The pleasant weather forecast for next week coincides with the summer edition of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week.
With temperatures between 25 and 27 degrees forecast for the period from August 12 to 18, it is the perfect time to dine outdoors.
More than 50 restaurants are participating in the biannual event. Chefs have created menus and prices especially for Restaurant Week – some dishes are only available for a limited time. Look out for special food and drink deals as part of an early access event this weekend.
Prices are valid for dining in only. Some restaurants may also offer the special price for online orders or takeaway.
Reservations are recommended, especially if you want to eat outside.
Courtesy of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group
The Porch at Schenley in Oakland and The Porch at Siena in Upper St. Clair offer grilled pork shank for $20.24, served with couscous corn salad and cherry caramel jus.
There are more restaurants than last summer, says Brian McCollum, who started the event in 2012. This time of year, they use fresh produce and fruits and vegetables that are not always available in the winter.
“Eating outdoors is the perfect opportunity to enjoy good food, cold drinks and soak up some sun,” McCollum said.
For a complete list of restaurants, visit pittsburghrestaurantweek.com.
Café Night
Located in Emsworth, Café Notte (which means night café) will be part of the event for the second time.
Co-owner and executive chef Jerry Santucci has been working on freshly prepared menu items, according to his wife and co-owner Debbie Santucci. She said her son, David Mielnicki, is creating a cocktail especially for Restaurant Week, Galaxy Lemonade, made with Union Forge Vodka and Crème de Violette and Chambord liqueurs.
“It’s fun, seasonal and refreshing,” Mielnicki said. “It’s a great drink to have when you’re sitting outside on the patio on a summer evening.”
The concrete terrace has space for 45 guests. The interior offers plenty of seating and a bar.
“It’s definitely a cool place to eat outside,” said Debbie Santucci. “We love Restaurant Week because we get to see our regular customers, who we definitely appreciate, and we get to meet new customers as well.”
The four-course Italian menu costs $45.24. Start with lobster bisque, hummus dip with pita chips or bruschetta.
The second course is a house salad or Caesar salad. The third course is Chicken Romano, Blacked Mahi Mahi, Lasagna or Short Ribs. And for dessert there is strawberry cake, Black Forest gateau or Italian lemon cake.
Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cafe Notte is located at 8070 Ohio River Blvd. in Emsworth.
Details: 412-761-2233 or cafenottepgh.com
Courtesy of Debbie Santucci
The outdoor terrace of Cafe Notte in Emsworth.
The Library on Carson
For the first iteration of this event, Library on Carson chef Earl Bustamante has created three options based on TikTok trends, each for $30.24.
The Girl Dinner – a meal prepared by a woman when she is eating alone – begins with a Dirty Gin Martini Dip, a salty cheese dip served with pita bread and a Caesar salad with a choice of chicken, shrimp or steak and truffle fries.
Muckbang consists of steamed or fried pork dumplings, pork belly, a steamed bun, and tonkotsu ramen (a pork-based soup).
Euro Summer consists of a sausage platter, margarita pizza and Aperol spritz cheesecake.
Cocktails are available at an additional cost and food can be purchased à la carte.
“We’re excited about it,” said Keresty Kelly, owner and manager. “Our outdoor patio is super cute and a little more private.”
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight, brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to midnight, brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Library On Carson is located at 2302 E Carson St. on the south side.
Details: 412-742-4346 or thelibrarypgh.com.
Courtesy of Keresty Kelly
The Library on Carson on the south side has an outdoor terrace.
The veranda
The name says it all. Both The Porch at Schenley in Oakland and The Porch at Siena in Upper St. Clair have outdoor seating and offer grilled pork knuckle with couscous corn salad and cherry caramel jus for $20.24.
The Oakland restaurant is located in Schenley Plaza, which is operated by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Nearby is a one-acre green space visible from the outdoor dining area and the PNC Carousel, a Victorian-style carousel with a menagerie of animals.
The Porch at Schenley is located at 221 Schenley Drive in Oakland.
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Details: 412-687-6724 or theporchatschenley.com.
The Porch at Siena is located at 120 Siena Drive in Upper St. Clair.
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Details: 412-833-5385 or dineattheporch.com.
Courtesy of Eat’n Park Hospitality Group
Both locations of The Porch offer outdoor dining.
About Eden
A rooftop terrace is a unique place for al fresco dining. Experience it at Over Eden on the fifth floor of the TRYP by Wyndham Pittsburgh/Lawrenceville Boutique Hotel. Located in the former Washington Education Center, the restaurant is known for its multicultural dishes. The first course is a salad, followed by duxelles porchetta (roast pork) and lemon meringue tart for dessert for $38.24.
“It’s got such a great view of the city,” said Hannah Judkins, marketing director for Century Hospitality, which manages the hotel. “It’s very relaxing. We did Winter Restaurant Week and it was a huge success. I think with the good weather, people want to get out.”
Opening hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. There will be a happy hour on August 15th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to raise money for the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Over Eden is located at 177 40th St. in Lawrenceville.
Details: 412-785-7825 or overeden.com.
Courtesy of Hannah Judkins
Over Eden, located on the fifth floor of the TRYP by Wyndham Pittsburgh/Lawrenceville Boutique Hotel, offers outdoor dining.
Revival of Lincoln
A Restaurant Week regular, Revival on Lincoln offers a choice of Caesar salad, grilled shrimp, gumbo or tomato mozzarella and basil for the first course. For the second course, choose from Chesapeake crab cakes, herbes de Provence roasted chicken breast, North Atlantic salmon, 10-ounce grilled NY Strip, angel hair pasta or a seasonal vegetarian bowl.
For dessert, there is cheesecake, chocolate mousse or key lime pie for $45.24.
Revival on Lincoln is located at 366 Lincoln Ave. in Bellevue.
Opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Details: 412-223-5715 or revivalonlincoln.com.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a reporter for TribLive, covering the area’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She also writes stories about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” Reach her at [email protected].
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