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Pittsburgh Chefs Have Reeled In 7 Must-Try Seafood Dishes

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a whole trout with roasted new potatoes and lemon garnish on an oval platter. seafood
Hyeholde Trout

Yes, we live in a landlocked region, but so what? Pittsburgh’s chefs are more than a match for geography. TABLE staff shares some must-try seafood dishes.

Hyeholde: Trout

1516 Coraopolis Heights Road, Coraopolis
Find this classically prepared dish as a menu special. It’s worth the wait.

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto: Crab Cakes

1411 Grandview Avenue
Try the signature Monterey Bay Crab Cakes with house rémoulade, or add on shrimp and lobster.

Point Brugge: Mussels

401 Hastings Street
Fresh from Canada’s Prince Edward Island and prepared with bread and your choice of sauce.

Carmi Soul Food: Shrimp & Grits

1825 E. Carson Street
One of the local soul food spot’s specialty dishes, a hefty serving features a nice blend of Cajun spices. Add bacon or double the shrimp, and don’t forget a side of cornbread for dipping.

The Rib Room: Lobster Thermidor

649 Penn Avenue
An elevated hors d’oeuvres featuring a whole lobster roasted in brandy sauce.

Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33: Squid Stone Hot Pot

1711 Shady Avenue
Served with basil and garlic, this dish is a symphony of flavors all year long.

The Original Oyster House: Our Famous Jumbo Fish

20 Market Square
This house sandwich is almost as famous as the historic restaurant, the oldest in the Steel City.

Story by Lisa Cunningham / Photography by Dave Bryce

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The Pittsburgh Glass Center is Blowing Minds

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A white woman with french braids and glasses concentrates on blowing glass.
Individual blowing glass at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Photo by Nathan J. Shaulis.

Reality television might seem like an unlikely way to be introduced to a phenomenal cultural attraction, but the Pittsburgh Glass Center is celebrating its attachments to Blown Away, Netflix’s popular series showcasing glass-blowing sculpture challenges.

Heather McElwee, the executive director of the nonprofit public-access education center, glass studio, and art gallery, was a judge on Season 2. And studio manager John Sharvin made it all the way to the top three contestants during his time competing on Season 3 of the hit show. 

Visitors can view Sharvin’s work, along with the other two finalists, at the contemporary gallery’s current exhibition, Undefined, through July 2023. It’s just the latest exhibit from one of the city’s best galleries, an intimate space that allows art lovers to get up close and personal with progressive glassworks. Past exhibits have included themes touching on the diverse range of light art, as well as an exhibit that focused on the refugee crisis. 

The nonprofit also makes the art of glasswork accessible, with live hot-glass demonstrations and classes available to the public. It’s also about to expand: In March, the Center broke ground on a new $15 million renovation of its current 16,000-square-foot facility. 

Pittsburgh Glass Center
5472 Penn Avenue

Story by Lisa Cunningham

Explorations in Pittsburgh Asian Cuisine

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a sandwich on a plate and fried rice in a bowl on a green wood surface
Lucy's Bahn Mi and Fried Rice

The ‘Burgh abounds in delicious Asian cuisine: make a plan to experience TABLE staff’s favorite dishes.

Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33: Soup Dumplings

1711 Shady Avenue
Served piping-hot with a side of black vinegar and ginger to pour on top. Their halibut steamed fish is another must-try.

Pho Van: Pho Dac Biet and Fresh Shrimp Rolls

2120 Penn Avenue
Pho Van’s pho dac biet is one of the best in town. Pair it with their fresh shrimp rolls: lettuce, mint, bean sprouts, noodles, and shrimp wrapped in rice paper and served with a peanut bean sauce for dipping.

Ramen Bar: Tan Tan Men

5860 Forbes Avenue
For those who like it hot: a spicy sesame soup featuring ramen noodles, spinach, and seasoned ground beef.

täkō: Korean Tacos and Bistec Tacos

214 Sixth Street
Don’t miss the Korean tacos (flank steak, spicy cucumber, napa cabbage, and peanut salsa, with a soybean glaze) or the Bistec tacos (cabbage slaw, pico de gayo, chihuahua cheese, and cilantro, topped with tomatillo morita salsa) at this Downtown Japanese-Mexican fusion eatery.

People’s Indian Restaurant: Chicken Tikka

5147 Penn Avenue
We’ve yet to meet a person who’s tried People’s Indian Restaurant and hasn’t fallen in love. This Garfield eatery 100% lives up to its hype. Pair their chicken tikka, boneless chicken marinated overnight in yogurt and cooked in a clay oven, with a lassi, a sweet and salted creamy mango drink.

