Mrs. T’s Pierogies
mrstspierogies.com
National Pierogy Day is Tue., Oct. 8 and Mrs. T’s Pierogies is giving away pierogy merch to celebrate. Head to the Mrs. T’s Instagram account and enter to win limited-edition cozy prize packs with a pierogy blanket and pillow, socks, robe, and Kindle accessories. Fans can check out Mrs. T’s new fall recipes for a Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Mini Pierogies and a savory Shepherd’s Pie Pierogy Bake.
Juniper Grill
10 Old Clairton Rd., Pleasant Hills. junipergrill.com
The newly converted Juniper Grill opens Tue., Oct. 8 in Atria’s former Pleasant Hills space. According to an Instagram post, the restaurant — billed as contemporary American with “a fresh Cali vibe” — will offer a grand opening menu with seared ahi tuna salad, skirt steak, and grilled fish tacos. Reservations are available online.
Atria’s, previously located in the borough’s Bill Green shopping center, temporarily closed in February to be transformed into Juniper Grill as part of a larger transition plan by its parent company, Restaurant Holdings LP. CEO Pat McDonnell told the Pittsburgh Business Times that the company is “trying to adapt to the changing demographics” by launching the California-inspired “companion concept.” Juniper Grill, which first opened in 2010, now has three other locations in the Pittsburgh area and one in North Carolina.
McDonald’s
Multiple locations. mcdonalds.com
The region already claims bragging rights for inventing the Big Mac, and a revolutionary version of the sandwich will arrive soon. On Thu., Oct. 10, the McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac will debut at Pittsburgh restaurants. According to a press release, the chicken-based sandwich “features the toppings fans know and love” from the iconic original and includes two tempura-battered chicken patties topped with special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and pickles served on a sesame seed bun. The Chicken Big Mac was tested in McDonald’s international markets, then in Miami, Fla., before dropping in Pittsburgh.
The Waterfront
149 W. Bridge St., Homestead. waterfrontpgh.com
The Waterfront hosts its version of Oktoberfest on Fri., Oct. 11 with a Libations Market. The free event promises “an exciting lineup of local beer, spirits, cider, [and] wine” for purchase from Devout Brewing Company, Arsenal Cider House, Lucky Sign Spirits, and Shorty’s. The first 200 attendees aged 21-and-over receive a pass offering a free pour of each local libation. The family-friendly event also features kids’ activities, face painting, a stilt walker, and live music by Missing Link.
Allegheny County Parks Foundation
303 Pearce Mill Rd., Allison Park. acparksfoundation.org
Enjoy more local brews and bites on Sat., Oct. 12 during Park ‘til Dark at North Park. The sun-up-to-sundown event offers a full day of family-friendly activities capped off by a Pour at the Park tasting and fundraiser. Join early for free events including a tree planting with park rangers, arts and crafts, a “spooktacular” costumed bike ride, tours, hikes, and more; registration is requested online. Pour in the Park kicks off at 5:30 p.m., offering tastings from local brewers and food vendors and live music. Drink-tasting tickets cost $60 and include a commemorative tasting cup. Food-only and children’s tickets are also available from $10-25 with kids under 5 admitted free.
Pittsburgh Coffee Week
Multiple locations. pghcoffeeweek.com
Pittsburgh Coffee Week returns for its 10th year with multiple days of coffee-themed fun. Running from Sun., Oct. 13- Sat., Oct. 19, the event brings together local coffeehouses, roasters, and coffee industry organizations, and includes a sensory experience at South Side’s Dynamic Coffee Roasters, a barista reading at White Whale Books, a latte art throwdown and vendor market hosted at Commonplace Coffee Rockwell Park, and much more. Coffee lovers can also try exclusive drink specials around town during Coffee Week, with fall delights like a Boujee Pumpkin Pie cold foam at Brother Andre’s Cafe in Uptown, a sweet potato latte at PAIR Charcuterie, and maple cream cold brew at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee.
