Luma (Aspinwall)

Update (2/22/14): Luma is closed.

Luma in Aspinwall

I love new years; they always seem so full of hope and promise. Of course, January is usually an exciting month for me anyway, a month R. and I typically start out by celebrating our dating anniversary (seventh, this year). Just because we're now married doesn't mean we can't have more excuses to celebrate, right? And we thought it'd be the perfect occasion to redeem one of our wedding gifts - a gift certificate to Luma Restaurant.

We visited the Aspinwall location, a cozy little spot on Brilliant Avenue just off of Freeport Road.  Our server was friendly and held her own despite it having been her first day. The menu is fairly standard American with some interesting and delicious-sounding twists. Take my Salmon Strawberry, for example - a grilled salmon with peppered strawberries and finished with a honey balsamic glaze.  The combination of sweet strawberries and honey balsamic with savory salmon was incredible.

Salmon Strawberry ($22)

R. had the grilled Stuffed Salmon, with crab and a Grand Marnier glaze. He loved it, even proclaiming Luma his favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh!

Stuffed Salmon ($27)

We shared a Sticky Toffee for dessert, which features a warm date and raisin sponge cake smothered in caramel toffee sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. A perfect way to end an excellent meal.

Sticky Toffee ($7)

Thank you, Luma, for a lovely anniversary meal!

Restaurant info:
Luma
8 Brilliant Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
(412)781-0355
On the web: http://www.lumapgh.com/


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Marisqueira Bistro (Aspinwall)

Several weeks ago R. and I took some time out of our busy schedules for a date night at Marisqueira Bistro in Aspinwall.  Since we both liked Ibiza and I also enjoyed Mallorca (R. hasn't been), we figured Marisqueira would be quite good, as it is co-owned by Claudio Pereira, whose father owns the two side-by-side restaurants in South Side, and Francisco Buxareo.

Located on the cute Commercial Avenue in Aspinwall, Marisqueira is beautiful and inviting inside.  We started out with some tasty Sangrias, mine with red wine and his with champagne, and though both were great, we both liked the champagne one a little better.

Champagne sangria

My entree choice was the Pato a Colonias, or roasted duck in a sweet mango sauce, accompanied by a fresh side salad.

Salad

The skin on the duck was crispy and the meat tender.  The sauce was sweet in a way that enhanced the flavor of the duck.  A highly enjoyable dish.  R. had a chicken dish that he loved as well.

Pato a Colonias

Another view of the Pato a Colonias

Towards the end of the meal, we were treated to some complimentary Amarguinha, a Portuguese almond liquor.

Amarguinha

The high quality of the food and the friendly service at Marisqueira are reminiscent of its sisters, Mallorca and Ibiza, but Marisqueira also has its own distinct style, flavor, and feel that makes it stand out on its own.  It was, all in all, a lovely meal.

Restaurant info:
Marisqueira Mediterranean Bistro
225 Commercial Ave, Aspinwall, PA 15215
(412)696-1130
On the web: http://www.marisqueirabistro.com
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marisqueira-Bistro/163217947105984


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Burgatory Bar (Aspinwall)

As I have mentioned in my previous blog posts featuring Burgh'ers and BRGR, I am quite picky when it comes to ground beef.  I had sworn off beef burgers for almost two years, and am thrilled about the recent gourmet burger trend in Pittsburgh because for the most part these new restaurants serve beef burger that I consider "edible."  Burgatory Bar had been the next burger joint on my list to visit (they serve hormone-free beef burgers that are especially ground for them daily), and I was excited to finally have the opportunity to pay them a visit this past week.  Burgatory is located in the Waterworks Mall in Aspinwall, near the cinemas.  Waterworks is a large strip mall that's a bit out of the way for most Pittsburgh folks, and one might never have guessed that such a cool burger bar decided to open its doors here.

I missed out on getting a spiked shake when I visited BRGR so I was ready this time around.  I went for the Monkey Business, a "Bananas Foster Shake spiked with Dark Rum and Banana Liquor," with little bits of banana inside.  It certainly tasted as good as it sounds!  I was impressed.  In addition to their spiked shake options, there are also "virgin" shakes and a number of beer and cocktail options.

Monkey Business ($7.50)

As for my burger, there were several options on the menu that sounded mouth-watering, including the Phat Patti's Veggie Burger (a ground cremini mushroom burger), the Buffaloed Bison Burger, and The Crab Shack (lump crab burger topped with Sriracha remoulade and creamy coleslaw), but as part of my quest for beef-I-can-eat, I had to go for the Morty's Steakhouse: "Peppercorn Crusted Beef Burger with Horseradish Cheddar, Haystack Onions and Cabernet Sauce."

The Morty's Steakhouse Burger ($10)
Served with a gigantic steak knife

Another view of the Monty's Steakhouse Burger

The burger was really, really delicious, and certainly deserves all the hype it has received.  The patty was flavorful without being dry, and the crispy onions added an interesting element.  I had a bite of R.'s Phat Patti's Veggie Burger and it was tasty as well.  I should also add that if none of the menu options grab you, you can always create your own burger.  Several people in our group did just that and they seemed to appreciate the freedom to do so.  For your side that comes with the burger, however, I might recommend getting the fries instead of the chips.

Overall, I enjoyed my burger and my shake at Burgatory Bar.  I hesitate to make a choice among Burgh'ers, BRGR, and Burgatory and call it a winner, as I think you can't go wrong with any of these places.  BRGR and Burgatory, in particular, are very similar on many levels, although BRGR does not offer the option of customizing your own burger, but it does have a trendier feel.  Burgh'ers, as I mentioned in a previous post, is more of a casual neighborhood joint, and does not serve alcohol, although you are welcome to BYOB.  However, of the three, Burgh'ers is the only one that serves grass-fed beef.

I think the next stop on my Pittsburgh gourmet burger tour will be Winghart's Burger & Whiskey Bar.

Restaurant info:
Burgatory Bar
932 Freeport Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412)781-1456
On the web: http://www.burgatorybar.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Burgatory-Bar/172102409486384
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BurgatoryBar