open an urban winery in Pittsburgh.’ Steve emailed back, ‘OK.’ It was an easy decision for us.

“We have always told our children that they need to do something they are passionate about – follow your bliss,” Kathleen says.

“We decided we had to follow our own advice and lead by example.”

Kathleen is currently transitioning to R Wine Cellar, where Steve works seven days per week while finishing his education as a vintner. All four of their children, Thomas, 23, Margaret, 20, Connor, 19, and Fiona, 14, help out at the winery. Margaret and Fiona both have wines named after them.

“It is truly an art and labor of love,” Kathleen adds.

Grapes come from the Traminette region of Lake Erie, as well as California and South America. In addition to pinots, chardonnays, cabernets, merlots and riesling, R Wine Cellar offers three signature wines: Fiona Peach Chardonnay; Margaret Apple, Spice and Everything Nice; and Gluhwein, a red spice wine inspired by the German Christmas festivals and served hot. Wines are under $20 a bottle. “These are wines to drink and enjoy,” says Kathleen. “We drink wine all the time and you don’t do that with expensive wines.”

Currently, R Wine Cellar supplies its wines to Papa J’s and The Priory, among others. More locations are in the works.

R Wine Cellar focuses on small batches of signature hand-crafted wines. Free wine tastings are offered during normal business hours, or schedule a private tasting.

For more information, visit www.rwinecellar.com.

Dreadnought Wines Learn. Shop. Drink. That’s the slogan of Dreadnought Wines, an importer and distributor located in Pittsburgh’s Historic Strip District.

Celebrating 35 years this April, Dreadnought Wines gets its name from a class of SOUTH HILLS LIVING 19

We’re Investing In The Building Blocks For A Good Life We invite you to join us.

Help build a strong community and stable, independent families

of Washington County

590 Washington Rd., Suite 200 Washington, PA 15301 724-225-3310 www.unitedwaywashco.org

Call Dean’s Water... to get the best tasting, crystal clear, chemical free water and a free dispenser lease for 6 months.

Buy a total of 24, 5 gallon bottles in the 6 month period and continue with a free lease always. No delivery fees or additional fees of any kind ever. We are in every area every week.

Call 1-800-833-1002, Dean’s Water

DEAN’S WATER 1-800-833-1002

20 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

English ships originally designed to navigate turbulent waters – an homage to the difficulties encountered with the PLCB in the company’s early years.

Since its inception, the company has grown considerably to now include wine classes, Friday Night Flights, gift baskets, custom wine tastings, Wine of the Month Club, and wine consulting & cellar services. Co-owners Mike Gonze and Deb Mortillaro strive to bring great wines and wine and spirit education to the people of Pittsburgh.

When Gonze purchased Dreadnought Wines from his brother, Bob, and Shawn Beck back in 1986, he continued with the company’s mission before partnering with Mortillaro in 1992 and moving to its current location on Penn Avenue in the Strip District.

“Our interest in wine, for both of us, began with our relationship with Dreadnought, and has grown extensively during the years we have been involved,” says Mortillaro, whose chef training from the Culinary Institute of America brings her interest in food and wine to the forefront.

In addition to Dreadnought Wines, which distributes wines from around the world, Gonze and Mortillaro own several other companies relating to wine, including their school, which Mortillaro says is evolving into a school that focuses on spirits and beer as well as wine, a trucking company that is licensed to transport alcohol in PA, and Palate Partners, a retail store that focuses on wine accessories and gift baskets.

Dreadnought Wines offers more than 200 selections of wine, covering most major wine regions of the world and their grape varietals, including France, Italy, Germany, Austria, South America and of course, the United States. Wines sold here are specially chosen

by Gonze, and not ones commonly found in a PA wine store. Prices start at $9/bottle on up to a couple hundred for the high-end wines.

However, wines are not offered for purchase in the store. “To buy wine from us, people have to place an order and pick it up a full two business days later so we can process the order through the state,” Mortillaro explains. PA law requires a $50 minimum wine purchase.

Home delivery is also available.

Dreadnought’s main mission is to educate and inform. Classes range from very casual to certification level, partnering with the American Wine School to offer internationally recognized qualifications from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). Classes cover history of the wine region, characteristics of grape varietals, and the effects of winemaking decisions on the taste of wine, and are geared toward the beginner to the very knowledgeable.

