Just a few hours in Pittsburgh Sept. 22

My husband and I will be driving to Pittsburgh this Saturday to spend an hour or two in the late afternoon visitng an elderly homebound relative. The last few times we%26#39;ve come on this sort of mission, we first went to a CLO matinee or to Oakland for Chihuly at Phipps beforehand. Would this Saturday be a good opportunity to spend 11-3 exploring the Strip District? Any other suggestions?

Just a few hours in Pittsburgh Sept. 22

Have you done the Duquesne Incline? Park at Station Square, ride up, have a nice lunch, ride down and walk around Station Square.

Strip District is a great idea too, loads of things to see.

Just a few hours in Pittsburgh Sept. 22

I grew up in Pittsburgh...left in 1965 for college. Honestly I can%26#39;t remember when I last rode the incline, so I%26#39;ll keep that in mind for a future trip. I%26#39;m interested in the Carson St. area and the Strip District because they%26#39;re parts of Pittsburgh I haven%26#39;t ever experienced.

Carson street is fun for people watching on a Saturday night. Since you%26#39;ll be in during the afternoon, the Strip is perfect.

http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/

Check out this site for what%26#39;s in and around the Strip!

Thanks, Gypsy, for the link. I%26#39;d actually discovered that myself yesterday. (What can I say? I%26#39;m a retired librarian so research is second nature to me.) Any personal recommendations on a spot for brunch or lunch?

Pamela%26#39;s P%26amp;G Diner.

Or Primanti%26#39;s, if you like their sandwiches. I personally do not, but since it%26#39;s a %26#39;burgh thing everyone should try it at least once.

My favorite place to eat in the Strip is Cafe Richard, which is next to Mon Aimee (fancy chocolates) at the corner of 21st and Penn. Cafe Richard is a little European style deli, with wonderful sandwiches, side dishes, and pastries. Conveniently near Enrico%26#39;s Biscotti (which is diagonally across the intersection, on Penn) which should not be missed. Which is conveniently near Pennsylvania Macaroni, an Italian grocery which should also not be missed. Buy some cheese.

There are plenty of other nice little places around there. I%26#39;m just saying if you have a chance to get the pan bagnat sandwich at Cafe Richard just once in your life, take it!

Primanti%26#39;s and DeLuca%26#39;s get a lot of attention because they%26#39;ve been around a while, but both are bigger on atmosphere than they are on good food, IMHO.

Have fun.

Saturday%26#39;s weather forecast is super for our stroll around the Strip. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions. What other spots in the Strip should we be sure to hit as well?

We%26#39;re tourists, in Pbgh for the first time this week, and walked up the Strip yesterday. Had breakfast at Pamela%26#39;s -- just fine, reasonable prices. We bought fresh-from-the-oven pepperoni bread at Mancini%26#39;s Bakery, 1717 Penn Ave, and it was scrumptious when hot.

A great hand-craft gift shop was Art of Steel, http://www.insiderpages.com/b/12864975094.

Tomorrow we%26#39;re probably going to the Society of Contemporary Craft gallery, 21st and Smallman, a couple blocks off Penn. Probably won%26#39;t have time to post a review before you get here.

The Strip is funky, but a fun stroll.