Hey everybody! Chef Jim here with a special announcement:
HIBERNATION SEASON IS OVER!
I know the last time you looked out from your cave it looked like the ice planet of Hoth out there, but there's been this big bright thing in the sky lately (rumors are circulating that it is called "The Sun") that will, scientists tell us, start warming things up soon now. As we here at the Gypsy are testing out our impending Spring menu, we have a giant flurry (oops, bad word choice) of activities on the way before that debuts. For instance...
Travellers' Menu
All this week Gypsy, in tribute to the “Irish Gypsies” known as the Travellers, will be featuring Irish dishes as part of a special extended menu:
‘Tribute to the Travellers’ Menu 2010
Smoked Trout Pate $8
Smoked Trout, cream cheese, and scallion spread served with cucumber and crostini
Irish Cheese Plate $9
Favorites Cahill Porter and Sage Derby with Port Derby and accompaniments
Colcannon Soup $4
Traditional Irish dish of potato, milk, cabbage, scallion, and leeks simmered into a hearty soup
Bubble and Squeak $14
Irish peasant dish of potato, cabbage, onion, and red cabbage patties pan-fried and topped with bacon crumbles and Irish Cheddar and served with a dill sour cream sauce.
Conway’s Irish Ale Stew $16
Slow-cooked stew of beef and root vegetables served with Cheddar dumplings
Milk-poached Cod $16
Cod fillet poached in milk with melted leeks, served with dill and goat cheese mashed potatoes
A Thinking Person's St. Patrick's Day 3/17 7PM
Kicking this off will be a special event Wednesday March 17th in benefit of the Carnegie Libraries: A Thinking Person's St. Pats. We will be featuring not only our special Irish menu and Irish beer and drink specials but also local librarians (!) reading passages from their favorite (or should that be favourite?) Irish writers and collecting donations for the Carnegie library system! Gypsy will donate a portion of our proceeds from this event to the South Side and Knoxville libraries as well. Get your think on as you get your drink on! It all starts @ 7pm, and as you know our seating is limited so reservations are definitely a must. Special thanks to Mrs. Suzy Waldo of Knoxville Library for brainstorming this event, coordinating the librarians, securing the amp and microphone, and getting the Carnegie Library on board! (RESOS: 412.381.4977)
Croatian Wine Tasting 3/20 1PM
Last year, cousins Diana Shaban and Dubravka Nezic started their own wine importing business to bring to Pennsylvania the wines of their family vineyards in Croatia. On Saturday March 2oth, the ladies will be hosting a special wine tasting event of those wines, from 1-3 pm at Gypsy. This is a rare opportunity for wine aficionados to taste vintages rarely available here in the US, and in addition to the Nezic Vineyards Tomindar Riesling, the cousins will be offering a second estate Riesling and a Frankovka (red). If the fruit of the vine is your thing, this is a can't-miss.
$20 for wine and hors d’oeuvres. Reservations are recommended.
Rollerderby Season Kickoff 3/20
Our Steel City Derby Demons are on a roll (sorry, couldn't resist), climbing four slots in the national rankings (from 20th to 16th in the nation!), moving into their new home at Romp -n- Roll in Glenshaw, and training for their home opener on Saturday March 20th against the Maine Rollerderby All-Stars.
To get you ready to romp and roll: http://www.steelcityderbydemons.com/home/2010/lores-tv-pittsburghs-derby-demons/
Derby Brunch 3/21
The sure-to-be-triumphant ladies of the SCDD will be joining us for a Geek Brunch in their honor the Sunday after their match from noon to 3pm with dishes named after some of our favorite players. Our last season of derby brunches was a huge success, and we are honored to host the post-bout brunch again this year. Brunch has been crazy lately in general, so if you have a group larger than 4, please call ahead. 412.381.GYPSY (4977)
One Last Brunch Item:
Reports of our brunch closure 3/28 were greatly exaggerated. Jim will still be out of town, but we are just tickled to announce that GUEST CHEF JOE POST will be filling in and frying up your morning medicine 3/28!
Bricks Pittsburgh Booklet Release Party 3/20 3PM
Last year Pittsburgh lost a bright star and a loving heart when visual and sound artist Rick Gribenas succumbed to cancer. Feeling this loss most acutely is his lovely wife, our dear friend Charissa Hamilton-Gribenas and her son, Jaden. Charissa is a kitten who has never shied from the uphill battle, and the good and resourceful woman she is, she is putting all her energies toward the good achieved by her organization, Bricks Pittsburgh, formed to help other young adults fighting cancer. Saturday, at AIR studio on the North Side is the release party for the long awaited BRICKS for Young Adults Cancer Awareness & Resource Guide
http://www.artistsimageresource.org/upcoming_events/index.html
A second event is scheduled at the Hot Metal Bridge Faith Community location at 2700 Jane Street on the 27th from 2-5. For more info: http://brickspgh.blogspot.com
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School: “Sideshow Sketchy”!
Dr. Sketchy (aka Joe Wos) has been tearing up the Toonosphere with last year’s opening of the Pittsburgh ToonSeum in its own space at 945 Liberty Avenue (www.toonseum.org) where the one of a kind events have been non-stop since the doors first opened. Recently, a special dual drawing event between Sketchy Pittsburgh and Sketchy New York happened at the ToonSeum, with rooms full of artists drawing each other’s models live via the interwebs! The next Dr. Sketchy session, "Sideshow Sketchy" happens here at Gypsy Monday March 22nd. Doors open at 7 so’s you can pick your seat and get some grub from Gypsy’s especially themed-to-the-theme menu, and drawing starts at 8pm! Come on down and draw the lovely and talented Sketchy models for prizes, have a great time whatever your skill level, AND get a chance to mix it up with your drawing homies. $10 door
PS: Melanie is hoping to join in the fun by modeling as a bearded lady. That should be incentive enough on its own, I'd think..
Gypsy’s got some other great events on the burner with ToonSeum, so stay tooned!
Spring Menu Debut!
One of the pillars of Gypsy's philosophy is to use what is freshest and best by changing our menu with the seasons. Our Spring menu, debuting on Tuesday March 23rd,will be featuring some of your favorites from Spring menus past, like our Scallion and Potato Gnocchi in Onion Butter and our Dill and Almond Pesto-crusted Salmon as well as some new soon-to-be favorites, like our new Kalamata Chimichurri Strip Steak. Hungry yet? Curious as to what other delights our Spring menu holds for you? You'll have to join us after Tuesday to find out more!
Spring is here, I don't care what that rodent in Punxatawney says, and we are doing our best to give you some fun reasons to shake off those hibernation blues. Thanks for reading and for supporting Gypsy!
Chef Jim
Coming Attractions:
· Look for our new website—where all the buttons will work, I swear—end March. Thanks to Jim’s whiz kid kid sister, Madge!
· Don’t forget—Gypsy Strings every Thursday at 8PM
· City Theatre’s got a BRAND NEW WORLD PREMIERE SHOW opening March 26: Gypsy will be there catering the before and after parties for When January Feels Like Summer www.citytheatrecompany.org
· Easter Brunch: We haven’t done it since our first year, but this may be the year to return—expect a buffet style event with a Gypsy twist!
· April 9: Private music and dinner event with the Wandering Minstrels of Chatham Baroque—details TBA
· Don Aliquo—next date Saturday, April 17 at 8!
