Nichole "Nix Sidhe" M.'s Profile

Here it is my 100th review here on my favorite website. If any place is deserving of being my big milestone review it's Zenith.

While I'd been there more than once before, it had been too long and I didn't think I could accurately review it without more recent research being done. (Which is a great excuse for me to go back and have brunch again and again and again. I am a research assistant extraordinaire.) Let's take two things I love thrifting/antiques and brunch and smash them all together into one Sunday morning good time.

The interior of this store/restaurant is so full of interesting bits that there are things literally hanging from the ceiling. When you walk into the main room it's almost a feeling of sensory overload. So many fun items to look at and touch. You can buy everything, right down to the chair you sit in while you eat and the dishes you use. It's not particularly a perfect place for preschoolers though as some pieces are precariously perched and practically praying to be pushed over. (Like that alliteration I used there? Priceless!) Just one hiccup, a lot of items have no prices on them and I'm not really sure where you take an item you want to purchase.

It's best to get there before they open at 11am as a line begins to form immediately. For $10 you get to pick an entree (of which they have 5 or 6 options which change each week), hot or cold tea or coffee, and access to the buffet. The options are vegan or vegetarian and they always have fresh fruit and fresh baked breads. The dessert table is usually various pies and bundt cakes. The flavors are great and subtle too.

It's a small space so if you're claustrophobic or don't like beat sat with strangers this most likely isn't for you. They do take cards or cash so you're safe either way.

If you're looking for a unique brunch experience you'll want to make the Southside a stop off.

This is the Taj Mahal of the Big Lots chain of stores. So much great holiday decor and super cheap housewares type stuff. The next time I need a blender or some dishtowels I know exactly where to go.

It actually seemed clean and not completely shady inside too. If most Big Lots were this well stocked and clean I'd actually go into them instead of avoiding them.

I'm still a little nervous about the food selection as it just seems like it's expired? Or about to expire.

This spot in the plaza in Apollo has been many different things since my youth, this though has to be the best. I've always found they have a lot of quality items and a great "vintage" array. This location was no exception. While the space is small, it is completely packed to the gills with items with that familiar semi-musty thrift store smell. When I say packed I mean, items under racks, on top of racks, and clearly a very full back room waiting to be stocked.

Also, THE PRICES. Dear sweet Christmas-y lord. I've never paid so little for so many things at a thrift store. The catch, cash only and Apollo isn't exactly a wash with banks for you to find your ATM. Make sure to have some on you.

The dressing room is big and the women working seemed to really love their jobs. I love St V de P with all of my cold heart.

Oh, Ye Olde North Apollo Mall. My entire high school career and various fashion mishaps could all be documented by coming here. This still holds a place in my heart as one of my all time favorite thrift stores. The clothing is so immaculately organized that it has honestly spoiled me on any other thrift store. By gender, then type, then color/size. It's insane. I can actually walk in and think, "I need a green dress shirt for work." and walk right to the area and see what they have.

Additionally, the place is HUGE. Literally racks upon racks of clothes. An entire long walk of housewares, the width of the back of the store is all furniture (from which I've furnished many apartments), and upfront is a great shoe and jewelry section. The prices are good, they often have sales, it's rarely ever busy, and it has it's own parking lot.

I only have one issue with this store, the employees are not now nor have they ever been the friendliest people. In fact they're nearly abrasive. I'll let it slide though since everything else is so on point.

I do a lot of thrifting. That much is clear. I remember once almost a lifetime ago I stopped in here on my way home from work one day. It was as if the heavens had opened up. Not only did I find clothes I liked, but a 2 foot high old painted Virgin Mary that had adorned many an apartment since then.

The store is fairly well laid out, although truth be told I feel like it's lost some of it's punch. I was just here two weeks ago on a multi-thrift store venture for the perfect kitschy Christmas outfit for none other than the Yelp Elite Kitschy Christmas event. I didn't find any clothes for myself, although my sister did find a few things. They have an extensive costume jewelry section.

The place was packed, but seemed well laid out. The employees were really incredibly friendly. Making small talk and joking around. It was an all together pleasant thrifting experience even if I didn't find much I wanted there.

While my psyche does associate hotdogs with warmer weather, there wasn't much that could stop me from wandering in on my lady date prior to seeing a Christmas themed horror movie from the 70's at the Hollywood.

