Bear Market: Peppers Grille

The next stop on my blog tour of  York's Central Market is Peppers Grille. In the month that we've lived downtown I've had occasion to visit Peppers a pawful of times for both breakfast and lunch.

The natural order of things is to start with breakfast and I've had a few breakfast items from Peppers. The first thing I tried was the beauty you see above. It is a maple bacon wrapped cinnamon bun topped with cream cheese icing. Yeah, that just happened. It goes without saying, but the combination of bacon, icing and a cinnamon bun is epic but this one really rocks.

Bacon is a real theme at Peppers. The other breakfast item I had was a breakfast BLT and like the menu says, it's just what you think. The breakfast part is a fried egg added to a regular BLT and it was a fantastic sandwich. They also have egg sandwiches breakfast favorites like pancakes and french toast. The item I haven't tried yet that I'm dying to is the brisket omelet and I think that says all you need to know.



Peppers Grille on the North side of the Market

As for lunches I've had a few of them as well and you won't be surprised to find out bacon featured in them as well. First up was a Bacon! Bacon! Burger which is chock-a-block full of bacon. It's in the ground of the patty and on top as well. I got mine sans cheese and I think that's the way to go. The bacon is really the star and it shines extra bright.

My second lunch there was the Big Bacon Steak with sautéed onions. Again, the name says it all for this cheesesteak with onions and small pieces of bacon mixed throughout. The flavors were great and the roll was perfect for the presentation and enjoyment of they whole experience.

Peppers is one of my early favorites for best of the market right along with Mezzogiorno. I give them the full 4 paws, not only for the food I've tried there but for their whole approach. You simply must try them out!



Lady Bug Baking Company & Cafe

The big bites are Anthony's but I ate plenty too

In addition to my "Bear Market" series of posts where I blog about business in York's Central Market I will also be posting other reviews/opinion blogs from time to time under the label "Brought to Bear."

When Anthony and Heidi moved us into York's Market District one of the first places I noticed in our neighborhood was the cute little yellow shop at 33 N. Beaver called Lady Bug Baking Company & Café. And when I say cute you have to remember that I know of what I speak. I am, after all, an adorable stuffed panda.

In my pawfull of visits to Lady Bug I have tried a nice sampling of their sweet treats and one outrageously delectable lunch sandwich which you can see me pictured with above.

This sandwich is the "Madison" which is house-made mac & cheese, 4 strips of bacon, spinach and marinated tomatoes on a hoagie roll which is then pressed on a Panini machine.

Yeah that's right. Mac & cheese. And bacon. On a sandwich. Brilliant!

Thankfully Anthony picked this up and brought it home to me, because it was almost as big as me and I don't know how I would have gotten it the 150 yards back to the apartment. But as good as the sandwich was, what will really keep me walking down to Lady Bug is their baked goods.


I have had coffee cake, a few types of cookies and samples of the cupcake and brownie you see here. Not only have all of them been delicious I have also been impressed that the prices are more than reasonable for such high quality products. This value allows eating sweets at Lady Bug to be more of a regular indulgence than a special occasion visit.

One look at their website will also show that they make some very intricate and beautiful cakes for birthdays, weddings and other occasions. If they look that good while tasting as good as the treats I've samples in the shop they will be a wonderful addition to your event.

When you find yourself downtown and are looking for lunch or a treat be sure to visit Lady Bug. Either get it to go, or walk back to their great little dine-in area in the back and tell 'em a tiny stuffed panda sent you.

Archi-Ted-Ture: Washington Hall Building

Washington Hall on the corner of George & King built in 1849

The second building in my "building-a-bear" series was very nearly my home. When Anthony and Heidi were looking for a downtown apartment they looked at a loft on the 4th floor of this grand old structure located on the corner of South George and West King.

Built in 1849 the building has, as you might imagine, a long and varied history. The building originally housed a fraternal organization known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and so in the early days it was called IOOF Hall. During the Civil War the building was used as a hospital for wounded Confederate officers from the battlefields of Gettysburg, about 30 miles west. Since the captured rebel officers were held there it gives the building the interesting status of a prisoner of war camp.


