Half Assed Beer Share
2601 Smallman St., Strip District. habspgh.com
Spring cleaning is underway when Half Assed Beer Share hosts a clothing swap at its next event. On Sun., April 6 from 2-5 p.m., attendees can trade gently worn, laundered clothes and four-packs of beer from any brewery in the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild during the Spring Beer Share and Clothing Swap at Cinderlands Warehouse. Cinderlands’ food will also be available for purchase during the beer share. The event is free. Reserve a spot through Eventbrite.
Cafe Momentum Pittsburgh
268 Forbes Ave., Downtown. cafemomentum.org/restaurant/pittsburgh
After a relaunch last month, Cafe Momentum announced a new monthly guest chef series, Plating with Purpose. The first installment on Wed., April 9 at 5:30 p.m. features guest chef Cory Hughes from Fig and Ash. Hughes will curate a four-course meal with wine pairings that “celebrates community through food and connection” and supports Cafe Momentum’s culinary programs for justice-involved youth. The menu will include rabbit rillette, Parisienne gnocchi, sourdough-crusted halibut, a black pepper cheesecake for dessert, and complimentary wine and beer pairings with each course.
Upcoming Plating with Purpose events feature guest chefs Dave DiAnoia from DiAnoia’s Eatery on Wed., May 14, and Michael Godlewski from EYV Restaurant on Wed., June 11. Event tickets cost $125 per person (tax and service fee included) and can be reserved through OpenTable.
Girasole
733 Copeland St., Shadyside. girasolepgh.com
Spring has sprung at Girasole with the launch of its latest menu. Described as “modern-Italian seasonal,” Girasole’s spring menu aims to update “traditional peasant dishes,” including homemade soups, bruschettas, antipastas, and pasta dishes, along with daily fish, chicken, and meat specials. The restaurant will also donate 50% of each Escarole and Beans dish sold in April to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
The family-run Italian restaurant — known for its comfort food, fresh pasta, and friendly ambiance — is celebrating 25 years in Shadyside this month. On Mon., April 28 at 5:30 p.m., Girasole will toast its silver anniversary with a Salute all’Argento: A Toast to 25 years! event ($80 per person) featuring an apertivo-style experience that pairs small plates with specially selected Italian sparkling wines. Call (412) 427-6952 for reservations.
412 Food Rescue
2120 Jane St., South Side. 412foodrescue.org
412 Food Rescue, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to reduce food waste and alleviate food insecurity, celebrates its 10th anniversary on Sat., April 12 from 12-4 p.m. with 412 Day at Velum Fermentation. The free, all-ages event features live music, 35 local vendors, including food trucks Cold Friends Kitchen and 412 Tacos, candle-making, tarot card readings, flash tattoos, a touch-a-truck experience for kids, and an appearance by mascot Rooty, the food rescue super-carrot. Millie’s will also give out free ice cream scoops throughout the event.
Velum will partner with 412 Food Rescue to turn a haul of rescued tomatoes into a limited-edition beer. Party-goers can also snag a souvenir pint glass with a 10th-anniversary version of the 412 Food Rescue logo. View the block party event page for complete details.
East End Brewing Company
147 Julius St., Larimer. eastendbrewing.com
Kick off bicycling season when East End Brewing’s annual charity bike ride returns. The 2025 Pedal Pale Ale Keg Ride, on Sat., April 12, will invite cyclists to “ride en masse” and tow kegs of East End’s Pedal Pale Ale to “an extremely secret and tantalizing location.” At the end of the 90-minute ride, cyclists “get the first, fresh, cold pints” of the Pedal Ale, while raising funds for charity. This year’s Keg Ride benefits Casa San José, a Beechview-based nonprofit, resource hub, and future community center supporting Pittsburgh’s Latino community. Digital tickets to the ride cost $30.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
173 Bakery Square Blvd., East Liberty and 447 Cinema Dr., South Side. jenis.com
Jeni’s gives ice cream lovers their spring fix with new fruit-infused flavors. The scoop shop’s new flavor collection “draws inspiration from historic pleasure gardens,” promising an updated “modern-day wonderland of indulgence.” The lineup includes Raspberry Rhubarb Delight, Citrus Glazed Pound Cake, and Tropical Bloom, described as a combination of “citrusy mandarin, refreshing kiwi, and punchy passion fruit.” Try all three flavors at Jeni’s scoop shops or order online.
Grist House Craft Brewery x Mad Mex
Multiple locations. gristhouse.com
A new collab beer beckons Pittsburghers to the madhouse. Grist House teamed up with Mad Mex to create Mad House, a lower-ABV American IPA described as “bold, refreshing” and “easy-drinking.” The new IPA is available in cans and on draft at Grist House in Millvale, and at Pittsburgh-area Mad Mex locations.
Breadbox Sandwich and Sweet Shop
Four E. North Ave., North Side. breadboxpgh.com
The North Side welcomed a new lunch spot. Breadbox Sandwich and Sweet Shop opened March 10 and features a menu of handcrafted deli sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweet treats. Lent-friendly options include tuna melts and salad, veggie-based soups, a smoked salmon wrap, and caprese panini, while a dessert menu offers homemade cookies, brownies, and cinnamon rolls. Breadbox is now open Mon.-Sat. from 11a.m.- 4 p.m.
Whisper
932 Penn Ave., Downtown. whisperpgh.com
Whisper, a new wine and dessert bar, celebrated its grand opening Downtown. The Cultural District restaurant is the latest concept from the Bridges and Bourbon team, and is billed as “a destination for those who appreciate refinement with a touch of mystery.” Diners can enjoy curated wines and desserts, including flourless chocolate cake, lemon ricotta doughnuts, an apple-stacked blondie, small plates, and cocktails. Whisper is now open daily at 5 p.m., serving appetizers until 11 p.m., and desserts and drinks until 11:30 p.m.
Isaly’s
2111 Penn Ave., Strip District. isalys.com
Chipped chopped ham and skyscraper ice cream cones will soon return to Pittsburgh. Islay’s announced the launch of a “retro store” in the Strip District in 2026. The new 3,500-square-foot space, the first new Islay’s shop to open in decades, will include a dairy store and deli counter, as the brand, which first came to Pittsburgh nearly a century ago, “is returning to its roots,” according to its website. The shop will also sell Islay’s Bars, old-fashioned candy, and all-day breakfast. Follow Islay’s Instagram and Facebook page for updates.
This article appears in Mar 26 – Apr 1, 2025.
