The Carlton Restaurant

Archives: February 2010

Brancott Wine Dinner - Feb. 19

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The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Carlton are happy to announce a Wine Dinner featuring the wines from New Zealand’s Brancott Winery on Friday, February 19. Brancott Winery is one of New Zealand’s’ oldest and literally put New Zealand on the world wine Map. They are a sustainable winery that has vineyards in Marlborough, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and Otago.

We will feature eight wines - three rated over 90 points - served around of Chef Mark’s creations. This Wine Dinner celebrates the informative and moving exhibit on “Whales” that will be at the Carnegie Museum until this May. Everyone attending this dinner will receive 2 free tickets ($30 value) to see this outstanding exhibit!

“BRANCOTT WINERY”
In Partnership with Carnegie Museum of Natural History
With Fraser Mackenzie, International Market Manager, Pernod-Ricard
Culinary offerings by Mark Swomley
Friday, February 19, 2026 - 6:30PM
$99 per person excluding Tax & Gratuity

BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC’08

LOBSTER & CRAB SALAD
Chilled Jumbo Crab & Lobster Tail with Almonds, Grapes and Radish
in a Honey Crème with Organic Greens and Black Currant Syrup

BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH “RESERVE” SAUVIGNON BLANC’08
BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH “ESTATE B” SAUVIGNON BLANC’07
BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH “ESTATE B” SAUVIGNON BLANC’08

PAN ROASTED SALMON
With Apple & Spinach Risotto Cake, Caramelized Onion-Snap Pea Sauté,
Apricot Stilton Cream and Micro Arugula

BRANCOTT “UNOAKED” CHARDONNAY’07

SEARED SCALLOPS
Served over Brioche Crostini with Baby Fennel-Carrot Salad,
Citrus Vinaigrette, Manchego Cheese and Strawberry Balsamic Jam

BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR VI’08
BRANCOTT MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR “RESERVE”’08

RACK OF LAMB
Spicy Dry rubbed Lamb Rack oven roasted and served with
Wild Mushroom Ragout, Puree of Parsnip, Pinot-Veal Glaze and toasted Pecans

VALLEY OF THE MOON PORT’02

CHOCOLATE PROFITEROLS
Chocolate Cream stuffed Pastries with Caramel Glaze and Macadamia

The Carlton’s Kevin Joyce Named Restaurateur of the Year

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I was proud to be recognized by my peers in the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association earlier this week as the “Restaurateur of the Year.” I am sure it was an acknowledgment of our 25 years in downtown Pittsburgh. Those first 25 would not have been possible without your loyal support! Thank you for your patronage!

We’ve been honored by the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association on a few occasions over the years. Here’s a look back at these awards.

I received the Keystone Award for Service in 1995 and 2003.The 1995 Award was kind of unusual in that I had not been actively involved in the Association for years. I was deeply involved in the Board in the mid eighties but after I began traveling with Levy and opening restaurants in North Carolina, I was not around enough to participate. However in 1995, I was able to spend more time in Pittsburgh while I negotiated a deal that let me buy out Levy and the other partners that were involved in the restaurants in One Mellon Center. At any rate when I received the Keystone Award, I promised to give more back to the Association which resulted in me serving again on the Board and eventually becoming Chapter President, State President in 2006 and Chairman of the Board in 2007.
I received the Restaurateur of the Year Award from the Western Chapter in 1997. That was a pretty good year for me as I also received that award from the International Geneva Association - an old association of retired hospitality folks that gave me the honor so that I would pay for 40 of my closest friends to go to Churchill CC! We made it a pretty good employee party and I met Jack Wagner - who was the featured speaker. I have a picture of me in a tux with mostly black hair behind where Janet stands receiving that award.

I received the Restaurateur of the Year Award in 1998 for the entire state. It was said that I was nominated by my Chapter to receive it but in reality I think it was because Stephen Saenz - my longtime Chef and partner - had unexpectedly passed away a few months before. I have never since seen the state award being related to a previous chapter award.

The Carlton’s Quick Picks

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Here are The Carlton’s Quick Picks for the week of February 1.

Remember, you can always find more events on the Post-Gazette’s Event Calendar as well as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Calendar.

These are just a few of our favorite

Pittsburgh Penguins Game. You can’t go wrong with a good old hockey game! The Penguins play the Buffalo Sabres at the Mellon Arena, Monday , Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m. Grab some friends and head to the Carlton Restaurant to cheer on the Penguins with good people, food and drink!

Shop, shop shop. Tis the season for Valentine’s Day Shopping. If you still are wondering what to get your significant other, there are plenty of great sales Downtown to help inspire you, like Macy’s for example, always has a good sale or you could try your luck at Sak Fifth Avenue. If you want to save yourself the trouble, bring your date to the Carlton Restaurant and treat him or her to the most romantic (and delicious!) date in the city!

Rent. This weekend only Rent is playing at the Byham Theater. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this amazing show - tickets are as low as $12! Stop by the Carlton beforehand for a pre-show meal and get a free limo ride over to the Byham!

Superbowl Party. Even though our Steelers aren’t in the Superbowl this year, there’s no reason not to still celebrate! Bring over the family and friends and watch the Colts and Saints battle it out for the Championship Title. There’s really no better way to spend your Sunday!