Travel Discoveries: Pittsburg

There is an area not far from downtown on Penn Street called the Strip. Formerly a warehouse and industrial area, it has remade itself into a vibrant slightly grimy street market populated with ethnic food stores (Italian, Polish, Chinese) and a variety of little restaurants that line the main street or are just off the street towart the river. Part of what fuels this energy is the urban revitalization that has transformed many warehouses into urban living spaces.

My favorite place to have breakfast is Pamelas diner just one half block off Penn Street in the river direction at 60 21st Street. (412-281-6366). There is always a crowd at this restaurant and if you get there after 0830 you will have to stand in line a bit on the weekend. The atmosphere inside is pure 50's diner with vintage photographs (school yearbook shots and family photographs) lining the walls. Tables are Formica and steel and chairs are covered in shiny Naugahyde.

President Obama choose this place to have breakfast a few months ago, and I can see why; a good place to rub elbows with the local population.

http://www.pamelasdiner.com/