Drawing of Washington Hall

Later the IOOF Hall housed a theatre for live performances on the second floor which was called Washington Hall. In the 1980's the Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff company renovated the building by making 12 loft style apartments on the upper 3 floors and fitting out retail space on the ground floor. The space is perfect for lofts thanks, in large part, to the nearly twenty foot ceilings on each level which allow for a lofted bedroom to be built almost as if it is a whole separate level.

If this building had a freight elevator there is every chance that it would be where I was sitting and blogging right now. Somehow the thought of carrying all their furniture up 8 modern stories worth of steps kept Anthony and Heidi from picking this one despite all its evident charms. Another small strike against it is the fact that it doesn't look like there's been much updating since the Pfaltzgraff renovation in the 80's.

Bear Market: My Sweet Sins Bakery

Two huge pieces of cake

Today was market day again but my funds were limited and Anthony refused to meet me at the market and Heidi was busy writing while she watched T.J. Hooker reruns. So since I had to fend for myself today I opted to eat lunch at home and just pick up some sweets during my trip to market.

After browsing all the various sweets on offer I opted for a little stand over by the Beaver Street entrance called My Sweet Sins Bakery. I'm really happy I picked them as my evening treat. I got two huge pieces of chocolate cake, one with peanut butter frosting and one with coconut. The cake on both of them was moist and flavorful but the real star of the show was the frostings. The peanut butter was exceptional and unlike most store bought cakes that are barely covered it was also plentiful.

If I could ever convince Anthony to get me a mail order bride from ToysRUs.com or take me to the Teddy Bear whorehouse (build a bear workshop) I would certainly get my wedding cake made by these folks which, according to their card, they do. I give the cake three paws out of four and I'll be back for more.

Bear Market: Mezzogiorno

The #9 Sub: Capricol, Salami & Provolone

Another market day and another Teddy "Bear Market" watch. If you live in or around York and don't go to Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays you are doing yourself a great disservice. It's only been a few weeks since Anthony moved us downtown but I haven't missed a market day yet.

This week I visited Mezzogiorno and I was apprehensive to say the least. While I may be a tiny stuffed panda teddy bear I was taken in by household with heavy Italian influences. Some of my earliest memories are of Anthony's dad making subs for us with excellent salami and provolone. So now whenever I go to an Italian place this sub is my touchstone to see how good they are. If the salami and provolone isn't good chances are nothing else is.

I'm happy to say that this sub was fantastic. Good quality meat and cheese on a great roll with excellent toppings. In short: everything you can ask for out of a sub. I also sampled a #11 with turkey and provolone and that was also great. I see why the Mezzogoiorno is one of the most popular places at the market. The lunch menu includes hot & cold subs, paninis, soups, salads and pasta.

Unlike some other stands that are only open on market days, Mezzogoiorno is open Tuesday  through Saturday for breakfast and lunch. It is popular with all the usual market like jurors and the work a day set. It's just a shame that they aren't open for dinner.

I give Mezzogiorno all four paws and I highly recommend that you check them out. Tell them a little adopted Italian-American teddy bear sent you.

Archi-Ted-ture: Colonial Hotel Building

One of the Jewels of York Architecture sits at 18 S. George St.

One of the best parts about living in a city like York is all of the fantastic architecture a city this old has to offer. Occasionally on the blog I'm going to introduce you to some of my favorite buildings.

First up on our tour of York's masterpieces is this beauty on the South West corner of the Square. Like most of York's best spaces they have availability if you're looking to rent. Check out this nearly informative yet massively hilarious video to learn more about the retail space available. (glad to know the place is handicap assess-able by the way) The building also features condo spaces for sale like this one, or this one which both sound like great places to live, if York City taxes stopped above the second floor.

