A new month has begun, and you know what that means. We’re back with our normal monthly food-and-drink updates … even though nothing really seems “normal” these days.
This month, we haven’t heard of any closings (so there’s some good news). And hopefully soon, service industry folks (and all of us!) will be able to get vaccinated. For now, we’re sticking with take-out.
Despite the struggling economy, Pittsburgh is chewing on some great new spots, with dozens more on the horizon.
In case you missed last month’s edition, catch up here. If we missed something, let us know so we can add it to the list.
Now, read on and remember to drink (and dine) responsibly.
Hello
🇲🇽 Audrina’s Mexican Grille is serving burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more in the former home of Bill Ung’s Tea Garden in Greenfield.
☕ Claussen Cafehaus in twisting things up on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield with its local organic soft pretzels, fair trade coffee, and all-natural ice cream — currently serving take-out and to-go orders.
☕ De Fer Coffee & Tea, a Strip District fave, has officially opened its doors at The Highline in the South Side and has another location coming to South Oakland.
🍕 Doughbar Pizzeria & Rotisserie is slinging pizza, rotisserie chicken, and hoagies on the South Side. Get the best of both worlds with their buffalo chicken pie.
🍺 Four Points Brewing opened a new location on Western Avenue in the North Side and is currently only selling carry-out cans.
🐉 Gi-Jin, the long-awaited hand roll and gin bar, is finally opening Downtown on April 6. With years of anticipation, restaurateurs Richard DeShantz and Tolga Sevdik set out to create a “refined, intimate bar that’s re-imagining the sushi experience.”
🍝 LeVia Trattoria, a family-owned Italian restaurant in Lawrenceville, is serving take-out and delivery. Don’t skip on a slice of Roman style pizza.
🍚 Oishii Donburi, the latest from the owners of Oakland’s Oishii Bento, is now serving Korean and Japanese food in Lawrenceville.
🌱 Roots Natural Kitchen, the small restaurant chain known for healthy salads and grain bowls, recently opened a new location in Bloomfield, Good Food Pittsburgh reports.
💛 Yinz Coffee has taken over the old Crazy Mocha storefront on the North Side and plans to have add a small market section selling local goods.
See you soon
🍖 The Eagle Food & Beer Bar is bringing “home-style food, a lively vibe, and a house-party feel” to Downtown, TribLIVE reports. It’s set to open “very soon.”
🌮 Gordo’s Tacos & Tequila, a “new double-decker restaurant” serving Mexico city-style food, is planning to open on Mount Washington by Cinco de Mayo, NEXTPittsburgh reports.
🍹 Tonic Coffee, a coffee/mocktail bar “inspired by world travels and inclusivity” is coming to Lawrenceville this spring.
➡️ Galley Bakery Square, formerly Smallman Galley, is set to open this May with four restaurant concepts: GG’s Cafe, Somi, City Fresh Pasta, and Bubba’s.
🍕 The team behind Lorelei, a cocktail bar in the historic Werner Building, are opening Woodfired by Lorelei in East Liberty. In the meantime, follow their page for pizza pop-ups.
🍷 Con Alma, the popular Shadyside restaurant and jazz bar, is opening a second location Downtown this year across from Heinz Hall. An exact opening date is TBD.
🍔 Burgh’ers Brewing is set to bring smash burgers to The Highline in South Side this summer, NEXTpittsburgh reports.
🍺 Back Alley Brewing is on a mission to create Dormont’s first craft brewery, and you can follow along with their progress on Instagram.
🍸Storyville Lounge, a “hidden” Victoria-era bar, will be the latest venture by the owners of Dr. Tumblety’s Time-Inspired Specialty Shop in Allentown coming this fall, NEXTPittsburgh reports.
🍽️ Tupelo Honey, a Southern cuisine chain, is coming to Station Square later this year and will become an early anchor of the updated Freight House Shops, per Pittsburgh Patch.
🍔 Back To The Foodture is planning a sequel. The beloved burger and wing spot plans to open a new East Carson Street outpost, per Pittsburgh Magazine.
🚨 Tako is bringing its luxe, Asian-Mexican fusion to Bakery Square this summer.
🍸 G’s on Liberty will replace the Alexander’s Italian Bistro on Liberty Avenue in Bloomfield with “a full service restaurant, focusing on real, innovative, creative food, and cocktails.” Coming late spring.
🍳 Wild Child, from acclaimed chef Jamilka Borges, is bringing Carribean-influenced dining to Etna. It will open soon, but here’s a peek inside until then.
🍻 Bonafide Beer Co. is planned for the former Chicken Latino spot in the Strip District.
🍻 Two Frays Brewery is working on a space in Garfield on Penn. Avenue and posting plenty of progress photos of its row house rehab along the way.
🐟 Work on Wild Ninja Asian Grill is underway in Oakland, replacing Uncle Sam’s Gourmet Subs, PennsylvAsia reports.
🍤 2 Sisters 2 Sons in Sharpsburg is expected to announce their second location, serving “the most authentic Caribbean food in the city.”
Long-term openings on our radar
🍔 The Pittsburgh Sandwich Society food truck is celebrating its five-year anniversary and is planning to expand to a brick and mortar location in Millvale.
🍺 Pittsburgh Brewing Co. is planning a new brewery in the former Pittsburgh Glass Works plant on a 40-acre site along the Allegheny River in Creighton. Pittsburgh Business Times has the latest — and more on the fascinating history of the site.
🍵 Tupelo Honey Teas in Millvale acquired the building next door and will renovate and expand over the next several years. P.S. There will be garden tea parties!
🎳 Shorty’s Pins x Pints, a new entertainment concept with duckpin bowling, bocce, pinball, cornhole, giant beer pong, and street food is coming to the North Shore, per the Post-Gazette.
🚀 Grist House Craft Brewery is turning a Collier Township Cold War-era Nike Missile Command Center into another outpost for the popular brewery. But a lot of work is ahead, so be patient. An opening date is expected a year or two from now.
🥗 A casual California-inspired cafe from famed chef Justin Severino is planned near North Park, the Trib writes.
🎸 Howler’s is moving to East Liberty after 19 years in Bloomfield, City Paper reports.
🧀 Tom & Chee, of “Shark Tank” fame, plans to open a Downtown location. They’ll be serving melts, soups, and “grilled chee donuts,” per WTAE.
🍕 Big Burrito is bringing a yet-to-be-named restaurant to Lawrenceville with a focus on pizza, veggie-forward dishes, and burgers, Pittsburgh Magazine reports.
🍔 Arlington Beverage Club, a new concept from well-known chef Kevin Sousa, is coming to an old social club in Allentown called St. George Lyceum, the Pittsburgh Current details.
🏛 The Vandal owners are bringing two new concepts to the Pitt Building Downtown, the Post-Gazette reports. One is a sandwich shop. The other is a supper club called Saint Johannes.
Farewell
Here’s some good news, especially in a difficult time for local restaurants … we didn’t hear of any closings this past month! If we missed one, let us know.
Like this story? Put your logo on it. We’re looking for sponsors for our mega-popular monthly openings-and-closings series. Think your business is the right fit? Let’s talk! Email: benjamin@whereby.us