Nino's Restaurant » flowers

May Flowers

Elizabeth — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:24:14 +0000

We were surrounded by lush blooms this May! Peonies, irises, and flowering herbs from the garden made wonderful spring centerpieces all month long. For a more formal bouquet, we matched pink and white orchids with blue delphinium. Edible flowers even made it on to our menu, with chive blossom vinaigrette and pansies garnishing plates.

At the end of the month, we snipped every peony we could find for a garden wedding at Nino’s! Congratulations to Caitlin Morelli and Robin Tuscano, who were wed Saturday, May 26th. Their two daughters, Coco and Lola, served as flower girls, and the entire wedding was adorned with silver mercury glass vases filled with gorgeous pink peonies. It was a beautiful evening, and we were so glad to be a part of the celebration!

Flowers and decor by The Laurel Garden.
Photography by Mark Rawlings.

April Showers

Elizabeth — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:55:08 +0000

The Laurel Garden and Nino’s have been busy so far this spring! Our seasonal caffe and gallery reopened on April 1st, and we hosted a number of showers and parties at the restaurant.

For the second year in a row, Nino’s participated in the Flavors of Westmoreland Gala for the American Liver Foundation. Our five course dinner featured ingredients dalla terra e bosco–from the earth and forest. With local farmer’s eggs, asparagus, wild chives, ramps, and nine pounds of locally foraged morels, we celebrated the bounty of spring in Pennsylvania!

We also made our way to the annual Mason Dixon Ramp Festival on April 29th to procure two bushels of ramps. By the time we navigated the back roads of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the festival had sold out of ramps, but luckily a kind forager agreed to deliver some to the restaurant! Look for these wild leeks on the menu at Nino’s, but only for a limited time. Spring edibles are delicious and fleeting.

Greendance & Gardens

Elizabeth — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:38:51 +0000

Here’s a recap from a busy summer! A field trip to Greendance Winery, garden parties with special guests: Stone Villa Wine Cellars and I think. I can. Pickles! And it’s gearing up to be an even busier fall. Early autumn updates coming soon!

Flavors of Westmoreland

Elizabeth — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:22:41 +0000

The American Liver Foundation’s annual Flavors of Westmoreland fundraiser was held April 17th at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg. Many area restaurants and chefs participated in the event, each provided a five-course meal for a table of ten. Our theme was an extension of April’s ingredient of the month. We celebrated the artichoke’s liver cleansing properties with an Artichoke Festival of our own.

Menu, flowers, and decor by The Laurel Garden.

La Festa di San Valentino

Elizabeth — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:03:07 +0000

La Festa di San Valentino was a four day affair at Nino’s, culminating yesterday in a Valentine’s Day dinner with live jazz! Our dinners per due–for two–included Parchment Heart Red Snapper with homemade gnocchi in pesto and Crab Cakes and Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp served with a tart, sweet, fennel and orange salad.

We also featured a delicious Tuscan specialty–Cinghiale–Wild Boar with rosemary ricotta polenta and red swiss chard. And of course, we celebrated the love apple with our classic Spaghetti Pomodoro. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Festive Florals

Elizabeth — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 06:25:55 +0000

Centerpieces by The Laurel Garden.

Hallowine, Halloween

Elizabeth — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:22:40 +0000

Our Halloween weekend was full of fright. Thursday night was our annual Halloween party and costume contest at the restaurant. Congratulations to the Abominable Snowman and his Snow Bunny who took home first prize!

The witches pictured below attended our Hallowine Tasting on Friday, which was complete with wines from Transylvania. Our menu for the evening included deviled crab cakes, death by chocolate, and other terrifying treats.

Finally, a spooky view of our moonlit garden, and a Halloween arrangement of mums, bells-of-Ireland, and pumpkin trees, complete with a garden gnome.

Organic Wine Dinner

Elizabeth — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 06:57:08 +0000

Nino’s Organic & Biodynamic Wine Dinner took place Friday, October 1st. The evening’s menu featured organic ingredients locally sourced with a special thanks to Maggie’s Organics in Armbrust, PA and Galaxy Farms in Belle Vernon. Nick Biondi was our guide through a delicious line-up of five domestic biodynamic wines.

MENU
Bacon & Onion Tart / Hahn Merlot 2007, California
Arugula with Mustard Vinaigrette / Fortress Sauvignon Blanc 2008, California
Butternut Squash Ravioli / Hedges CMS Red 2007, Washington
Roast Cornish Hen / Hahn Meritage 2007, California
Poached Pears / Montinore Sweet Reserve Reisling 2008, Oregon