Tin Front Café (Homestead)

Last week, R. and I visited the family-owned, family-run, all-vegetarian Tin Front Café in Homestead for the first time.  I had known of Tin Front Café since last September when I attended the Waterfront Food & Wine Tasting event and tried their delicious award-winning chili.  I was glad to finally have the chance to visit the actual restaurant!

On this night, it had just gotten warm enough to sit out in the courtyard in the back, so we did.  The first thing  that caught my attention was the cute decor on the wall, sculpted by the owner's stepfather, David Lewis:

Tin Front Cafe's Patio

For our meal, we decided to first split the Butternut Bisque, with basil and coconut milk.  We were pleasantly surprised when our bisque came already split for us into two smaller cups. What a nice touch!

Butternut Bisque ($3.75)
Photo shows half of an order

There was also a complimentary salad that accompanied each entree:

Salad

For his entree, R. ordered the Carrot Ginger Risotto that sits in portabello cap and atop some sauteed spinach.

Carrot Ginger Risotto ($12.95)

While R. thought his entree was great (it was - I tried it too), he couldn't stop digging his fork into my Butternut Squash Lasagna, which was served in a basil bechamel sauce.  His rude behavior was completely understandable, however.  This cheesy lasagna was the perfect marriage of sweet and savory; it was decidedly the best lasagna we've both had in our lives!

Butternut Squash Lasagna ($13.95)
Also goes by the name "Pure Heaven"

Beyond the lovingly-prepared food, I also adore the simple, friendly, down-home atmosphere at Tin Front Café.  While owner Daniel Valentine worked in the kitchen, his mother took excellent care of the patrons.  It was a lovely first visit that exceeded all my expectations, and we will be back again for sure.

And next time, I'll need to come a little earlier to check out the attached Annex Cookery, run by mom Judith Tener-Lewis, which sells some interesting art and kitchen gadgets.

Restaurant info:
The Tin Front Café

216 East 8th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120
(412) 461-4615
On the web: http://www.tinfrontcafe.com
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinfrontcafe
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinfrontcafe
Bonus: Free Wifi


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SMOKE Barbeque Taqueria (Homestead)

If I had to choose just one word to describe Smoke Babeque Taqueria, that word would be "divine."

So far, I have only been to Smoke twice, but I've been more than impressed both times.  Especially for someone who doesn't normally get terribly excited about tacos.  My first visit was prompted by a conversation with fellow food blogger friend Señorita Cibulka, who invited the ultimate Smoke fanboy, Burgh Gourmand, along.  The little hole-in-the-wall establishment with just three tables made such an impression on me that when, two weeks later, another food blogger friend, Suburghia Foodie, mentioned she was going to be in the area, I suggested Smoke as the place to grab a bite together.

On my first visit, BG recommended the Pork Taco and the Brisket Taco, and I went along.  Because the dude is a cook, after all.  And I think it is generally a smart idea to trust a cook's judgment, at least when it comes to food.

Pork Taco
Apricot Habanero Sauce and Caramelized Onions ($3.50)

Brisket Taco
Sauteed Onions, Hot Peppers, Barbecue Mustard Sauce ($4.00)

And that was definitely a smart move.

On my second visit, I wanted to try two other varieties, the Chicken Taco and the Veggie Taco.

Chicken Taco
Avocado Cream, Pickled Onions, Fresno Hot Sauce ($3.50)

Veggie Taco
Black Beans, Roasted Poblano & Corn Relish, Crispy Potatoes, Chili de Arbol Sauce ($3.00)
(N.B.: The sauce is really spicy!)

Each of these tacos was unique and flavorful.  The owners, Jeff Petruso and Nancy Carranco, who recently moved from Austin, Texas, make everything themselves - the meat, the tortillas, the drinks. Everything.

And ooooh, the tortillas.  So soft, with a hint of sweetness.  Handmade daily.  Just perfect.  Best tortillas I've ever had.

For now, there are only five taco options, which means I have just the Ribs Taco left to try.  That said, Smoke is planning to expand their menu, a fact that excites me.

During each of my visits, I also ordered a side and a drink.  The first side I tried was the Jalapeno Apple Slaw, which was like coleslaw, only far, FAR better.  And don't you just love how the sides are served in mugs?

Jalapeno Apple Slaw
Roasted Jalapenos, Apples, Creamy Dressing ($2.50)

The second side I tried was the Mac n Cheese, topped with the optional housemade bacon.  This was also a BG-recommendation.  I used to think I hated mac and cheese, because when I think mac and cheese, I think Kraft Dinner.  But again, a smart gal listens to the one who knows a thing or two about cooking.  Sure enough, I was blown away.  Smoke's is seriously the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life.  And the housemade bacon?  Divine.  If you get the Smoke Mac n Cheese, you must get it with bacon.  Must.

Mac n Cheese, with Bacon
Roasted, Garlic, Shallots, Mascarpone Cheese, Sharp White Cheddar, Bacon ($3.25)

For the fresh housemade drinks, both times I went with something I had never tried before.  The Horchata is a slightly sweet rice drink with cinnamon, and I liked it.

Horchata ($3.00)

The second time I got the Agua Fresca, which is a refreshing fruit drink.  The flavor of the day was honeydew, and I was pleased with it.

Honeydew Agua Fresca ($3.00)

Austin's loss = Pittsburgh's gain.

Needless to say, I will be back.  This place is worth the drive to Homestead.

Check out related blog posts by Señorita Cibulka and Suburghia Foodie, and also another nice write-up by The JQS.

UPDATE 12/21/2011:  New post here on a visit after the new menu was unveiled.

Restaurant info:
SMOKE Barbeque Taqueria
225 E 8th Ave, Homestead, PA 15120
412-205-3039
On twitter: http://twitter.com/smokebbqtacos
Bonus: BYOB, Cash only


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