There is a reason Pittsburgh earned the title of 2019 Food City of the Year by af&co, a San Francisco-based restaurant and hospitality consulting firm. Throughout COVID-19, I have been supporting local restaurants by ordering takeout or curbside pick-up, but now that many restaurants have re-opened for in-house dining, I am looking forward to trying some new places!
East Liberty
As of now, I visit East Liberty often to pick up groceries at Whole Foods or pick up takeout at my favorite fast-casual restaurants including:
I seriously wish I could choose a favorite, but call it foodie problems, I can’t because all the eats at these restaurants make my mouth water.
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Soul Food
If you prefer breakfast and soul food, then you will definitely want to try The Coop Chicken & Waffles, a chicken and waffles joint that recently opened on the corner of East Ohio Street in the North Side. Their cheddar cornbread waffle topped with fried chicken smothered in maple syrup is my favorite! I promise you won’t disagree!
Lawrenceville
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat in Lawrenceville, my recommendations include:
After trying a chicken shawarma from the Pita My Shawarma food truck, I am super excited for their brick-and-mortar restaurant and cannot wait to dine there!
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Downtown Pittsburgh
If you find yourself in Downtown Pittsburgh, you will definitely want to try täkō and Gaucho Parilla Argentina! Täkō has a SoCal surf vibe, and they serve up tacos that will transport you somewhere south of the border. Gaucho Parilla Argentina is an Argentinian wood-fired grill that recently moved to Sixth Street. It’s an authentic Argentinian cuisine experience you MUST HAVE if you are a foodie.
Unique Hotels
I have always found myself looking at Pittsburgh through a pair of fresh eyes when I show friends and family from out of state around the city. I always recommend they get a hotel room at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh in Downtown Pittsburgh, The Oaklander in Oakland or TRYP by Wyndham Hotels in Lawrenceville. Each of these hotels has something so special and unique about them. I can promise you will want to stay at all of them just for the experience and their proximity to restaurants, art galleries, shops, entertainment, cultural centers, universities and nightlife in some of Pittsburgh’s most eclectic neighborhoods!
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
Over the past few summers, Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh and Creatives Drink have partnered to bring an after-work happy hour event, “Clocked Out,” to the hotel’s rooftop biergarten offering uniquely crafted cocktails. I have always loved the ambiance of that rooftop! I have yet to room at Kimpton Hotel Monaco, but I have been to the hotel for various events. It is one of the most unique hotels in the city with bold dashes of color and fascinating decor. As a professional in the marketing and advertising industry with a passion for art, this hotel is every artist and designer’s dream getaway.
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The Oaklander Hotel
The Oaklander Hotel is part of Marriott's esteemed Autograph Collection and is the first Autograph Collection hotel to open in Pennsylvania. The luxe boutique hotel has 167 guest rooms, five event spaces and one restaurant on the 10th floor, Spirits and Tales. The design of the hotel was inspired by the Oakland neighborhood, encompassing the energy and unique-ness of Pittsburgh.
TRYP Pittsburgh
TRYP Pittsburgh by Wyndham Hotels is another boutique hotel that transformed a 100-year-old vocational school into a contemporary hotel in the heart of Lawrenceville. I have heard this hotel, which is the former Washington Trade School, has a historical story around every corner. Guests will find two original restaurants, panoramic rooftop views, original art and 108 thoughtfully decorated rooms with a touch of Pittsburgh’s classic charm. TRYP Pittsburgh is a hotel I intend on visiting as I rediscover Pittsburgh.
Rediscovering Pittsburgh
I hope whoever reads this falls in love with Pittsburgh the same way I have. I look forward to rediscovering Pittsburgh as the city begins to reopen and come alive again! This city will always have a piece of my heart. I found and built myself and my business, Bruno PR & Social, here and underwent countless transformations as a college student and postgrad. I admire and find myself inspired by the traditional values Pittsburgh embodies, which are family, resilience and community. If you are planning to move here, know that you will always be able to count on your neighbors in times of need. There are helpers all around.
If you want to see how I spend my time outdoors in Pittsburgh, click here.
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