2015 - Page 2 of 8 - Discover the Burgh

Pittsburgh Weekend Guide – First Timer Edition

October 5, 2023December 1, 2015

If there is one thing I hate more than poorly thought out city guides, it would be poorly thought out city guides that feature ridiculous suggestions that no one would actually do. Are you really going to drop $200 for that spa treatment, head out of town to an obscure restaurant, or go to a specialty museum on your first visit to a city?

Probably not.

In fact, you likely wouldn't do it on your second, third, or fourth visit either (although if we had our way, you may work in an obscure museum because Pittsburgh has some pretty awesome ones).

Our first-timer's weekend in Pittsburgh guide gives a good introduction to the city and is oriented for someone who has never been here before.

This list has been crafted from years of experience in showing friends and family around town while incorporating many of the city's highlights, skipping some of the common letdowns, and overall giving you a welcome that will make you want to return to this great American city many times in the future.

Mellon Park – A Hidden Memorial, Live Summer Music, and More

June 15, 2021November 30, 2015

Mellon Park stands on what was the estate of industrialist and banker Richard Mellon. Although Mellon's mansion is now gone, the park and the beautiful walled garden, previously attached to the home, remain.

Today the park is used as a beautiful public space with live music at the Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch series in the summer months, and is also home to a hidden memorial in the Walled Garden that only comes out at night!

Bar Marco Review – Amazing Dining Experience in the Strip

August 3, 2021November 24, 2015

There are some restaurants that you know the meal is going to be good from the very beginning, and within moments of entering Bar Marco in the Strip District I knew that this would be one of them.

While I was right on my hunch that the food and drinks would be fantastic, the portion sizes gave us reason to pause.

Soba Review – Modern Asian Fusion in Shadyside

November 23, 2023November 23, 2015

If you feel like modern Asian fusion cuisine is overdone and usually mediocre, you should head to Soba in Shadyside for a change of perspective.

With unpretentious but solid service, sleek and stylish decor, and inventive dishes that combine traditional Asian flavors with unexpected but delicious modern touches, Soba is an excellent choice if you're looking for a place to spend a special night out.

4 Unique Pittsburgh Streets to Visit in the City

July 10, 2022November 18, 2015

When we talk about Pittsburgh streets, it is often followed up with how terrible it is to drive on them. We get it, we all stink at driving here (with no added thanks to the roads), but we're not going to talk about that here.

One thing we have found interesting in our exploration of Pittsburgh is not just how bad the drivers are, but rather how many unique streets this city has! Between our downtown roads being designed on a triangular grid and the outer neighborhoods being full of hills, many roads in this great city are unique to say the least.

After countless trips out and about in the city, the following is a collection of our favorites that we've visited so far.

Subba Asian Review – Traditional Nepali in the North Side

December 19, 2022November 17, 2015

Nepali Food from Subba Asian in the North Side

In 2022, Subba moved around the block to East Ohio Street. We have not visited the new location yet and this is from the former iteration. When we return we will update our review accordingly.

Nepal isn't known as a culinary capital of the world, but during our travels we fell in love with the country's unique cuisine– specifically the momos (a local dumpling) and daal bhat (a common feature in traditional lunch sets).

We weren't expecting to find this cuisine in Pittsburgh, but to our surprise a local Nepali family opened Subba Asian in the North Side which features dishes from India, China, and their home country of Nepal.

Naturally, we had to try the Nepali food we fell in love with during our visit.

Take a Ride on Pittsburgh’s Historic Duquesne Incline

April 8, 2024November 17, 2015

At one point in time Pittsburgh was home to nearly twenty active funiculars, or inclines as they are called here, which were used to transport people and cargo up and down the many different hills located around the city.

Sadly, most of the Pittsburgh incline funiculars have closed over time, the city is now home to only two: the Monongahela Incline, located at Station Square, and the Duquesne Incline, located a mile down Carson Street.

Although we thoroughly enjoy riding both of these funiculars, for those who are interested in enjoying the best view the city has to offer, taking a ride on the Duquesne Incline is a must do experience.

6 Awesome Pittsburgh Dog Parks to Take Your Furry Friend

November 11, 2022November 15, 2015

On our last international trip, we came home with a new addition to our family: our dog Tamale!

As we don't have a backyard, we are extremely grateful for the many green spaces, parks, hiking trails, and dog parks in and close to the city. As a part of our newest series, Dogsburgh, featuring all of the dog friendly places in Pittsburgh, we turn our attention to a popular spot for dog lovers and their four-legged friends: dog parks.

Our quest to find the best dog parks in the city is currently underway, and a selection of our favorites are featured below. As we explore more of the city and find unique parks to add, you can be certain this list will be updated!

The Yard Pittsburgh Review – Grilled Cheese Overload

June 27, 2023November 14, 2015

The grilled cheese trend has not been one we've been particularly excited about, so when a few friends asked us to meet up at The Yard for late night grilled cheese, our hopes were not high.

Luckily, The Yard came through with many unique offerings, an incredible dessert menu, and for those who aren't into grilled cheese as much, a fantastic bar.

Pho Van Review – Underwhelming Vietnamese in the Strip District

October 14, 2018November 11, 2015

Vietnamese cuisine is a culinary style that hasn't taken off in popularity yet in Pittsburgh, but is one of the best national cuisines in the world. During my travels in Vietnam I fell in love with the cuisine, but also came away with an understanding that it is also hard to do right as there is a fine line to make the sweet, spicy, and salty flavors work in many of the dishes.

There are several restaurants that do an incredible job at Vietnamese food in Pittsburgh, Tram's Kitchen and Lucy's Banh Mi cart being a few, and it was with great excitement that I visited Pho Van in the Strip District to try some more of one of my favorite cuisines.

Unfortunately, I left reminded why this cuisine is so hard to do right. Pho Van was a major let down.