Pittsburgh food in April 2018: What’s opening and what’s closing

Rossilynne Culgan

Published April 1, 2018

https://theincline.com

New to Pittsburgh: A specialty cheese shop, a fried chicken spot, a new home for La Palapa, and a renovated Morcilla.

Meanwhile, a cigar bar, beer garden, and an all-you-can-eat steakhouse are on the horizon.

Here’s what’s new for this month (and what you might have missed last month).


Hello

Bird on the Run, East Liberty

Bird on the Run (which drew criticism last year for its previously envisioned concept) is serving up fried chicken, which comes in regular, spicy or extra spicy varieties, and frozen cocktails. Take it to-go or eat on-site, where it’s served on cafeteria-style red plastic trays.

Bonus: It’s open ’til 1 a.m. on weekends for late-night eats.

Chantal’s Specialty Cheese Shop, Bloomfield

This long-awaited gourmet cheese shop specializes in fresh-cut cheese and charcuterie, along with artfully arranged cheese plates and paninis. This packed-to-the-brim cheese case is a dream.

La Palapa, South Side

La Palapa moved to a new location and celebrated its fifth anniversary. All the same Mexican specialties are on the menu, like tamales, tacos, nachos and quesadillas. Stop by on a Sunday for brunch with performances by Mariachi Internacional de Pittsburgh.

Morcilla, Lawrenceville

After starting the year with a flood that poured water into acclaimed Lawrenceville restaurant Morcilla and forced it to close temporarily, this popular spot is back in business. We sat down with the chef for a behind-the-scenes look at the renovations, so you’ll know what to expect in the space and on the menu.


See you soon

BURN by Rocky Patel, North Shore

This cigar club is set to open its doors on the North Shore on April 7. The 6,300-square foot space with an 800-square foot patio will be BURN’s second location, with the first located in Naples, Fla, according to Cigar Snob magazine. Expect a nightclub vibe with oversized leather furniture and low lighting. For cigar aficionados, personal cigar lockers are available for purchase.

Federal Galley Beer Garden, North Shore

Federal Galley’s dog-friendly beer garden patio will feature a mobile bar with beer, canned wine and cocktails. Stop by for food (like this Detroit-style pizza) and live music every Thursday. It’s set to open April 14.

Fogo de Chao, Downtown

A Pittsburgh location for the mega-popular all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse is listed as “coming soon.” Prepare for the meat sweats.

Fish Nor Fowl, Garfield

Another concept from Richard DeShantz (the restauranteur behind Butcher & the Rye, Meat & Potatoes, Tako, Pork & Beans, and Poulet Bleu), Fish Nor Fowl is slated to open in April in the former Salt of the Earth spot, Pittsburgh Magazine reports. Judging from an Instagram from DeShantz, design will be a central tenet here, with stark white Eames-style chairs against a lush, green plant wall.

Pittsburgh Food Truck Park, Millvale

With wine, cider, beer and, of course, food trucks, it’s expected to open in early April, per the Post-Gazette.

Spring Hill Brewing, Spring Hill

The brewery is set to open April 13 with all of its hilltop flagships on tap. For Four One Brew, we sat down with the team behind the brewery, which has been in the works since 2012.


See you soon-ish

  • We were told Insomnia Cookies would open in summer 2017 on the South Side. Almost a year later, it’s still not here, and nobody from Insomnia will return our calls about what’s up. Where. Are. The. Cookies?
  • A permanent location for Spork Pitt in Bloomfield
  • Penn Brewery taproom is coming to Downtown, but it’s still pretty far into the future.
  • East End Brewing pub conversion in Larimer, with charcuterie and other delicacies from Morcilla’s Severino
  • A Cinderlands brewpub in the former Spaghetti Warehouse building in the Strip District, where construction is already underway
  • Brugge on North on the North Side, a cafe from the team behind Point Brugge
  • New, yet-to-be-announced concepts for Seviche, Poros and Pizzuvio, all located Downtown

Farewell

Tilted Kilt, North Shore

Tilted Kilt’s demise is being credited to “subpar food” and the backlash against venues “that specialize in scantily clad women,” per the Post-Gazette. See ya never, Tilted Kilt.

Mitchell’s Restaurant lunches, Downtown

After more than a century, Mitchell’s has served its last lunch. Don’t worry, though, Mitchell’s fans, catering and bar service will continue uninterrupted.


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