At a recent Wine Science: Food & Wine Pairings class, Dreadnoughts education director, Rob McCaughey, explored how different wines compare, contrast and compliment certain flavors – acid, sweet, spice, salt and fat. The class, he said, provided a “fun, not boring way” to taste wines and become educated as well.

“We also do events for corporations so they can entertain clients or do team building among their employees,” says Mortillaro. A wine and grilling class, she says, is very popular among corporations and includes an outside grilling lesson followed by a wine class that incorporates that night’s food.

The company also offers classes at private homes. “We customize the class to the clients desire. If they want to sit at the dining room table and have a class, we’ll do it. If they want it to be more casual, we’ll do a more casual class. If they want to do it throughout a dinner, we’ll do that, too. It all depends on what the client wants,” Mortillaro says.

Upcoming classes include “Saturday Sipper – Bubbles for your Valentine,” “Wine Science – The Oak Effect,” “Cheese & Wine Pairing with Carol ‘Dear Heart’ Pascuzzi,” and the ever popular “First & Third Friday Casual Wine Class.” A complete class schedule can be found online.

For more information, visit www.dreadnoughtwines.com. n

BUSINESS DIRECTORY W alther’s Hill House Pizza

Corner of Park & W. Maiden Streets, Washington, PA

20 Slices - Pepperoni Pizza $17.00 Tax included Expiration 12-31-14

724-225-8858

Nicely Heating & Air Conditioning

TREASURES

BY LISA Furniture/Home Decor Consignment Shop

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL GAS • OIL • ELECTRIC Humidifiers • Air Cleaners • Heat Pumps

302 Castle Shannon Blvd.

Mt. Lebanon, PA 15234 Tues.-Thur. 10-6 Fri. & Sat. 11-5 Closed Sun. & Mon.

GEOTHERMAL

412-531-2958

Financing Available

treasuresbylisa@hotmail.com www.treasuresbylisa1.com LISA M. FEDERICI, OWNER

724-225-7549 COUPON

ISIMINGER’S 10 MINUTE

GREGG

724-225-9910

CONCRETE

1100 Jefferson Ave., Washington, PA isimingerauto.com FOR COUPONS & MORE

OPEN:

Where we don’t give you time to miss your car.

Mon. - Fri. 8-6 Sat. 8-5

4.00 OFF

$ Not just oil Pennzoil

No appointment necessary.

Not to be used with other coupons or offers.

FULL SERVICE OIL CHANGE With this coupon

COUPON

We’ll Beat Any Written Door Quote ProVia Door Quotes Only

Sales & Installation Residential Replacement Windows & Doors

412-835-4899

MASONRY &

OIL CHANGE CENTER

COUPON

COUPON

PENNZOIL

New & Repairs

Brick, Block, Stone, Drives, Walks, Patios, Pointing, Basement Wall & Chimney Repairs Cleaning & Sealing PA-024106

724-225-9051

Treat Your Home to the Best Replacement Doors & Windows Replace your old, ugly energy wasting doors with our Premium Quality ProVia Entry Doors Smooth & Textured Steel Heritage & Signet Fiberglass Replacement Windows Vinyl, Wood & Fiberglass All Styles Available Insured, PA #7107, BBB A+ Rating

New at

Isiminger 1160 Jefferson Ave., Washington, beside Pennzoil

BUY 5 SAME WASHES GET 1 FREE & 1 FREE ON YOUR BIRTHDAY

PDQ LASER CAR WASH & MARK VII CHOICE WASH Validators accept cash, credit cards or access cards • Open 24 hours

Now 2 Automatic Touch Free Washes for Your Convenience & All New Renovated 3 Self Serve Bays, All New Lighting

“SPLISH SPLASH GIVE YOUR CAR A BATH” ely’s

Pant

NDSCAPING A L FO R LE$$

• Design & Installation of Landscapes, Lawns, Sprinkler Systems, Retaining Walls • Landscape Maintenance - Mulching, Pruning Fully insured, 31 years experience, free estimates PA#012144

Commercial & Residential

724-746-8779

SUNNY SIDE UP

Bob’s Diner serves up great food with a side of friendship

BY DEANA CARPENTER

I

PHOTOS BY MEGAN WYLIE RUFFING

C

orporate America just wasn’t cutting it for Bob Marshall, so in 1999, the now-58-year-old Crafton resident decided it was time for something different.

