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RESTAURANT GEM OFF 422 in NEW CASTLE, PA PROVIDES CUSTOMERs WITH DELICIOUS FOOD AND AMPLE BEER SELECTION![]()
Ben Franklins Taproom & Grille![]()
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🤔 If you are from New Castle, Pennsylvania, you are proud to call yourself the Firework Capital of America, backing it up by having two major commercial firework companies in Zambelli International and Pyrotecnico. Not to mention on the outskirts of town having attractions such as McConnell’s Mill State Park and Moraine State Park which offers outdoor leisure activities including hiking and biking. Another destination locals rave about is Living Treasures Wild Animal Park. It is here that guest get an up-close look at more than four hundred animals from all over the world. If you are in the area and your appetite comes a calling, people are raving about Ben Franklin’s Tap Room & Grille. Let us see what why so many people from the area are calling this place one of their favorite places to dine.![]()
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🌶 Appetizers – Standard appetizers on the menu at most restaurants include provolone sticks, onion rings, zucchini, etc. These are delicious do not get me wrong, however, Ben Franklin’s takes it up a notch. The Jalapeno Manicotti’s features Jalapeno's hand-stuffed with a 4-cheese blend which are accompanied by your choice of ranch or marinara. Other favorites are the Bavarian Pretzels and Grandma Jacobs Syrian Bread.![]()
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🧀 Mac & Cheese – An American classic! Ben Franklin’s takes Mac & Cheese takes it to the next level with creations such as the Taste of Pittsburgh Mac which features a house made white mac and cheese sauce combined with pastrami and finished with fries and coleslaw. The Pulled Pork Mac has house made mac and cheese coupled with beer braised pulled pork. It is served with fried jalapenos on top.![]()
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🥩 Entrees, burgers, and sandwiches – This is the sleeper item on the menu. These are not just any ordinary plain ribs with barbecue slathered on them. They are cooked low and slow so that the ultimate tenderness is achieved. They feature their famous Bayou Bomber Barbecue Sauce. Who does not love meat on a stick? The Lamb on a Rod gives you a choice of 1 or 2 lamb rods atop a bed of rice. It is served with Grandma Jacobs Syrian Bread with garlic and pepper sauce. The Hell’s Hollow burger kicks up the heat with pepper jack cheese, grilled jalapeno peppers, bacon, and a spicy sambal sauce. It is served with your choice of fresh cut fries or sriracha fries. The Rodeo Brisket Sandwich has slow cooked brisket, fried onion rings, BBQ sauce, and bacon. It is served with house cut French fries.![]()
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🧐 My final take – Not only does Ben Franklin’s Tap Room & Grille have delicious food, but they have an extensive craft beer selection as well. It is a relaxed atmosphere, and the restaurant is always trying to innovate to keep up with the times. Bottom line, if you make Ben Franklin’s your choice, you are going to get delicious food and a cozy atmosphere.![]()
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🔪 Score![]()
1. Taste and Flavor – 4.5/5![]()
2. Portion Size – 4/5![]()
3. Affordability – Appetizers $7.00-$11.00 Entrees $15.00-$34.00![]()
4. Ambience – 3.8/5![]()
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🖊 Score rubric![]()
1. Taste and Flavor –![]()
(1) Bland, no taste at all, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(2) Edible, but below average, little to no spices, herbs, or seasonings, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(3) Decent quality, spices/herbs/seasoning used. Not going to rave about the food but also not going to complain.![]()
(4) Restaurant/dish lives up to reputation. Flavorful, it is clear spices/herbs, seasonings are used effectively. Dishes clearly thought out and well executed. What you would expect for your hard-earned dollar.![]()
(5) Exceeds expectations. Not only are spices/herbs, and seasonings used to perfection, at this level, highest quality ingredients/meats used. Processes such as aging, brining, and marinating are used at this level. Food is cooked to perfection at this level and meat is unbelievably tender and juicy. You tell all your friends and family immediately about your food experience.![]()
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2. Portion Size – How much food do you get, is there left-overs? 5s need to wow me.![]()
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3. Affordability – Average cost of entrees and appetizers![]()
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4. Ambience – The mood or feeling of the restaurant. Decorations, history, memorabilia, etc. Is it an atmosphere you could spend hours at?![]()
