Pittsburgh Restaurant Week kicks off with early access, welcoming new and returning favorites
Pittsburgh Restaurant Week begins Monday, but some establishments are offering early access this weekend.
It’s an opportunity for diners to have a few extra days to try a new place.
One of the restaurants participating in the early access is 1930 by Atria’s in Mt. Lebanon. The place reopened in April after getting a fresh, new look.
Patrick McDonnell, general manager for 1930 by Atria’s and beverage director for the Restaurant Holdings Group, which includes Atria’s and Juniper Grill, said this is a good opportunity to showcase the rebranded restaurant.
“This will give us some more exposure because some people don’t realize that we have reopened,” McDonnell said. “Restaurant Week is also a great time to try a place you haven’t been before and to also try a new menu item from a place you have been before.”
1930 by Atria’s is offering a two-course lunch for $26.25 and a three-course dinner for $44.25. Choose a chopped salad or soup for your first course and salmon strawberry salad, classic Reuben or chicken piccata for your second course.
For dinner, choices include a cauliflower taco, filet sliders or pot roast nachos to start and then short rib, 10-ounce skirt steak for your second course and old fashioned creme Brûlée, brownie bites or peach cinnamon roll bread pudding to finish your meal.
McDonnell said the timing is good because it’s still summer and a perfect time to dine outdoors. The weather looks good for that, he said.
“Our patio is popular,” he said.
Outdoor dining is great this time of year, agreed Greg Ackerman co-owner of Luma in Mt. Lebanon with wife, Leslie. They are also offering early access.
For $45.25 Luma has a first course of fried burrata or lobster and shrimp bisque or mixed greens. Chose short rib, jumbo shrimp stuffed with house made crabmeat or a 6-ounce center cut filet mignon (8-ounce filet available for an upcharge).
For the third course there is a lemon berry cake, warmed chocolate chip brownie or blood orange sorbet.
“Restaurant week is a big boost for us,” Greg Ackerman said. “The reason they created it was to help restaurants during two times of the year when restaurants are slow, in January and August. We always do well during restaurant week.”
Luma is one of the restaurants who have been part of the event since Brian McCollum started it.
He said at one time had close to 100 participants. But the 2020 covid-19 pandemic hurt the restaurant industry, with some places closing. Others have had challenges with staffing.
For the past few years they’ve had 50 to 60 restaurants, McCollum said.
Eat’n Park Hospitality Group’s The Porch, with locations in Schenley Plaza in Oakland and Upper St. Clair, and Hello Bistro are offering early access. They also offer patio dining.
This is the first time for Hello Bistro to participate. It is offering build-your-own salad meals where guests can build two salads for $20.25 — protein is extra — along with fries and a fountain drink.
The Porch will have a three-course meal available at both locations for $30.25. Guests can choose from first course options of Caesar side salad, strawberry arugula salad or the soup du jour.
For the second course, options include avocado salmon, cavatelli Bolognese, airline chicken or barbecue glazed pork chops. Finish the meal off with either lemon blueberry cake or bread pudding.
Courtney Koch, spokesperson for Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, said via email that they value the opportunity to showcase the restaurants.
“We are looking forward to providing the opportunity for both new and frequent guests to lean into their own culinary creativity,” Koch said. “Every year, The Porch looks forward to welcoming guests from across the region to enjoy our distinctive outdoor dining experience. The best of our scratch-made menu offerings are reflected in our Pittsburgh Restaurant Week three-course tasting menu.”
Another newcomer that’s also doing the early access is Martorano’s Prime, located in Rivers Casino Pittsburgh on the North Shore. In addition to indoor seating there is outdoor dining with a view of the river. Remember you must be 21 years old to enter the casino.
Martorano’s Prime chef Michael Keister will be preparing starters of eggplant, homemade mozzarella or salad.
The main course is a choice of veal, duck Bolognese, chicken cutlet Downtown or penne cognac. Dessert choices include cheesecake, canoli, or chocolate cake. Cost is $55.25.
Everything is made fresh from scratch daily with high-quality ingredients, said Adam Tharpe, executive chef for Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.
“This is a way to showcase our restaurant and fine dining,” said Andrea Kleinrock-Marmion, vice president of food and beverage for the casino. “And I’ve heard of guests who try a restaurant during Pittsburgh Restaurant Week and become a frequent guest.”
Also on the North Side is Cucina Alfabeto, participating for the first time, beginning Tuesday. Jonathan Pruett, executive chef at Cucina Alfabeto, said via email this will be the perfect chance to share what they do at Alfabeto. He said they have created a menu that’s both a nod to the neighborhood’s Italian style and a little unexpected.
It’s a chance for guests to try something they might not find anywhere else in the city, he said.
For $45.25 the first course is a choice of a house salad, wedding soup or arancini.
The main course is herb-infused pappardelle, seasonal risotto, chicken piccata or grilled branzino.
A third course is a choice of cannoli, tiramisu or amaretto affogato.
“Whether it’s your first visit to Cucina Alfabeto or your 10th, we want this week to be an experience you’ll remember long after the last bite. Our incredible team pours their heart into every dish, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients that bring the flavors of our region to life.
“As proud members of Pittsburgh’s North Side, we love being a true neighborhood spot and we can’t wait to welcome guests to our table with something delicious.”
Things to consider:
Be aware there will be Parkway East closures this weekend.
It is best to check a restaurant’s days and hours.
Most pricing is available for dine-in only.
Details: pittsburghrestaurantweek.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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