· Look for a SLOVAK wine tasting here at Gypsy—beginning May. Details TBD
*******************************************************************
Housekeeping:
PS: You are receiving this message because you submitted your email address to our mailing list. If you have received this message in error, or if you’d like to stop receiving occasional messages from Gypsy Café, please reply as such here: gypsy@gypsycafe.net and we will remove your address post-haste!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Greetings from the HEART of the SNOWPOCALYPSE!
Greetings from the heart of the SNOWPOCALYPSE!
Chef Jim here. While we have all been freezing our collective tushies off shoveling and salting, I have been in the kitchen staying warm cooking up some delicious food for the Gypsy Nation.
VALENTINE WEEK MENU
Speaking of staying warm, Valentine’s Day is upon us. We are celebrating all Valentine’s weekend long with a special menu insert with some specially themed Valentines dishes for you and those you hold dear (please see below). We are offering a prix fixe menu for two made up of these Valentine’s specials for $50, including shared appetizer, choice of soup or salad, two entrees and shared dessert Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or enjoy any of the items ala carte.
A Gypsy Valentine 2010
Appetizers
The Plate of Fruit and Honey
Fresh berries and Greek sheep’s milk Manouri cheese drizzled with pistachio honey, 8
Soup and Salad
Purple Passion Soup
Red cabbage, potato, parsnip and carrot bisque with sour cream, $4
(Our entry into this year’s South Side Soup Contest February 20! Get tickets at southsidepgh.com)
Lovers’ Salad
Baby greens with avocado, Dolce Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette, $7
Entrées
Lamb Lollies
Za’atar-crusted Lamb Chops with honey-pomegranate sauce over goat cheese mashed potatoes, $18
Pasta Casanova
Linguine tossed with grape tomato, anchovy, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives and baby spinach in extra virgin olive oil (available vegetarian without anchovy), $14
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt (1725 – 1798) was a Venetian adventurer and author who was so famous as a womanizer that his name remains synonymous with the art of seduction.
Queen of Sheba Salmon
Pistachio and spinach pesto crusted salmon filet and toasted Israeli cous cous with butternut squash, $18
Legend says the Queen of Sheba was convinced that pistachios were a powerful aphrodisiac and ordered the pistachio harvest of the best trees grown in Assyria to be used for her and her royal guests only.
Dessert
Pistachio Baklava
Crispy, buttery pistachio baklava triangles drizzled with honey, $5
Valentine Trifle
Individual trifle of sweet and sour cherries layered with lemon cake and white chocolate lemon crème anglaise garnished with whipped cream, $7
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Flourless imported bittersweet chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache, finished with homemade caramel and fleur de sel, $7
Truffle Trio with Pomegranate Wine
Dark chocolate-Espresso and walnut brownie diamond, Giandiuotto (Italian hazelnut chocolate) truffle, and White chocolate-Apricot truffle accompanied by Tree of Life Pomegranate dessert wine, $8
$50 per couple or ala carte as priced
SATURDAY LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT
For you night owls out there, on Saturday night Feb 13 you can enjoy a special deal after 9 pm. Order the entire Valentine Prix Fixe for just $35! Or, order ala carte and take $5 off of any of our Valentine’s entrées and enjoy any of our special appetizers or desserts for $5. Valentine Menu Cocktails are also $5 and other Drink menu items will be at special prices. We promise to turn the lights down extra low and set out extra candles for free! You get to look like a true romantic AND save some scratch! (You’re welcome!) Please call for reservations!
SUNDAY BRUNCH NOON-2:30
The annual “Famous Couples” Brunch returns Sunday. You may want to call ahead for this—we usually don’t take many reservations for Brunch, but we’ve got lots of folks calling and are starting to fill. Pepe Le Pew and Miss Kitty’s French Toast, anyone?
Please note: Brunch will end just a wee bit early, at 2:30, to accommodate the City Theatre show letting out at 3:30.
SUNDAY DINNER JAZZ AND RELAX
Topping off our Valentine’s Day festivities will be that coolest of the jazz cats and a man who knows his way around a soulful ballad: Mr. Don Aliquo, saxophonist extraordinaire and notorious jazzbeaux. If you want a hip way to show your beatnik chick how much you dig her then by all means make your reservations now, daddy-o. Don’t be a square. Joining Don, the whipsmart Mark Perna on bass and sweetie pie Ronnie Wilson on guitar starting at 6.
Every Sunday Gypsy offers a prix fixe and ala carte menu—this Sunday, enjoy items from our Valentine menu in addition to Winter Menu items.
Sunday Dinner hours: Early open at 3:30 to accommodate the City Theatre crowd until close at 9.
SOUTH SIDE SOUP CONTEST!
Another noteworthy February tradition that my lovely and talented wife Melanie has her hands in again this year is the South Side Soup Contest, and Gypsy is of course entering another delicious creation. This year, our tribute to the Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello: “Start Wearing Purple” Soup, a lovely lavender-colored concoction of red cabbage, parsnip, potato and carrot made rich with sour cream (get a preview this week—we’re featuring this soup on our Valentine Menu! Saturday February 20th is the date, from NOON til 3, and for a measly $12 and a canned good, ($15 the day of the event) you get to taste the best soups from the best restaurants in the South Side. Proceeds benefit a great cause: the Brashear Food Pantry. What could be better on a cold snowy February Saturday than hot soup?
Get tickets here: www.southsidepgh.com
THEY LIKE US. THEY REALLY LIKE US!
Our humble little café has been the center of some major media attention lately, and of course, since our marketing budget is mostly imaginary, we are welcoming the hype.
Michael Machosky from the Tribune-Review was nice enough to include my Geek Brunch in his Geek’s Tour of Pittsburgh article, along with our friends at The Pittsburgh ToonSeum, Phantom of the Attic, and more. Read it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10010/1026585-46.stm.
Also, the venerable Washington Post made mention of the South Side Soup Contest featuring not only Gypsy but several of our Pittsburgh culinary buddies and you can get that article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020402892.html. Thanks so much and as always we are humbled by our praise.
THIS JUST IN: We MAY be mentioned in an article about the Soup Contest in the Trib soon also! Keep an eye out!
This is Chef Jim signing off. I have to get back to work; Mel had me implanted with a microchip that gives me a small but memorable electric shock if I am away from the kitchen for too long. Stay warm and keep shoveling!
Thank you for helping us to make this little place possible.
Chef Jim, Melanie, and the Gypsy Krewe
*******************************************************************
Housekeeping:
PS: You are receiving this message because you submitted your email address to our mailing list. If you have received this message in error, or if you’d like to stop receiving occasional messages from Gypsy Café, please reply as such here: gypsy@gypsycafe.net and we will remove your address post-haste!
Chef Jim here. While we have all been freezing our collective tushies off shoveling and salting, I have been in the kitchen staying warm cooking up some delicious food for the Gypsy Nation.
VALENTINE WEEK MENU
Speaking of staying warm, Valentine’s Day is upon us. We are celebrating all Valentine’s weekend long with a special menu insert with some specially themed Valentines dishes for you and those you hold dear (please see below). We are offering a prix fixe menu for two made up of these Valentine’s specials for $50, including shared appetizer, choice of soup or salad, two entrees and shared dessert Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or enjoy any of the items ala carte.
