At this time we are unsure if Mezza Luna Cafe is in operation any longer. Once confirmed, we will update this article accordingly.
We think that every Pittsburgh neighborhood should have a cafe that specializes in short-order fair like sandwiches, salads, and drinks, and in Allegheny West in the North Side, that shop is none other than Mezza Luna Cafe.
Although we only had a limited sampling of this one's menu when visiting shortly after they opened, we're really excited to see what comes next!
BrewDog appears to have closed in 2023.
BrewDog is an international brewery and gastropub chain that has expanded into many cities thanks to its crowdfunding system called Equity for Punks.
This crowdfunding system is a lot like a Kickstarter in that there are numerous perks for investors, such as free beers and discounts, while also retaining ownership (while shares can be sold, there is currently no open market for these nor does BrewDog appear to be going public anytime soon- so we look at it mostly as a perks system). The system has allowed the brewery chain to expand at a rapid pace and through it, they opened a Pittsburgh taproom in East Liberty in early 2020.
I visited this one shortly after opening and share a bit more about what it is like in this review!
Two Sisters closed at the end of 2022.
Two Sisters Vietnamese Kitchen in East Liberty is a cute little spot for fulfilling all of your Vietnamese pho, noodle, and rice dish needs.
The menu here includes classic pho (noodle soup), bun (vermicelli noodles), co'm (rice dishes), as well as a few specials like bun bo hue and egg noodles. Side options include spring and summer rolls with different fillings, and several salad offerings.
We recently ordered takeout including bun bo hue, the pork special co'm, a grilled pork summer roll, and fish sauce wings.
Cafe Agnes does not appear to be operating. The chef now runs Duo's Taqueria in East Liberty and periodically sells pupusas there for pop-ups.
If you frequent farmer's markets in Pittsburgh, chances are you've seen Cafe Agnes' booth – it's usually the one with a really long line. Having opened in the spring of 2019, Cafe Agnes quickly gained a reputation over the summer for serving up delicious Salvadorian pupusas and tamales with both traditional and creative fillings.
Although they don't currently have a storefront, you can continue to order frozen pupusas and tamales in the off-season and cook them yourself at home!
The Holocaust Center has relocated to Chatham University. As of now, the exhibit space is not open. We will update once we hear more information!
Did you know that the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh has a small museum space inside featuring a few permanent and seasonal exhibits?
While you may only require a quick stop at this one, the displays and exhibits offer a valuable insight into the history of the Holocaust.
Zorros closed in November 2022.
Zorros opened in Mt. Lebanon in late 2019 with a focus on cuisine from Latin America with an emphasis on dishes from the Dominican.
I visited this one for lunch with hopes of snagging one of the restaurant's entrees with a few trusted appetizers but ended up being won over by their lunch specials in order to try more food for less- and I don't regret it in the slightest.
Franktuary closed the Lawrenceville location at the end of 2021. They still operate their food truck and can be found at area breweries and events.
My cravings for hot dogs are often few and far between, but when they come I often want a crazy combination of toppings that goes well beyond the simple hot dog, ketchup, and mustard I grew up on.
Enter Franktuary in Lawrenceville, the kind of restaurant to visit if you are in the mood for some rather unusual hot dog options!
Rose All Day is a summer festival in Pittsburgh that features all things rose – ciders, beers, wines, and cocktails from dozens of vendors were featured in the inaugural event in August 2019.
With a mix of local and national wineries and breweries, an appropriately-sized venue for the crowd, minimal lines for drinks, and a good mix of non-alcohol vendors including food trucks and shopping, we can see this festival taking hold and becoming even bigger and better in the years to come.
The kickoff of summer in Pittsburgh is marked by many events, be it through the traditional solstice or simply numerous outdoor experiences.
One relatively new event is a smaller one, but focuses on all things limoncello and ‘cello spirits at Vallozzi's. This is the Festa di Limoncello, and is designed to kick off summer with a trip to the Amalfi coast of Italy.
We were guest of Vallozzi's for this one in 2019, and share what the event is like below!
Burk's BBQ is now closed.
Burk's BBQ is a popular barbecue spot in Oakmont, PA, just tucked off the main road. After hearing great reviews of this one, I naturally had to make the trip out to see what this one was all about.