Summer Restaurant Week is back in Pittsburgh! This event allows foodies to try out seasonal menu items or limited time-only dishes at new and established restaurants around the city—often at a discounted price—and this year it will run for not one, but for two weeks from August 9-22.
The event was first started in 2012 by local food blogger Brian McCollum as an effort to highlight the wide-ranging dining options that Pittsburgh has to offer and to allow restaurants to feature special menus in celebration. In addition to sampling foods from traditional favorites, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week is a great opportunity for people to test out places that they wouldn’t typically visit.
According to its website, www.pittsburghrestaurantweek.com, restaurants traditionally offer dining deals, like prix-fixe meals, to give patrons the opportunity to experience what they have to offer without breaking the bank. For example, this year, Big Spring Spirits at Seven Fields is offering a $25.21 dinner that includes a Grilled Watermelon Panzanella Salad, Très Cerditos Sliders (Pulled Pork, Smoked Pork Belly, Candied Bacon, Nappa Cabbage Slaw, Chipotle BBQ) and ‘Not Your Small Town Carnival Funnel Cake’ for dessert.
Not only is this event the organization’s 20th biannual celebration, but it is also the first time since winter 2020 that restaurants are back to 100 percent capacity.
“I’m excited to see the restaurants really show how much they have evolved and grown,” said McCollum of the dozens of restaurants participating.
At press time, these included Azorean Café; Cadillac Ranch; Carmella's Plates and Pints; Doughbar; Eighty Acres Kitchen & Bar; Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse; Fujiya Ramen; Grand Concourse Restaurant; LeMont Pittsburgh; McCormick & Schmick's Seafood (Downtown); McCormick & Schmick's Seafood (Southside Works); Melting Pot; Mitchell's Fish Market (Galleria); Morton's The Steakhouse; Ocean Treasure's Cajun Seafood and Bar (Monroeville); Ocean Treasure's Cajun Seafood and Bar (North Hills); Revival on Lincoln; Roman Bistro; Scarpino; Senti Restaurant; Texas De Brazil; The Forge; The G.O.A.T. Sports Bar by Big Spring Spirits; The Porch at Schenley; The Porch at Siena; The Standard Market and Pint House; and Vue 412.
Prices will range from $20 to $40 for a meal, depending on the restaurant. Some, but not all restaurants require reservations, which can be made on the restaurant week website. Many of the restaurants will offer takeout specials as well, so people who aren’t comfortable dining out can still try unique menu items.
This event comes at a time when restaurants all over the country are struggling, especially in Pittsburgh. Many restaurants around the area, including Union Standard, Brugge on North, and Coca Cafe, closed their doors in the past year and a half, making this the ideal time to support local Pittsburgh restaurants and celebrate the diverse dining scene that the city has to offer.
All participating restaurants are listed on the Pittsburgh Restaurant Week website, and more are signing up daily. Menus are also being posted as restaurants determine their offerings based on seasonal availability. There is also a restaurant roulette feature that will pick a restaurant for you, which is a great way to end up at a spot you’ve never been to before!
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