In 2000, Marshall opened Bob’s Diner, and it has since grown to three locations, with a fourth set to open this spring along Painters Run Road in Upper St. Clair.

Marshall’s love of cooking began when he was a young child of about 5 or 6 watching his mother, Irene, and aunt cooking. His love of diners came later.

“I was always curious of where those good smells came from and how they were created,” Marshall says.

By the age of 10, Marshall ran a concession stand at his neighborhood street fairs, and later on owned a small pizza shop in Castle Shannon.

22 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

When he married his wife, Dané, in the 1970s, Marshall was the one who did all of the cooking. They now have two grown children, Claire, who is a registered dietician and JohnRobert, a sophomore at Carnegie Mellon University.

Eventually, Marshall landed a job with Hallmark Cards.

He was always on the road, thus always looking for a good place to eat while trying to avoid going to chain

Bob Marshall

restaurants. That’s when his love of local diners began.

“I would always drive the extra mile to find a local place to eat,” Marshall says. “I always looked for little, family-run places.”

The same went while visiting his dad, Nelson, in Florida.

“My dad found a little 25-seat diner called Louie’s Diner,” and they would eat there a couple of times each visit, Marshall says. He recalled Louie’s friendly staff and good food.

“I just loved it there.”

After all of his great experiences at diners, he decided that someday he would run one himself. That dream became reality in the late 1990s when he bought a vacant store room in the Noble Manor Shopping Center in Pittsburgh that reminded him of Louie’s Diner. However, prior to its opening

in 2000, Marshall’s father passed away. He kept that location open for a few years, but eventually sold it.

After a bout with prostate cancer that began in 2008, Marshall realized that working in the diner business is what he wanted to do with his life, so he opened another diner in 2009 in Kennedy Township. A year later, the Imperial location opened, and about two-and-a-half years ago, he opened the Carnegie location along Mansfield Boulevard. Combined, the diners employ more than 60 local workers.

“It was actually my mom who encouraged me to open in the Carnegie location. We should always listen to our moms – it is now the busiest diner,” Marshall says.

The Painters Run Road location is scheduled to open in April.

“We wanted something in that neighborhood,” Marshall says of Upper St. Clair.

“We serve old fashioned comfort food,” says Marshall. “It’s very American and homestyle.” All of the food at Bob’s Diner is made to order and cooked from scratch, including real mashed potatoes, pancakes, waffles and lasagna, to name a few.

Cathy Simpson has been a server at the Carnegie location since it opened, and also worked at the Kennedy Township diner.

“We’re just a big family here,” she says. Her favorite menu item? The crispy chicken salad.

Inside the Carnegie location, which had formerly been a used car dealership, Marshall prides himself on not only the food, but the customer service.

“I visit with my customers. I’m out on the SOUTH HILLS LIVING 23

Fancy fruity waffle

Taco salad

Bud Mahoney is a regular at Bob’s Diner.

floor talking to them and thanking people for coming in,” he says.

Those customers are loyal ones, especially Bud Mahoney of Green Tree. He has been coming to the Carnegie location since it opened.

“People are very nice here. They go out of their way to help you out,” he says. He comes to Bob’s diner nearly every day for breakfast – “one pancake and two eggs.”

“I come here just about every day,” says

Manager Pam Hrabak

another regular, Mike Blasko of Fineview. “I like his food and the company here.” Blasko particularly loves the eggs and home fries.

Daniel Lee of Carnegie is also a regular at Bob’s Diner. “I come here practically every day for lunch,” he says. “They do a nice job.

There’s a nice variety of food – I get something different every day.”

“The best part of working here is that man at the end of the counter,” says Pam Hrabak, manager of the Carnegie location, referring

to Marshall. “He’s hilarious – a comedian.

He makes sure the people are happy.”

Hrabak jokes that she always rated diners by their eggs Benedict, and Bob’s Diner’s version is delicious. In addition, she says, “The burritos are awesome and the burgers are excellent. It’s all home-cooked food and it really is delicious.” n For more information on Bob’s Diner, visit eatatbobsdiner.com.