A Gypsy Valentine 2010
Appetizers
The Plate of Fruit and Honey
Fresh berries and Greek sheep’s milk Manouri cheese drizzled with pistachio honey, 8
Soup and Salad
Purple Passion Soup
Red cabbage, potato, parsnip and carrot bisque with sour cream, $4
(Our entry into this year’s South Side Soup Contest February 20! Get tickets at southsidepgh.com)
Lovers’ Salad
Baby greens with avocado, Dolce Gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette, $7
Entrées
Lamb Lollies
Za’atar-crusted Lamb Chops with honey-pomegranate sauce over goat cheese mashed potatoes, $18
Pasta Casanova
Linguine tossed with grape tomato, anchovy, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives and baby spinach in extra virgin olive oil (available vegetarian without anchovy), $14
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt (1725 – 1798) was a Venetian adventurer and author who was so famous as a womanizer that his name remains synonymous with the art of seduction.
Queen of Sheba Salmon
Pistachio and spinach pesto crusted salmon filet and toasted Israeli cous cous with butternut squash, $18
Legend says the Queen of Sheba was convinced that pistachios were a powerful aphrodisiac and ordered the pistachio harvest of the best trees grown in Assyria to be used for her and her royal guests only.
Dessert
Pistachio Baklava
Crispy, buttery pistachio baklava triangles drizzled with honey, $5
Valentine Trifle
Individual trifle of sweet and sour cherries layered with lemon cake and white chocolate lemon crème anglaise garnished with whipped cream, $7
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Flourless imported bittersweet chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache, finished with homemade caramel and fleur de sel, $7
Truffle Trio with Pomegranate Wine
Dark chocolate-Espresso and walnut brownie diamond, Giandiuotto (Italian hazelnut chocolate) truffle, and White chocolate-Apricot truffle accompanied by Tree of Life Pomegranate dessert wine, $8
$50 per couple or ala carte as priced
SATURDAY LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT
For you night owls out there, on Saturday night Feb 13 you can enjoy a special deal after 9 pm. Order the entire Valentine Prix Fixe for just $35! Or, order ala carte and take $5 off of any of our Valentine’s entrées and enjoy any of our special appetizers or desserts for $5. Valentine Menu Cocktails are also $5 and other Drink menu items will be at special prices. We promise to turn the lights down extra low and set out extra candles for free! You get to look like a true romantic AND save some scratch! (You’re welcome!) Please call for reservations!
SUNDAY BRUNCH NOON-2:30
The annual “Famous Couples” Brunch returns Sunday. You may want to call ahead for this—we usually don’t take many reservations for Brunch, but we’ve got lots of folks calling and are starting to fill. Pepe Le Pew and Miss Kitty’s French Toast, anyone?
Please note: Brunch will end just a wee bit early, at 2:30, to accommodate the City Theatre show letting out at 3:30.
SUNDAY DINNER JAZZ AND RELAX
Topping off our Valentine’s Day festivities will be that coolest of the jazz cats and a man who knows his way around a soulful ballad: Mr. Don Aliquo, saxophonist extraordinaire and notorious jazzbeaux. If you want a hip way to show your beatnik chick how much you dig her then by all means make your reservations now, daddy-o. Don’t be a square. Joining Don, the whipsmart Mark Perna on bass and sweetie pie Ronnie Wilson on guitar starting at 6.
Every Sunday Gypsy offers a prix fixe and ala carte menu—this Sunday, enjoy items from our Valentine menu in addition to Winter Menu items.
Sunday Dinner hours: Early open at 3:30 to accommodate the City Theatre crowd until close at 9.
SOUTH SIDE SOUP CONTEST!
Another noteworthy February tradition that my lovely and talented wife Melanie has her hands in again this year is the South Side Soup Contest, and Gypsy is of course entering another delicious creation. This year, our tribute to the Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello: “Start Wearing Purple” Soup, a lovely lavender-colored concoction of red cabbage, parsnip, potato and carrot made rich with sour cream (get a preview this week—we’re featuring this soup on our Valentine Menu! Saturday February 20th is the date, from NOON til 3, and for a measly $12 and a canned good, ($15 the day of the event) you get to taste the best soups from the best restaurants in the South Side. Proceeds benefit a great cause: the Brashear Food Pantry. What could be better on a cold snowy February Saturday than hot soup?
Get tickets here: www.southsidepgh.com
THEY LIKE US. THEY REALLY LIKE US!
Our humble little café has been the center of some major media attention lately, and of course, since our marketing budget is mostly imaginary, we are welcoming the hype.
Michael Machosky from the Tribune-Review was nice enough to include my Geek Brunch in his Geek’s Tour of Pittsburgh article, along with our friends at The Pittsburgh ToonSeum, Phantom of the Attic, and more. Read it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10010/1026585-46.stm.
Also, the venerable Washington Post made mention of the South Side Soup Contest featuring not only Gypsy but several of our Pittsburgh culinary buddies and you can get that article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/04/AR2010020402892.html. Thanks so much and as always we are humbled by our praise.
THIS JUST IN: We MAY be mentioned in an article about the Soup Contest in the Trib soon also! Keep an eye out!
This is Chef Jim signing off. I have to get back to work; Mel had me implanted with a microchip that gives me a small but memorable electric shock if I am away from the kitchen for too long. Stay warm and keep shoveling!
Thank you for helping us to make this little place possible.
Chef Jim, Melanie, and the Gypsy Krewe
*******************************************************************
Housekeeping:
PS: You are receiving this message because you submitted your email address to our mailing list. If you have received this message in error, or if you’d like to stop receiving occasional messages from Gypsy Café, please reply as such here: gypsy@gypsycafe.net and we will remove your address post-haste!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Holy Heck, it’s the Holidays!
Holy Heck, it’s the Holidays!
Well, we’ve quickly gone from “the season is upon us” to “here we are all up in it”! This time of year moves so fast. There’s a growing pile of stuff in the corner of my desk to be put away. It includes a metal pumpkin decoration and a Halloween make up kit! The good news is, the purple snowflake tree ornament that’s been sparkling quietly in my desk drawer all year finally looks in place!
Busy, busy, busy. Let’s get down to business, shall we?
ANNUAL GYPSY GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE
Starting today, December 10, $50 Gypsy gift certificates sold will include a special bonus gift Christmas ornament! What better bauble represents Gypsy Cafe and our loves of home, family, tradition, AND shiny things? Imported by the local company Palko Imports, while they last, our gift to you is a beautiful blown glass German golden acorn symbolizing life and luck, or a funny green pickle to hide on the tree for the kids! INFO: http://www.xmasdays.com/store/legends.html
Folks purchasing a $100 gift certificate receive a pound of Friends Blends Coffee from our dear “Friends of the Tamburitzans” group. Their yearly specialty coffee sales program benefits the Duquesne University Tamburitzans! INFO: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08329/929811-34.stm (Plus a new flavor this year: Volim Te! (I love you! Chocolate and Cherry)).
Come in to Gypsy to pick up your gift certificate and receive these gifts—those ordering over the phone will get a little Gypsy kick back Gift Certificate instead!