If I hadn't heard such good things about this place I wouldn't have ever know it was there. Just a tiny little store front of a shop off the main drag in Dormont. It has a true Pittsburgh feel to it too. Something about it is just so comfortable and laid back. There is a little hutch with various handmade goods, local companies business cards, and interesting bits and baubles. (After further discussion with the AMAZINGLY friendly young man who was making our food, I found out the owner also makes soaps and spa gift baskets too!)

Ordering was no easy task, to be honest. A hot dog is not just a hot dog here. There are so many different combinations of dogs! I finally decided on a Wisconsin Ave dog and a Pizza Dog. My friend is a vegetarian so she got hers as veggie dogs. (Any dog they have they can make as a veggie dog too!)

The smells inside of this place are INSANE. When I think about hotdogs I'm rarely thinking about delicious smells. (I honestly thinking about my grandfather boiling hot dogs and I start to feel a little queasy.) This place is just packed with great smells. From the chili used, to cheeses, to the toasting of the bun when they do the final once over... all so good that it's making my mouth water now.

The Wisconsin Dog was so so cheesy! Four kinds of cheesy goodness and still not greasy. The cheese sort of encompasses the bun in the end too. Mmmm shell of cheese. The Pizza Dog was better than I had anticipated. It had the perfect balance of  sauce, cheese, pepperoni. Perfect ratio.

I couldn't find something to dislike about this place if I wanted to. If you like cheap fast gourmet hot dogs, this is your best bet.

Honestly, do I need a reason to dress up like an idiot in a public place? No, not at all.  It's fun when I have one though and this was the perfect reason. Yelp Pittsburgh Elite events have been the best.

Claddagh was amazing. The interior is stunning. Just dark enough to be moody and so cozy warm. The staff was unbelievably friendly and engaging. I talked to nearly every single waiter and the general manager and felt so comfortable and at ease. Knowledgeable and charming.

A fire in the fire place and one outside on the patio made it feel like home, well a much nicer roomier and fancier version of my house I guess... There was an acoustic guitar, a recorder of sorts, and a violin and some singing. It set a perfect mood.

I love me some cider and Magner's Pear cider was delicious and that food from Claddaghs was unreal. I won several gift cards and can NOT wait to go back for some serious dinner and drinks in a sit down environment. Between the little meatballs and the tiny cups of chicken pot pie I was in heaven. Then out of nowhere, BOOM tiny toast with spinach artichoke dip. While I don't eat shrimp the Yunegling battered shrimp LOOKED amazing. The night ended with amazing rich desserts.

I love the photobooth idea and once again capturing me on film dressed like a mid 90's reindeer nightmare is always fun.

I met some people I'd been hoping to for a while and saw some pals from last time. I just can't wait till the next event!!

I don't even really know where to begin with this review. I guess the most sensical thing to do with such a nonsensical transit system is a pros and cons list. (If nothing it will be the quickest and least painful for me and for you, my dear sweet reader.)

Pros -
It is rare to find I can't get a bus to a place I want to go. Truth be told I don't leave the city a whole lot, but anytime I want to get somewhere with some leg work I can find a bus to take me where I want.

My morning bus (especially the insanely early 5am 86 from Bloomfield to work and the gym downtown) is almost always on time.

Cons -
It's a known fact that the last 54 from the Southside to the East End/Oakland/Etc rarely to never comes and the "last one" is NOT late enough to be considered an after the bars options to get home.

It's pretty common for the buses to either be a full 15 min early or 10 min late.

I've seen more than one person pee themselves.

I've had a bus driver just plain ignore my request for a stop and then ignore ME while I'm telling them as much.

PACKED buses and constantly cutting routes and trips.

Dirty buses. I've seen a dirty diaper or two.

I don't own a car so it's really my only mode of transportation since we can catch cabs here like in a normal city. I'd be lost without it, but it could be much much much better.

Sweet sweet Flea Tique. You are the creme de la creme of the thrifting world for me. I have never left this place without buying something.

Three rooms of near floor to ceiling weirdness. While more antique store than thrift store, you can still poke and prod and spend less than $10 and still leave with some totally bizarre treasure.

I've come away with anything ranging from old photographs, to Heinz pickle pins, to sports memorabilia, to my 1960's creepy little boy mannequin! Take a nice long drive out to scenic route 30 and spend a few hours here poking around.

While they do take cards, not ALL vendors do so I suggest having cash on you.

BOOOO! This Goodwill is just plain disappointing. In addition to being poorly organized, they almost NEVER have anything good. More often than not I found a ton of toss off BigLots or dollar store junk that they're selling for close to the same price either of those stores are selling it for.

If it wasn't for a good cause it would be criminal.