Grand View Buffet at the Rivers Casino

We had a great time once again!

Last night, the buffet wasn't as crowded as it has been on other visits and we were able to snag a table with a beautiful river view.   The salad bar had a large selection of fresh and prepared salad items.  We tried both soups - chicken noodle and chicken rice - both had large chunks of meat and vegetables and loads of flavor.   (Even though they sound similar, they had different flavors and ingredients.) 

We were mixed about the dinner selections we tried, but the roasted turkey was some of the best I ever tasted.  I also really liked the polenta with marinara sauce, yellow squash, stir fried broccoli and ... the pizza!  Although we didn't go to the buffet just for the pizza, it really is very good and worth trying.  I noticed that they are cutting smaller slices than the last time we visited, which is very smart and perfect for tasting. 

As usual, though, the highlight for me was the dessert buffet - I went back for seconds on a tiny parfait that was layers of raspberry parfait, gelatin, blueberries and raspberries.  And don't miss the gelato!!!!

Monday was a good time to visit the buffet - we didn't wait in line as long as we have on weekend days.  As an extra bonus, we were given an extra 10% discount for showing our player's cards.  Fun time!

Steelers Championship Black and Gold Pizza

1 12" prepared pizza crust (we used a whole wheat Boboli crust)
1 cup pizza sauce *
1/2 cup slice black olives
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Place pizza crust on a baking sheet.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over crust. Sprinkle sliced olives over sauce, then top with Cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Slice and serve.

Go STEELERS!!!!

Frisch's - Caste Village

Caste Village Shopping Center
Baptist and Grove Roads
412-881-6555

One thing I've learned from my "career" as a pizza blogger, is that you can find decent pizza in places where you would never expect it.

We have long been fans of Frisch's awesome chicken and have served it at many family gatherings, but never tried their pizza.  Actually, I didn't even know they made pizza until I took a close look at their menu.  Frisch's was packed after Sunday's Steelers game, so other people had the same idea.

It turned out to be very good.  The crust was thick with crisp edges, and tasted homemade.  The sauce was mild and slightly chunky - all in all, very enjoyable.  The cheese was very thick, very gooey, and tasted fresh.  If you like loads of cheese, you'll definitely like this pizza! 

The only downside was, to me, the cheese - I had asked for "easy on the cheese" because of my ongoing attempt to control my cholesterol, but it came loaded with about a 1/2" thick layer of cheese.  I just pulled it off.  Oh well!

Frisch's has a very extensive menu and I've enjoyed any item of theirs that I have ever tried.  Menu items include fresh soups, many sandwiches, salads - by the pound or prepared, pizza, pizza calzones, wedgies, seafood (fish, shrimp, scallops, and tuna melt), side orders, broasted chicken (again ... awesome!), wings, and desserts.  They also offer value meals, which include buckets and barrels of chicken and a hoagie/pizza combination, and a kid's menu. 

Frisch's also has a large catering menu that includes hoagies and sandwich rings, party trays, homemade pastas, ribs salads, and chicken among many other items ... the perfect thing for a busy Holiday season.

Pino Gelato - South Side Works

You know that I am a huge fan of the Pino Gelato Pizza Cone - in fact, it's one of my favorite all time treats!  I was thrilled when I heard that Pino Gelato was opening in the South Side Works.

I finally got a chance to visit there yesterday and ... no pizza cone!  But you know what?  That's perfectly okay.  Their gelato is absolutely amazing - very creamy with inventive flavors.  And they have the next best thing to the pizza cone - crepes!  The very friendly staff suggest adding a scoop of gelato to the crepe, but I like the plain nutella filled or the lemon. 

Yum!

Turkey and Mashed Potatoes Pizza Recipe

1 12" prepared pizza crust

These measurements are approximate - use your leftovers in whatever proportions you like!
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup chopped cooked turkey
1/2 cup stuffing (optional)
1/2 cup grated cheese - I like provolone, but chunks of feta can also be good.

Spread mashed potatoes evenly on pizza crust.  Sprinkle turkey evenly over top.  Dot with spoonfuls of stuffing (if desired).  Top with cheese.  Bake according to the directions on the pizza crust that you used, or until the toppings are warm and cheese is melted.

Serve with cranberry sauce on the side.

E. M. Pizzeria - Brentwood

4140 Saw Mill Run Blvd. (Rt. 51)
Brentwood
412-884-3034

This review is a testament to the fact that advertising does work!  We must have driven by the E. M. Pizzeria thousands of times but never really noticed it.  This past week, we found a menu tucked into our copy of the either the South Hills Record or the Pennysaver ... and it looked pretty good!  We tried it last night and are glad we did.

The pizza had a very tasty thick and chewy hand tossed crust.  The fresh sauce was thick and flecked with herbs, and the pizza was just the way we like it - extra sauce and light cheese.  (We asked for light cheese on our pizza which is why it looks thin in the photo.)  I read another review that said the sauce is bland - that is not at all how we feel!  We liked the sauce very much, and although it is mild, it is also very flavorful.

E.M. Pizzeria has a very extensive menu with many varieties and combinations of pizza, salads, calzones, wedgies, pasta, specialty pasta, oven-baked hoagies, gourmet hoagies, gyros, wings, appretizers and desserts!  We love the sound of the Chicken Spinach Gourmet Hoagie, the Gyro Hoagie and the Chicken Ranchero sounds awesome - chicken breast, ranch sauce, french fries and provolone.  I can imagine myself stopping back very soon for a yummy Chicken Gyro Platter, Greek Pizza or a Tuscan Chicken Pizza (grilled chicken, tomato sauce, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and mozzarella). 

We'll be back!

Main Street Cafe, Hilton Head Island, SC

We loved the hospitality at the Main Street Cafe - they were all very friendly and nice.  They let us sit outside with our dog ... and even brought him a bowl of water and a treat!   We absolutely loved their green pea soup - it tasted just like homemade.  Actually, I guess, better than homemade!

On the last night of our vacation, we decided to order a Main Street pizza to go.   I have to admit that we like the crust on the pizza at our other Hilton Head favorite, New York City Pizza, a tad better ... but loved the sauce on the Main Street pizza.  They even gave us an extra container of sauce.  When we think about the other excellent menu items (did I forget to mention the chicken parm subs?), the friendly staff, the dog friendly atmosphere ... and the amazing soup ... we've definitely added Main Street to our list of Hilton Head cravings!