Rossilynne Culgan

Published August 1, 2018

https://theincline.com

Updated 1:40 p.m. Aug. 1

New this month: Something new for every course.

There’s a new pasta place, a new beer hall, a new brewery, a new dessert confectionery, a new popsicle shop, and a new coffee place.

On the horizon: BBQ, tacos, and macarons.

Here’s the full report on what’s new in the city’s food and beverage scene right now (and what you might have missed in July).

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Hello

Lorelei, East Liberty

After a “super-soft open” last month, Lorelei has now officially opened in the former Livermore location in East Liberty. It’s a dual concept bar and beer hall from the owners of Independent Brewing Company and Hidden Harbor, Adam Henry and Peter Kurzweg. Look for a lager-forward beer program, Alpine-inspired cocktails and food by renowned chef Jamilka Borges. The team describes Lorelei as “a celebration of northern European drinking culture — community focused, people-first, with exceptional, accessible food — in a contemporary American setting.

Molinaro Ristorante, Downtown

The high-profile spot in the heart of Downtown that used to house Poros has transformed into Molinaro Ristorante, an 8,000-square foot spot with a high-end Italian approach. Expect to see a lot of Italian words on the menu and pastas at a $25 price point.

Spring Hill Brewing, Spring Hill

Spring Hill Brewing realizes a dream for Greg Kamerdze, the former front man of Pittsburgh punk band Slices. The brewery is a collaboration between Kamerdze and Mike Seamans, formerly of Mind Cure Records. They found a home for their light and fruity Belgian-style beers in a century-old Workingmen’s Beneficial Union hall. Here’s the full tale.

TBSP, Mt. Oliver

After a ribbon cutting in early July, a soft opening is expected for next week at what’s billed as the nation’s first bakery incubator. TBSP’s inaugural cohort of four bakers in residence includes Who’s Nexter Jewel A. Edwards. The bakers will sell their goods at the TBSP storefront in Mt. Oliver.

Roundabout Brewery beer garden, Chateau

The beloved Lawrenceville brewery opened a beer garden this month along the Ohio River. Expect good beer and good views. Be sure to check Roundabout’s social media for beer garden hours before you head there.

Commonplace Coffee, Point Breeze

Adding the the growing list of Commonplace Coffee locations in and around Pittsburgh, the shop has added a Point Breeze address. It’s in the former Make Your Mark ARTspace & Coffeehouse, Good Food Pittsburgh reports.

Alquisiras Paleteria, Beechview

This cheery pink-and-yellow shop practically matches the bright paletas it sells. “Paletas,” the Post-Gazette describes, are housemade Mexican ice pops in milky, creamy, water-based, or juice-based varieties in flavors from strawberry to walnut to Oreo cookie. Alquisiras Paleteria also sells tacos, quesadillas, and sandwiches.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, Downtown

Following a five-month remodel, Moe’s has reopened in Market Square with double the space and a new look. Welcome (back) to Moe’s.

See you soon

Spork Pit, Bloomfield

For almost a year, Christian Frangiadis served up central Texas-style barbecue from a custom-built smoker next to his restaurant Spork. In the next week or two, he’ll open a brick-and-mortar barbecue spot called Spork Pit just around the corner.

See you soon-ish

 Sugar and Smoke Southern Kitchen/Bar, opening in the place that used to be Jabo’s Smoque House and, before that, Del’s Bar & Ristorante DelPizzo.

 An Insomnia Cookies location in the South Side. After being delayed a year, it’s expected to open soon, and it will join a recently opened Oakland location.

 Choppin’ Block, a casual lunchtime BBQ concept in the Strip District.

 Walter’s Barbecue in Lawrenceville replacing what used to be an autobody shop — “a spin on a beer garden, with barbecue.”

 A second location for Condado Tacos in the former Tender space in Lawrenceville.

 A macaron bar — called Macaron Bar — in East Liberty.

 Two new breweries: In Homestead, Enix Brewing Co., featuring food, beer and bowling in a former hardware store. In West Homestead, Rogan Brewing Co., a taproom with pints and growlers.

 A Rascal Flatts restaurant in Station Square. If you like that kind of thing.

 Another Richard DeShantz restaurant, Fish Nor Fowl, slated to open soon in the former Salt of the Earth spot.

 Fig & Ash, a “farm-to-flame restaurant,” coming to Deutschtown in the fall.

 Leo. a public house, for beer, wine and sandwiches, opening in the North Side in the next few months, from the team behind Lola Bistro.

 Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen in East Liberty, a low-key BYOB spot with pho, rice bowls and Vietnamese-style vermicelli dishes. Look for it in late summer.

 Sugar Spell Scoops, i.e. vegan ice cream in Sharpsburg, and Sub Zero Ice Cream in Upper St. Clair.

 A Penn Brewery taproom is coming to Downtown — eventually.

 East End Brewing pub conversion in Larimer, with charcuterie and other delicacies from Morcilla’s Justin Severino.

 A Cinderlands brewpub in the former Spaghetti Warehouse building in the Strip District, where construction is already underway.

 A new TBA concept from the Big Burrito group in the Waterworks plaza.

 Siempre Algo (translation: “always something”) with a seasonal contemporary American menu on East Ohio Street in the North Side.

A Mexican-Italian fusion in the Strip District in partnership with Edgar Alvarez, of Edgar’s Best Tacos.

 Bridges and Bourbon, a concept with small plates from chef David Racicot, in the former Seviche space Downtown.

Farewell

Silky’s, Squirrel Hill

Silky’s, the well-known Squirrel Hill sports bar, has closed after three decades, per the Post-Gazette. The bar’s Bloomfield and Sharpsburg locations are still open, and “it’s a little hard to let go” of the Squirrel Hill location, the owner said.

Cafe Sam, Bloomfield

A fixture on Baum Boulevard since 1987, Cafe Sam is closing and taking with it the mannequin that’s sat at the bar for decades, the Post-Gazette reported.

Espresso a Mano, South Side

After becoming a staple along Butler Street in Lawrenceville, Espresso a Mano expanded to a open a South Side location. Less than a year later, the South Side location is closing, the company announced on Instagram. Aug. 3 will be the last day of operations on Carson Street.

Photo courtesy of Lorelei