Stop #70C; Shadyside

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: Shadyside
Pitt Stoppers: Josh, Jimmy D., Carol, Bobby D., Fran to the K, Pteri, Gemma F., Todd, Jongo Funkelstein, Big Matt, Not Quite So Big Trish, Noreen, Minty, Dr. Stan.
Bar: Le Mardi Gras

Pluses: Le Mardi Gras (which is Portuguese for "The Well-Mannered Carp") is a Shadyside Classic. Richie or his father have been serving up the strongest drinks in the City for over 30 years now. The new location retains the circular booths, Miss Pac Man, and high vapor-pressure drinks that helped define the old.






Trish is drinking Coors Light with a straw. Yes indeed.









And then I crossed the border and I was in AMERICALAND.









STOP THE DOCUMENTING. JUST STOP IT.











Oh. I see. There's no seat for me.

Stop #70B; Shadyside

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: Shadyside
Pitt Stoppers: Dr. Stan, Gemma F., Jimmy D., Fran(k)
Bar: Infinity (the symbol), formerly known as 5801, formerly known as New York New York

Pluses: A swank interior, good dance music, and renowned cheesecake.




Stan enjoys Smirnoff Ice.

Jim contemplates Smirnoff Ice.

Fran disapproves of Smirnoff Ice.

Stop #70A; Shadyside

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: Shadyside
Pitt Stoppers: Al, Wookie, Fran(k), Carol, Josh, Jonathan, Lily, Gemma F., Dr. Stan, Carolyn, Big Matt, Trish Wife of Matt, Minty Other Wife of Matt, Todd, Modest Vinny, Jimmy D.
Bar: Harris Grill

Pluses: The Harris Grill is rebuilt and smoke free. The patio is the height of outdoor Shadyside drinking.

Weirdness: Come on Tuesday nights to get your bacon on.








Dad offers lamb. Lily and Carolyn eye it up.













Does this come in a puree?













Carol being more civil and using a fork.











"You see, lamb is good for babies."












Fries on the salad - PGH style.















And this is called a Neuromodulator.














A Neuromodulator (tm) - equal parts Jack, Red Bull, and Coke - a Dr. Stan special.









Big Matt and Trish humor Todd, who humors them right back.














Fran getting his serious on.








Wookie expressing himself.



(The family nature of the blog has been preserved.)








I am Lord of the Table.

All shall respect and fear me.









I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FURRY WHITE THINGS WERE LAMBS? WHY DID DADDY EAT ONE?

Stop #69; Chateau

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: Chateau
Pitt Stoppers: Al (non-signatory), Dr. Stan, Gemma F., Jimmy D., Minty
Bar: Near Cousin Vinny's.

Pluses: Steve the security guard who showed us around.








Al driving us around some more.










Manchester Craftman's Guild, which is in Chateau.








Cousin Vinny's is not a bar and is not open on Saturdays, but it is in Chateau.










The Lovely Gemma having some lemonade.












Al snoopin'.

Jim documentin'.











Jimmy trying to explain Pitt Stops to Steve.










Steve took us in and showed us the high water mark from the St. Patrick's Day flood.









Jimmy provides scale.













A lovely boating club in Chateau. They also are not a bar.

Stop #68; Manchester

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: Manchester
Pitt Stoppers: Jimmy D., Dr. Stan, Minty, Al, Gemma F.
Bar: Duke's

Pluses: Hanging out with Duke himself who has been the owner for the last 48 (?) years. He was an awesome host - even picking up the tab.

Weirdness: The Civil Air Patrol number that was on the hall.






One of the beautiful houses of Manchester.









Which version of Star Dust would you like to hear?













A massive fly swatter.


















Duke's sweet sign.












Al contemplating serious multi-directional fire relief.












Whatever happens, Duke has a number for it.











Some folks save up for the weekend the hard way...













Duke's beautiful fascade.











Howdy partner.












Duke's is old school...

Stop #67; California-Kirkbride

Date: June 14, 2008
Neighborhood: California Kirkbride
Pitt Stoppers: Dr. Stan, Gemma F., Jimmy D., Minty, Big Al (non-signatory).
Bar: Near TC's Place.

Pluses: We finally found Success (see below).

Weirdness: Well, TC's was closed, so we just checked out the area including the cool L-shaped truss bridge.







Al driving us around.













Al walks up to TC's...













Al checks the door...















...Stan reacts.













The very important rules at TC's.












The cool L-shaped bridge.















Rural California.










The Elusive Alkali Tap.















Success is ours!
















The C-K Spring Park.

Stop #66; South Oakland (for real)

Date: June 13, 2008
Neighborhood: South Oakland
Pitt Stoppers: Al, Vinny X, Minty, Paul, Bobby, Pteri, Jimmy D., Abigail.
Bar: Andy Wharhol's boyhood home (3252 Dawson Street).

Pluses: South Oakland is also the boyhood home of Danny Marino.

Weirdness: There's not even a plaque or marker for Pittsburgh's most famous artist in front of his home. Also, some may remember the Great South Oakland Controversy (Stop #5). Well, we revisited the neighborhood and made it official.







Dan Marino's ball field?














Andy's boyhood home.















Jimmy in front of Andy's house.



















Andy's version.















DAN MARINO MAY HAVE PLAYED HERE!!! CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT?










Minty taking in the sights.

That's no halo.











Dr. Vinny X with some Kool Aid and Paul with his iPhone.











Abigail - our lovely South Oakland tour guide.












The South Oakland sign with the South Oakland Semi and the Cathedral in the background.









They take their parking really damn seriously in South Oakland.