The Melting Pot
242 W. Station Square Dr., South Side. meltingpot.com/pittsburgh-pa
If you’ve already taken a ride on the big Ferris wheel for Oktoberfest, keep celebrating at The Melting Pot. The fondue restaurant in Station Square is running an Oktober FoudueFest menu and “dining experience” through Oct. 31. Guests can pair German-inspired dippers including pretzels, grilled bratwurst, and braised short rib with Bavarian beer cheese fondue. A three-course meal deal for $49 includes the cheese fondue, fresh salad, and a “decadent” Black Forest chocolate fondue for dessert. The restaurant also rolled out “seasonal sips,” touting a Black Forest Old Fashioned, Ginger Peach Blitz cocktail, and Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. Reservations can be booked online.
Halloween Cocktails
Pittsburgh restaurants are making the most of spooky season with a roster of specialty cocktails.
Ritual House gets dark and stormy with a Grape Ale made with blueberry vodka, purple Kool-Aid, white cranberry and lime juices, and Moscato. The Gravedigger comes garnished with a skeleton and is crafted with mezcal, house-made rosemary syrup, lime juice, and ginger beer. A Fortuneteller cocktail invites patrons to see their future by combining vodka, Luxardo Maraschino, lychee, lemon, a silver-dusted crystal ball ice cube, and a mini-Tarot card garnish.
Khalil’s offers a “spooky twist” on its signature Tahini Martini, debuting a Slammin Pumpkin version. Try the fall-themed drink featuring Tahini, almond milk, and rum, garnished with dried blood orange and pumpkin spice.
Cobra in Bloomfield adds to its signature tableside experience with “creepy crawling cocktails” like the spicy Black Widow, made with mezcal, Hornitos Reposado, muddled blackberries, serrano pepper, simple syrup, and Cointreau. Sip the snake-themed Hiss-tina mixed with Midori, Sho Chiku Bai sake, vodka, orange and lime juices, and lemon-lime soda, and topped with a Haribo twin snake and black sugar rim.
In Lawrenceville, Esquina Cantina (Round Corner Cantina) comes off its 15th anniversary celebration with new signature tequila-based cocktails for Halloween. The El Vampiro combines Cazadores Blanco, housemade sangrita, lime, and grapefruit soda and is finished with a grenadine rim. The Perla Negra mixes mezcal with squid ink, lime, coriander, and agave.
Yinzer Brands x Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
grandpajoescandyshop.com
Yinzer Brands declares it’s called pop, not soda with their latest creation. The brand — the purveyor of Yinzer Cards and the Yinzer Dogs food truck — teamed up with Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop to launch a line of Pittsburgh-themed bottled pop. Yinzer Pop features four original flavors including Allegheny River Water (cola), Orange Belt (orange), Blawnox Boilermaker (root beer), and Sahside Sangria (grape). The pop is available in 12-ounce glass bottles at Pittsburgh-area Grandpa Joe’s locations and through Grandpa Joe’s website.
Dulce Amor Latino Bakery
500 Garden City Dr., Monroeville. dulceamorpgh.com
A new slate of sweet treats has landed in Monroeville with the opening of Dulce Amor Latino Bakery. The bakery, whose name is Spanish for “sweet love,” makes authentic Mexican pastries, still relatively rare in the region, with pan dulce (sweet bread), bolillos (a savory baguette), and teleras (sandwich rolls). The new spot also offers cookies, birthday cakes, and other baked goods, including special orders, and serves coffee in a cafe and lounge area. Check for updates on their website or follow the bakery’s Instagram or Facebook.
Carnegie Science Center
One Allegheny Ave., North Side. carnegiesciencecenter.org
Carnegie Science Center unveiled the Chinatown Inn restaurant as the latest addition to its Miniature Railroad and Village. The model pays tribute to the restaurant from Pittsburgh’s historic Chinatown neighborhood, which, in the 19th and 20th centuries, was a vibrant hub of Chinese-owned businesses and restaurants located Downtown between Second and Third Avenues. Chinatown Inn, opened in 1943, stands as the “last surviving business in the neighborhood,” the Science Center wrote on its website.
This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2024.
