I have a mental bucket list of things to finish up before I graduate. But it’s not your typical bucket list: it has nothing to do with campus traditions, some sort of streaking that seems to occur at every other school, or anything CMU-related at all. Instead, it’s about doing justice to Pittsburgh. I want to make sure I do all the things I should before I leave Pittsburgh for good.
First up, Quiet Storm. An adorable vegan and vegetarian café in East Liberty on Penn Avenue. A few of us trecked down to the spot that is known for it’s delicious teas, vegan milkshakes and yummy dishes. The restaurant has a retro dining feel: black and white checkered floor, red and cream chairs, and a bookshelf in the back of the corner.
On top of the usual espresso and coffee drinks, you can select your drink from a variety of teapots. I browsed options like Tripe Rice Pot, a green tea infused with rice milk and brown rice syrup, or Mellow Gold, G.I.E. tea with fresh ginger lemon.
I ordered an Apple Panini: a gooey sandwich stuffed with apples, cream cheese, apple butter and sundried tomato bread. My friend ordered fried tofu with sides of vegetables. Other options include salads, more sandwiches, and hot plates like curry.
The pace of the cafe was slow and leisurely. The perfect place to spend a Friday afternoon and recap the events of the week.