Lifestyles

It isn't every day that we foodies get to tempt our taste buds with the culinary wizardry sauteed and served up a la top chefs from 20 of the tastiest eateries in town, but on Wednesday, more than 500 of us discovered the true meaning of grilled to perfection when we refused to wave the white fork of surrender during Savor Pittsburgh at the SouthSide Works.

Now, most of us can remember a time when our definition of "good eatin'" equated with pizza for breakfast and a fine array of frozen microwavable dinners to choose from, but now, our properly matured palates have come to appreciate the finer things in life.

So mouthwatering were these edible works of art that tasteaholics, including co-chairs Michelle Straka, Pamelyn McMahon and Christina Dickerson found themselves in a succulent seventh heaven; indulging in Dirty Shrimp with Sweet Potato Grits and Avocado and Chili oils from McCormick & Schmick's in the SouthSide Works, Kobe Beef Ravioli from Bravo! Cranberry, and Butternut Squash Manicotti from Red Room Cafe.

Think we couldn't possibly have saved room for dessert? Pshaw! After all, bikini season apparently is gone with the wind, and the only redeeming possibility of this tragedy is that sweaters are perfect for disguising our guiltiest of pleasures. So bring on the Opera Torte with Toasted Almond Ice Cream and Almond Brittle from The Sonoma Grille, and Mixed Berry Foster with Mascarpone-filled Crepes from Tree Tops!

A panel of professional palateers included celeb judges Rick Sebak, Chris Fennimore, John Gruver and chefs Ray Wesolowski and Art Inzinga, who mixed and mingled with VIPs during the champagne reception at McCormick & Schmick's before going into the tasty trenches and crowning the Milk Chocolate Cashew Bomb from Tusca Global Tapas as "Dish of the Year."

Later, hip swayers were lured by the sounds of No Bad JuJu to dance the night away doing the stiletto stomp while trying their best to casually check out the fantabulous scenery that surrounded us.

The only thing even more delicious than this celebration of cuisine was knowing that we raised funds for the American Respiratory Alliance with every bite.

Forkfully yours, Fanflairs!

Eating their hearts out were board prez Jack Rupp with Lucine; director Christine Weaver; Damian Soffer with mother Violet and brother, Jim; Johna and George Snyder; Dr. Ron and Debbie Cypher; Duane and Martie Towns; Susan Rosenblatt; Tony and Diane Talotta; Carlo and Mary Dozzi; Joe and Pamela Buongiorno; Krista Johnson and Antoine Smalls; Ron Trant; Rich Pelot; Patricia and Robert Rupp; Neysa and Tom Myers; Bob Harper with daughter Liz; Bill Harper; Gene and Reida Zappa; Ryan Gallaher; Jon Capozzoli; Jen Wenger; Connie Macurak; Ryan Zeli; Jeff Wallace; Reid Vogel; Sam Milakofsky; Michael McCarthy; Eileen Zolinas; Dave and Becky Panizzi; and emcee Jim Lokay of KDKA-TV.

Art Attack

We love anything that can help brush away our "is the weekend really over?" blues, and, on Monday, more than 100 of us were happy to paint our way down to the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts for the Artist of the Year Auction, celebrating contemporary works on display from regional artists over the last 60 years.

Naturally, with an exhibition titled "AUGËRE," derived from the Latin verb meaning "to increase," we figured that now was as good a time as any to add some much needed character to those barren walls that awaited us at home.

Armed with paddles and checkbooks, it wasn't long before most of the works were going once, going twice, sold!, raising $25K for the creation of an endowment for future recipients of the award.

We spotted board prez Seth Rosenberg with Rebecca King Rosenberg, Charlie Humphrey, Clayton Merrell, Jim Abraham, Kathleen Zimbicki, Donna Hollen Bolmgren, Joanne and Robert Qualters, Joe Seamans, Dena Holland and Beth Wainwright with Russell Kemerer

— K.G.

Best of the Best

No need to wonder for a moment longer where to satisfy that nostalgic sweet tooth (Best Retro Treats: Village Candy), where to quench a parched thirst after a long day avoiding a run-in with Johnny Law (Best Pre-Prohibition-Style Cocktails: Embury in the Firehouse Lounge), how to get over your fear of the Boogeyman (Best Reason to Go Into the Woods at Night: Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh's "Star Parties), and how to get Rover to be more sociable during the summer (Best Dog Pool: Lucky Paws Pet Resort).

Pittsburgh Magazine threw their annual Best of Pittsburgh bash at The Andy Warhol Museum on Wednesday, where more than 330 of us got the inside scoop on where find the crème de la crème in such categories as entertainment, cuisine, family activities and shopping.

Not surprising, crowned the Worst Local Highway to Rubberneck On? Any of them! Eyes straight ahead, 'Burghers.

Getting better all the time were publisher Betsy Benson, Julie Talerico, Cindy and Rich Engler, Tara Covelens, Daniel Everhart, Aaron Kinkela, Rebecca Bloom, Dr. Lawrence Biskin and Kristi Rogers with Jody Schurman.

— K.G.

Up and Coming

September 9

Enchanted Evening Gala — Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Heinz Hall

412-392-6070

September 11

H'Art & Soul of Haiti — Friends of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti

Bakery Square

412-361-4884

Mother's Hope Foundation — Rainbow and Roses Benefit Evening

Westin Convention Center Hotel

412-343-3516

September 12

Steel City Big Pour — Construction Junction

412-243-5025

Imani Gala — Imani Christian Academy

Sewickley residence

412-741-8398

Family House Polo Match

Hartwood Acres

412-647-7656

September 13

Mexican War Streets House and Garden Tour

412-323-9030

Evening of Hope — Girls Hope of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Field Club

724-869-2868

September 15

Dave Thomas Celebrity Cookoff — Three Rivers Adoption Council

Benihana

412-471-8722

September 16

Forty and Fabulous — Focus on Renewal

LeMont

412-771-6460, ext 300

September 17

Grand Opening Celebration — The August Wilson Center

980 Liberty Ave

412-258-2700

Tree of Life Award Dinner — Jewish National Fund

Omni William Penn

412-521-3200

September 18

Party for the Garden — Botanical Gardens of Western PA

J. Verno Studios

412-444-4461

Young at Heart Gala — Sisters of St. Joseph

LeMont

724-869-6321

September 19

Couples for a Cure — Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Smart House/Mt. Lebanon

412-321-4422

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