GOULASH TO GO
And another thing—to help you in your holiday party-going and party-contributing, Gypsy is offering a special take out deal. Half-pans of our signature Szekely Gulyas (pork, bacon, and onion slow-stewed in paprika and finished with sauerkraut and sour cream over egg noodles) hot and ready or cold with heating instructions, for $25. An even more special deal is available for $40—complete the package with a half-pan of our Hungarian Caesar salad AND a pound of Friends Blends Coffee benefiting the Duquesne Tamburitzans!
FRIENDS BLENDS COFFEE
PS: We’re not just giving Friends Blends away and selling it with goulash—it’s for sale on it’s very own again this year at Gypsy for $10 regular/$11 decaf in all flavors, info available on our website, www.gypsycafe.net . We’ve all gotten into super fancy-shmancy coffee—why not have your coffee purchase go toward a good cause? Makes a great gift, too! INFO: http://www.tamburitzans.duq.edu/supportorgs.html
GHOST TOUR, CHRISTMAS EDITION!
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tours are BACK! HP returns for the Holidays with Victorian Ghost Stories! The Victorians LOVED to scare their Yuletide guests into moral and social submission. (Think "A Christmas Carol") Join us for a special dinner event Wednesday, December 16th and a very special Christmas Tea Saturday, December 12th! Details below, and follow the link to a PG blog on this scary subject! Call 412.381.4977 for Reservations!http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/radicalmiddle/archive/2009/12/08/there-ll-be-scary-ghost-stories.aspx
Dinner with Shivers!
Have a great dinner (try the GHOULash!) and then wile away the evening with tales of torture and torment, Victorian-style!Wednesday, December 16th at 8:00
$30 / person includes 3 course pre fixe menu and entertainment.
Christmas Tea!
All the spooky goodness of our Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Dinner with a festive infusion of Christmas creepiness! Enjoy a proper tea with a Gypsy twist and spooky holiday tales to stir your cup!
Saturday, December 12th, 1PM
$22 / person includes Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh and afternoon tea fare of light lunch items, pastries, and featured tea.
Call for Reservations!
KODACHROME CHRISTMAS
Need a group-friendly event for friends, family, co-workers? Don’t forget our lovely neighbors 100 feet to the West, City Theatre! Premiering this year is a great new fun feel-good show about what we all miss most about the Christmases of the recent past!
Call City for tickets 412.431.CITY (2489) or visit online: www.citytheatrecompany.org
NEW YEARS EVE
I know it’s not even Christmas yet, but remember it was not even Halloween when all the Christmas stuff started to fill the aisles, so at the risk of rushing you, let’s talk about New Years Eve.
I’ve been talking to people and trying to gauge the general mood as I plan this year’s NYE, and I’m getting that folks are feeling a little subdued. Last year felt frustrated; it seemed most were tired of the general anxiety 2008 had brought and eager to leave it behind and start anew. Seems this year “Caution” is the word. I keep hearing that people are looking for a place to feel safe for New Years. 2009 has been about hunkering down—and instead of feeling frustration over that, we seem to be reflective; thankful for what we have, for the company we keep, for the people and places we love. Last few years we’ve been offering a two-part New Years: Early for dinner and then home, and Late for bringing in the year. This year, we’ll be just a little more subdued as well, offering an extended dinner seating with music from a romantic, 3-piece Gypsy Strings playing until 10:30. Enjoy an intimate dinner as a couple and still make it home or meet up with friends by Midnight! Or, something else—since we’re all feeling thankful for close friends and family, we’ll also be offering our special NYE menu Family Style—if you’ve got a group dining, we’re happy to feed you like the family you are, passing plates to share around the table. Of course, you’re welcome to stay with us to ring in the New Year, too. The Gypsy Krewe is a nice family of friends ourselves and we’re happy for more!
CALENDAR
Saturday, December 12th 1 PM: Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Ghost Tea, $22/person
Monday, December 14th: Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. Theme: HOBO-erotica! Doors open at 7; Drawing begins at 8. $10
Wednesday, December 16th, 8 PM: Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Ghost Dinner, $30/person
Saturday, December 19th 8:30 PM: Live Jazz with Don Aliquo, Mark Perna, and special guest
Sunday, December 20th: CLOSED FOR DINNER for Private Party. Brunch service 12-3 as scheduled
CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th OPEN for regular schedule Dec 26th and 27th
UP & COMING!
Saturday, January 9th 7:30: Live Middle Eastern Music and Bellydance with Ishtar and Berna! We are excited to welcome Ishtar for an inaugural performance here at Gypsy—and the lovely Berna bellydancing is always an exciting treat! We will offer a special Meze menu in addition to our full menu!
Advance Notice: Coming up sometime later in January, Gypsy is happy to host an exclusive Croatian Wine Tasting with Nezic Winery. Diana and Dubrovka, the cousins who import their families’ wines, are just waiting for the new vintages to clear US Customs!
Thank you for helping us to make this little place possible.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Melanie and Chef Jim
Well, we’ve quickly gone from “the season is upon us” to “here we are all up in it”! This time of year moves so fast. There’s a growing pile of stuff in the corner of my desk to be put away. It includes a metal pumpkin decoration and a Halloween make up kit! The good news is, the purple snowflake tree ornament that’s been sparkling quietly in my desk drawer all year finally looks in place!
Busy, busy, busy. Let’s get down to business, shall we?
ANNUAL GYPSY GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE
Starting today, December 10, $50 Gypsy gift certificates sold will include a special bonus gift Christmas ornament! What better bauble represents Gypsy Cafe and our loves of home, family, tradition, AND shiny things? Imported by the local company Palko Imports, while they last, our gift to you is a beautiful blown glass German golden acorn symbolizing life and luck, or a funny green pickle to hide on the tree for the kids! INFO: http://www.xmasdays.com/store/legends.html
Folks purchasing a $100 gift certificate receive a pound of Friends Blends Coffee from our dear “Friends of the Tamburitzans” group. Their yearly specialty coffee sales program benefits the Duquesne University Tamburitzans! INFO: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08329/929811-34.stm (Plus a new flavor this year: Volim Te! (I love you! Chocolate and Cherry)).
Come in to Gypsy to pick up your gift certificate and receive these gifts—those ordering over the phone will get a little Gypsy kick back Gift Certificate instead!
GOULASH TO GO
And another thing—to help you in your holiday party-going and party-contributing, Gypsy is offering a special take out deal. Half-pans of our signature Szekely Gulyas (pork, bacon, and onion slow-stewed in paprika and finished with sauerkraut and sour cream over egg noodles) hot and ready or cold with heating instructions, for $25. An even more special deal is available for $40—complete the package with a half-pan of our Hungarian Caesar salad AND a pound of Friends Blends Coffee benefiting the Duquesne Tamburitzans!
FRIENDS BLENDS COFFEE
PS: We’re not just giving Friends Blends away and selling it with goulash—it’s for sale on it’s very own again this year at Gypsy for $10 regular/$11 decaf in all flavors, info available on our website, www.gypsycafe.net . We’ve all gotten into super fancy-shmancy coffee—why not have your coffee purchase go toward a good cause? Makes a great gift, too! INFO: http://www.tamburitzans.duq.edu/supportorgs.html
GHOST TOUR, CHRISTMAS EDITION!
