Consider putting these on your agenda.
1. Indulge your sweet tooth with macarons from Brunoise
Have you tried the house-made macarons from Brunoise in the Smallman Galley yet? What are you waiting for? The flavors change pretty regularly (chef/owner Ryan Peters says that they change “usually whenever we get bored the current flavor”), but past varieties have included Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Peanut Butter & Jelly. Peters says that we should keep an eye out for some new Fall flavors this month, like Maple Bacon, Mint Chocolate Chip and Fig.
2. Enjoy the last of the summer tomatoes
We’re in peak tomato season, and Pittsburgh restaurants are taking advantage of it. Keep an eye out for farm-fresh summer tomato salads (Le Lyonnais has an awesome one, and so does Union Standard), and dishes that make these summer jewels the star of the show, like the cashew cheese, olive tapenade and heirloom tomato toast from B52, or the ratatouille (served now with a Farmer’s Cheese ravioli) from Legume. Additionally, the Oakland restaurant is canning hundreds of fresh tomatoes right now, so you’ll be able to enjoy them all winter long, too.
3. Finally take that ice cream road trip
We may be a little biased, but we think that spending a day taking an ice cream road trip around Pittsburgh is a pretty good idea. Do it while you can, because some of the best spots (like Twisters and Crazy Cones) close for the season after this month. Think you can’t try 10 ice cream shops in one day? Yeah, we couldn’t either. But it’s well worth the effort.
4. Get yourself some super cute treats at the Hello Kitty Café Truck
Talk about Insta-worthy. It stopped by for a visit earlier this year, and now the Hello Kitty Café Truck is coming back, with some more adorable (and totally social media share-able) sweet treats, like Hello Kitty cookies, rainbow macarons, and mini cakes. Check it out on Saturday, September 23 at Ross Park Mall, starting at 10:00 a.m.
5. Learn a new skill
It’s September, and that means it’s back-to-school time… in a lot of ways. If you’ve always wanted to learn about the inner workings of what it takes to run a farm, Churchview Farm has opened up a few spots on their CSA workshare program during prime harvest season. Sign up to commit to one day a week through Thanksgiving, and you’ll get a ton of fresh, organic produce – plus, you know, a little knowledge about how food actually gets to your table. The Farmer’s Daughter florist is hosting a Fire Cider workshop, teaching people how to make this (honestly) magical elixir made with apple cider vinegar, raw honey and herbs on Saturday, September 16. On Sunday, September 24, Bridget’s Apothecary and Garden Dreams are teaming up for a medicinal tea-making workshop, where they’ll spill the tea about how to use medicinal herbs (and you’ll take home some of your own mix). And Grow Pittsburgh is inviting you to join them on September 9 for a soil fertility skillshare event, where they’ll test your home’s soil for toxins, and teach you ways to cultivate more fertile soil for future planting.
6. Eat and drink for a good cause
We love a good party, and when our eating and drinking can benefit a good cause? All the better! On Friday, September 8, head to the Frick for their Sustainable Sipping beer with 412 Food Rescue and Great Lakes Brewing Company. The Barn at Soergel Hollow is hosting A Gathering of Chefs on Sunday, September 10, with chefs from Piebird, Block 292 and more coming together to benefit The Bradley Center. Drink for Solar is at the Wigle Whiskey Barrelhouse on Wednesday, September 13, with proceeds going to the Pittsburgh Solar Tour. On Saturday, September 16, The Big Share community dinner is taking place at Blackberry Meadows Farm to benefit the Community Human Services Corporation Food Bank. And head to Smallman Galley on Wednesday, September 20 for a ‘Meet Your Farmer’ happy hour benefit, helping to support a new software that connects consumers and farmers.
7. Enjoy brunch at or, The Whale
Though or, The Whale quietly opened for dinner this week, what we’re super psyched about is their daily brunch. The new space in the Distrikt Hotel downtown serves brunch from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and features fresh-baked goodies from their in-house pastry chef, Jessica Lewis, formerly of the Smallman Galley’s Carota Café. Their sister space, Evangeline (located upstairs from the hotel lobby) is also open, and offers grab-and-go breakfast items (hello, fresh-squeezed juice), and oysters and cocktails in the evening.
8. Get yourself one of the best sandwiches in the city at Thin Man Sandwich Shop
We can’t begin to tell you how bummed we were to hear that Thin Man Sandwich Shop is closing its doors after five years in business. The Strip District sandwich shops’ final day of operation will be Sunday, September 17. Until then, though, get yourself in there for some of their seriously good sandwiches (like our favorite, The Smash, with goat milk-marinated chicken, lemon pickled green onions, and avocado), and pick up a quart or two of their famous chicken liver mousse while you can. Thin Man Sandwich Shop (50 21st Street)
9. Get a sneak peek of Michigan & Trumble
We can’t wait for Federal Galley, the sister location to Smallman Galley, to open in Nova Place… but, that’s still some time away. For now, we just have to be satisfied with occasional pop-ups, like the one that Michigan & Trumble is hosting at the Vandal. On Monday, September 25, join them at the Lawrenceville restaurant for a taste of their Detroit-style pizza starting at 5:00 p.m.
10. Be a food hero at La Prima Espresso
La Prima Espresso and 412 Food Rescue have teamed up for a special coffee blend, available at La Prima Espresso locations, and online. For every bag of the coffee blend, which features a flavor profile of almond, mint and blood orange, $1 will be donated to 412 Food Rescue, to help with their mission to end food waste in western Pennsylvania.
11. Do a little local shopping
If you checked out the latest edition of our new magazine (and you absolutely should), you’d see some of the best local products that Pittsburgh makers are putting out there right now. Our picks? These adorable Pittsburgh Plates from Simon’s Granddaughter , City of Bridges tea towels from Worker Bird and some insanely good pickled pepper jam from The Pickled Chef.
12. Try Burgh’ers new brews
Burgh’ers is getting into the beer game. The farm-to-table burger restaurant is launching their very own house-brewed beer, available at their Lawrenceville location. Join them for an opening celebration on September 12 starting at 6:00 p.m. to try Oat Black Water, Penn Ave Pal Ale, Hipster Tone IPA and Publick House Bitter. Burgh’ers (3601 Butler Street)
13. Book your holiday party
Yes, seriously. If you want to get a jump on your holiday party planning (and choose the venues and dates!) get those holiday get-togethers booked right now. We love the private room at Legume for small, family gatherings, Senti for upscale entertaining, Smallman Galley for big bashes and (soon-to-come) Threadbare Cider, if you want to be on cutting edge of what’s cool in Pittsburgh.
14. Say goodbye to summer at Bakery Square
Bakery Square is celebrating the last day of summer with a Summer Send Off party on Friday, September 22. You’ll find more than 20 (!) food trucks, craft beer and live music from The Delaneys. Bakery Square parties are always a blast, and the event is totally free to attend (pets are welcome, too). Wristbands for four hours of drinking are $20 and single drink tickets are $6 each.
Any other delicious things we missed this month? Let us know in our comments!
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