Mother’s Day specials, Zoo brews, a lotta gelato, and more Pittsburgh food news

LaScola’s Italian Ice and Custard
1218 N. Euclid Ave., Highland Park. lascolaspgh.com

LaScola’s has your cold sweet treats when it reopens for the season. The family-owned ice cream shop, operating since 2007, returns on Thu., May 8 with handcrafted Italian ice and custard, along with a special cookie crunch sandwich. Dessert lovers can make their custard an affogato, and order from a coffee menu featuring La Prima espresso.

Mother’s Day 2025

Mother’s Day is Sun., May 11, and Pittsburgh spots have plenty of options to celebrate the person you call Mom.

On Sat., May 10 from 12-6 p.m., head to Lawrenceville for Mother’s Day at the Market House. The shopping hub celebrates “all the moms in our lives” with $2 donuts at Oliver’s Donuts, wine pours, flash tattoos, a flower bar at Camōflage, and more.

Treat Mom to a cup of tea at Vibrant Sunshine’s Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea experience. On Sun., May 11 at 5 p.m., guests enjoy a high tea service featuring a three-tiered tray brimming with vegan and gluten-friendly “cafe creations” at the Aspinwall juicery. Selections include plant-based tea sandwiches, scones and spreads, and sweet treats like truffles and cupcakes, paired with bottomless cups of organic tea. Tickets cost $55 for adults and $25 for kids, who receive a “delightful downsized” tray.

The Frick hosts a Mother’s Day version of its famed high tea service all weekend long, with two seatings at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Fri., May 9 and Sat., May 10. Reserve tickets for $65 (plus tax and 20% gratuity) by calling (412) 371-0600, ext. 1.

For beer and brunch lovers, East End Brewing’s Mt. Lebanon Taproom will open at 11 a.m. for a Mother’s Day brunch. Try an “early-day-designed menu for maximum brunch enjoyment” along with East End’s regular food and beer tap list. No tickets are required.

Learn to make cocktails with Mom during the special Mother’s Day edition of Con Alma’s cocktail class. Taking place Sun., May 11 from 2:30 p.m.- 3:30 p.m., bar manager Hannah McKee will guide students through making two specialty cocktails, enjoyed over small plates and starters served during the class. Tickets cost $65 (plus a 20% gratuity).

Take Mom shopping when Babes and Bubbles returns to the Strip District Terminal. The woman-owned market kicks off its summer season with a free Mother’s Day event on Sun., May 11 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Browse “an eclectic array” of vintage and handmade goods, see female musicians on a Women Who Rock pop-up stage, and sip on bubbly and wine from City Winery.

Mercurio’s
5523 Walnut St., Shadyside and 1335 Freeport Rd., Fox Chapel. mercuriosgelatopizza.com

Pittsburgh is in the running for North America’s best gelato. Anna Crucitt of Mercurio’s will compete in the second semifinal of the Gelato Festival World Masters, which convenes the best gelato makers from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada for a two-day competition in High Point, N.C. Crucitt is one of 24 top North American gelato makers and will prepare a Caramel Coffee Crunch flavor with layers of chocolate coffee sauce, chopped brownie brittle, and pieces of almonds and hazelnuts. North American finalists will compete for worldwide honors in Los Angeles in August. Pittsburghers can try the Caramel Coffee Crunch gelato on Mercurio’s Spring 2025 flavor menu.

2025 World Beer Cup Winners
worldbeercup.org

Two Pittsburgh breweries also took home medals at the 2025 World Beer Cup. The Beer Cup — touted as the “most prestigious beer competition in the world” — is part of the three-day Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo in Indianapolis, Ind., and recognized 349 winners during a May 1 awards ceremony.

Two Frays Brewery in Garfield won a silver medal in the English Mild or Bitter category for its So Long, London beer. Late Addition Brewing + Blending in the North Side also earned a silver medal in the Smoked Beer category for its Daisy Lampkin amber lager with smoked malt.

Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium x Cinderlands Beer Company
7370 Baker St., Highland Park. pittsburghzoo.org

Cinderlands announced a wild new collab with the Pittsburgh Zoo. The brewpub debuted two new wildlife-themed beverages inspired by animals at the Zoo. Ruby’s Red Raspberry Tea, honoring the Zoo’s red panda mascot Ruby, was released on April 28. A spinoff of Cinderlands’ line of hard teas, called Cindi’s Hard Mountain Tea, Ruby’s tea is a steam-brewed, fizz-free tea featuring natural raspberry and lemon flavors and 6.5% ABV for “an extra kick.”

Lewis, a beer celebrating the Zoo’s resident Masai giraffe, also debuted last month. Cinderlands describes the beer as a “fluffy, soft hazy pale ale with tropical notes” including pineapple, lime zest, and mango. Try both brews at the Zoo, including its 21-and-over Beer Den, and at special events throughout the summer. Follow the Zoo’s and Cinderlands’ social media for updates.

Nick’s on Hilltop
225 Brownsville Rd., Mt. Oliver. nicksonhilltop.com

Mt. Oliver has a new restaurant and bar. Nick’s on Hilltop, described as “a high-end sports bar” in the Pittsburgh Business Times, opened on May 2. The new venture is locally owned and operated by Pittsburgh natives, including former Primanti Bros. corporate managers. A release states that Nick’s is “dedicated to celebrating the spirit of the region” and will source local food and beer. The menu lists burgers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, “party food” specials, and Pittsburgh craft beers.

Sushi I
245 Fourth Ave., Downtown. instagram.com/sushi_i_pittsburgh

Downtown welcomed a new sushi spot. Sushi I, an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant, soft-opened on April 28 in the former Harris Grill space. The restaurant touts “quality sushi with expert craftsmanship,” offering rolls, nigiri, appetizers, hibachi, and handcrafted cocktails on a rooftop patio. Follow the Sushi I Instagram for updates.

Royal Mezbaan
111 Smithfield St., Downtown

Another Downtown restaurant got a refresh. Royal Mezbaan, previously known as Mezbaan Indian Cuisine, soft-opened on April 18 with a new storefront. According to its signage, Royal Mezbaan (meaning host) specializes in authentic Hyderabadi cuisine, offering Hyderabadi biryani, mutton biryani, and goat-based haleem (stew) along with tandoori and butter chicken, and more. Royal Mezbaan is now open seven days a week from 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., with a lunch buffet from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2025.