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tours are BACK! HP returns for the Holidays with Victorian Ghost Stories! The Victorians LOVED to scare their Yuletide guests into moral and social submission. (Think "A Christmas Carol") Join us for a special dinner event Wednesday, December 16th and a very special Christmas Tea Saturday, December 12th! Details below, and follow the link to a PG blog on this scary subject! Call 412.381.4977 for Reservations!http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/radicalmiddle/archive/2009/12/08/there-ll-be-scary-ghost-stories.aspx
Dinner with Shivers!
Have a great dinner (try the GHOULash!) and then wile away the evening with tales of torture and torment, Victorian-style!Wednesday, December 16th at 8:00
$30 / person includes 3 course pre fixe menu and entertainment.
Christmas Tea!
All the spooky goodness of our Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Dinner with a festive infusion of Christmas creepiness! Enjoy a proper tea with a Gypsy twist and spooky holiday tales to stir your cup!
Saturday, December 12th, 1PM
$22 / person includes Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh and afternoon tea fare of light lunch items, pastries, and featured tea.
Call for Reservations!
KODACHROME CHRISTMAS
Need a group-friendly event for friends, family, co-workers? Don’t forget our lovely neighbors 100 feet to the West, City Theatre! Premiering this year is a great new fun feel-good show about what we all miss most about the Christmases of the recent past!
Call City for tickets 412.431.CITY (2489) or visit online: www.citytheatrecompany.org
NEW YEARS EVE
I know it’s not even Christmas yet, but remember it was not even Halloween when all the Christmas stuff started to fill the aisles, so at the risk of rushing you, let’s talk about New Years Eve.
I’ve been talking to people and trying to gauge the general mood as I plan this year’s NYE, and I’m getting that folks are feeling a little subdued. Last year felt frustrated; it seemed most were tired of the general anxiety 2008 had brought and eager to leave it behind and start anew. Seems this year “Caution” is the word. I keep hearing that people are looking for a place to feel safe for New Years. 2009 has been about hunkering down—and instead of feeling frustration over that, we seem to be reflective; thankful for what we have, for the company we keep, for the people and places we love. Last few years we’ve been offering a two-part New Years: Early for dinner and then home, and Late for bringing in the year. This year, we’ll be just a little more subdued as well, offering an extended dinner seating with music from a romantic, 3-piece Gypsy Strings playing until 10:30. Enjoy an intimate dinner as a couple and still make it home or meet up with friends by Midnight! Or, something else—since we’re all feeling thankful for close friends and family, we’ll also be offering our special NYE menu Family Style—if you’ve got a group dining, we’re happy to feed you like the family you are, passing plates to share around the table. Of course, you’re welcome to stay with us to ring in the New Year, too. The Gypsy Krewe is a nice family of friends ourselves and we’re happy for more!
CALENDAR
Saturday, December 12th 1 PM: Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Ghost Tea, $22/person
Monday, December 14th: Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School. Theme: HOBO-erotica! Doors open at 7; Drawing begins at 8. $10
Wednesday, December 16th, 8 PM: Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Ghost Dinner, $30/person
Saturday, December 19th 8:30 PM: Live Jazz with Don Aliquo, Mark Perna, and special guest
Sunday, December 20th: CLOSED FOR DINNER for Private Party. Brunch service 12-3 as scheduled
CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th OPEN for regular schedule Dec 26th and 27th
UP & COMING!
Saturday, January 9th 7:30: Live Middle Eastern Music and Bellydance with Ishtar and Berna! We are excited to welcome Ishtar for an inaugural performance here at Gypsy—and the lovely Berna bellydancing is always an exciting treat! We will offer a special Meze menu in addition to our full menu!
Advance Notice: Coming up sometime later in January, Gypsy is happy to host an exclusive Croatian Wine Tasting with Nezic Winery. Diana and Dubrovka, the cousins who import their families’ wines, are just waiting for the new vintages to clear US Customs!
Thank you for helping us to make this little place possible.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Melanie and Chef Jim
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
The Goulash Gauntlet
Gypsy Quickie!
Try as I might, I just can’t seem to get the long-winded Gypsy email you’re all accustomed to written and out the door, so here’s just a little quick how-do-you-do with a wee present for you at the end! Longer letter later, with details of Gypsy’s brush with Hollywood as we (sort of) took part in the filming of “Love and Other Drugs” to come!
Gypsy CLOSED Turkey Day and Friday!
Once again, the immediate Gypsy family and friends who can’t make it home will be having pot luck Thanksgiving here at the restaurant. We’re closed for service, and also closed for service Friday, November 27th for our own Miss Katie’s wedding!
Are you stuck with side dish duty? Chef Jim and I will be here all day Thursday for your Goulash Procurement Needs (see below!)
The Goulash Gauntlet
Need a main or side dish to take to Turkey Day or any holiday gathering through New Year? We're offering half pans of our slow-stewed pork, bacon, onion, spicy Paprika, sauerkraut, and sour cream Szekely Gulyas to go, hot or cold, for $25. Feeds 4-6 as a main course, 8-10 as a side dish! Call 412.381.GYPSY!
Add a half pan of Hungarian Caesar Salad (Romaine, red cabbage, Feta, dilled croutons, Hungarian Vinaigrette) for $10!
Tammie Coffee
Here’s another great party gift. Grab a pound of gourmet coffee for a good cause!
Gypsy is proud to once again offer the Friends Blends Coffee Line, a fundraising endeavor by the Friends of the Tamburtizans and benefitting the Duquesne University Tamburitzans for sale. Available in 1 pound packages, $10 regular; $11 decaf:
Dobro Jutro (Good Morning!) Breakfast Blend
Tamburitzan Private Blend (full bodied/smooth)
Palachinka (sweet custard flavor)
Apple Strudel (cinnamon and clove)
Volim Te! (I Love You!) (chocolate and cherry)
Also available: Prijatno! (Greetings!) Apron $13
Gypsy Calendar:
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Tea
Saturday, December 5 and December 12, 1PM
$22 includes Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh and afternoon tea fare of light lunch items, pastries, and featured tea. Call for Reservations!
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Edition Dinners
Wednesday, December 9 and 16th, 8PM
$30 includes an hour of Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour and our 3-course prix fixe dinner menu. Call for Reservations!
Toonseum Brunch
Sunday, December 6th, NOON-3
Gypsy is a proud associate of the Pittsburgh ToonSeum, newly relocated to its very own space at 945 Penn Avenue. Join us for a special brunch dedicated to the Pittsburgh ToonSeum featuring a storytelling and drawing performance by curator Joe Wos with a special “Cereal Cels” art show courtesy of the ToonSeum graces our walls!
CHRISTMAS PARTIES!
Christmas party space is filling up right quick, but we’ve still got some dates for private parties available, and we’re happy to host your group or office luncheon—with City Theatre next door and entertainment available, we’ll open up for your group of 12 or more! Call Melanie: 412.381.4977
With THANKS,
Melanie and Chef Jim
PS: Our present for you!
Here’s a little cocktail recipe. Schlepp these ingredients to your family/friend affair, and be the toastest with the mostest!
Thanksgiving Turkey Cocktail
(Equal Parts, in a Rocks Glass)
Maker’s Mark Bourbon or Wild Turkey Rye
Orange Juice
Limonata (Italian Sparkling Lemonade) or Lemonade
Over ice
Top with Ginger Ale
Garnish with fresh cranberries!
