Apericena wine bar opened in late 2018 across from South Hills Village in Upper St. Clair. Serving higher-end wines in full pours or in flights, the bar had our name on it and we made our way to the South Hills to check them out shortly after opening.
Eat & Drink
Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe Review – Classic Deli Fare in the North Side
Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe in the North Side is an old school establishment that serves up classics like burgers, deli sandwiches, and Pittsburgh salads (salads topped with French fries).
Located on Western Avenue in the historic Allegheny West neighborhood, this spot is great for a wallet-friendly quick bite to eat for a weekday breakfast or lunch.
We recently did just that and picked up a few sandwiches and soup to go. While simple deli-style sandwiches like chicken salad, BLT, capicola, and corned beef are available, we wanted to try something a little more unique.
First and Third Friday Wine Tasting at Palate Partners
If you’ve spent any time driving through Lawrenceville, specifically up Liberty Avenue from the Strip District, odds are good you’ve seen Dreadnought Wines (just a few blocks from Church Brew Works).
Odds are good you’ve also never checked this one out besides seeing it in passing.
The reason for this is because Dreadnought Wines is not a winery, but rather a specialty wine importer that serves many restaurants, wine shops, and other businesses in the state. But their sister business, Palate Partners, is for the public- and this one holds wine tasting events and more formal wine classes at the same location.
We recently visited for one of their informal First and Third Friday wine tastings events and wondered why it took us this long to go in the first place.
Totopo Review – Delicious Mexican Food in Mt. Lebanon
Totopo in Mt. Lebanon serves up well-executed traditional Tex-Mex dishes along with a few traditional-leaning Mexican plates. The quality of the service, atmosphere, and food make this one much more of a destination restaurant than your average Mexican joint.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales Review – Wild Ales in Pittsburgh
Strange Roots (originally founded as Draai Laag) is one of the oldest breweries in Pittsburgh, and is certainly one of its most unique.
And to be completely honest, they’re one of our favorite breweries in the region as they focus on wild fermentation that produces an array of stellar sour beers!
Chantal’s Cheese Shop is the Only Cheesemonger You Need
Chantal’s Cheese Shop is a specialty store located in Bloomfield run by Anaïs Loughran and her husband, Chris (the shop is named after Anaïs’ mother).
While on the smaller end, Chantal’s is home to an impressive collection of curated cheeses that has us coming back for more time and time again.
Hitchhiker Brewing Review – An Array of Stellar Beers
When Hitchhiker Brewing Co. first open its doors in Pittsburgh (in Mt. Lebanon), we thought their beer was decent but were not overly blown away. But after their rapid expansion with a second facility in Sharpsburg, PA, did we notice that the brewery had vastly improved into what we believe is one of the finest breweries in Pittsburgh.
Walter’s Southern Kitchen Review – Texas BBQ in Lawrenceville
Walter’s Southern Kitchen is a Texas style barbecue joint located in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood that opened in 2018.
While this one has an array of sides, starters, and even brunch, when I visited this one I had one thing on my mind: the meat.
It did not disappoint.
Grist House Review – A Wide Array of Beer Styles in Millvale
Grist House is a popular brewery in the Pittsburgh suburb of Millvale (located just across the Allegheny River from Lawrenceville) that serves up an array of beer styles ranging from the hoppy IPA to fruited sours and everything in between.
Even better? This stunning spot features a gorgeous outdoor beer garden and is dog friendly!
Dancing Gnome Review – Some of the Pittsburgh’s Finest IPAs
Dancing Gnome in Sharpsburg, PA, just east of Pittsburgh, is known for their love of hops and their passion to produce some of the region’s best IPAs and pale ales.
Even if you are not a fan of this style of beer, Dancing Gnome may be the spot that converts you.
They did for us!