Udipi Café: Rasam Soup

4141 Old William Penn Highway
This traditional South Indian soup is a tantalizing mix of sour and spicy. Aloo paratha, whole-wheat stuffed with potatoes and spices, is an excellent addition.

Lucy’s Banh Mì

2216 Penn Avenue
Everything is good here … but first-timers might want to start with banh mì, a baguette-based sandwich that speaks to the layers of Vietnamese and French influence at play in Vietnamese cuisine. The fried rice is delicious, too!

Story by Jordan Snowden / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce

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9 Pittsburgh Restaurants Rich in Cocktail Culture

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Red cocktail being poured into a clear glass from a silver cocktail shaker on a white table with leaves and citrus
Commerce Bar's Bellhop and Blood Orange Boulevardier

The ‘Burgh is rich in sippability. If you’re looking to try something new, TABLE staff has a bevy of bevvy suggestions.

Commerce Bar: Bellhop and Blood Orange Boulevardier

128 S. Highland Avenue
Embrace Commerce Bar’s speakeasy aesthetic with the bright Bellhop cocktail: a mix of gin, lemon, Sauvignon blanc, and cucumber. Or, for the more daring of us, order the intriguingly bitter Blood Orange Boulevardier, shown here… or allow the bartender to create a personalized drink for you.

Altius: A Sip With a View

1230 Grandview Avenue
Maker’s Mark bourbon, Nocino walnut liqueur, and orange bitters make up a notable cocktail, though it’s the place that helps the drink live up to its name. Located in Mt. Washington, Altius offers breathtaking views overlooking Pittsburgh.

Bridges & Bourbon: B & B Signature Old Fashioned

930 Penn Avenue
Bridges & Bourbon elevates a traditional Old Fashioned by swapping Angostura bitters for tiki bitters and adding dark rum and spiced demerara to bourbon.

St. Clair Social: Midori Sour

302 S. St. Clair Street
This St. Clair Social signature cocktail features Lucky Sign’s aquavit, Midori, lemon, lime, agave, and chili oil.

Margaux: Parting Shot

5947 Penn Avenue
Let your taste buds revel in this French 75 cocktail featuring a layering of pear flavors, lemon, and champagne.

Emerson’s: Truffle Sidecar

435 Market Street
Paired with Emerson’s European-inspired interior, the Truffle Sidebar, a mix of truffle-infused VSOP Cognac, triple sec, simple syrup, lemon, and rosemary sugar, is sure to make its drinker feel very top-of-the-pyramid.

Fig & Ash: An Ode to the Industry

514 E. Ohio Street
A tribute to Hulu’s hit show The Bear, An Ode to the Industry is served in a plastic restaurant container and features Fernet- Branca, amaro, green chartreuse, lime, and simple syrup.

Dish Osteria Bar: Lambrusco Spritz

128 S. 17th Street
As the name suggests, dry Lambrusco is included in this cocktail, alongside Lo-Fi amaro, Amara Rosso, grapefruit, Castelvetrano olives, and an orange slice.

Kingly Spirits: Gin Cup No. 1

2613 Smallman Street
Kingfly’s Gin and Orange Liqueur to create this twist on the Pimm’s Cup cocktail by Raoul Segarra, lead distiller at Kingfly.

Story by Jordan Snowden / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Laura Petrilla 

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9 Pittsburgh Brews and Spirits to Pair for a Shot and a Beer

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a colorful can of a sour beer to the left of a bottle of vodka both sitting behind a shot glass and a sour brew garnished with pineapple
11th Hour Brewing Dream Cannon Sour with Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka

A shot and a beer. A boilermaker. A two-step. Whatever name you assign this classic dive-bar combo, it’s the best way to have your brew and drink it, too. Try these paired-up Pittsburgh craft specials the next time you want the best of both worlds. Former distiller at Maggie’s Farm Rum, Rachel Carr, is behind the bar on this one!