SOUTH HILLS LIVING 25

neighborhood I favorites

the parmesan and bread crumb mixture, making sure all of the chicken is coated.

Press firmly.

8. When the oil just begins to smoke, add the chicken breasts, press down firmly to insure the cheese sticks to the chicken.

9. After 5 minutes, flip the chicken over and cook the other side, making sure not to burn the cheese.

Continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

10. Return to the sauce pot and add the heavy cream, reduce the heat to low, stir.

11. Add the fresh basil and remove from the heat.

12. If using frozen gnocchi, blanch in boiling water first; if fresh, add the gnocchi to the sauce.

13. Bring back to a simmer and set aside.

14. In a small bowl, mix together the diced roma tomatoes, remaining basil and remaining olive oil. Add a pinch of salt.

PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH TOMATO BASIL SAUCE & POTATO GNOCCHI

BY EXECUTIVE CHEF RANDY SIMPSON, WALNUT GRILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MEGAN WYLIE RUFFING SERVES 6

Executive Chef Randy Simpson

6 ½ 1 4 1 2 ½ 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 6 ½

8 ounce skinless/boneless chicken breasts cup Italian dressing pound fresh/frozen potato gnocchi cups marinara cup tomato filets tablespoons garlic cup diced white onion teaspoon red pepper flake teaspoon salt teaspoon white pepper cup heavy cream tablespoons fresh basil, chiffonade cups grated parmesan cheese cup fresh bread crumbs roma tomatoes, small dice tablespoons olive oil, divided cup grated asiago

26 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

1. Slice chicken breasts on a bias into 3 pieces per breast, place in a bowl and coat with the Italian dressing, set aside.

2. In a sauce pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and onion. Sauté until tender.

3. Add the garlic to the pot, as well as the salt, pepper flakes and white pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.

4. Add the marinara sauce and the tomato filets and simmer for 15 minutes.

5. While sauce is simmering, place the parmesan cheese and bread crumbs in a bowl and mix well.

6. Place a large nonstick pan on the stove over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil.

7. Place the chicken breast pieces in

To plate the dish: 1. In six large bowls, divide the gnocchi and tomato basil cream sauce equally.

2. Next, layer the cooked parmesan crusted chicken breasts over the gnocchi in a pinwheel formation.

3. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the roma tomato mixture on the top of the chicken.

4. Sprinkle with the asiago cheese. Note: if you can’t find asiago, use parmesan cheese.

5. Enjoy with a nice Riesling or Chardonnay wine.

WALNUT GRILL has locations in Bridgeville, Mt. Lebanon, Fox Chapel and Wexford. For more information, visit eatwalnut.com.

neighborhood I favorites

NO W OPEN

Traditional and Modern Italian Food Private Event Rooms for Up to 65 – Birthdays, Business Meetings, Anniversaries, Bereavements Off Premise Catering – Weddings, Corporate, Picnic, Fundraising Events 18 flavors of Homemade Gelato (Italian ice cream) 2109 North Franklin Drive Washington, PA 15301 724.222.7120 www.angelosrestaurant.com Hours: Monday - Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

®

EXPRESS

at the Lower Level of Range Resources 3000 Town Center Way Southpointe

One of the oldest and most-awarded fruit and vegetable farms in Pittsburgh and the South Hills, the seventh generation of the Trax family is now introducing new ideas and products to its customers. Although we've been farming for 148 years, we still have that passion for growing good things to eat and bringing families together to enjoy them.

528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 • 412.835.3246 • www.traxfarms.com Hours: Now through March 9th 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EVERYDAY March 10th through December 31st, Monday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

DINE IN or TAKE OUT

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Time Pick-Up Available

Since their opening in March of 2007, Hog father's has been recognized throughout the BBQ community with several awards including Best Ribs, Best Pulled Pork and THE #1 Mac & Cheese far and wide! Available for dine-in and take out. We do catering for all occasions.

The chic sophistication of the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe guarantees a first class wedding. The ballroom and outdoor garden are the perfect settings to express your creativity and originality. Every detail of your wedding will be considered and every expectation exceeded at the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe.

Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe 1000 Corporate Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317 724-743-5000 • www.pittsburghsouthpointe.stayhgi.com The Walnut Grill is a fresh, casually unique dining experience fit for the entire family. We offer a diverse, Chef driven menu in a very comfortable and inviting environment. We have a traditional dining room, a large, comfortable bar with multiple large, flat screen TVs and private dining facilities for your party and event needs. We are open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and offer a Sunday Buffet Brunch from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Mt. Lebanon, 660 Washington Rd., 412.668.0951 Bridgeville, 1595 Washington Pike, 412.564.5746 Hours: Monday-Thursday:11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. www.eatwalnut.com

If you would like to list your restaurant or advertise on this feature page please contact an Observer Publishing Company sales consultant.

South Hills 724.941.7725 Washington 724.222.2200 Greene County 724.852.2602

®

VISIT US AT OUR OTHER LOCATIONS 1301 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA. Washington Crown Center, Washington, PA 113 Cavasina Drive, Canonsburg, PA 1669 N. Atherton St., State College, PA We accept All Major Credit Cards

HogFathersBBQ.com SOUTH HILLS LIVING 27

gardening I terri johnson

Flower power W

hile the cold ground may remain in the vicious grip of ‘ole man winter, spring is, indeed, just a few months away and it’s time to begin planning for summer plantings.

When it comes to flowers, the plants can serve a dual role of beauty and edibility. In several cases, it’s the flower on the plant that can be eaten, used for flavor or as a garnish.

Dating back to the Romans, Greeks and Chinese, flowers, such as squash blossoms and rose petals, have become a staple in cooking ethnic dishes. Rose petals are used to add color and fragrance to several Indian dishes, and squash and pumpkin blossoms are found stuffed in the Italian cuisine.

Ever versatile, flower petals can be used in salads and teas. But, not all flowers are edible – even if they are edible, they should not be consumed if exposed

Sunflower 28 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

to pesticides or roadside exhaust fumes. Only eat flowers that are known to be consumable and, for the best results, eat flowers you have grown yourself. That way, you’ll know what you are putting in your mouth. Good rule of thumb: if you don’t know if the flower is edible, don’t eat it!

Even though the flowers may look lovely and fresh, never eat petals purchased from a nursery or florist, as they may have been treated with pesticides or chemicals.

For those with allergies, eating flowers may aggravate allergies.

To keep fresh flowers fresh longer, place on a moist paper towel and refrigerate in an air-tight container. Ice water will help to rejuvenate the petals.

No matter how attractive fresh flowers may look or taste, caution is necessary, as eating too many of a certain variety may result in an upset stomach. Always wash the flowers before use and remember to remove the stamens and pistils. And if picked fresh from the garden, give the flowers a good shake to remove any insects before a quick water bath.

While eating flowers may not appeal to some, remember, broccoli, cauliflower and artichokes are actually the flower of the plant. Example: eating an artichoke means eating the outside petals and throwing away the inside choke or thistle. As for broccoli and cauliflower, the part we eat is the flower bud. So, don’t turn up your nose when thinking about eating a flower.

In some cases, parts of the plant, such as the flower, are edible, while in other cases, the entire plant can be used, such as the dandelion or the begonia, both the wax and tuberous types. But, never eat the tuberous begonia bulb.

Begonia leaves, flowers and stems are all edible.

The petals may be used in salads and the stems may be used in place of rhubarb. Remember, begonia flowers and stems contain oxalic acid, similar to rhubarb, and should not be eaten by those with gout, kidney stones or rheumatism. Check with your doctor.

A quick tip if growing your own flowers to be used in food preparation, pick the flowers in the morning when the water content is the highest.

While the winter winds continue to howl, sit down and prepare a list of the edible flowers you wish to grow when the temperatures rise and the sun finally shines. n

Pansy

Chrysanthemum

Here’s a sampling of edible flowers – and how to use them!

• ANGELICA has a licorice-like flavor with colors ranging from lavender blue to deep rose.

• ARUGULA a peppery flavor like the leaves that are used in salads.

• BACHELOR BUTTONS mainly grow wild with a grassy flavor.

• BASIL the flower is similar to the leaves, but with a milder taste.

• CALENDULA/MARIGOLD great flower for eating with a peppery, tangy, spicy taste. A great color for garnishing.