Some of the businesses that have been in the building over the years include The Ritz Movie Theater, Eugene Jacobs Men's Wear, People's Drug Store and most notably the Colonia Hotel. Now the building is all about banks, lawyers and a bureau of WGAL. In the 20's and 30's it understandably had a slightly different look, as you can see in this pic bellow including the presence of the spire on top of the corner that is no longer there.


After living in York for the better part of fifteen years I can tell you that I have passed this building hundreds of times but I have only really stopped to appreciate it a pawful of times. Maybe you are the same way. If that is the case I recommend taking some time to sit across the Square and just take in the amazing lines and features of this fantastic piece of art. If it sat on Central Park West the apartments in this place would sell for millions but in York you can pick one up for 100K!







Bear Market: Good's Mini Donuts




A bakers dozen of Goods Mini donuts with a cup of Nutella glaze

This is the first of my weekly posts that will focus on one of the vendors in York’s Central Market. The market has been open for over 125 years in the same location and features a host of vendors selling everything from crafts to food. Since the market is just down the alley from our new pad I thought I’d get over there and try out some of what they have to offer and report on it to you here on the blog.

Today I am focusing on Good’s Mini Donuts which is one of the market’s newer vendors. It sits right inside the Beaver St. entrance on the market’s west side. It’s a no frills stand with a heavy focus on the star of the show: their Mini Donuts. Part of the enjoyment of the place is the way the donuts are made right in front of you while you wait. After you order a nozzle,  kind of like that old Playdough Fun Factory, extrudes batter right into small canal of hot oil. The donuts travel down the hot oil canal where they are flipped  by an automated gate to ensure they cook on both sides. One of the friendly guys behind the counter then scoops them out of the oil and puts them in a small sleeve where they can be tossed in powdered sugar or a cinnamon & sugar mix.

I opted for the cinnamon and sugar which sounded good all on its own, but then their list of special glazes caught my eye and I added a cup of Nutella glaze to my order. A baker’s dozen of the little donuts and the glaze set me back just over three bucks, but once I tried them I realized it was well worth it. Since the donuts are hot the cinnamon and sugar really sticks to them well ensuring a good coating. The only thing better than a freshly made donut is a freshly made donut dunked in this amazing Nutella glaze. It would work as breakfast or desert and just about anywhere in between.

I’m sure the glaze selection is meant for plain donuts but I really enjoyed the cinnamon & sugar mixed with the Nutella. I don’t know how well it would go with powdered sugar but I’m willing to try some other combinations. My ratings system is a bit limited since I don’t have any thumbs, but I give Good’s Mini Donuts both 3 ½ paws out of 4. If you try them I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.


 

A mini donut floating in Nutella Glaze

I'm Teddy and I Live in York City

The Wall outside York City Hall on South George St.

When you're a 36 year old teddy bear you face a lot of challenges. First things first: I'm not even a foot tall. In fact, much like the Smurfs, I'm about three apples tall. Secondly, I have no nose having lost mine when was but a cub. Third, and perhaps most importantly, I don't exactly have free will or the rights and freedoms of your average American, and it's not just because I'm of Chinese decent.

As a teddy bear people tend to look down on you, both literally and figuratively. I've never been able to get a real job due to the popular misconception that we Stuffed-Americans are some how worth less. So, since I have no job I have no money. And since I have no money, I have no place to stay or means of providing for myself.

For some teddy bears that would spell their doom. They'd end up discarded or worse, a chew toy for their kid's pet once the lil bastard left for college. In short, all the shit you saw in Toy Story 3 But I lucked out. My kid has never outgrown me and when the time came he took me along with him to college. Next he took me to his first apartment and eventually the first house he and his wife bought. So even though I have no way of providing for myself I have Anthony. Where he is, I am or as it is said in Latin: ubi ibi; (I learned Latin at the same time he did while he was in the Seminary)

So that brings us to the point of this blog. After selling that house with grand plans of traveling the world Anthony and Heidi decided to stay in town a bit longer and to make that happen they rented a place in down town York. We're right in the heart of all the action down here and I'm going to take the time to blog about all that's going on in this City.

Come along for the ride!