2016 was a good year for restaurant openings in Pittsburgh, from Apteka in Bloomfield, to Shadyside’s Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream. But, we also had to say goodbye to some of our favorite food spots this year, as owners moved on to new projects, leases expired, and neighborhoods shifted focus.
Bread and Salt Bakery
Mere months after the New York Times’ Mark Bittman said that Bread and Salt Bakery was serving “the best pizza al taglio I’ve tasted in the last few years,” Rick Easton announced that he was shutting down his Bloomfield shop. The loss to the city is palpable, and we still miss having access to his light, airy loaves of bread every day. Easton moved to New York City, and just finished a stint serving his pies at Berg’n in Crown Heights.
Marty’s Market
Marty’s Market in the Strip District announced in early January that it would be closing the doors to its market, café and restaurant by the end of the month. We’ve been missing the unique concept ever since. So far, the space remains empty.
Union Pig & Chicken
Fried chicken and BBQ restaurant Union Pig & Chicken closed its East Liberty location in November, writing on social media that there were “myriad reasons” for not renewing their location lease. Though owner Jessicarobyn Keyser left open the possibility of reopening at another location in the future, no plans have been announced.
Root 174
Regent Square lost one of its best restaurants in July with the closing of Keith Fuller’s Root 174, an eclectic restaurant with seasonal menus. Later this year, Fuller opened Pork & Beans with Richard DeShantz downtown, to rave reviews.
Bayardstown Social Club
After three summer of fun (and countless outdoor parties), Bayardstown Social Club announced that this would be its last season. The members-only social club (with open membership for all) became a Strip District staple in the years that it was open, hosting music and food events in an empty lot that had been fitted with fire pits, picnic tables, and lawn chairs. The landlord has plans to redevelop the lot, though nothing has been announced.
Pittsburgh Public Market
We were super sad to see Pittsburgh Public Market close in February, since it was one of our favorite places in the Strip District – and the host to many of our seasonal food swaps. A few of the vendors have moved to other locations, including City Fresh Pasta (formerly Ohio City Pasta), which is located in Nova Place, Red Star Kombucha, now located at 433 Graeme Street, and PGH Po’Boy, which rolls around at various spots in the city. You can see updates for other PPM vendors here.
e2
Kate Romane’s Highland Park restaurant, known for its handmade pastas and incredibly good meatballs, closed its doors in October. But, e2 fans can still enjoy Romane’s cooking, because she’s launched a new project called Black Radish Kitchen. Check it out for pop-up events and catering.
Spaghetti Warehouse
After 28 years in business, Pittsburgh’s Spaghetti Warehouse officially closed in August… and it was a bummer. We went there a lot as a kid, not so much as an adult, but it was still kind of a shock to hear that it wouldn’t be in the Strip District anymore. But if you’re really a fan, there are still 12 locations scattered around the country, primarily in Ohio and Texas.
Any restaurants that we missed? Share in our comments.
Leave a Reply