Wigle Whiskey
1000 Ross Park Mall Dr., Ross Township. wiglewhiskey.com
Wigle Whiskey journeys back to the Roaring Twenties with a craft cocktail class. On Thu., Jan. 16 at 6 p.m., the distillery hosts A Taste of the Prohibition event where mixologists will guide students through the history and drink-making techniques of “classic cocktails that defined an era.” All skill levels are welcome, and participants are invited to dress in 1920s attire. Tickets ($58) include guidance on making three craft cocktails (including a Prohibition-era Rye Whiskey), a grazing board, a take-home Wigle Rocks Glass, and a 15% discount on all Wigle bottles.
ShadoBeni
1534 Brighton Rd., North Side. shadobeni412.com
ShadoBeni declares this month Veganuary. The Trinidadian vegan restaurant is thanking the community and celebrating its third anniversary with a giveaway. Through Thu., Jan. 16, fans can like ShadoBeni’s Instagram post and tag two friends for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate and a T-shirt. Share the post to your Instagram story and tag ShadoBeni to receive an additional five giveaway entries.
Apteka
4606 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. aptekapgh.com
Apteka’s alter ego returns when Crapteka launches on Fri., Jan. 17. For three weekends through Sun., Feb. 2, the vaunted vegan and Eastern European-inspired restaurant “takes a break” from its normal menu and resets as a “veg burger and fry pop-up.” An Instagram post tells diners to expect yuba sandwiches, salads, seed milkshakes, “fun Crapteka sodas,” cocktails “with pineapple n fun things,” and more. The menu remains all-vegan and made from scratch. Crapteka runs Fri.-Sun. from 5-10 p.m. with take-out pre-orders available Wednesdays at noon for the following weekend.
Sweet Alchemy Bake Shop
945 Fifth Ave., New Kensington. sweet-alchemy-bake-shop-llc.square.site
Sweet Alchemy leans into comfort season with a new soup pop-up. The vegan bake shop will, on Sun., Jan. 19 from 11a.m.-2 p.m., host Souper-Sunday, an event featuring four different soups available for purchase by the cup or quart along with bread. Soups include Cabbage, Bean & Potato, a “rustic” veggie-filled soup in herbal broth, Chickpea Curry Soup, Minestrone, and Rice & Beans. All soups are vegan and gluten-free.
Casbah
229 S. Highland Ave., Shadyside. casbah.kitchen
Casbah’s Winter Pasta Fest (Winter Festa di Pasta) returns to help Pittsburghers keep warm and cozy. From Mon., Jan. 20-Thu., Jan 23, the Mediterranean kitchen rolls out a special menu of six homemade pasta dishes. Selections include a wild mushroom and Chevre Doppio in mushroom broth, and Chitarra, a spaghetti-style pasta served with lamb ragu, braised chard, smoked shallots, and parmesan. View the menu and make reservations online.
Turner’s Dairy x Pittsburgh Public Schools x Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
pittsburghfoodbank.org/frzy
Pittsburgh rapper Frzy is “milking it” in a new team-up. As part of his annual Frzy Day that benefits local organizations, the Emmy Award-winning musician and one of Pittsburgh City Paper’s 2023 People of the Year, partnered with Turner’s Dairy, Pasage Studios, and Pittsburgh Public Schools Food Services Department to create a poster campaign promoting the nutritional value of milk and raising awareness of childhood hunger.
“More than 1 in 6 children in the area could go to bed hungry, leaving lasting effects on their learning and adulthood. This is NOT OK!” Frzy said in a press release. The rapper also noted milk is “an excellent, affordable source of protein which helps children and adults thrive” that “has been a part of my nutrition and fitness routine for many years.”
Milking It! posters featuring Frzy will be distributed to schools and locations throughout the region, and will encourage support of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Pittsburghers can donate online or by texting “Frzy” to 50155.
Threadbare Cider and Mead
1000 Ross Park Mall Dr., Ross Township. threadbarecider.com
Threadbare Cider claimed top prizes at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show Cider Competition. The Spring Garden cidery took home Best in Show and Best Overall Cider for its flagship Farmhouse Cider, made with locally grown apples using old-world production methods. The cider also received a gold medal in the competition’s Modern Dry category, earning the statewide accolade for its “balance, drinkability, and authentic expression of Pennsylvania’s cider-making heritage,” according to a press release. Try Threadbare Cider at its Ross Park Mall bottle shop or buy a bottle through beer distributors throughout Pittsburgh.
Brave Bean Coffee Company
20 E. General Robinson St., North Side. bravebeancoffee.com
Brave Bean Coffee, a Pitcairn-based, veteran-owned coffee roaster, opened a second location on Jan. 4 in the North Side. The new coffee shop was announced in October as part of the Andy Warhol Museum’s developing Pop District. A Brave Bean Instagram post announcing the opening promised “exceptional coffee, cozy vibes, and friendly faces” with city views, large windows, and space to work. Follow its Instagram page for updates.
PileZ
370 Atwood St., Oakland. pilez.com
Farewell to garbage plates. PileZ in South Oakland has reportedly closed after just under a year in business. The 24-hour restaurant took over the former Mad Mex space, serving the Rochester, N.Y. delicacy, smash burgers, and other late-night grub. “The convenience [we offered] was unfortunately not wanted. My team and I worked endlessly together to provide the best late-night food possible,” owner Zechariah Vanzo told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which speculated if PileZ’s closure raised larger questions about the viability of Pittsburgh’s late-night dining.
This article appears in Jan 8-14, 2025.