*******************************************************************
Housekeeping:
PS: You are receiving this message because you submitted your email address to our mailing list. If you have received this message in error, or if you’d like to stop receiving occasional messages from Gypsy Café, please reply as such here: gypsy@gypsycafe.net and we will remove your address post-haste!
Try as I might, I just can’t seem to get the long-winded Gypsy email you’re all accustomed to written and out the door, so here’s just a little quick how-do-you-do with a wee present for you at the end! Longer letter later, with details of Gypsy’s brush with Hollywood as we (sort of) took part in the filming of “Love and Other Drugs” to come!
Gypsy CLOSED Turkey Day and Friday!
Once again, the immediate Gypsy family and friends who can’t make it home will be having pot luck Thanksgiving here at the restaurant. We’re closed for service, and also closed for service Friday, November 27th for our own Miss Katie’s wedding!
Are you stuck with side dish duty? Chef Jim and I will be here all day Thursday for your Goulash Procurement Needs (see below!)
The Goulash Gauntlet
Need a main or side dish to take to Turkey Day or any holiday gathering through New Year? We're offering half pans of our slow-stewed pork, bacon, onion, spicy Paprika, sauerkraut, and sour cream Szekely Gulyas to go, hot or cold, for $25. Feeds 4-6 as a main course, 8-10 as a side dish! Call 412.381.GYPSY!
Add a half pan of Hungarian Caesar Salad (Romaine, red cabbage, Feta, dilled croutons, Hungarian Vinaigrette) for $10!
Tammie Coffee
Here’s another great party gift. Grab a pound of gourmet coffee for a good cause!
Gypsy is proud to once again offer the Friends Blends Coffee Line, a fundraising endeavor by the Friends of the Tamburtizans and benefitting the Duquesne University Tamburitzans for sale. Available in 1 pound packages, $10 regular; $11 decaf:
Dobro Jutro (Good Morning!) Breakfast Blend
Tamburitzan Private Blend (full bodied/smooth)
Palachinka (sweet custard flavor)
Apple Strudel (cinnamon and clove)
Volim Te! (I Love You!) (chocolate and cherry)
Also available: Prijatno! (Greetings!) Apron $13
Gypsy Calendar:
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Tea
Saturday, December 5 and December 12, 1PM
$22 includes Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh and afternoon tea fare of light lunch items, pastries, and featured tea. Call for Reservations!
Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour Christmas Edition Dinners
Wednesday, December 9 and 16th, 8PM
$30 includes an hour of Christmas Ghost Stories by Haunted Pittsburgh Ghost Tour and our 3-course prix fixe dinner menu. Call for Reservations!
Toonseum Brunch
Sunday, December 6th, NOON-3
Gypsy is a proud associate of the Pittsburgh ToonSeum, newly relocated to its very own space at 945 Penn Avenue. Join us for a special brunch dedicated to the Pittsburgh ToonSeum featuring a storytelling and drawing performance by curator Joe Wos with a special “Cereal Cels” art show courtesy of the ToonSeum graces our walls!
CHRISTMAS PARTIES!
Christmas party space is filling up right quick, but we’ve still got some dates for private parties available, and we’re happy to host your group or office luncheon—with City Theatre next door and entertainment available, we’ll open up for your group of 12 or more! Call Melanie: 412.381.4977
With THANKS,
Melanie and Chef Jim
PS: Our present for you!
Here’s a little cocktail recipe. Schlepp these ingredients to your family/friend affair, and be the toastest with the mostest!
Thanksgiving Turkey Cocktail
(Equal Parts, in a Rocks Glass)
Maker’s Mark Bourbon or Wild Turkey Rye
Orange Juice
Limonata (Italian Sparkling Lemonade) or Lemonade
Over ice
Top with Ginger Ale
Garnish with fresh cranberries!
*******************************************************************
Housekeeping:
PS: You are receiving this message because you submitted your email address to our mailing list. If you have received this message in error, or if you’d like to stop receiving occasional messages from Gypsy Café, please reply as such here: gypsy@gypsycafe.net and we will remove your address post-haste!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Night in Budapest Press Release 9-12-09
A NIGHT IN BUDAPEST
An evening with the rare Hungarian Cimbalom at Gypsy Café.
On Saturday, September 12, 2009, South Side’s Gypsy Café will host “A Night in Budapest”, an evening of Hungarian music and food featuring the seldom-seen Cimbalom. Pittsburgh’s George Batyi and Bob Sestili of The Gypsy Strings and special guests will join Chicago Cimbalist Alex Udvary for an intimate dinner and private concert.
Few people can define “cimbalom” let alone describe one. This uncommon musical instrument is of the Dulcimer family, a kind of piano-xylophone hybrid, stringed, but struck with hammers. Although smaller traveling versions of the cimbalom exist, Mr. Udvary’s nearly full-size cimbalom is a rarity outside of Eastern European concert halls.
Centuries ago, the Cimbalom was adopted by Romani (Gypsy) musicians, and the instruments traveled with them throughout Europe. Cimbalom (tsimbal) is also an important instrument in Klezmer orchestras.
The musicians will play “European Style” through the dinner courses, starting with sets on the stage and continuing to individual tables to solicit requests. It is customary to tip the orchestra, especially for playing requests.
Reservations are necessary and seating is limited. $35 per person includes the three-hour show and a three-course Hungarian meal including dessert, soft drinks, and coffee. Tax and tip are not included. For more information, visit www.gypsycafe.net or contact Gypsy Café at 412.381.GYPSY (4977).
Composers noted for their use of the cimbalom include Zoltan Kodaly, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Peter Eotvos, Gyorgy Kurtag, Louis Andriessen, Henri Dutilleux, and even Elvis Costello.
Gypsy Café is an intimate neighborhood café featuring the cuisines of the Mediterranean and beyond. Full bar; non-smoking. Reservations necessary. A second show may be added Friday, September 11, 2009
###
For more information, or to schedule an interview with George Batyi, violinist, contact:
Melanie Evankovich George Batyi
Gypsy Café Gypsy Violinist
412.381.4977 412.853.3569
gypsy@gypsycafe.net gbatyi@aol.com
Melanie EvankovichJim DietzGypsy Cafe1330 Bingham Streetcorner of Bingham and 14th StreetsPittsburgh, PA 15203412.381.GYPSY (4977)www.gypsycafe.net
Would you like to join our email list? Reply as such and we'll get you on it!
An evening with the rare Hungarian Cimbalom at Gypsy Café.
On Saturday, September 12, 2009, South Side’s Gypsy Café will host “A Night in Budapest”, an evening of Hungarian music and food featuring the seldom-seen Cimbalom. Pittsburgh’s George Batyi and Bob Sestili of The Gypsy Strings and special guests will join Chicago Cimbalist Alex Udvary for an intimate dinner and private concert.
Few people can define “cimbalom” let alone describe one. This uncommon musical instrument is of the Dulcimer family, a kind of piano-xylophone hybrid, stringed, but struck with hammers. Although smaller traveling versions of the cimbalom exist, Mr. Udvary’s nearly full-size cimbalom is a rarity outside of Eastern European concert halls.
Centuries ago, the Cimbalom was adopted by Romani (Gypsy) musicians, and the instruments traveled with them throughout Europe. Cimbalom (tsimbal) is also an important instrument in Klezmer orchestras.