11th Hour Brewing Dream Cannon Sour Series & Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka

Cinderlands Lil’ Cinder & Liberty Pole Rye Whiskey 

Coven Brewing Purple Sparking Tea & Maggie’s Farm Falernum

Necromancer Brewing Gold Cream Ale & Wigle Whiskey Pennsylvania Straight Bourbon

East End Brewing Company Everyday Pilsner & Bella Bambini Orangecello

Strange Roots Screaming Tangerine Wheat Ale & Lawrenceville Distilling Company Ginzer American Gin

Arsenal Cider House Picket Cider & Lucky Sign Spirits Aquavit

Dancing Gnome Lustra American Pale Ale & Quantum Spirits Amaro Liqueur

Southern Tier Brewing Company Irish Cream Stout & Kingfly Spirits Spiced Rum

Story by Rachel Carr / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Laura Petrilla

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7 Pittsburgh Boba Tea Shops

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a look in photo with a rustic green table and a white paneled background of a to-go cup with boba tea that is a light tan color at the bottom with dark brown boba and a bright blue butterfly pea tea at the top, a blue straw
Banh Mi and Ti

Local blogger and bobafìcionado Sophia Chang enthusiastically shares some of her favorite boba tea shops and beverages in Pittsburgh.

7 Pittsburgh Boba Tea Shops

Banh Mi and Ti

4502 Butler Street
The unofficial “Sophia” is boba-butterfly pea tea, oat milk, brown sugar, and boba. It’s sweet, refreshing, caffeine-free, and super eye-catching (plus photographable!), so it can be enjoyed by everyone: the quintessential bubble tea.

Bae Bae’s Kitchen

951 Liberty Avenue
Taro boba tea with oat milk is a great way to be introduced to taro. It’s creamy, smooth, and goes perfectly with Bae Bae’s Korean fried chicken.

JJ Poke

110 Atwood Street
JJ honey green tea with boba is so smooth, it doesn’t need dairy. This is a classic tea order and is so refreshing in the summer.

Ineffable Cà Phê

3920 Penn Ave

If you haven’t visited this coffee shop yet because you prefer tea, then you’re missing out on their boba tea menu. You can completely customize your drink from tea type to boba flavor to boba additions and even what type of milk is included.

Fuku Tea

Oakland and Squirrel Hill
Wintermelon green tea with boba may sound intimidating, but it’s such a light, smooth flavor. I would recommend trying it, but if wintermelon doesn’t sound like it’s for you, Fuku has a large selection to peruse.

Tsaocaa

5871 Forbes Ave and 124 Oakland Ave

To put it simply, Tsaocaa specializes in boba tea. Even if you’ve never liked boba tea before, there’s something you’ll enjoy at this shop in Squirrel Hill and Oakland. Their premade options can lead you through different types of boba you may have not tried before but there’s always the option to make your drink from scratch too.

Café 102

4314 Butler Street
A pineapple and passionfruit refresher with boba packs powerful, fruity flavors into an intriguing combination. They have interesting traditional coffees as well.

Story by Sophia Chang (@sopheating) / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Laura Petrilla

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Get Festive with These 4 Pittsburgh Black Music Festivals

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A young Black child sits on their fathers shoulders during a Black music festival
Photo by Glodi Miessi on Unsplash

Clara Kent, multidisciplinary artist, CEO of Bounce House Studios & Productions, radio host at WYEP, GPAC artist outreach coordinator, COO of BLKNVMBR, and artist advocate for Black and Indigenous folk, suggests a few music festivals worth the visit. 

I love these festivals because they create space for the Black community to celebrate our heritage and the vibrancy of our creativity and artistry freely. Though Black History Month is a beautiful notion towards honoring the history of African descendants in America, having time to enjoy the summer together celebrating music and art, and enjoying the nuances of being Black in Pittsburgh is affirming. It’s beautiful to see Black people and other communities that uplift us come together and enjoy themselves wholeheartedly. 

Pittsburgh Black Music Festival

Point State Park, July 13-15

Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Homecoming Celebration

Point State Park and Market Square, June 16-19

HILL DISTRICT ARTS FESTIVAL

Centre Avenue, July 29

HARAMBEE UJIMA BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL 

2023 TBD

Story by Clara Kent

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8 Pittsburgh Cool Drinks to Quench Your Thirst

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3 iced beverages and 2 glass bottled sodas in front of a brightly colored polka dot background
Breathe Easy herbal tea and Lemon Saber from Bantha Tea Bar, Red Ribbon Cherry Soda and Mint Ginger Ale, and Alta Via's Fever-Tree

Sometimes you just need to sit down and sip something cool. TABLE recommends these 8 options to quench your thirst.

Bantha Tea Bar: Lemon Saber 

5002 Penn Avenue
Not only will you find some of the best organic tea and locally sourced eats at this cozy East End shop, but you’ll also find innovative drinks that energize and delight the senses. For example, and hear me out: Bantha’s Lemon Saber. Made of a combination of lemonade and cold-brew coffee or espresso, the citrus of the lemonade blends with the bitterness of the coffee for a balanced, refreshing cold drink.

