A Non-Bastille Day Picnic in Pittsburgh

By Vice Chargé de Presse Ken McCrory

The re-opening this past spring of La Foret, one of Pittsburgh's most cherished French restaurants, was cause for celebration among many Chaîne members. When we found out that Baum Vivant, also one of Pittsburgh's top gourmet stops, was teaming up with the newly re-opened La Foret for a summer picnic (a word which hardly conveys the level of culinary delights we downed) the entire baillage was buzzing. Baum Vivant's Maître de Table Restaurateur Tony and Becky Pais have managed to secure Pittsburgh Magazine's Blue Ribbon Committee Restaurant of the Year several times, while Chef Rôtisseur Michael and Candace Urricchio's La Foret Restaurant held the magazine's Best Restaurant award for many years - until they took a break and started a family. After two children, they decided they missed the craziness of the restaurant industry and came back. The Pittsburgh Chaîne will wait with baited breath for next year's Pittsburgh Magazine Awards.

At the historic Rose Barn in scenic North Park on July 11, 1999, we were greeted by a D.J.'s selection of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and various contemporary jazz favorites. A local caricature artist whipped up portraits of singles and couples on special Chaîne logo paper, which made a fun souvenir of the day. Many Chaine members took advantage of the cooler than average 80-degree day and played boules or treated themselves to a stroll along the busy bike/hike trail at the park. Most settled into the wonderful selection of international beers (donated from the extensive collection of Bailli Provincial Peter Hanowich), delicious wines (including a Methuselah of G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge also from our generous Bailli Provincial), and a menu that had a taste treat for every palate.

Maître de Table Restaurateur Tony Pais and Chef Grillardin Mike Urricchio created an array of passed hors d'oeuvres that set our hearts pounding and teased us as to what would follow. The veal sweetbread crustini, wild mushroom risotto cake, carpaccio of beef and marinated shrimp were light and whetted our curiosity for the table presentation that followed. Included in the beautiful spread was cold terrine of foie gras (which melted in your mouth), a trio of thinly sliced sausages, oven roasted tomatoes and olives, orzo salad with haricot vert, mussels provencale, black-eyed peas and mango salad, and a salmon terrine. In addition to the salad and antipasto preparations, we were enticed by the selections from the grill, which included Portobello mushrooms, rack of lamb, colossal sea scallops and semi boneless quail.

As we watched a flock of ducks waddle into the water of North Park Lake, Dame de la Chaîne Coleen Byrne commented that "after this picnic we're going to be waddling just like those ducks".

With little room left for our collective sweet tooth, Pastry Chef Candace Urricchio still made certain we could not resist her dessert extravaganza. The petit fours, assorted French pastries, tart lemon squares and fresh summer berries with sabayon were as beautiful to look at as they were to eat.

As the day came to a close, we reflected that this picnic sure beat hamburgers, hot dogs and baked beans. Pleasant thoughts of good food, good drink and good friends in the Chaîne accompanied us when, as predicted, we waddled to our cars.