I love to check out new places. As a matter of fact, that is going to be my mission for 2016; to go places and do things that I have not done before. It may be a new restaurant, a new city, or an old city but stay in a new hotel (can you say Vegas?) or attend an event that I have never attended.
If you have wanted your event covered and I have not attended, please let me know when you know. If you are on the planning committee, do not wait until the day before, the week before or two weeks before to contact me. Email me when all plans are final and please do not invite me via Facebook; I look at those invites as personal. There are 52 weeks in the year and 52 issues of the New Pittsburgh Courier, and some of those weeks have already been booked by the “veterans.” I’d like to see some newbies get on board.
There is a new burger restaurant in Pittsburgh. I think everyone loves a good hamburger. I checked out the new Burger 21 on McKnight Road. This is the first Burger 21 in the area and if you are going there from the east you will find it on the right side of road before you get to Ross Park Mall. The restaurant is pleasant and welcoming. I had the Cheesy Burger and my traveling pal had the Black & Bleu. They offer seafood burgers, veggie burgers, turkey burgers, gourmet dogs and chicken burgers. I like that they offer a half and half French Fries option, French fries and sweet potato fries in the same basket. Make sure to check out the sauce bar where you can select unique sauces for your meal. I loved the Thai ketchup but I was wowed by their signature milkshakes. For me it will be worth it to go back just for the shakes. I had the Bananas Foster shake and my friend had the Key Lime Pie. All I can say is OMG. There are eight flavors to select from and I want to try them all. They come in small and large. They also serve retro ice cream floats. I can’t give you the entire menu, so please check out burger21.com and the next time you are in the north check it out.
On Dec. 19, with help from Carnegie Museum of Art Teenie Harris Archive Specialist Charlene Foggie-Barnett, poet Dr. Tameka Cage Conley, historian and author John M. Brewer Jr., DJ Soy Sos, and musicians Idasa Tariq and Jacquea Mae, the Ace Hotel partnered up with the Carnegie Museum of Art to present “East Liberty in Focus,” a special selection of the images Harris snapped in and around East Liberty—some even shot on the very site of Ace Hotel Pittsburgh, in the former East Liberty YMCA. I attended opening night and loved it. Please remember to keep abreast of what is going on in your neck of the woods.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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