Year: 2024

Puttshack Brings Novel Tech to the Mini Golf Experience

We are big fans of all things mini golf in Pittsburgh, and always get excited when more courses open in the city.

The Strip District is becoming a hub for modern mini golf, with two companies offering unique, themed experiences indoors right in the heart of the city.

Puttshack inside The Terminal building is one such golf company, and this one introduced some fun and smart technology into the mini golf experience to really make for a unique round. We were invited by Puttshack to check out their facility for their anniversary party, and we wanted to share more in this review!

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Sunset Kayak with L.L.Bean Outdoors at North Park

We love our area parks, and one of our absolute favorites is North Park in Allison Park, about 20 minutes north of the city.

One of the reasons why we love this park so much is because it has something for everyone, be it for walking, running, biking, hiking, kayaking, and so much more.

While we normally go on outings in this park on our own, we were invited by L.L.Bean to check out a sunset kayaking tour as part of their Outdoor Discovery Program to explore North Park Lake on a more intimate guided experience as the sun goes down.

For those who want to take a different look at the lake and park at large, the kayak outing is a must-experience.

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Alberta’s Pizzeria Review – Pizza and More in the North Side

Alberta's Pizzeria is a wood-fired pizza shop offering small plates, salads, oysters, pizzas, and more on a stretch of Western Ave. in the North Side that has seen a flurry of new business development in recent months. After operating a successful food truck for several years, Alberta's brings their experience and delicious pies to their first brick and mortar location with a lovely traditional Italian pizza shop feel.

We have been dedicated followers of Alberta's food truck for years, sometimes planning our days around which breweries they were parking in front of. The dough of their thin-crust pies has great flavor complexity and beautiful leopard spotting, and their toppings are flavorful but simple, as all good wood-fired pies should be. It always impressed us that they could execute such deliciousness with a mobile setup, too.

One of Alberta's frequent brewery stops was Four Points, located on Western Ave., which just so happens to be right next door to Alberta's new brick and mortar spot. It's a match made in heaven!

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Lawrence Hall Review – A Superb Food Hall in Lawrenceville

Since publishing our original review, Toma and Leona's have left Lawrence Hall and new concepts are coming soon. We have not updated this review since the change.

Lawrence Hall in Lawrenceville is a modern food hall with multiple dining stalls and a bar serving up a variety of cuisine styles, drinks, and desserts. The two-story space is a historic building from the late 1800s, and lots of the character of the space was preserved in the remodel.

With QR-code system for ordering both food and drinks from the comfort of your table (or directly from the vendors if you so choose), combined with the variety of food choices and the large space, this spot a great option for everyone- from solo visitors to group outings!

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The Aperitivo Club Showcases Italian Flavor Downtown

If you've frequented Market Square in recent years, you may be familiar with the Wine Bar at the Market Street Grocery. This little hangout spot tucked away in the back of the (now-closed) grocery store offered an assortment of Italian wines in a relaxing ambiance.

In 2024, the Wine Bar underwent a rebranding and expansion to become The Aperitivo Club. While still offering a stellar selection of wines, this one added on an impressive collection of cocktails featuring Italian amaro, spirits, and more, small bites, and more!

Naturally, we had to check out the cocktail side of this bar shortly after opening.

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Allegheny Observatory Shares Pittsburgh’s Astronomy History

I have to admit, I'm rather crazy about astronomy. I took several courses in astronomy in college and love getting out to observatories and dark sky locations all over the world just to be able to have a clear look out into the cosmos.

While Pittsburgh's skies aren't the best for stargazing, we do have a rich history of all things astronomy. For those who are interested in the field, a visit to the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park is a must to learn about notable local astronomers, their contributions to several scientific fields, see historic telescopes, and, if you're lucky, look through one on a clear summer or fall night!

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Cobblehaus at the Falls Brings Beer to Springfield Falls

Is there anything better than having a beer outside on a gorgeous day? What about having a beer next to a waterfall on a gorgeous day? Well, at Cobblehaus at the Falls in Mercer, PA, you get just that with a gorgeous view of Springfield Falls!

So if you are looking for a different kind of brewery experience on the next nice day in southwest Pennsylvania, put this gem on your radar and make the trek about an hour north of the city to check them out!

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Stuntpig Review – The Pig Rig Finds a Home in Squirrel Hill

Stuntpig closed in May 2026.

For those who follow Pittsburgh's food truck scene like we do, you're probably familiar with Stuntpig.

Since coming on the market with their mobile “pig rig” with iconic branding featuring a pig wearing gear that looks like it's about to be blasted out of a cannon (you know, a stunt pig), the truck was building a small army of die-hard fans that would chase them around the city for their exceptional sandwiches.

We were one of them.

So when the crew behind Stuntpig announced they were exchanging the keys to the pig rig for a brick and mortar store front in Squirrel Hill, we were incredibly excited. All the glory of Stuntpigwithout having to chase them around the city at area breweries and events? We were in, and naturally had to visit on day one.

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Love, Katie Distilling Brings Spirits to Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg-based Love, Katie Distilling may not occupy the largest space by distillery standards, but it packs a punch with its beautiful decor, large spirits portfolio, and even larger cocktail menu.

This one is a love letter through and through, and not just in the name. As a woman and LGBT-owned business, Katie dedicates the space to her partner and opens it up to all those looking for a good space full of love!

So, with great anticipation, we visited the distillery to check out a spread of their cocktails.

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Mattress Factory’s Garden Party is a Must Attend Fundraiser

Many of our local Pittsburgh museums know how to put on a good party or gala. Not only are these events a fun way for the community to enjoy a museum in a different ambiance, they also serve a valuable purpose for the museums themselves- fundraising.

Raising funds while having a great time with a few hundred new, like-minded friends? Well, it is hard to say no to that.

The North Side's contemporary art museum, Mattress Factory, is one such museum that hosts an annual fundraiser party, and their themed Garden Party (often taking place in late spring) is an event not to miss.

We were guests of Mattress Factory to check out the 2024 Garden Party, themed MAKE/BELIEVE, and we thought we'd share a bit more about what it was like for those looking to attend the event in the future!

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