The musicians will play “European Style” through the dinner courses, starting with sets on the stage and continuing to individual tables to solicit requests. It is customary to tip the orchestra, especially for playing requests.
Reservations are necessary and seating is limited. $35 per person includes the three-hour show and a three-course Hungarian meal including dessert, soft drinks, and coffee. Tax and tip are not included. For more information, visit www.gypsycafe.net or contact Gypsy Café at 412.381.GYPSY (4977).
Composers noted for their use of the cimbalom include Zoltan Kodaly, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Peter Eotvos, Gyorgy Kurtag, Louis Andriessen, Henri Dutilleux, and even Elvis Costello.
Gypsy Café is an intimate neighborhood café featuring the cuisines of the Mediterranean and beyond. Full bar; non-smoking. Reservations necessary. A second show may be added Friday, September 11, 2009
###
For more information, or to schedule an interview with George Batyi, violinist, contact:
Melanie Evankovich George Batyi
Gypsy Café Gypsy Violinist
412.381.4977 412.853.3569
gypsy@gypsycafe.net gbatyi@aol.com
Melanie EvankovichJim DietzGypsy Cafe1330 Bingham Streetcorner of Bingham and 14th StreetsPittsburgh, PA 15203412.381.GYPSY (4977)www.gypsycafe.net
Would you like to join our email list? Reply as such and we'll get you on it!
Gypsy Update 9-4-09: September (does not) Slow Down!
Hey fans, friends and family of Gypsy! Chef Jim here at the very precipice of seasons as we prepare to tumble into fall and reflect on the summer we’ve had. We’ll start by forgiving what turned out to be not such a good summer for tomatoes* and focus on what a great summer it was for peppers of all kinds. Once that run is done, we’ll focus on squash and pumpkin and the bounty of late harvest as the minions here in the Gypsy kitchens work feverishly to get a Fall Menu together worthy of last year’s.
*A notable exception to this summer’s tomato tragedy is our South Side neighbor Farmer Jody of Lab8 and BYS Yoga fame, who, in a garden plot the size of a kiddie pool, brought forth a gargantuan 2 lb, 14oz tomato, respectfully dubbed “Urban Warrior”! (Now on to the backyard hop harvest!)
We here at Gypsy have a few items of note to pass on to you…
From the Patting-Ourselves-on-the-Back Department:
Seems we have been the center of a little attention storm here at the café. China Millman of the Post-Gazette was kind enough to mention us in a feature about restaurants that offer vegetarian fare (8/20 http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/09232/991956-34.stm) and we decided since the spotlight was on our meatless dishes that we should bring a veggie dish to the Sprout Fund’s Hot House event last Saturday. This paid off as our “Morocco Tacos”, flour tortillas filed with a black-eyed pea, caramelized onion, kale and toasted cumin rice pilaf mixture and topped with tahini/eggplant sauce, garnered us another teeny mention in the PG, this time in the Seen column (9/1) coverage of Hot House. Considering our advertising budget only exists in theory, two mentions in the paper are huge for us. Thanks for the exposure!
In shiny paper news, Pittsburgh Magazine named us “Best Tarot Readings While You Eat.” Although this is kind of like Melanie’s Dad declaring her his “favorite daughter” when she’s the only daughter, we appreciate our eclectic little place being presented with a fittingly eclectic award. Thank you Pittsburgh Magazine, for noticing. Thanks also to our dear resident Tarot reader Rebecca for being a part of Gypsy, and Kudos for her recognition. We and all the folks who visit with her think she’s great, and now PM gives a nod as well. Rebecca is available most Friday and Sunday nights to our dinner guests for readings, but her time does fill quickly, so be sure to make an appointment for a 15- or 30-minute reading when you make your dinner reservation. http://www.wqed.org/
From the Cool Stuff Coming Up Category
Y’know up until the first performance here at Gypsy, I had no idea what a “Cimbalom” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbalom was, but this unique Hungarian instrument has a resonance and sound all its own that is worth seeking. Imagine a member of the dulcimer family crossed with the sounding board of a wind instrument and the fluidity of a harp. That puts you in the same neighborhood as a Cimbalom, but doesn’t quite do it justice. Outside of Europe, this rare and venerable instrument has only a few living masters, and one of them, Alex Udvary, will be performing with The Gypsy Strings’ George Batyi, Bob Sestili, and Jerry Grcevich in our third annual “A Night in Budapest” celebration. Please call to make reservations now for Saturday September 12th (a second night, Friday, September 11th may be added according to demand) to enjoy this rare music and a 3 course Hungarian menu for only $35. The menu will be listed on our website shortly. Another PG mention! http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995023-484.stm
Gypsy will be in two places September 12th as we will also be participating in WYEP’s annual Rock the Block event just down the street in South Side’s Bedford Square. Rock the Block is a terrific fundraising event for WYEP and has in a very short time become on the best events of summer. http://www.wyep.org/
What am I excited about this fall, other than the fall vegetables and fall menu looming large on the near horizon? Why Pittsburgh Comicon, natch, as anyone who knows me knows I am as big a comic book geek as I am a foodie. In order for me and my Geek Brunch staff to make it out to the Con this year (or as I like to call it, the “Nerd Prom”) and to allow us to recover from a weekend full of the events above, we will unfortunately be closed for brunch on Sunday, Sept 13th. We will be back the following Sunday at our regular time and hours for brunch, geekier and brunchier than ever, and we apologize in advance for the inconvenience. My comic book podcast Legion of Dudes (http://www.legionofdudes.com/) will be at the Con when I can’t, so if you see them there give them a wave and a hello. They are mostly harmless if properly medicated…
Classic Literature Brunch—and Birthday Celebration--this Sunday, September 6 NOON-3
One of our dear Gypsy pals and rabid brunch fan, Chad Shannon, wanted to celebrate his birthday with Brunch at Gypsy, but wanted to make it mean something to everyone who came in for brunch, so we came up with a plan. We’ve chosen a brunch theme near and dear to Chad, and in return to dedicating the Brunch to his love of Classic Literature, he has pledged to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation for every one of his “pet” brunch dishes sold. Classic Lit fan; classy guy! Celebrate with Chad this Sunday and feed your belly for a good cause!
BOOOO! Ghosty Stuff!
The Haunted Pittsburgh crew continues to haunt Gypsy Café and we are eerily delighted to partner with them, offering a special 3-course prix fixe menu to fill you and an hour or so of storytelling to thrill you here at Gypsy Wednesdays September 9, 16, 30, and tentatively, 23 (G-20 et al might be scarier on the 23rd!)
We’ve also got some really cool special events coming up with the Haunted Pittsburgh to be announced, and they’re just about to launch their Walking Tours here in South Side! For more info: http://hauntedpgh.blogspot.com/ and a discussion about HP http://pittsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ghosts-in-pittsburgh.html!
Mark Your Calendars! Saturday, September 19th—Two Great Events!
