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

Rossilynne Culgan

Published December 1, 2018

https://theincline.com/

It’s all about the coffee news this month. Three coffee shops are opening around town, while one — the iconic Beehive — is set to close its doors.

In addition to caffeinated updates, there are plenty of other openings to get excited about this month, from vegan eats to burritos to holiday-themed cocktails.

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

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Hello

Revival on Lincoln, Bellevue

Set on revitalizing the Lincoln Avenue main street of Bellevue, the aptly named Revival on Lincoln is now open inside a 1902-era building. It promises “impressive culinary experience of flavor, creativity and locally-sourced diverse and seasonal cuisine.”

Prohibition in the borough just ended in 2015 — here’s more about that process — and Revival is equipped with a full bar to complement its menu.

Miracle on Liberty, Downtown

Miracle on Liberty, the fan favorite holiday pop-up bar, is back with seasonal cocktails, festive sushi, and a whole lot of holiday decor. Get ready to see more tinsel, stockings, ornaments, strings of lights, animatronic Santas, themed chair covers, vintage decor, picture frames wrapped like gifts, a giant wooden Santa, and Christmas trees than you’ve ever dreamed of.

The bar is open daily from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. until New Year’s Eve.

Mad Mex, O’Hara Township

The ninth Mad Mex location in the Pittsburgh area is set to open on Dec. 3 in the Waterworks Plaza. Expect the classic Mad Mex menu, including burritos and Big Azz Margaritas.

crumb, Strip District

A vegan concept called “crumb” has opened for a one-month pop-up at restaurant incubator Smallman Galley. Abbigail Hansel launched the pop-up, which will feature items like Beyond Meat burgers, herbed focaccia crusted seitan wings, and a diner scramble.

Redhawk Coffee, Downtown

There’s now another option for a Downtown caffeine rush with Redhawk opening up at PG&H. Find it on Smithfield, and do some shopping while you’re there.

Commonplace Coffee, Allegheny Center

In other coffee news, there’s now a Commonplace Coffee inside Nova Place, set for a grand opening on Dec. 3. It joins Commonplace’s several other locations around the Pittsburgh area.

Adda Coffee & Tea House, Allegheny West

And in even more coffee news, Shadyside favorite Adda Coffee & Tea House is opening a location in the North Side’s Allegheny West neighborhood. Look for it in a cozy storefront on Western Avenue with a bright blue door.

Milk Shake Factory, East Liberty

It may be winter, but it’s always ice cream season, and you can get your fill of cold sweet treats in East Liberty. Or opt for a hot sweet treat with the shop’s hot chocolate. Milk Shake Factory’s third location is now open at the intersection of Penn and Highland avenues.

Wigle Whiskey, Ross Township

Wigle opened a tasting room and bottle shop at Ross Park Mall, which is going to be very helpful to deal with holiday shopping crowds. In the summer, the tasting room will open an outdoor seating area for live music.


See you soon

A ‘restaurant-within-a-restaurant,’ Lawrenceville

Above the French restaurant Poulet Bleu, a new concept is coming this month. A name hasn’t been announced, but the Post-Gazette describes it as “a restaurant-within-a-restaurant with a French-Polynesian vibe, a snacky menu with items like croque monsieur and potatoes with raclette, along with tiki cocktails and blender drinks.”

Blue Sparrow, mobile

Blue Sparrow is adding a Greyhound bus known as “the Highway Traveler,” to its fleet, per the Pitt News. That means more kitchen space and a bigger menu. Stay tuned for an opening date. Blue Sparrow says: “So with the new license plate the bus is officially road worthy. Buuuuut we do have a small list of inspection things that must be updated. But once that’s done it’s off to the health department and then to you!!!! This build has been tough but it’s so going to be worth it!”

Bonfire Food & Drink, South Side

Chris Bonfili’s new two-story South Side restaurant is slated to open soon, though an exact date hasn’t been announced. Expect wood-fired pizza, nitro brew coffee, and craft beer, NEXTpittsburgh reported.


See you soon-ish

🌮 SYN Taqueria & Pizzeria in the former Sharp Edge Friendship location.

🥕 Spirits and Tales, located on the 10th floor of the forthcoming The Oaklander Hotel in Oakland, slated to open early 2019.

🍴Brick Shop and Over Eden restaurants at TRYP Hotel featuring two prominent Pittsburgh chefs.

🏈 North Shore Seven, a restaurant near Heinz Field from Ben Roethlisberger, set to open in April, boasting made-from-scratch entrees and “Hollywood-style booth seating,” which is maybe just a little excessive.

🇫🇷 A macaron bar — aptly called Macaron Bar — in East Liberty.

🍻 Rogan Brewing Co., a taproom with pints and growlers, coming to West Homestead.

🎶 A Rascal Flatts restaurant in Station Square. … Maybe. The operator has been served with an eviction notice, and there’s plenty of legal drama, the Business Times explains.

🔥 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.

🍺 A Penn Brewery taproom is coming to Downtown — at some point.

🥓 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 underway.

🌯 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

The Beehive, South Side

Ardent fans are bidding a fond farewell to The Beehive with a host of goodbye activities, City Paper reported. The coffeehouse, known for its funky vibe and late-night drinks, is set to close after 28 years on Carson Street. It’s expected to close in mid-December, though an official date has not been determined.

 

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