Uncorked is a wine bar and restaurant featuring live jazz, located in the main business district of Sharpsburg. With prohibition-style cocktails, a full food menu, plentiful wine options, and live music, this intimate spot is a great addition to the neighborhood. Although the noise level on our visit made it somewhat difficult to have conversations with our table, we appreciated the cocktails, homemade pasta, and small plates.
Restaurants
Esquina Cantina Review – Cocktails, Tacos, and a Patio
Esquina Cantina (formerly known as Round Corner Cantina) has been a Lawrenceville institution for more than a decade, serving up tacos and other Mexican fare plus cocktails utilizing Mexican spirits and ingredients. The interior bar has a great cantina vibe, but there's nothing like sitting out on the cozy patio with outdoor bar on a nice summer night.
So whether you're a regular of the former Round Corner Cantina, or simply want to check out a new-to-you spot in Lawrenceville, check out Esquina Cantina!
10 Delicious Restaurants for Valentine’s Day in Pittsburgh
Valentine's Day is always a great holiday to have a nice meal out with a loved one. It feels like a great time to get fancy, try something new, and, for some, really go all-out to impress your partner.
In this one, we wanted to share a selection of great Pittsburgh restaurants that you may want to consider for a Valentine's Day celebration with a special someone- be it a spouse, long-time partner, or new romantic interest.
This guide is not comprehensive, nor does it solely focus on expensive, fine-dining restaurants. We wanted to provide a cross-section of restaurant ideas, cuisine styles, and other special aspects to remember for a special meal out. Some are expensive fine-dining, and others are much more approachable for those who may be newly dating or on a budget.
But as Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular time for dining out, we have one recommendation for every restaurant featured below unless otherwise noted- get your reservations early!
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.
Wei Lai Dim Sum Review – Go For a Feast
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.
10 Spots Great to Enjoy Dry January in Pittsburgh
Oh dry January, you are always fun.
This annual celebration has become something of a global phenomenon, as many of us look to use the somewhat slow month as a chance to detox and get a break from indulgences (especially after the holidays).
Whatever your reason for participating in dry January is your own. But if you are looking to enjoy the flavors of your favorite beverages without alcohol, a number of restaurants, bars, breweries, and distilleries are starting to offer great options for dry January in Pittsburgh!
In this one, we thought we'd share some of the spots with the finest assortment of products. While this one is not comprehensive, we wanted to include places that have larger menus, share a variety of products, and more to give you a great cross-section of alcohol-free beverages in the city to consider if you are abstaining.
Please note: This article focuses on offerings for Dry January specifically and may not necessarily be accurate year-round. While many of the bars, restaurants, and breweries featured have great non-alcoholic products at all times, some increase their offerings for January. Likewise, cocktails, beers on draft, and other beverages are always liable to change. Please reconfirm directly with any business prior to visiting. Finally, some drink photos in this article may be alcoholic and are for illustration only.
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.
Arepittas Review – Delicious Venezuelan Arepas Downtown
Arepittas on Cherry Way in downtown Pittsburgh is one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of spots.
Part of this is because it is on a less frequented stretch of downtown Pittsburgh outright, but the main reason is that it is tucked on the first level of a large parking garage. So much so that it feels almost like it is inside the garage properly.
So when we drove down this road and saw the small Venezuelan street food restaurant, we had to do a double take. But after hearing many glowing reviews from others who have visited before us, we knew we had to get in right away.
To put it bluntly- Arepittas may be the best cheap eats in downtown Pittsburgh.
La Bodega Taqueria Review – A Surprising Find in South Side
La Bodega Taqueria is one of those places that we absolutely love to discover in Pittsburgh.
We did not know this one had opened up right on the heart of East Carson Street in South Side, and only stumbled upon it while driving to meet friends for drinks at Acacia a few blocks away.
In the brief seconds it took us to drive by, we knew where we had to end up for dinner after, and a short while later we made our way down the block for some delicious, delicious Mexican food.
Senza Review – An Inventive Dining Experience in Etna
Senza is a cozy and welcoming restaurant in Etna serving up seasonal, scratch-made dishes during regular dinner hours on the weekends as well as during Sunday brunch and ticketed dinner club events.
The dishes here are comforting, the flavor combinations are unique, and the hospitality is off the charts. The environment is so welcoming that a meal here feels like dining at your best friend's house- if that friend was a creative, talented chef, of course.