A couple years after losing its popular Argentine joint when Gaucho moved to Downtown, Pittsburgh’s Strip District neighborhood will soon be gaining a South American restaurant when New York City-based Balvanera moves into a new ground level space on Smallman Street.
Balvanera will occupy 4,400 square feet at the 1600 Smallman Street building, which was recently restored by development company McCaffery, according to a news release. The building is directly across the street from the new Terminal building.
Balvanera chef and co-founder Fernando Navas said he is proud to bring another location of his Argentine restaurant to Pittsburgh. The Strip District spot will be the second Balvanera location in the U.S. It is scheduled to open sometime in fall.
“Channeling the energy of the Strip District neighborhood and its market center roots, our restaurant will foster community through the celebration of food and drink,” said Navas.
The new restaurant offers composed vegetable dishes, a wide variety of empanadas, and signature grass-fed meat entrees, aka Carnes, such as house-made sausages and pasture-raised rib eye steaks.
The menu centers on Navas’ roots in Argentina. The name, Balvanera, is an homage to an immigrant community in Buenos Aires where it is said the tango originated.
Balvanera is also known for South American wines, craft cocktails and “a vibrant, social energy,” according to a release. It’s described as an Argentine-style brasserie. The restaurant’s format allows guests to dine in a traditional course-meal style, but also encourages diners to partake in a feast of sharing everything.
