Super Bowl deals at DiAnoia’s, dark brews at Old Thunder, and more Pittsburgh food news

DiAnoia’s Eatery x Pizzeria Davide x Pane è Pronto
Multiple locations, Strip District. dianoiaseatery.com

DiAnoia’s is gearing up for two feasts when Super Bowl Sunday and National Pizza Day collide on Sun., Feb. 9. Celebrate pizza early on Wed., Feb. 5 when DiAnoia’s spinoff Pizzeria Davide offers large Old World and NY-style pizzas for $12 each. The special price is only available for on-site and pick-up orders (not delivery) at the pizzeria in the Strip District. Toppings are extra. Pre-order online.

For game day, Pane è Pronto, DiAnoia’s Italian takeout kitchen, rolls out a menu of party-sized platters, plus some Philadelphia Eagles-themed specials to honor Chef Dave Anoia’s home team. Super Bowl specials include a sausage and peppers dip, Italiano or caprese sandwich trays, meatballs by the dozen, a roasted cauliflower tray, lasagna, salads, and more. Eagles fans can enjoy Philly-themed items like pull-apart sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, and a Fly Eagles Italian taco dip. Dishes are provided cold with reheating instructions. Pre-order online for pick-up on Sat., Feb. 8 from 12-6 p.m., or on Super Bowl Sun., Feb. 9, from 12-2 p.m.

Cookie Cookie Ice Cream x Reading Ready Pittsburgh
1815 Mckees Rocks Rd., McKees Rocks. cookiecookieicecream.com

Cookie Cookie Ice Cream hosts a book donation drive for Reading Ready Pittsburgh, an early literacy nonprofit and free children’s bookstore. On Sat., Feb. 8 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the first 30 people to donate a new or gently used book at the ice cream shop will receive a free cookie and drink. Purchases made at Cookie Cookie Ice Cream also support its mission to serve “satisfyingly sweet treats” while “creating fulfilling, meaningful” opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities.

Polish Hill Civic Association
3060 Brereton St., Polish Hill. polishhillcivicassociation.org

Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction, Polish Hill is getting ready for spring. The Polish Hill Civic Association invites the community share extra garden seeds and eat some glizzys at a seed swap and hot dog fundraiser. Head to the PHCA building on Sat., Feb. 8 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to “earn your green thumb,” enjoy hot dogs and refreshments, meet neighbors, and swap seeds.

Old Thunder Brewing Company
340 Freeport Rd., Blawnox. oldthunderbrewing.com

Old Thunder Brewing embraces the shadows with a dark lager experience for beer lovers. The Blawnox brewery will, on Sat., Feb. 8 from 12-10 p.m., pour a line-up of Pennsylvania-brewed dark lagers. Local selections come from Cinderlands, Dancing Gnome, and Golden Age Beer, with Brothers Kershner Brewing, Tröegs, and others from across the state also participating. The Steer and Wheel and Black Cat Pizza will serve food.

OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Pittsburgh
5700 Centre Ave., Shadyside. ocapghpa.org

It’s not too late to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which kicked off on Jan. 29. Embrace the Year of the Wood Snake with a banquet at Szechuan Spice. Hosted by OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Pittsburgh, the event on Sat., Feb. 15 from 5-9 p.m. includes a 10-course meal, raffle, and cash bar, as well as live cultural performances. The annual event raises funds to support OCA’s work providing advocacy and services for Asian Americans in Pittsburgh. Semi-formal or traditional cultural dress is requested. Tickets cost $99 per seat with a discounted rate ($900) for a full table of 10 seats. Reserve seats through Eventbrite.

Jackworth Ginger Beer x Daddy’s
6615 Hamilton Ave., Larimer. jackworth.co

Jackworth announced a new pop-up bar, Daddy’s, is taking over the ginger beer brewery for February. The brewery unveiled new signage and a redecorated storefront with an installation from Bodega Film Lab and teased a series of events, including a vinyl country night and an outdoor alleyway dance party for Super Bowl Sunday featuring music by ms.TIZA and Formosa (part of Jellyfish) and “thot chocolate” drinks. Guests can snag some Daddy’s merch, including golf polos, crop tops, and matches, all available while supplies last. Follow Daddy’s or Jackworth’s Instagram for updates.

Hilltop Shared Kitchen
733-735 Brownsville Rd., Mt. Oliver. instagram.com/hilltopsharedkitchen

Hilltop Shared Kitchen, a certified commercial kitchen and event space in Mt. Oliver, is looking for new applicants. Food entrepreneurs and small businesses seeking to start or expand their operations are invited to apply.

A press release describes the 1,200-square-foot facility as “an affordable, fully equipped kitchen space” stocked with coolers, ovens, a large gas range, prep areas, and storage. The shared kitchen was designed to encourage collaboration through accessible pricing and “is the ideal space for catering services, food trucks, artisanal food producers, and more.” Access to the kitchen is priced in tiers ranging from $50-400 per month.

Space at Hilltop Shared Kitchen is limited, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Complete an application form or email hilltopsharedkitchen@gmail.com for more information.

Oak Hill Post
600 Brookline Blvd., Brookline. oakhillpost.com

Oak Hill Post closed on Jan. 25 after seven years in Brookline. An Instagram post by owners Christian Schulz and Rebecca Nicholson remembered Oak Hill’s origins as a pop-up, noting that the pandemic “changed the trajectory” of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Beloved for its biscuits and hearty fare, the breakfast-and-lunch spot had briefly closed in October and reopened as a dinner concept.

Three days after the closure, Schulz shared an update that Oak Hill Post is “not quite finished yet” and will reopen to serve “a small selection of heat-at-home foods” for pick-up starting on Sat., Feb. 8. Weekend take-out will also continue through Sat., March 15.

Bonfire Food & Drink
2100 E. Carson St., South Side. bonfire-pgh.com

Bonfire announced it will not renew its lease and the South Side restaurant will close. The last dinner service will be on Sat., Feb. 15 with wine dinners and other special events planned ahead of the closure.

Chef and owner Chris Bonfili wrote on Instagram that Bonfire’s closure after six years comes “with a heavy heart” and follows the unexpected passing of his father. Bonfili said he’s “looking forward to focusing on my family and living more of the dad life for this next chapter,” but that Pittsburgh diners can still expect him at pop-ups, dinners, and other future “cameos.”

This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2025.