Year: 2025

The Maridon Museum in Butler Showcases East Asian Art

The Maridon Museum is a bit of a surprising find in Butler, as it focuses on stunning art from East Asia- particularly China and Japan (amongst others).

You may ask, “why is Butler of all places home to such a stellar collection?” and the answer is because local resident Mary Hulton Phillips began collecting Asian antiquities, all without actually traveling to Asia, and the collection became so vast that a museum was born in 2004 (a few years before her death in 2009).

Now, guests can visit the Maridon Museum to learn about Mary Hulton Phillips and see her stunning collection located just a block or so off of Main Street- for a very modest entry price as well!

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One by Spork Review – A Prix Fixe Delight in Pittsburgh

One by Spork is a bold new restaurant concept in the former Spork space at the border between Garfield, Friendship, and Bloomfield. The dining experience consists of a roughly 10-course tasting menu with drink pairings (and many additional welcome bites) where diners are seated around a circular chef's counter.

We visited One by Spork shortly after opening and were intrigued by the inventive techniques and ingredients being used in both the food and drinks here. While some of the courses were more cohesive than others, we think One by Spork is ambitious and exciting, and hope that it kindles more creativity in the Pittsburgh restaurant scene.

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10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in February – Outdoor/Indoors

On the surface it seems like February is the month where things quiet down in Pittsburgh. Winter is at its coldest, the month is short, and overall life moves at a slower pace than months in the more vibrant seasons of the year.

That being said, there are a number of things to enjoy in Pittsburgh throughout the month, and whether you want to get outdoors or stay warm inside we've got you covered in this one!

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Wei Lai Dim Sum Review – Go For a Feast

Wei Lai Dim Sum closed in 2026.

There are precious few places to get Cantonese dim sum in Pittsburgh, so we were thrilled when Wei Lai Dim Sum opened in Ross Township. With its friendly service and wide variety of dim sum dishes at an affordable price, this spot is one we will gladly return to again and again.

We are not generally fans of McKnight Road or strip malls in general, but we can get behind the recent trend of excellent Asian restaurants opening in these types of areas. Wei Lai is one such place in McIntyre Square, a shopping area in flux with several empty storefronts. Their bright orange sign beckons you to come in for dim sum, and we did just that.

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Phipps Conservatory for the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show

The Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show, aptly themed “A Moment of Beauty” for 2025, brings these two beautiful plants (both favorites of ours) to the forefront of the Conservatory while highlighting how some of the flowers with special art, lighting, and more.

The theme here invites you to take a few extra moments in each room to really stop and appreciate selected flowers, and we really appreciate the notion as you really do see more when you stop and reflect.

As always with our show features, we wanted to share a few of our favorite rooms from this show and hope you'll make it out to visit for yourselves!

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Hong BBQ & Hot Pot Review – All-You-Can-Eat Fun

When it comes to all-you-can-eat restaurants, we often visit with a bit of suspicion. Is the food good quality? Do you get your money's worth? Is it just another buffet gimmick? We could go on.

We had all of these thoughts and then some when we read that Hong BBQ & Hot Pot was opening on McKnight Road. A chain hot pot and barbecue restaurant located right next to Best Buy? We had a lot of questions.

It turns out all of our concerns were overblown because Hong BBQ & Hot Pot delivers a stellar dining experience for those who love hot pot or Korean barbecue, and its location makes for a massive space that can accommodate many people- a win-win all around.

But we have two up-front recommendations before diving in- go hungry and take friends with you.

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5 Reasons to Love Living in the Mexican War Streets

Pittsburgh's housing scene has been booming in recent years, and some neighborhoods have really become quite the popular spots to live, work, and play.

In this series, we thought it'd be fun to take a look at the major neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and share some reasons why you will love living there, plus give additional tips and insider advice you need to keep in mind before deciding to rent or buy a house in the Mexican War Streets.

So let's take a look at one of our favorite areas in Pittsburgh, the Mexican War Streets, and share some of our favorite details for residents!

Looking for a real estate agent? Be sure to contact our friends at KW Steel City and tell them Discover the Burgh sent you!

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10 Questions to Ask Your Pittsburgh Real Estate Agent Before Buying

Are you thinking of buying a house in Pittsburgh and looking to get started with a real estate agent? 

Before you sign on with an agent and start looking at houses, be prepared with a list of questions to help your agent understand your wants and needs and to get valuable feedback into the Pittsburgh marketplace at large.

In this one, we wanted to share some of the most important questions you may want to consider asking!

If you need an agent for your house search, be sure to contact our friends at KW Steel City and tell them Discover the Burgh sent you!

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Spirits & Tales Review – Elevated Dining With a View in Oakland

Spirits and Tales is a modern brasserie-style restaurant on the top floor of The Oaklander hotel. The restaurant holds it own, though, and is more than just a place to eat while staying at the hotel. With craft cocktails, seasonal house made pasta and entrees, and stunning views, it's a destination in its own right for some solid upscale dining in the Oakland neighborhood.

We have dined at Spirits and Tales a few times, but most recently when we were staying at the hotel as guests of the property. On a week night during the Christmas holiday season it was packed full, so we ended up sitting at the bar. A reservation is a good idea here, especially on the weekend and during the holidays.

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