December 2010 - Allegheny West Magazine

NEW IN TOWNSelma’s Texas BBQRyan Courter, and his partner, David L. Brown, are the owners of Selma’sTexas Barbecue, which opened recently on University Boulevard in MoonTownship, across from Sheetz. Named after Brown’s grandmother, Selma, therestaurant offers smoked meats, fried catfish, and freshly made side dishes thatwould commonly be found in barbecue joints all over the South. At Selma’s allthe meats are dry-rubbed and smoked, and they offer six different styles ofsauce so that you can customize your meal to your liking. Brown calls them“dressing sauces” and emphasizes that the flavor of the meat is most important,that the flavors in the sauce should enhance, not cover up the meat.“Barbecue is a very regional food, with different flavors and styles throughoutdifferent parts of the country,” Brown explains. “We offer sauces that are eacha different flavor profile.”The road to Selma’s has been a long one for the two partners, who eachdreamed of being restaurateurs after working in restaurants in high school andcollege. Brown started at the age of 13 at a restaurant in his hometown ofChampaign-Urbana, Illinois. After getting a degree in Hotel Administration, heworked at a number of private clubs and resorts in California, Illinois, andMichigan before settling in Western Pennsylvania in 2003.“I worked in Pittsburgh for two summers when I was in college in the ‘80sand when the opportunity to return here presented itself, I came back,” BrownMovement Studio PittsburghLongtime resident Walter B. Nesbit announces the opening of MovementStudio Pittsburgh, located at 271 Main Street, Imperial, in the building thatformerly housed a dance studio.Walter opens the facility this month. He offers fitness classes that includeKickboxing, TRX Suspension Training (the first one offered in WesternPennsylvania), Yoga, Basic Nutrition, NMR Testings, and more to come, heexplained.Previous to starting the business, Walter was a personal trainer/kickboxinginstructor/nutritionist/martial arts instructor at Body Systems, and a personaltrainer /kickboxing instructor/nutritionist at Body Matrx.Current specials for customers are half off of regular class prices for the monthof December.Walter has lived in the Oakdale area for 41 years.He said, “In today’s society, people are more aware and educated about theCafe ChocoladeA new bakery with a European flavor has emerged in the community,providing a much-needed place to pick up a pastry, a donut, or a cup ofroasted coffee.James and Aniko Kaufmann announce the expansion of their business withthe addition of Cafe Chocolade, which opened in November.Aniko’s Hungarian Skin Care and Spa opened in 2007 at 7061 SteubenvillePike, Oakdale, PA 15071 (in North Fayette Township) between the ParkwayWest Career and Technology Center and Pointeview Place. The bakery isfully handicap accessible.This year, the couple remodeled the building, moving the spa upstairs andconverting the original spa space on the lower level into the bakery nowknown as Cafe Chocolade.The combined services provide a full service day spa with facials, nail andpedicures, waxing, massage therapy, and full hair services, with a Europeanbakery serving Hungarian, French, German, Italian, and American products,as well as baked items of Austrian and other countries.Explained Jim, “We make all of our products from scratch. We as well roastour own coffee and have a number of handmade chocolates, fresh bakedexplains. “I had wanted to open my own place for years, and the time, place andconcept all seemed to come together now in Moon.”Courter met Brown through a mutual former coworker from Michigan whenCourter’s wife took a job in Western Pennsylvania. Courter recounts, “My friend,Eric, gave me Dave’s name and number and told me to look him up when I got toPittsburgh. I called him, he offered me a job, and we worked together for twoyears at Chartiers Country Club. When he was developing this concept I told himI wanted in.”The two worked for over 18 months planning and putting together the business.Brown visited barbecue joints all over the Midwest and south and even studiedbarbecue at Texas A&M University with a seminar sponsored by the NationalBBQ Association.Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the restaurant serves lunchand dinner, with customers ordering at a counter and seating themselves. Carryoutis a popular option, and the restaurant offers family and bulk packs for carryoutwhich appeals to larger groups.Selma’s Texas Barbecue, 9155 University Boulevard, Moon Township, (412)329-7003. Web site: http://www.selmasbbq.com. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9p.m. Selma’s accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, andgift cards.importance of physical and mental health.Movement Studio Pittsburgh is dedicated toinspiring, motivating, and challenging individualsto lead healthier lifestyles and focus on workoutsfor the mind, body,and soul. Our classes provideunique workouts using your own body weightand continuous movement that leave youfocused, fit, and stress free. Each class providesits own level of energy, intensity, and spirituality.Our staff is certified, experienced, and insured.As Movement Studio Pittsburgh, a healthylifestyle is a MOVEMENT.For more information, contact Walter at (412) 401-9052, by e-mail atinfo@MovementStudioPittsburgh.com, or visit the Web site which will be up soon atwww.MovementStudioPittsburgh.com.bread, and a light lunch special.”Jim has been in the restaurant business for 29 years. He started in California,where he finished a two-year hospitality management program, before moving toSwitzerland and then France. In Paris, he did his apprenticeship at the ChezFouchon and Hotel Lutetia. He moved back to California’s Napa Valley and then toCarmel, soon after going to Hungary.“While in Hungary I ran a large bakery that supplied 60 establishments. CafeMozart was the best bakery in Budapest five years running. I made the birthdaycake for the president of Hungary and cakes for the parliament,” Jim shares.His background includes being a pastry chef for a private resort in southernPortugal and teaching at a Pittsburgh-area culinary school for ten years. He has wona number of ACF culinary competitions and has demonstrated his work at theChocolate Show in New York.Cafe Chocolade offers fresh European items that include strudels, muffins,croissants, cheesecake, brownies, and daily fresh bread.Jim can prepare bulk orders in advance for holidays and special events, too. Forinformation, call (412) 788-4041, e-mail: cafechocolade@aol.com, or visit the Website at www.cafechocolade.net.34 Allegheny West Magazine December 2010