I took my Mom down to Fox Chapel shopping plaza to get her new iPhone set up at the Xfinity Store. If this would be the only reason I was there that day, then I probably would not have walked around the entire shopping plaza taking pictures and then putting up a review on Across North Hills. However, I ended up back at the Fox Chapel plaza an hour later after dropping my Mom off at her home in Verona, which is across the River from here (and outside our Across North Hills coverage area). 

So after I dropped her off in Verona I made the mistake of thinking that the Highland Park Bridge would be open to head back to the heart of the North Hills by taking North Rt. 8 and then snaking my way up through Etna, Shaler, and back into my home base in Ross Township. Now, the Pittsburgh exit was closed, so I had to take 28 North to a point where I would exit and get back on 28 South. The exit took me right to Freeport Rd. and boom, I was smack dab right at the Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza, the same place I had just left an hour before. 

I am one to make the most out of travel frustration be it in a car or on an airplane - or even a pogo stick for that matter. Therefore, I took this opportunity to walk around the mall and snap some pictures. Plus, I ducked into two stores while there, the Coffee Tree Roasters coffee shop and a newer restaurant, Local Provisions. 

While Fox Chapel shopping plaza is a strip mall plaza, I like the array order of stores. More, in particular, the Coffee Tree Roasters around a corner and side, next to the Alta Via restaurant, is located well. You are off the beaten path and feel like you can settle back in for a coffee and do some thinking, which is exactly what I did.

Now after having another one too many cups of coffee, I walked along the entire perimeter of Fox Chapel shopping plaza. Some unique stores I noted were Splurge, an eclectic gift shop selling a variety of housewares, bath and body provisions,  candles, seasons stuff, handbags, jewelry, and various women's fashions. 

Another notable store was the Goldfish Swim School. In short, they teach kids from 4 months to 12, how to swim. Not sure why, but never imagined a swimming school would be found in a strip mall shopping plaza. I like it. If I had a kid that needed to learn to swim, I could drop him or her off and then get some shopping done or maybe a bite to eat. 

Another destination shop is Gentilcore Jewelers, a purveyor of classic and contemporary jewelry, giftware, wedding rings, and watches. They also offer appraisal services for insurance and estate purposes plus jewelry repair.  

So Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza has enough unique stores to make it worth your while for a special trip. However, between these shops, you have a number of convenient stores that would make this place a daily stop for many that live nearby.  For starters, there is the Xfinity store (though I am a Verizon man, and take no particular pleasure in stating that). You will also find a shoe service, which to me is old-world practicality. Don Royal Cleaners can help with the dry cleaning while you can pick up some packages at the Amazon Hub Locker located at this shopping plaza. Rite Aid and a PNC bank round out the practical and convenience shops and services. 

The food offerings can't be overlooked either. I think what sets Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza apart from a run-of-the-mill type of strip mall is that you have some very nice dining options. You have modern Italian cuisine in the form of Alta Via. Next to that, you have the aforementioned Coffee Tree Roasters. For lunch bites you got Zoup! offering a variety of melty sandwiches, soups (naturally), and salads. Loafer's Bread Co. provides warm-from-the-oven bread. I'll save the place I liked the best for last: Local Provisions. 

Local Provisions is a cool, hipster multipurpose shop, bar, and restaurant featuring casual fare dining that includes breakfast sandwiches, quiches, farmers' breakfasts, and omelets. Seasonal produce and a variety of specialty groceries are available as well. I enjoyed the local craft beer six packs they had to go! 

Recall that it was a traffic detour that led me back to Fox Chapel Shopping Plaza. You might say that when God gives you lemons you make lemonade. I say when God gives you lemons, you pick up two sixers of craft beer. In this case, I snagged a sixer of Old Thunder Bay cream ale and another of Oh, Mama Renegade Styx. 

Oh, Mama, it made me think. When will you need to go back to the Xfinity store?