Welcome to Pittsburgh's "Off The Chain" Blog

Welcome to the new Off The Chain Blog... Pittsburgh style!

This blog has been started as a way for me, as a self-proclaimed Foodie, to get to know Pittsburgh and all it has to offer.  I may try things I don't like (I'm not a red meat fan, but I'll "suffer" for the sake of my readers) and you'll always get my fair assessment.

The goal of this blog is to step outside the norm; to see Pittsburgh for the food that makes it great without going to the regular chain restaurants that anyone could go to outside of the city.  These are going to be my recommendations for where to eat when in Pittsburgh.  If you don't have plans to venture outside of Olive Garden, TGI Friday's, Applebees, fast food, and other places like that, then this blog isn't for you.  That being said, however, if you want to see what options this city has to offer, you've reached the right place.  *Sidenote - There may be Pittsburgh "chains" discussed in this blog (ie. Eat and Park or Primanti's), but I'm more looking for places that can't be visited outside of Pittsburgh.  I'm OK with discussing those types of chains, just not national chains.

Let's start with a little background information about your illustrious writer, his likes and dislikes, and goals.  Afterwards, I'll give you a preview of the restaurants I've been to that I will be writing a review about.
I am a student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, having gone back to school after many years of being in the workforce.  I've worked in the film industry, run a vocational media school, and worked in admissions for online education.  I am a husband to an amazing woman and an amazing cook (and, yes, they are the same person) who has introduced me to foods I wouldn't have thought to try before. Depending on where we've eaten, she may also help contribute to the blog.

Let me take a second to give you a few notes about my food likes\dislikes\etc:
- My wife is allergic to shellfish, so it is rare that I will review a shellfish dish.  However, if I go out with some of the guys, or if family comes to town and orders it, I'll probably try some and write about it.
- There are things I hate by themselves, but have not problem with if they're cooked (cream cheese is a good example).  So you might see altered menu items based on my likes\dislikes.

Matt's Top Likes:
- Chicken Parmigiana (I will order and try Chicken Parm anywhere and everywhere)
- Most Italian foods (except for the things you'll see in the "dislike" section)
- Cheesesteaks (one of my 'red meat' exceptions)
- Tex Mex
- Mediterranean
- "Fresh food" restaurants (new menus weekly\monthly depending on what's local and fresh)
- BBQ

Top Dislikes
- Cheesecake
- Over-Salted Food
- Ricotta, Goat, Cream or Bleu Cheese

Some of the restaurants that will be coming soon on this Foodie Blog:
- Stagioni
- Square Cafe
- Primanti's
- Bangkok Balcony
- Aladdin's Mediterranean Grill
- Sushi Fuku
- Mineo's
- Aiello's
- Spoon
- The O
- Mad Mex
- August Henry's


Until next time, Get Out There, Eat Well, Live Well, and Make Your Own Food Discoveries