Thirding Polished Dental Morningside.

I don't have any anxiety issues or dental fears - so no comment on that side of things - but for anyone else looking for Pittsburgh dentists, I've found them to be fantastic. Clear communication, friendly and tech savvy. A lot of the old school offices around here aren't well integrated with websites, email and texts.

https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/crash-involving-police-motorcycle-snarling-traffic-near-40th-street-bridge/HIWJJTKMIVFHNLZMPDXZQHET74/

A bunch of Lawrenceville / Strip options:

Salem's if you haven't been there and like Indian / Middle Eastern food (plus they have some more American staples like steak and burgers.) It's more unique in it's style and culture. Lunch counter / cafeteria style, no waiters. Probably your best portion size value.

Parlor Dim Sum - Dim Sum hasn't had a huge presence here in the past, so I'd call it unique. The super general idea is that you order a bunch of small sharable dishes instead of 1 entree per person - I guess like Chinese tapas.

Umami Izakaya - A Japanese "street-food" style restaurant, also sort of like tapas. Multiple smaller dishes.

Smoke - a mix between tacos and bbq. Not authentic mexican, but still good in it's own right. You may come out smelling like wood smoke tho.

Kaya - Unique since it's Caribbean. It's not amazing, but it's decent enough and okay priced. Conch fritters are pretty good - but only on site (fried so it doesn't travel well.)

Coop De Ville - unique in that it's bar / coffee shop / chicken sandwich restaurant / arcade / pool hall / duck pin bowling alley all in 1 building.

Downtown

Tako - it's sorta expensive, but a unique setting with some cool art (bike chain chandeliers, doors on the ceiling with light bulbs everywhere.) Tacos and cocktails are all good - get the papas bravas side dish.

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*I'd say the Parlor is what best qualifies for as unique and interesting for me - but it is closer to authentic Chinese (like you could see people suckin' chicken feet) - and might require a slightly more adventurous palate. The meat cuts may have bones in them, and they just start you off with chopsticks. So while it might feel strange, it's an authentic part of the experience to suck the meat off and spit the bones back out. If you go here, pay the small extra fee for their dim sum sauce and chili crisp.

I've heard it's because some morons decided you don't need a blue card if you're born before 1984 or something - so now a ton of boomers have boat money and retirement time, but didn't have to take any training.

And you'll leave smelling like wood smoke

Shouldn't take more than 4 hours.

I've done it in about 3 hours - but keep in mind the wind is a pretty big factor sometimes.

I've paddled downriver to the point, then been blown back upriver to Millvale.

I've also paddled downriver to the point against the wind, then a storm system started coming and the wind direction switched (so I'm against it both ways) and was paddling upriver at a slower pace than the trail walkers - so I gave up and walked back.