About Sree's Founded by Sreevardhan Mekala (a.k.a. Sree) and Vydehi Mekala (a.k.a. Mrs. Sree) in 1991, Sree's Foods brings authentic Hyderabadi cuisine to Pittsburgh. The couple came to Pittsburgh from Hyderabad, an ancient city in southern India, in 1989. Hyderabadi food draws on two separate traditions, the rich court cooking usually associated with the Moghul north and the traditional vegetarian cooking of India's south. Srees food is based entirely on fresh and natural ingredients, and the menus are planned to provide balanced meals. To keep the food low in fat and cholesterol, no butter or animal fat is used. Sree and Vydehi are both interested in health and nutrition; Sree is a biologist who received his Masters degree in India 1981 and performed oncology research at the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute at UPCM and Mercy Hospital before turning restaurateur; Vydehi, after finishing her B.S., attended the Cultural Academy in Madras, where she studied cooking, nutrition and household management. The Srees started the restaurant because Vydehi loves to cook. After working for a short time as a marketing manager, dealing with too much paperwork and travel, she told Sree, "No way I'm going to do that job. But I don't mind cooking for 12 or 16 hours." So she did, and so she still does. Sree's cooking is based on traditional recipes handed down to Vydehi from her Hindu family: 90 percent from her mother, 5 percent from Sree's family, and 5 percent from the Madras Cultural Academy. Family has always been the core of every Monte Cello's restaurant, and the Downtown Pittsburgh location is no different. Monte Cello's Downtown is owned by brothers Paul and Tony Lazzaro. They were born to a hard working family in the Calabria region of Italy. When Paul was 17 years old, he came to Pittsburgh to live with his aunt and uncle in hopes of pursuing the great American dream. A short time later, Tony came to live with his brother in America. The years passed and the brothers each found a wife; it was then that their entrepreneurial spirits began to develop. Paul's brother-in-law had recently opened up an Italian restaurant in the North Hills and he and his business partner wanted to expand and start a franchise. Who better to own the first franchise but family? Paul and Tony decided to go into business together, and on June 25, 1985, Monte Cello's Downtown was born. Dining at Monte Cello's Downtown is unlike any experience you will find. Where else can you enjoy all the sights and sounds of the city while enjoying authentic homemade Italian food? Only at Monte Cello's Downtown. Nestled in the heart of Pittsburgh's historic Cultural District, Monte Cello's is a staple for many business men and women as well as theatre goers and city dwellers. When you dine at Monte Cello's Downtown you can truly immerse yourself in the city atmosphere by eating at our Sidewalk Cafe. Anytime you find yourself in the city, your first choice for great pizza and so much more should always be Monte Cello's Downtown!

Snoopy is a beloved character from the Peanuts franchise. Few non-Minnesotans know that Minnesota is the home of Snoopy. Creator Charles Schultz was born in Minneapolis and raised in St. Paul. Several of these statures can be seen around the Twin Cities (on at IKEA for example) and they are extremely valuable--some reached tens of thousands of dollars in auctions. The Minnesota State Fair is part of our heritage here... It is difficult to explain to people that aren't from here just how much the Fair means to Minnesotans. They call it "The Great Minnesota Get-Together" and for good reason. People come from all over the state to experience the many things the Fair grounds has to offer (with over 100,000 visitors per day it is the most popular fair in the U.S. based on daily attendance). But honestly, most people come for the food. Explore #282