Apteka: Black Pepper Soda 

4606 Penn Avenue
A delectable blend of black pepper syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water, APTEKA crafts their selection of unique sodas in-house. Other options include poppyseed, spruce, and rosehip.

Natrona Bottling Company: Red Ribbon Mint Ginger Ale

Natrona Heights
Vito Gerasole of Natrona Bottling Company calls this local soda a classic. “Fresh, smooth, and extremely refreshing, Mint Ginger Ale is kind of a Pittsburgh thing,” he says, proclaiming it delicious on its own as well as an excellent mint julep ingredient.

Coven Brewing: Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea

4901 Butler Street
Made in-house, Coven Brewing’s sparkling tea is crafted with butterfly pea tea and lime, grapefruit, and ginger.

Barmy Soda: Root Beer

Various Locations (including Kelly’s Bar & Lounge, Progression Bistro Food Truck, and Row House Cinema)
Local pop company Barmy Soda uses organic sugar and all-natural ingredients in their small-batch drinks. Try a classic like root beer, or get adventurous with their lemon or lime seltzers.

Spork: Say Aloe To My Lil’ Friend

5430 Penn Avenue
Spork mixes their house-made kombucha with aloe water, ras el hanout syrup, and lemon, for a cold drink that refreshes and awakens the mind and senses.

Butterjoint: Shrub and Soda

208 N. Craig Street
To create Butterjoint’s Shrub and Soda, Bar Manager Amanda Schaffner soaks various fruits in sugar for a few days before blending the juice with house-made barrel-aged vinegar and champagne or apple cider vinegar.

Alta Via: Fever-Tree 46

Fox Chapel Road, Fox Chapel
Can you ever have too much ginger? Well, maybe, but Alta Via’s Fever-Tree, a combination of ginger beer and ginger ale, is a balanced spicy explosion.

Story by Jordan Snowden / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce

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Find Both Fun and Learning at These 5 Pittsburgh Workshops

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Six women stand and sit around a table using flowers in a workshop. Pittsburgh Workshops
Photo by Hillary Ungson

Jackie Baker, partner-founder of Workhorse Collaborative and president of Handmade Arcade, recommends some Pittsburgh workshops where fun and learning go hand in hand. 

Protohaven

214 N. Trenton Avenue 
From electronics to sewing to woodworking and blacksmithing, Protohaven is the Pittsburgh area’s largest makerspace and school for design and fabrication. And if finances are a barrier, they offer an Access to Making Program that reduces costs 20% to 70% below standard for folks in need. 

Assemble

4824 Penn Avenue
Assemble 21+ Nights offer food, drinks, and making. Try a new craft taught by guest experts. Got a crafty kid? Assemble also offers a free STEAM program where kids in grades 1 through 9 can have a place to go after school and make stuff. 

Pittsburgh Glass Center

5472 Penn Avenue
Did you know Pittsburgh was known for glass before it was known for steel? Pittsburgh Glass Center offers classes for small groups and date nights, where visitors can make their own glassware like a flower, or a sand-blasted pint glass, or holiday item. 

Legacy Arts Project

7227 Tioga Street
Parents can take an African dance community class on Wednesday nights for just $10, while their kid (ages 4 and up) attends Wondartful Wednesday for free. 

The Alloy School at Kelly Strayhorn Theater

5941 Penn Avenue G
reat for both adults and families, offering “a non-competitive and creative community where professional dancers guide learning.” Classes range from Creative Play for kids aged 6 and under to West African Dance & Drum for all ages. 

Story by Jackie Baker

3 Pittsburgh Bars to Cheer on the Black and Gold

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A man stands behind four beer taps at a bar counter. Pittsburgh bars to watch the games
Photo by Naseem Buras

Rob Rossi, senior writer at The Athletic, watches the games at these Pittsburgh bars to cheer on the home team in good company. 

Archie’s

2328 E. Carson Street
A great old-school bar that always has the local pro and college games on its televisions. Come for the chill vibe, stay for the excellent wings — because everybody knows great wings make for a better sports-watching experience. 

31 Sports Bar & Grille

1020 Washington Pike, Bridgeville
A lot of room, which is critical if you’re with a group and looking to catch a game. Plus, sneaky-good grub. Bonus points because it’s owned and operated by a former championship Pittsburgh athlete, ex-Penguins goalie Ken Wregget. 

All Star Sports Bar & Grille

Robinson and Canonsburg
A good-many (big) screens make this spot perfect for any game. Menu options are plentiful. And it scores high for showing soccer matches, which are tough to find in the area. 

Story by Rob Rossi 

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