edble.com » Brunch http://edble.com Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:06:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Pamelas Restaurant, Pittsburgh Pa http://edble.com/featured/63/ http://edble.com/featured/63/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:21:19 +0000 admin http://edble.com/?p=63
I tend to be at the hospital for myself or a family member relatively often and we try to have lunch or breakfast out to sweeten the deal by choosing a different place every time. Recently our travels took us to Pamela’s in Oakland (FYI, Pamela’s also has Strip and Squirrel Hill locations) for brunch.
  We ordered a veg omelet with chips (french fries) and the banana chocolate chip pancakes. I had my omelet smothered in melted swiss cheese and I must say, it was savoury, delicious and generously porportioned. The omelets come with toast and a choice of potato so I skipped the toast and went for the heart-groaning chips to go with. While I can’t say enough about my succulent omelet, I’ve certainly had better chips. These were a little limp and thin but you know I ate them anyway…  :)
   My husband’s banana chocolate chip pancakes looked to die for and there were no complaints from him and even better, a clean plate. The pancakes are the consistency of what Americans would term crepes with crispy, lace-like edges and feature several fillings. They smelt heavenly and though I was a good girl and avoided the wheat, they’re tempting enough that I may need to brave it one day and indulge.  The menu for Pamela’s is brunch oriented and breakfast is served all day. There’s not much on here that even a picky eater wouldn’t like.
   Service at Pamela’s was very friendly and quick and the quirky artwork decorating the walls kept us entertained. Right on Forbes Avenue, Pamela’s is easy to walk to from UPMC or the universities. The only real downside of this restaurant is that they don’t take cards but there is a National City ATM right around the corner.
  Pamela’s
  (412) 683-4066
3703 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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]]> http://edble.com/featured/63/feed/ 0 Coca Cafe http://edble.com/restaurants/coca-cafe/ http://edble.com/restaurants/coca-cafe/#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:30:57 +0000 dhumaigobae http://edble.com/?p=42 My employer is moving to the Lawrenceville area and the Lawrenceville Corporation http://www.lawrencevillecorp.com/index.htm  has kindly furnished us with a list of businesses worth checking out. Easter Saturday I went to check out Coca Cafe on Butler Street near Arsenal School for brunch. The building itself, easy to find, is a mixmatch of styles and feels like a big-city cafe with plenty of artsy people hanging around inside and for a Saturday going on lunch-time, it was packed but we did get seated fairly quickly.

 
Our table was in the narrow hallway in back of the front counter and the mod-style furniture was close enough across the aisle for me to eavesdrop in on the nearest conversation without even moving. The booth we sat at in particular was a formica-covered throwback to the 60s and behind us was displayed a large piece of local art that kept me searching for all the tiny details hidden within for the better part of the dining experience. So yes, Coca Cafe is also part-gallery.
 
We ordered the Four Cheese Omelet (w/ham) and the Chicken Curry Salad. Both were good-sized portions well-presented on big bistro-style plates and the wait was very short. The Four Cheese Omelet features jarlsberg, cheddar, goat, and muenster cheeses and was very savoury with just the right amount of goo from the cheese. This was served with thick toast and orange.
 
My Chicken Curry Salad was presented on a bed of field greens with apple slices. Very tasty indeed, the spice was quite balanced and bland enough for my partner to have a try but spiced enough for me to enjoy as well. My only complaint about this dish was the proliferation of raisins. I’m not a raisin fan so points to the Cafe for creating a dish I ate nearly all of- my plate was decorated with a little mound of picked out raisins when I finished.
 
So, the lowdown: Coca Cafe is perfect for the art crowd, students and just about anybody else looking for a relaxed lunch or breakfast (which they serve both of all day long, our friendly waitress informed us). Their website http://www.cocacafe.net/index.html is clean and easy to navigate (an absolute plus) and includes the menu and prices (more points from me). Most menu items range from $4- $8 so I thought that was quite affordable and there’s quite a variety. Vegetarians are also welcome and can substitute tofu in most dishes for meat and gourmets will enjoy selections such as Sundried Tomato Pesto Omelet and Turkey Rachel. (But there’s plenty of down-home goodies for everyone too). And check this out- Coca Cafe caters, too. Overall a relaxed and tasty dining experience, my one suggestion would be a little more organization for seating- we weren’t sure if we had to wait, sign in, flag someone?

 

Hours: Tues-Fri 7-3
Saturday 9-3
Sunday Brunch 10-3
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