rev:text
| - Calling Pittsburgh home for many years, allowed me to wander the neighborhoods, finding the tucked away spots that are close to everything. Polish Hill is exactly that, tucked between Baum Blvd. and the Strip District, bordered East/West by Downtown Pittsburgh & Lawrenceville, it is a community fitting for a resurgence, a re-birth.
The one vestige that has harbored the bold souls that found this enclave years ago, is Gooski's. A Polish Hill institution that has weathered the years well. One cannot consume alcohol all day & night ( some may argue this statement), so it is only fitting that the newest Landmark for the community be a coffee shop. Named Lili, in honor of Rob & Carrie's daughter, the space is calming and comfortable.
On my last trip to the 'Brugh, I made it a point to stop by my old haunts
( The Beehive, Starbucks on Carson St., Primanti Brothers in the Strip, etc.) and to find a few new additions. Lili Coffee Shop is definitely a gem. I spent 3 hours here, bumped elbows with friends coming & going, even got a great recommendation for a Massage Therapist in the neighborhood (the next review...)
The cuisine is perfect: Quiche, Chili, Cookies, Brownies, Granola, Biscotti, and of course great coffee, chai, tea, etc. I had the Quiche, savory to the last bite and made from scratch by a local baker/chef (Blythe makes everything! ) Rob's easy-going nature and great customer service make the experience seem like your stopping at a friend's house.
There is also a small room in the back for studying or an impromptu jam session. The location is convenient, just off of Heron and an easy walk from anywhere on Polish Hill. With-in the same building, there is a Record Store (second floor, Mind Cure Records, a project of Polish Hill resident Michael Seamans and Dan Allen. The vinyl-only shop will sell from a stock of about 8,000 records, including local releases. ) and a Comic Book Trove (the third floor will host Bill Boichel's Copacetic Comics, which is relocating to Polish Hill from Squirrel Hill, where it's been since 2001.)
Make the trip, take a walk with your dog (yes, Lili Coffee Shop is dog-friendly) and stop for a great cup of coffee with a new friend. I will definitely return when visiting Pittsburgh again. Oh, and I almost forgot, they serve a great Brunch on Sunday for $6.75 ( It is a steal!)
|