Second Helpings Of Square Meals

If you didn't catch last week's Toyota Farm to Table caravan during its stop in Market Square, we're hoping you stop by today during the Farmer's Market for a taste of what you missed.

Because so many people told us how much they enjoyed the Farm to Table feast in the Square we decided to cook up something special for you. Why not bring a chef home with you!  Well, in spirit, at least.  Via the recipes you sampled last week!

Today you'll have the chance to cook like Bill Fuller, executive chef of Big Burrito Restaurant Group —  the savvy restaurateurs who run Mad Mex, Eleven, Casbah and so many other great eateries around town.  Treat friends and family with a healthy and delicious gaspacho a la Casbah and astonish your coworkers when you pull out your brown bag lunch of Thai Melon Salad.  They'll say, "Oh, leftovers from Soba?" And you'll say, "Oh this? Just a little salad I whipped up with some things I picked up at the farmers market. I like to eat local."


Of course, you don't have to limit your palate pleasures to the recipe of the day. Each week the Farmer's Market delivers a harvest bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, herbs and spices and cheeses — plus a smorgasbord of hot, prepared foods that Pittsburghers love. And top it all off before you head back to work or home, don't forget a little desert in the form of pastries, homemade fruit pies or a slice of yummy cake.

So if you're hungry today for some of the freshest, most delicious food in Downtown — prepared by one of the city's best chefs — stop by Market Square for the Farmer's Market. We'll see you there.

PS   a heads up on today's concert schedule: the Star 100.7 and KDKA is sharing the spotlight with a local foundation that works with youth in our community.  Local blues band Billy the Kid will perform 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. followed directly with the MGR Foundation's Youth Rally.

A Bumper Crop In The Square

You already know that local farmers set up their stands in the Square every Thursday through the summer and early fall. But yesterday's Farmer's Market delivered an especially abundant harvest of wholesome, natural goodness when the Toyota Farm to Table Tour rolled into the Square. This treat was extra special because Pittsburgh was selected as just one of the 11 cities on this exclusive, cross-country celebration of those who toil in the fields to put outstanding fresh food our tables, and the chefs that spread the good word of locally grown food.

It was a great way to shine the spotlight on local farmers and on the chefs that celebrate local food in their restaurants everyday. The chefs whipped up special dishes made with the freshest ingredients gathered from the familiar faces you see each week in the Square. If you were there, you know this alfresco feast served up something for nearly every appetite from the zesty, refreshing gazpacho to the oh-so yummy sweet potato pierogies.  We're certainly taking some of those ideas to heart. Who would think to pair smoked salmon with gouda and berry compote?  Delicious! Or to put warm, crispy, locally-smoked bacon on top of a refreshing summer salsa? Whether you got ideas for your next dinner party or put a new restaurant on your "must try" list, it was a day of sweet possibilities!  And underlying it all was the knowledge that shopping locally is good for our regional economy and good for the environment.  What's not to love?!

In between bites, the lunchtime crowd signed up to take a spin around the Square in a 3rd generatio Toyota Prius (due out in 2011), a hybrid Camry or a hybrid Highlander SUV. Earth friendly to be sure, these vehicles also are easy on the budget too, thanks to a combination of gas and electric engines that save on fuel on the road and at the pump. Even better, everyone who took a test ride got to take home a special gift — a John Boos cutting board. A favorite of professional chefs around the world, the Boos boards sell for hundreds on dollars in stores and online. Even if you're not ready for your own show on the Food Network, a Boos board can make you feel like a star in your own kitchen.

After tasting the glories of local chef + local food, the Toyota staff passed out fresh herbs just right for keeping a little bit of the market on your kitchen window sill. When you think about it, that's a great gift for those of us who are all thumbs — and none of them green — when it comes to gardening.

Sure, the food was great. And Prius and Highlander rides were fun. But what really hit the spot for us was when one happy lady from Pleasant Hills stopped us to say this was one of the best times she's had Downtown in a long time — and that she would be back for second helpings of the Farmer's Market in the Square soon.

