DeLuca's in Pittsburgh: Road Trip Breakfast

From the Streamliner Dinner on Bainbridge Island, to DeLuca's on the Strip in Pittsburgh: that's the story of my search for the best local breakfast during recent trips. We were told to go to DeLuca's because rumor had it that Obama had eaten there, but the truemor is that Obama was at breakfast rival Pamela's. (Get the full story here, at the very informative Obama Foodorama, A Daily Diary of The Obama Foodscape, One Bipartisan Byte At A Time.)

We thought the breakfast was terrific – and so was the ambience: bustling, friendly, evoking years of morning-meals-out-with-friends gone by. Here are just a few pictures.

I tracked down a piece called "The DeLuca Paradox" by Bob Steigerwald about why he thinks DeLuca's is a great place. The Feisty Foodie weighs in here. This review, by Regis Behe, says:

"the long, low counter, with accompanying swivel stools attached to the floor, allows diners to watch the kitchen staff whip up a variety of breakfast favorites. The booths are small but cozy, and a Greek-themed mural and an ancient clock on the front wall are relics from bygone eras. The service is friendly, efficient and quick. A first-time diner immediately feels welcome.

Of course, you get a lot of these comforts (not to mention some of the same ambience) at your Aunt Betty's house."

Yes, but who is lucky enough to have an Aunt Betty anymore? (If you have one, please let me know.) That comment reminds me of the CD by Bloomington musician Carrie Newcomer, Betty's Diner: I bet Carrie would appreciate DeLuca's.

Morning Trip to Bainbridge Island

Jack and I are in Seattle for a few days, staying at the Edgewater Hotel, where the Beatles stayed on their 1964 trip to the United States. On our first day here we took the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and ate breakfast at the Streamliner Diner, where I ate about 18 years ago on my last trip to the Northwest. It hasn't changed, and is a classic fantastic diner.

It was great to be on a ferry in the early morning, looking at the city, and the island, as they came in to view. This is the Edgewater, also a fantastic place, looking like a big houseboat from the outside.

A funny detail, after yesterday's post about Bathtub IV – yesterday, out the window, in the water, there was a helicopter rescue effort (a practice drill) in real time.