Since the first year of my life I celebrated by birthday with my brother Rob who happens to be 9 years and two days older than me.  This year we celebrated at Legume in Regent Sq.

The food was absolutely amazing.  I’ve had the chance to get to know Trevett (chef and owner) shopping every Saturday at the East Liberty Farmer’s Market.  It’s not surprising that the food is amazing – fresh and local.  But getting to know Trevett; his passion and personality shine through in his food.   OMG!!!

We finished a few bottles of tasty vino, – sparkling to toast, Vouray with appetizers and a great red with dinner – Nero D’Avola, Sicilia.  In the true Legume, Trevett way, the coffee was served to our table in a French Press to go with (smoke a cig after) desserts!  In my view, a great restaurant is also a restaurant that attends to it’s coffee.  Trevett – yo!  Rob you are still older than me , phew, and my idol!  Btw, Rob is the guy who bakes all our bread for Tazza D’Oro.  He is a 3rd generation baker!  In fact, we spent part of the night telling stories of the birthday cakes our dad used to make for us.  We miss those cakes!

Amelia, Renee, Rick and Gerda – what a great night, grazie!

It’s officially official – Enrico’s Biscotti, Flying Biscotti Catering Co Inc – is now located on Bryant St in Highland Park.  Tazza D’Oro is so happy to have more real entrepreneurs and quality on Bryant St.  We felt like we’ve been on an “entrepreneurial island” for the last 10 years.  Bryant Street is becoming a corridor and destination for amazing  food and wellness – The Nuin Center,  Joe Tambellini, Italian Restaurant , Smiling Banana, the pending opening of Park Bruges, along with  the catering, event spot and bakery of Enrico’s Biscotti -  who knows what’s next?  OMG!!!

Welcome, Kate (my favorite stalker) and Larry.  You are an amazing addition to our community and we are so excited that you know, appreciate  and drink good coffee!  Btw, I’ll be stopping by pretty frequently and bringing the vino -K!

Bicycle Love once again is flowing in Highland Park…

Come and get it- caffeine junkies!

It’s been a very long 6 days…right?  Around 6 pm all power has been restored at Tazza D’Oro (for my peeps- there’s a metaphor!)  We will open at 7am sharp on Friday and coffee, espresso and French Presses will be flowing.

I want to thank all the folks who lobbied Duquesne Light on our behalf.  Trust me, through out the week I had several tense conversations with all the folks at Duquesne Light who were unlucky enough to take my calls.  But at the end of the day our Councilman, Patrick Dowd, stepped in and took charge.  Patrick has been so busy in our district with the snow storm that he was unaware of our loss of electricity.  After a few exchanges with texting, calls and more texting with Patrick at 4:30pm today Duquesne Light service dudes showed up to fix our power line.

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!!  Patrick, thank you for your leadership and support of Tazza D’Oro and our community.  I never thought to call Patrick for assistance but his willingness to recognize our need as a small business was totally a gift and relief – that’s what I call leadership.  COFFEE!

I said to Frankie this morning – “dude, I don’t know how you do this all day!”

(pic: that’s Frank hunkered down and really happy we are home for another snow day!) Yet, another lesson from the Wheaten Terrier.

Here’s the electric and power line update for today:

First off, the emergency customer service folks at Duquesne Light have been amazing – thank you for listening and your compassion for our situation.  DL will hopefully get to Tazza D’Oro to make all necessary repairs to our power line on Thursday or Friday.  They know we have heat, but not enough power coming into the building to operate our equipment.  (Btw, I am so thankful that our building has heat and we don’t have to worry about water pipes breaking.)  Second, there are still several thousand city homes without heat and electricity – since Friday night!!!   These folks should definitely be the priority.  Third, I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated all the tweets, Facebook entries and emails from our customers asking if they could call DL on our behalf or already have done so.  No worries, I am calling everyday for an update and let’s support these service workers getting to residential emergencies first.  Lastly, and as the owner, not being able to make and serve coffee for you guys has been excruciating.    But I know we are all in this together and it will soon be over.  I saw a freaking ROBIN today hanging out on our porch…so there!

Oh, I just have to say it – finally our streets are being plowed – after 5 freaking days – that’s the reason for the sedative!  Next snow storm let’s call it the G20 Snow Summit…plows will be out in force!!!

I have been thinking a lot about how to solve our “no electricity” problem while waiting for Duquesne Light to show up and fix our power line – life with out making coffee just plain SUCKS!  So here’s the plan, we get a generator that is powered by two bikes on rollers.  You will get free shots of our Bicycle Love Espresso, it’s not hard it just takes a little balance and practice – really!

We’ll have a sign up list on the door and all you have to do is peddle like hell for an hour and coffee and espresso will once again be flowing in Highland Park.  I will take the 1st hour and I bet Chris Mayhew will take the 2nd hour.  Who’s in???   BTW, yes this means we will be closed again on Wednesday, 2/10/10 unless you are willing to ride.

Sorry to report that Tazza D’Oro will be closed on Monday 2/8/10.

It seems when it comes to electricity it’s all or nothin!  Yes, we have partial power back at Tazza D’Oro – some outlets work, some don’t.  A piece (wire) of the main line running to the building has snapped under the pressure of the snow and a broken tree limb.

We thought we could brew and press coffee today but due to minimal power getting to the building the equipment couldn’t keep pace with our demand.  We are waiting for Duquesne Light to show and fix the damn wire.  However, I’m sure their priorities are to get power to homes without heat and electricity…I’m totally behind that!  But man o man, Mother Nature you are a force to be reckoned with.  In the midst of all the stress around keeping the building safe and not being able to open for business, the absolute beauty and quiet have been such a gift!  Hang in there with us – K?

CMU – we will be open by 10 am.  We got the power but our baristas need the time to get there.  East End is still snowed under and were kinda waiting on what’s happening with PAT buses.

Some of our electricity is back – it’s complicated!  So on Sunday we will be brewing coffee, pressing coffee and serving pastries.  Unfortunately, we cannot make any espresso drinks or any other of our yummy food.  So come and see us – K!!!  We will be open at 8 am.

We are not sure if we will be open until 10pm but you can email us if you have any questions.  Our apologies…

Tazza D’Oro will be closed today…lost all power last night…ugh!  Stay tuned!

I am constantly reminded that Tazza D’Oro is about a couple of important things – community and relationships.  This past week Tazza D’Oro has lost a couple of amazing community members and friends.   The coffee hasn’t tasted as rich this week but my life as a result of knowing  Michael and Terri has.  Mike, Terri – thank you!