Market Square Farmers Market
Farm to Table Tour

If you loved tasting all that local food, you won't want to miss PASA's 100% Grass Fed Beef Cook Off this Saturday.  Tickets for non-members are only $20.  What better way to spend a gorgeous weekend than hanging out at a beautiful farm, meeting local chefs and foodies, and feasting on the bounty of our region!  (And when you return you may have some great ideas for the grass fed beef available at our market!)

Farm to Table - Local Chefs and Local Food Tomorrow!

By now you know that a little bit of "Green Acres" comes to the Square every Thursday when the Farmers Market rolls into Downtown. But tomorrow's food fest brings an extra special harvest to Pittsburgh when the second annual Toyota Farm to Table Tour parks itself in the Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Along with all the familiar faces you'll see at the Farmers Market selling fresh produce, Greek goodies, fantastic flowers and more, the Tour will bring out some of the city's top chefs so that you can sample some of the most delectable dishes to come out of their kitchens — made with ingredients from our market. The menu du jour features these culinary masters:

• Kate Romane of the Enrico Biscotti Company
• Mark Swomley from The Carlton
• Ted Jude from The Fairmont Hotel's Habitat Restaurant
• Jason Capps of Market Square's Bella Sera Urban Trattoria
• Sonja Finn from Dinette
• Andrew Hebson of the Somona Grille
• Keith Fuller from Six Penn Kitchen
• Bill Fuller of the Big Burrito Group

And to make this mid-summer bounty of tasty treats even  more enticing, you can test drive one of Toyota's three hybrid models and take home a special John Boos cutting board.  They will also be giving away locally-grown fresh potted herbs to add a little zest and zing to your home cooked meals.

Check out the details at Toyota's Farm to Table site or at our site.

A Work In Progress

We know it seems like certain construction projects around Pittsburgh are a neverending story.  Well, we're here to tell you that the work on Market Square is definitely a tale with an end in sight —and soon.

In the next couple weeks, the crews that have done such a great job so far will place the last brick in the big jigsaw puzzle of the sidewalks that encircle the Square.  And once that's done, just about all the merchants will start adding more alfresco dining as they place additional tables and chairs outside. Even better, you'll be able to stroll all the way around the Square without any detours.

Speaking of detours. PennDot crews will continue rebuilding Forbes Avenue between Wood Street and Market Square. One lane of the street is ready for the finishing touches and hass reopened to traffic. The work on the other side of Forbes will stay there for a while as workers replace the really old infrastructure that's been buried there for years. 

We like to think that all roads lead to Market Square. However, a few of them will be out of commission now and then as the city replaces the aging water lines to ensure that Square merchants enjoy an endless supply of clean, fresh water. In case you're wondering, that means Market, McMasters and Graeme streets will be off limits for autos at times. One thing we're glad about is that the city will repave all the streets at the same time. Just think, no more walkarounds — and no more hazards for all you ladies in heels.  Market Street will especially get some nice attention with new sidewalks, enhanced lighting, and a public art project by local artist Carin Mincemoyer.

Not all the work in the Square is about bricks and stones and concrete. Some of our favorite projects are on the green side. We know that visitors to the Square love the trees that are already there. And they're always asking if we're going to plant more. Well, the answer is yes...but not just  yet. Mostly, that's because the summer heat would pretty much cook any new plantings. So, come this fall, when the temperatures cool a bit, we'll be filling those empty tree pits between the MarketSquare Place and Dunkin' Donuts.

Yes, sometimes we feel like an eight-year-old going crazy with excitement over our next birthday. It just seems like the big day will never arrive. But come fall, all the work in Market Square will be finished — and it will be worth the wait.

Made In The Shade

Pittsburgh weather being what it is, most people around here want to soak up the sun as much as possible. Especially during the summertime. Still, even those of us whose favorite SPF number is zero need a place to escape the solar rays now and then. So, if you walked through Market Square in the past day or two, you probably noticed that it's looking a little "shady" these days — in a good way — thanks to a crop of colorful umbrellas popping up all over the place.