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To check out more amazing restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, check out my website below,![]()
RESTAURANT GEMS OF PITTSBURGH![]()
www.restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com![]()
![]()
WANT ME TO VISIT YOUR RESTAURANT? Reach out to me by clicking on the link below.![]()
Contact - Restaurants Gems of Pittsburgh (restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com)
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WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WINERY REMAINS STAPLE in PITTSBURGH AREA![]()
Narcisi Winery![]()
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🤔 If you are around my age, you remember your younger/college years drinking beers such as Natural Ice, Keystone Ice, American, and Beast Ice. Nights out at bars consisted of well drinks, and wine was used to make jungle or moose juice. As you progress through life, make more money, and become more well-rounded, you desire better things. Wine drinking, tasting, and collecting becomes more appealing. Wine is extremely popular because it is considered a cultured beverage. It is also healthy for the body in moderation. Wineries have become increasingly popular. Ask a classy and cultured girl out early in dating and offer to do keg stands, see how well that works out for you. Offer to take a girl to a Winery with some basic product knowledge, now we are cooking with gas. Since 2001 Narcisi Winery, a family-owned winery, has provided its customers with great tasting wine, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. Let us explore!![]()
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🌳 The location – Narcisi Winery is located within the picturesque rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania. Most will tell you, the winery is evocative of a Tuscan villa, where time suddenly comes to a stop, and your worries and stress of everyday life slowly fades away.![]()
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🍷 The wine – Narcisi’s selection of wines includes blush, fruit, red, rose, sparkling, white, and specialty wines. The grapes are garnered from local, Pennsylvania vineyards and processed using stainless steel equipment and tanks. The wine-making process is focused on naturally preserving the true character of the grapes using natural methods of wine making such as marginal filtration. Narcisi Winery yields roughly 35,000 gallons, or 175,000 bottles of wine a year. All wine processing from start to finish is done in house.![]()
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🍕🧀🥩 The food – The winery has a restaurant, and certain foods can also be ordered while enjoying wine outdoors. Start out with an appetizer such as fried calamari or the meatball trio. Pizza is always a safe bet! Narcisi features their “Cardinale” which has Sausage, bacon, pancetta, sweet cherry peppers, mozzarella, and diavola sauce. The “Salsiccia” has Sausage, ricotta, caramelized fennel, tomato sauce, and is finished with basil. They have great Italian specialties such as lobster ravioli, lasagna, and chicken parmigiana. Looking to take it up a notch? Go all out and order the New York Strip or Delmonico steaks. Finally, they have an extensive dessert menu, Tiramisu or Gelato anyone?![]()
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🧐 My final take - The world we live in at times can be high stress, high pressure, and fast paced. If you want to relax and are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Narcisi Winery is for you. Smell the fresh air, take in the beautiful setting, and enjoy great food and drink. There is a unique quality and special element to a family-owned business that treats the customer right. It is no secret that everyone flocks to this establishment!![]()
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🔪 Score![]()
1. Taste and Flavor – 4.5/5![]()
2. Portion Size – 4/5![]()
3. Affordability – Wine $15.00-$22.00 per bottle Appetizers $12.00-$14.00 Entrees $18.00-$31.00![]()
4. Ambience – 5/5![]()
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🖊 Score rubric![]()
1. Taste and Flavor –![]()
(1) Bland, no taste at all, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(2) Edible, but below average, little to no spices, herbs, or seasonings, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(3) Decent quality, spices/herbs/seasoning used. Not going to rave about the food but also not going to complain.![]()
(4) Restaurant/dish lives up to reputation. Flavorful, it is clear spices/herbs, seasonings are used effectively. Dishes clearly thought out and well executed. What you would expect for your hard-earned dollar.![]()
(5) Exceeds expectations. Not only are spices/herbs, and seasonings used to perfection, at this level, highest quality ingredients/meats used. Processes such as aging, brining, and marinating are used at this level. Food is cooked to perfection at this level and meat is unbelievably tender and juicy. You tell all your friends and family immediately about your food experience.![]()