• CHAMOMILE daisy-like with a sweet flavor that is used in teas. Those with an allergy to ragweed should not use.

• CHERVIL has an anise flavor.

• CHICORY can be pickled and has a bitter, earthiness tang.

• CHRYSANTHEMUM use only the flower petals. Has a bitter taste.

• CILANTRO flowers have about the same taste as the herb and don’t heat before use.

Always use fresh.

• CLOVER flowers are sweet with the flavor of licorice.

• FUCHSIA makes a nice garnish.

• GLADIOLUS has a bland flavor, but the petals can be stuffed similar to squash and pumpkin flowers.

• IMPATIENS not much flavor, but makes a good garnish and can be candied.

• LAVENDER sweet, spicy and heavily perfumed. Can be added to sweet or savory dishes.

• LEEKS, CHIVES, GARLIC AND GARLIC CHIVES all part of the allium family and every part is edible.

• LILAC has a great fragrance and taste.

• NASTURTIUM very versatile with a spicy peppery taste. When it goes to seed the pods are edible. The flowers may be stuffed and the leaves can be added to salads. Buds can be pickled like capers.

• PANSY eat the entire flower.

• RADISH the flower tastes peppery.

• ROSE remove the white base as the taste is bitter. Float the petals in drinks – the petals can even be made into jam. All roses are edible, with the darker varieties more flavorful.

• SQUASH AND PUMPKIN both blossoms are good for stuffing, but remember to remove the stamens.

• SUNFLOWERS petals may be eaten and the buds can be steamed like artichokes.

• VIOLETS use the flowers in salads and to garnish desserts and drinks.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY BE THE FIRST ON THE TEAM!

Embroidery On Your Shoes?

Rolling around the South Hills for 90 years.

Order Now UPSTAIRS for Spring Sports Embroidery d.lewis@upstairsembroidery.com

Washington, PA

724-228-1071

www.UpstairsEmbroidery.com

YOUR CUSTOM APPAREL HEADQUARTERS

COOPER WEATHER MASTER 175/70R13...............79.00

185/75R14...............89.00 195/75R14...............93.00 205/75R14...............97.00 185/70R14...............86.00 195/70R14...............89.00 205/70R14...............95.00 215/70R14...............96.00 175/65R14...............83.00 185/65R14...............85.00 205/75R15...............97.00 215/75R15............101.00 225/75R15............106.00 235/75R15............111.00 205/70R15...............95.00 215/70R15...............99.00 225/70R15............113.00 185/65R15...............93.00 195/65R15...............95.00 205/65R15............100.00 215/65R15............108.00 185/60R15...............97.00 195/60R15...............97.00 205/60R15............102.00

215/60R15............103.00 205/65R16............113.00 215/65R16............113.00 235/65R16............129.00 205/60R16............110.00 215/60R16............116.00 225/60R16............120.00 205/55R16............130.00 215/55R16............136.00 205/50R16............133.00

225/50R16............144.00 215/65R17............142.00 225/65R17............154.00 215/60R17............147.00 225/60R17............143.00 215/55R17............142.00 225/55R17............144.00 235/55R17............150.00 215/50R17............150.00 225/50R17............152.00 225/45R17............155.00 235/45R17............162.00 225/60R18............159.00

“MUST CALL FOR AVAILABILITY”

TIRE COEN 1105 W. Chestnut St., Washington, PA OIL

CO. SINCE 1923

Phone 724-223-5515 or 724-223-5516 HOURS: Mon. Thru Fri. 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Sat. 7:00 am to 4 pm CHARGE ‘EM!

Primitive & Colonial Offerings 588 E Maiden St. Washington, PA 15301

Hours: Sun 11-4 Mon. by Chance Tues., Weds., Fri. 10-5 Thurs. 10-6 Sat. 10-4 724-225-6485

JB HARDWOOD, LLC Installation, Sanding, Refinishing & Repairs Jeff Butterfield 724-263-4735 e-mail: jtmjbutterfield@verizon.net

Fully Insured

202-213-5237 25 Pine Run Road Amity, PA 15311

Producing Quality Beef Through Sustainable Agriculture No Artificial Ingredients

•Cut to Order •Plastic Wrapped

historical FLASHBACK

Much like the food we eat has changed over the years, so has where we go to dine out or pick up some sweet treats. Here, a look back at some local mainstays that, thankfully, have survived the test of time – and some that haven’t.

