Restaurants Archives - Discover the Burgh

Mercurio’s Review – Italian Wood Fired Pizza and Gelato Done Right

Last Updated On February 12, 2020

It is hard to beat a good Italian pizza made in a wood fired oven. For the longest time we had heard Mercurio's is the place to be to try out this particular pizza style, but never quite made it out to Shadyside or Fox Chapel to give them a try.

If this intro sounds familiar, you can imagine what comes next. We regret waiting this long.

Mercurio's checked a lot of boxes for us for a good wood fired pizza, namely being well cooked, well priced, and focusing on classic Italian toppings (over some of the more unique counterparts you see at other pizza shops in the city). If these are things you seek out when enjoying a pizza, you really need to check this one out.

Just be sure to save room when you do visit, as the gelato bar is also a must-try as well!

Big Rig’s BBQ Review – Tender Meats in Monroeville

Last Updated On February 6, 2020

We regularly get reader recommendations on where to go next. We try and go to all of them, but with the number of places we still have to visit it is hard to prioritize everything. When we hear the same recommendations over and over again, we know we have to hit those immediately, and Big Rig's BBQ in Monroeville was one such recommendation.

This barbecue spot opened in late 2019 and is making waves within the local community, so much so that we went to check it out just a few days after receiving the (admittedly large number of) recommendations to do so.

A few days was too long of a wait for this one.

Cafe Raymond Review – Breakfast Options in the Strip District

Last Updated On February 3, 2020

Cafe Raymond is a popular breakfast and lunch spot in the Strip District that serves up an array of options that will hit just about all interests.

While we had a few misses from our meal (partly due to price), we walked away fairly stuffed and talking about this one's delicious pancakes all the same!

Zorros Review – Dominican Inspired Dishes in Mt. Lebanon

Last Updated On January 31, 2020

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.

Whitfield Review – Locally Sourced Steaks and More in East Liberty

Last Updated On January 21, 2020

Located inside the trendy Ace Hotel in East Liberty, Whitfield is more than just a hotel restaurant. With James Beard award-nominated chefs at the helm, an emphasis on farm to table cuisine, and a killer brunch, Whitfield is a dining destination.

We recently stayed at the Ace Hotel and of course had to check out Whitfield for both breakfast and dinner. As the restaurant and hotel are located in an old YMCA building, much of that character and vibe still remain. It gives the hotel an ultra-hip feeling but feels a little incongruent with a fine dining restaurant like Whitfield.

Tana Review – Ethiopian Cuisine Done Right in East Liberty

Last Updated On January 28, 2020

Tana is an Ethiopian restaurant in East Liberty serving up lots of delicious traditional vegetarian and meat stews piled on top of injera, an Ethiopian flatbread. It's a great restaurant for groups as you can basically order a little of everything on the menu and share it all for a traditional feast.

Pierogies Plus Review – Fresh and Frozen Pierogies to Go in McKees Rocks

Last Updated On January 15, 2020

For many years we heard the renown of Pierogies Plus in McKees Rocks, and we were itching to get out there to enjoy some Eastern European cuisine that has become ingrained in the Pittsburgh diet.

While the food here is cheap and in impressive portion sizes as well, I have to say, something about my meal was a bit off.

Maiku Sushi Review – A Hidden Vietnamese Gem in the Strip

Last Updated On January 8, 2020

Generally when walking through the Strip District, if we pass by one of our favorite restaurants, odds are good we go inside and order something. Over this years, this has meant we missed a few hidden gems located right next door as our craving for something we knew overtook our desire to find something new.

Maiku Sushi is one of those places, as its location next to one of our favorite restaurants (Gaucho) made it hard for us to go in. As it turns out, this was a mistake. After trying the Vietnamese food here we have to say it is pretty delicious and worth your visit!

Sly Fox Brewing Review – Taphouse and Restaurant Near The Point

Last Updated On January 2, 2020

Sly Fox Brewing is a popular craft brewery that has been making beer outside of Philadelphia since the mid-90s. But it wasn't until 2019 that this one expanded into Pittsburgh with a taproom just steps away from Point State Park.

As we believe that downtown is in need of more places for good, craft beer, we were eager to check this one out shortly after it opened to try their beer and housemade pizza. Sadly, we left this one fairly disappointed.

Provision Review – A Great Food Menu Comes to Hop Farm Brewing

Last Updated On December 26, 2019

We always love it when breweries have a full food menu on-site, and in late 2019, Hop Farm Brewing in Lawrenceville introduced a food menu from Provision!

If that name sounds familiar, you are right. Provision is the same restaurant concept that was found in the inaugural class of chefs at Smallman Galley and later at Federal Galley for a long stint as well. We were quite big fans of this one at both galleys, and are happy to report that their menu at Hop Farm features many of the favorites available at the stalls!