![]()
2. Portion Size – How much food do you get, is there left-overs? 5s need to wow me.![]()
![]()
3. Affordability – Average cost of entrees and appetizers![]()
![]()
4. Ambience – The mood or feeling of the restaurant. Decorations, history, memorabilia, etc. Is it an atmosphere you could spend hours at?![]()
![]()
To check out more amazing restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, check out my website below,![]()
RESTAURANT GEMS OF PITTSBURGH![]()
www.restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com![]()
![]()
WANT ME TO VISIT YOUR RESTAURANT? Reach out to me by clicking on the link below.![]()
Contact - Restaurants Gems of Pittsburgh (restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com)
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
FEW WILL DENY, THERE is SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THE SMELL of FRESH BAKED BREAD![]()
Loafers Bread Company Loafers Bread Company Loafers Bread Company![]()
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🤔 Bread is a fundamental food formulated from a dough consisting of flour and water, usually by baking. Throughout time, it has been an important food in most parts of the word. It is one of the oldest human-made foods. It has been of significant importance since the beginning of farming and agriculture and plays a key role in our society today. In the Pittsburgh area with locations in Wexford, Cranberry, and Fox Chapel, Loafers Bread CO. takes the art of bread making very seriously. Let us see why this is a popular spot to get fresh baked bread or an on-the-go breakfast or lunch.![]()
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🥖 The bread – Loafers prides itself on bread that is made from scratch from freshly milled wheat that is prepared every morning hot out of the oven. An emphasis is placed on using natural ingredients as they understand customers are conscious of what they put in their bodies.![]()
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🍞 Loafers offers over fifty different breads to choose from, check their website for more info. They also offer homemade muffins, cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more!![]()
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🥪 Breakfast/Lunch – Start your day off with a breakfast sandwich and freshly brewed coffee. If you are looking for a quick and delicious lunch, try one of their daily sandwiches which includes oven roasted turkey, applewood smoked uncured honey ham, roast beef, tuna or chicken salad, or the traditional peanut butter & jam. They also have the soup of the day and salads such as chicken Caesar, island, or cobb salads.![]()
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🧐 My final take – Loafers is a great option to get fresh bakery goods or grabbing a quick coffee and bite to eat. It is clean, the staff is friendly, and the service is good. If you have not been there, give it a try!![]()
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🔪 Score![]()
1. Taste and Flavor – 4/5![]()
2. Portion Size – 4/5![]()
3. Affordability – Breads – Market Price, Sandwiches $4.00-$8.50 Salads $8.00-$9.50![]()
4. Ambience – 4/5![]()
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🖊 Score rubric![]()
1. Taste and Flavor –![]()
(1) Bland, no taste at all, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(2) Edible, but below average, little to no spices, herbs, or seasonings, under/overcooked/dry![]()
(3) Decent quality, spices/herbs/seasoning used. Not going to rave about the food but also not going to complain.![]()
(4) Restaurant/dish lives up to reputation. Flavorful, it is clear spices/herbs, seasonings are used effectively. Dishes clearly thought out and well executed. What you would expect for your hard-earned dollar.![]()
(5) Exceeds expectations. Not only are spices/herbs, and seasonings used to perfection, at this level, highest quality ingredients/meats used. Processes such as aging, brining, and marinating are used at this level. Food is cooked to perfection at this level and meat is unbelievably tender and juicy. You tell all your friends and family immediately about your food experience.![]()
![]()
2. Portion Size – How much food do you get, is there left-overs? 5s need to wow me.![]()
![]()
3. Affordability – Average cost of entrees and appetizers![]()
![]()
4. Ambience – The mood or feeling of the restaurant. Decorations, history, memorabilia, etc. Is it an atmosphere you could spend hours at?![]()
![]()
To check out more amazing restaurants in the Pittsburgh area, check out my website below,![]()
RESTAURANT GEMS OF PITTSBURGH![]()
www.restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com![]()
![]()
WANT ME TO VISIT YOUR RESTAURANT? Reach out to me by clicking on the link below.![]()
Contact - Restaurants Gems of Pittsburgh (restaurantgemsofpittsburgh.com)