Next on our upcoming events list, on Saturday afternoon at 1PM on the 19th, Gypsy is proud to welcome Sherrie Flick, (http://www.sherrieflick.com/) South Side Slopes farmer, Literary Innovator (founder of Gist Street Reading Series and sponsor of ISReads) former pastry chef, and most importantly AUTHOR, as she introduces her newly published novel, Reconsidering Happiness at a luncheon event here at Gypsy in her honor. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette recently reviewed her newest work:
Fiction: "Reconsidering Happiness," by Sherrie Flick. Pittsburgh novelist finds right recipe for life's lovely moments Sunday, August 30, 2009By Sherri Hallgren
and you can read about it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09242/993906-148.stm
The event is $20 per person and includes lunch and time with Sherrie in our intimate café. Please call for Reservations!
Jazz with Don Aliquo and Mark Perna!
Saturday night the 19th, join us for dinner with the sweet sounds of Jazz with saxophonist Don Aliquo and bassist Mark Perna starting at 7:30! Please call for Reservations!
As always, thank you for your interest in our little café.
Chef Jim
Call: 412.381.4977Email: gypsy@gypsycafe.netFax: 412.381.4979
Gypsy Café1330 Bingham Street, South Side!http://www.gypsycafe.net/
*A notable exception to this summer’s tomato tragedy is our South Side neighbor Farmer Jody of Lab8 and BYS Yoga fame, who, in a garden plot the size of a kiddie pool, brought forth a gargantuan 2 lb, 14oz tomato, respectfully dubbed “Urban Warrior”! (Now on to the backyard hop harvest!)
We here at Gypsy have a few items of note to pass on to you…
From the Patting-Ourselves-on-the-Back Department:
Seems we have been the center of a little attention storm here at the café. China Millman of the Post-Gazette was kind enough to mention us in a feature about restaurants that offer vegetarian fare (8/20 http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/09232/991956-34.stm) and we decided since the spotlight was on our meatless dishes that we should bring a veggie dish to the Sprout Fund’s Hot House event last Saturday. This paid off as our “Morocco Tacos”, flour tortillas filed with a black-eyed pea, caramelized onion, kale and toasted cumin rice pilaf mixture and topped with tahini/eggplant sauce, garnered us another teeny mention in the PG, this time in the Seen column (9/1) coverage of Hot House. Considering our advertising budget only exists in theory, two mentions in the paper are huge for us. Thanks for the exposure!
In shiny paper news, Pittsburgh Magazine named us “Best Tarot Readings While You Eat.” Although this is kind of like Melanie’s Dad declaring her his “favorite daughter” when she’s the only daughter, we appreciate our eclectic little place being presented with a fittingly eclectic award. Thank you Pittsburgh Magazine, for noticing. Thanks also to our dear resident Tarot reader Rebecca for being a part of Gypsy, and Kudos for her recognition. We and all the folks who visit with her think she’s great, and now PM gives a nod as well. Rebecca is available most Friday and Sunday nights to our dinner guests for readings, but her time does fill quickly, so be sure to make an appointment for a 15- or 30-minute reading when you make your dinner reservation. http://www.wqed.org/
From the Cool Stuff Coming Up Category
Y’know up until the first performance here at Gypsy, I had no idea what a “Cimbalom” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimbalom was, but this unique Hungarian instrument has a resonance and sound all its own that is worth seeking. Imagine a member of the dulcimer family crossed with the sounding board of a wind instrument and the fluidity of a harp. That puts you in the same neighborhood as a Cimbalom, but doesn’t quite do it justice. Outside of Europe, this rare and venerable instrument has only a few living masters, and one of them, Alex Udvary, will be performing with The Gypsy Strings’ George Batyi, Bob Sestili, and Jerry Grcevich in our third annual “A Night in Budapest” celebration. Please call to make reservations now for Saturday September 12th (a second night, Friday, September 11th may be added according to demand) to enjoy this rare music and a 3 course Hungarian menu for only $35. The menu will be listed on our website shortly. Another PG mention! http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995023-484.stm
Gypsy will be in two places September 12th as we will also be participating in WYEP’s annual Rock the Block event just down the street in South Side’s Bedford Square. Rock the Block is a terrific fundraising event for WYEP and has in a very short time become on the best events of summer. http://www.wyep.org/
What am I excited about this fall, other than the fall vegetables and fall menu looming large on the near horizon? Why Pittsburgh Comicon, natch, as anyone who knows me knows I am as big a comic book geek as I am a foodie. In order for me and my Geek Brunch staff to make it out to the Con this year (or as I like to call it, the “Nerd Prom”) and to allow us to recover from a weekend full of the events above, we will unfortunately be closed for brunch on Sunday, Sept 13th. We will be back the following Sunday at our regular time and hours for brunch, geekier and brunchier than ever, and we apologize in advance for the inconvenience. My comic book podcast Legion of Dudes (http://www.legionofdudes.com/) will be at the Con when I can’t, so if you see them there give them a wave and a hello. They are mostly harmless if properly medicated…
Classic Literature Brunch—and Birthday Celebration--this Sunday, September 6 NOON-3
One of our dear Gypsy pals and rabid brunch fan, Chad Shannon, wanted to celebrate his birthday with Brunch at Gypsy, but wanted to make it mean something to everyone who came in for brunch, so we came up with a plan. We’ve chosen a brunch theme near and dear to Chad, and in return to dedicating the Brunch to his love of Classic Literature, he has pledged to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation for every one of his “pet” brunch dishes sold. Classic Lit fan; classy guy! Celebrate with Chad this Sunday and feed your belly for a good cause!
BOOOO! Ghosty Stuff!
The Haunted Pittsburgh crew continues to haunt Gypsy Café and we are eerily delighted to partner with them, offering a special 3-course prix fixe menu to fill you and an hour or so of storytelling to thrill you here at Gypsy Wednesdays September 9, 16, 30, and tentatively, 23 (G-20 et al might be scarier on the 23rd!)
We’ve also got some really cool special events coming up with the Haunted Pittsburgh to be announced, and they’re just about to launch their Walking Tours here in South Side! For more info: http://hauntedpgh.blogspot.com/ and a discussion about HP http://pittsblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/ghosts-in-pittsburgh.html!
Mark Your Calendars! Saturday, September 19th—Two Great Events!
Next on our upcoming events list, on Saturday afternoon at 1PM on the 19th, Gypsy is proud to welcome Sherrie Flick, (http://www.sherrieflick.com/) South Side Slopes farmer, Literary Innovator (founder of Gist Street Reading Series and sponsor of ISReads) former pastry chef, and most importantly AUTHOR, as she introduces her newly published novel, Reconsidering Happiness at a luncheon event here at Gypsy in her honor. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette recently reviewed her newest work:
Fiction: "Reconsidering Happiness," by Sherrie Flick. Pittsburgh novelist finds right recipe for life's lovely moments Sunday, August 30, 2009By Sherri Hallgren
and you can read about it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09242/993906-148.stm
The event is $20 per person and includes lunch and time with Sherrie in our intimate café. Please call for Reservations!
Jazz with Don Aliquo and Mark Perna!
Saturday night the 19th, join us for dinner with the sweet sounds of Jazz with saxophonist Don Aliquo and bassist Mark Perna starting at 7:30! Please call for Reservations!
As always, thank you for your interest in our little café.
Chef Jim
Call: 412.381.4977Email: gypsy@gypsycafe.netFax: 412.381.4979
Gypsy Café1330 Bingham Street, South Side!http://www.gypsycafe.net/
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