It may be a short month, but there’s still plenty of tasty things to try in Pittsburgh in February!
1. Order dessert.
There are some seriously stellar pastry chefs in Pittsburgh right now absolutely killing it when it comes to sweet treats. A few of our recent favorites are from or, The Whale, Twisted Frenchman (pastry chef Dianne DeStefano’s apple mille feuille is amazing), Butterwood Bake Consortium, and Federal Galley (especially Provision PGH’s Butter-Squash Pudding!).
2. Make a heart dish for Valentine’s Day
One of our favorite Pittsburgh food writers, Gretchen McKay, shared a few recipes with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for heart-shaped treats to make at home, including a seriously impressive Shrimp & Lobster ravioli. And, Pittsburgh-based blogger How Sweet Eats has a super-cute heart-shaped pizza recipe to try, too. Consider our Valentine’s Day menu set!
3. Go to a BYOB family-style pop-up at Gaucho Parilla Argentina
Chef Kevin Costa (formerly of the sorely-missed Crested Duck Charcuterie), has started hosting pop-up dinners at Gaucho Parilla Argentina in the Strip District. The next one is Sunday, February 25, and features dishes like butter-poached striped bass, onion tarte tatin, and an olive oil cake with roasted persimmons. Want to go to the pay-what-you-want dinner? Email [email protected] for reservations (and check out his Twitter account for the full menu).
4. Have lunch at Madeleine Bakery
Madeleine Bakery, our new favorite place for hot chocolate and croissants, has slowly started to introduce lunch options to their Wilkinsburg bistro and cafe in the last few weeks. Head there for a civilized sandwich from their daily rotating menu, which has featured options like sandwiches piled with marinated white beans and bleu cheese, ham and butter, and pork shoulder with roasted broccoli. They also offer soup, quiches and salads, too.
5. Support Sonja Finn at Millie’s Homemade
Chef Sonja Finn (who owns and operates Dinette in East Liberty), is running for Pittsburgh City Council in the special election on March 6 – and Millie’s Homemade is putting their support behind her in the form of a new ice cream flavor ‘Sonja For The Win.’ The buttermilk ice cream is spiked with pink peppercorn and lavender, and will be available at the Shadyside scoop shop until Election Day.
6. Visit a few of our favorite under-the-radar spots
On episode 7 of podcast Good Food Pittsburgh Radio, Madeline and I talked about a few of our favorite ‘hidden gem’ restaurants in and around Pittsburgh, including Grant Bar, Tram’s Kitchen, Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room, and Drover’s Inn. Have any under-the-radar spots to add to our list? Let us know!
7. Attend the premier of a new film about Pittsburgh and food
Pittsburgh filmmaker David Bernabo’s new documentary, Eating & Working & Eating & Working, is premiering at Station on Sunday, February 25. The film follows seven people working in food in Pittsburgh from the beginning to the end of their work day. The event is free to attend.
8. Namaste… for a beer at a brewery yoga class
This month, East End Brewing Company is hosting their regular Beer Belly Yoga class on on February 18, and the Brew Gentlemen’s winter yoga series will be offered at the brewery on Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. And, it’s not a brewery, but Ascend PGH’s next Big Free Yoga class will be on Saturday, February 10.
9. Host a happy hour
Pittsburgh has some pretty fantastic happy hours happening right now (in fact, we put together a list of the 12 best deals in town), so if you’re feeling super-generous, grab a group of friends and offer to pay for the first round – during half-price happy hours at Kaya, Federal Galley and Merchant Oyster Company, of course.
10. Head to a winter pig roast with some of Pittsburgh’s best chefs
On Wednesday, February 28, the Whitfield at Ace Hotel will be hosting their regular Sharing Knives dinner series – and this time, they’re doing a pig roast. Kaya chef Ben Sloan will be joining Beth Zozula of Whitfield for the event, which will feature Caribbean and Hawaiian dishes, lots of drinks, and fresh-made pastries. Tickets are $40, and reservations can be made online.
11. Stave off the winter blues with a visit to Hidden Harbor
We love Hidden Harbor anytime of year, but right now, when it’s freezing and icy out, is kind of the best time to go. Step inside the doors of the Shadyside tiki bar, and you’ll be transported into paradise – and that’s even before you try one of their fruity, colorful, tropical-inspired cocktails. Cheers!
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