During the past weekend, a team of our very special volunteers filled a couple dozen plastic holders so we could "plant" umbrellas in them during the daylight hours. Along with a welcome shadow of cool comfort, the umbrellas brighten up every corner of the Square with more than a few splashes of color in the "shades" of baby blue, racy red and tangy tangerine.

Now just about any day the sun is out between today and possibly well into October, Brock Wilson — he's our very busy Squaretaker — will set up the umbrellas just for you. Of course, when it's raining outside, the umbrellas will stayed closed, which is actually kind of funny when you think about it. And if the winds kick up something fierce, Brock will make sure no one zips across the skyline like Mary Poppins. But aside from that, you'll have in made in the shade in the Square.

Getting To The Square

Maybe you spotted that nifty Model-A Ford in Market Square yesterday during the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix preview. We think that was one sweet ride. Back in the 1930s, the Model A was a pretty common sight on Diamond Street, or Forbes Avenue as we call it today, heading to the Square.

Fact is, just about any type of transportation that gets you to the Square is fine with us. After all, Pittsburghers over the years have made tracks to the Square using everything from horse-drawn wagons and trolleys in the good old days to mountain bikes and those teeny little Smart cars during these modern times. Here at the PDP, we prefer a leisurely stroll that lets us take in all the sights and sounds of Downtown. But it doesn't matter how you get there, just as long as you end up in the Square.

Which brings up a question we hear a lot. "When Market Square is done, will we be able to drive there and park?" Of course you will. Keep in mind that there will be a few changes. As usual, you can enter the Square from Forbes Avenue. Then all traffic will turn right towards the Oyster House, the oldest business in the Square. You could make that your first stop, or just keep following the gorgeous Belgian block road to Dunkin' Donuts, where you can pop in for a Pittsburgh Creme  pastry before turning right onto Forbes again.

If you're going to spend some time in the Square for lunch, dinner or shopping, you'll be able to park anywhere there's a space on Forbes Avenue or Market Square.  At first you may say, "Where?" because the meters will be gone, but just look for the signs to know where you can park and you'll be able to pay at three convenient kiosks around the Square. That mean no need to fish around for quarters anymore!  And of course, there are several convenient parking garages right aroud the corner, too.  You can check the interactive parking map for any destination in the Golden Triangle.  You can also find out which garages offer the $5 flat rate after 4 p.m. and on weekends.

For a little exercise we're going to "peddle" the idea of pedaling to the Square, especially since we recently installed those cool circular rakes that look like the Mon and Allegheny rivers flowing together to form the Ohio at the Point. Because we like to think of the Square as an urban oasis, biking there is the coolest way to keep it "green" while you burn a few extra calories. It's especially great for families - on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon you can begin riding the trails on the north or south shores and take a break with lunch at a cafe in the Square before heading home.  There's nothing like pedaling over those bridges!

By the way, if you missed the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix car show in the Square, you don't have to spin your wheels looking for photos on the web. Just check out our gallery below.

Get Your Motor Running

Maybe you dreamed of racing along the streets of Paris in a convertible with the warm wind in your  hair. That could still happen. But for the meantime, you can take a joy ride down memory lane this Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix caravan rolls into Market Square for a three-hour display of some of the classiest chassis around.

These hot wheels start rolling through the city from Heinz Field at 10 a.m. before parking in the Square about 30 minutes later. That means all you fantasy speed racers can check out what's under the hood of these retro rides that include 1930s sedans, Swinging Sixties roadsters and 1970s muscle cars. Sure, the Square is usually a pedestrian oasis. But we're waiving our no parking rule because these antique autos will be cooling their engines for a good cause.

You see, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has been running circles around Schenley Park in Oakland for the past 28  years to benefit the important work done by Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School, which reaches out to youngsters and adults with developmental disabilities. When the rubber hits the road to help others, the Grand Prix team pushes the pedal to the metal for all the right reasons.

If you're looking for some fun, fun, fun — without daddy taking away your T-Bird — get your act in gear and steer yourself to the Square tomorrow afternoon to rev up your engine and maybe catch a bite to eat at the same time.

And don't forget to find a place at the starting line to watch the big event at Schenley Park on Sunday, July 25, when the Grand Prix drives start their engines and chase that checkered flag.