Sausalido Bistro Features Seasonal Highlights; ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Continues On (Thurs., 1/14/16)

1) Sausalido, California is a charming enclave at the northern end of San Francisco Bay. It’s restaurants serve the freshest seafood and whatever is in season in the nearby farm fields. Sausalido Bistro in Bloomfield—Pittsburgh’s Little Italy neighborhood—reflects these same accents. Featuring seasonal menus, their current one is highlighted by starters: squash amaretto ravioli with nutmeg cream sauce, roasted cauliflower arancini; entrees: shrimp rissotto with fresh root vegetable thyme broth, clams, and flat leaf parsley in a cream sauce, lump crab cakes accompanied by shredded zucchini asiago risotto, and a house remoulade, pasta with oyster, portabella, and shitake mushrooms, roasted garlic, spinach, toasted pecans, and extra virgin olive oil. And save room for their caramel toffee cheesecake for dessert. Sausalido is owned by Nick Mineo (who’s father Domimic and aunt Sarah own the venerable Shadyside Market). Executive chef is Michael Simpson. Dinner only. Lunch for private parties and catering. 4621 Liberty Ave. See Sausalido’s specials for Pittsburgh Restaurant Week.

2) Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Look at it this way, after this there’s only two more to go. Back in 1977, director George Lucas premiered Star Wars, which along with Jaws changed the nature of the movie business. The summer blockbuster was born, and now, unless a movie makes $70 million opening weekend, it’s considered a flop. That first film turned out to be the third installment of what Lucas promised would be a nine-part series. And that seemed like a good thing since he followed up with Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Fun movies and a terrific way to spend a rainy afternoon.

But in 1999, it all started to go horribly wrong with the release of The Phantom Menace. Suddenly LucasWorld didn’t seem a particularly entertaining place to be, and by the time we got through Attack of the Close and Revenge of the Sith, it was generally agreed that maybe the franchise had run its course. But we forgot that it’s a nine-part adventure, and George and the gang are in the process of coughing up the last three in the series. The Force Awakens (which is number VII) takes places 30 years after Return of the Jedi. No word on the actual plot (believe me, we landed in Normandy with less secrecy than this movie), but here’s my question: Since the emperor is killed and the Empire is defeated at the end of Jedi, who are they going to be fighting for the next three films? Rampaging boredom, if you ask me. Check Fandango for screens and times. (TH)

3) We may not have had much snow in the Pittsburgh region, but we still have plenty of water, and freezing water makes ice. So, enjoy ice skating at the Citiparks’ Schenley Skating Rink. Set on a hillside near the top of Schenley Park, the rink and its environs offer picturesque views of the Pittsburgh cityscape. Family skate tonight (one child free with each paying adult) 7 – 9 p.m. Overlook Drive, Schenley Park, Squirrel Hill.

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