The Buttery was a diner located at the corner of Cochran and Cedar roads in Mt. Lebanon.

The Hofbrau in Canonsburg, pictured here during an athletic dinner in 1939, was a popular location for meetings and banquets.

IMAGES COURTESY IMAGES OF AMERICA: CANONSBURG, IMAGES OF AMERICA: MT. LEBANON, EAT’N PARK, SARRIS CANDIES, PALAZZO 1837 RISTORANTE

The first Eat’n Park opened on June 6, 1949, on Saw Mill Run Boulevard in the South Hills.

The Quail family sits on the porch of the Quail Mansion in the late 1800s. Frank Sarris stands in front of the original Sarris Candies Today, the building houses Palazzo 1837 Ristorante. store in Canonsburg in 1963.

30 SOUTH HILLS LIVING February / March 2014

AUTO DEALERS DIRECTORY ARNOLD

MOTOR COMPANY Home of Guaranteed Credit

BORTZ

BUDD BAER, INC.

BOWSER

Owner – Richard Bortz, Jr. Route 21 West Waynesburg, PA

Owner – Mark Baer 71 Murtland Avenue, Washington, PA www.buddbaer.com

General Manager – James Richey 2670 Washington Road McMurray, PA bowsercadillac.com

• SUBARU • CHEVROLET • CADILLAC

• BUICK • GMC • MAZDA • SUBARU

Manager – Robert S. Arnold III 122 N. Main Street, Houston, PA www.arnoldpontiacgmc.com

724.745.2800

724.627.6171

COLUSSY CHEVROLET

FIKE

• CHEVROLET • JEEP

CADILLAC

724.222.0700

724.745.7400

BILL GRAY

PREMIERE

VOLVO

AUTO SALES

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES Owner – Tim Colussy 3072 Washington Pike Bridgeville, PA www.colussy.com

412.221.1600

SOLOMON

www.solomonauto.com

New Car Manager – Dave Plaski 213 North Main Street Masontown, PA

1.800.464.0305

SOUTH HILLS

2897 Washington Road McMurray, PA www.billgrayvolvo.com

Owner – Alan Gordon 667 East Maiden Street Washington, PA www.premiereauto.com

724.949.1555

724.223.0600

STAR LAKE

SUN

FORD

CHEVROLET

• FORD

New Car Manager – Jeff Innes Route 19, McMurray, PA www.southhillslincoln.com

724.785.5500

Main Street Burgettstown, PA

724.941.1600

General Manager – Roch Curinga Washington Road McMurray, PA www.sunfamilyauto.com

724.947.3381

724.941.5160

TOMSIC

TREGEMBRO

SALES & SERVICE

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES

• CHRYSLER • DODGE • JEEP

LINCOLN

Brownsville

724.785.8000 Carmichaels

724.966.2600 Brownsville

THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN

MOTORS

MOTORS

VASKO DODGE

New Car Manager – John Bauer 3694 Washington Road McMurray, PA

Owner – Frank Valencic 150 Racetrack Road Washington, PA www.tomsicmotor.com

Owner – Barry Tregembo I-70, Exit 32B Bentleyville, PA

General Manager – Steve Vasko 3644 Washington Road McMurray, PA www.vaskododge.com

724.941.6100

724.228-1330

724.239.2200

724.942.3000

WARNE

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON

Route 19, Strabane Square Washington, PA

Route 19, Strabane Square Washington, PA

724.222.2213

724.222.2216

MOTORS

CHEVROLET

HONDA

HYUNDAI

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES Owner – John Warne 107 East Pike Street Canonsburg, PA

Intersection of Route 19, I-79 & I-70 Exit 19A Washington, PA www.washingtonchevy.com

724.745.5956

724.222.2800

WASHINGTON • TOYOTA • SCION

WYSOCKI, INC. USED VEHICLES

Route 19, Strabane Square Washington, PA

2070 Smith Twp. State Road Burgettstown, PA 15021

724.222.2213

724.947.9720

If you are interested in advertising on this directory, contact Mauriann Curtis at 724-222-2200 ext. 2504.