As another year comes to a close, so do some restaurants in the Western Pennsylvania region. But not all is lost — while several well-known establishments either shut their doors for good or announced end-of-year closures, others opened.
Here’s a look back.
Opening
Barcelona Wine Bar
Visitors to Pittsburgh’s Cultural District got another pre- and post-show dining option with Barcelona Wine Bar. It opened just after the new year on Jan. 14 and is a Spanish-inspired wine and tapas bar with an ever-changing menu of charcuterie, salads, tapas, desserts and even some large plates.
“This is really sophisticated for Pittsburgh but we need that. Pittsburgh’s on the map for its food scene,” general manager Autumn Williams said earlier this year.
The address is 922 Penn Ave.
Braddock Public House
Braddock’s Brew Gentlemen expanded into the former Superior Motors space in September with its restaurant and brewpub Braddock Public House.
Look for menu items with Hawaiian and Japanese influence — think dumplings, wings and sandwiches — along with Brew Gentlemen’s beers.
It can be found at 1211 Braddock Ave.
Golden Gai
A Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group property, Golden Gai brought an izakaya-inspired dining experience to Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhood in October.
A nod to Tokyo’s Golden Gai district, izakaya translates to dine-in sake shop — and the restaurant has plenty of sake varieties to choose from, along with menu options from sushi and sashimi to miso cod, grilled wagyu and fried udon noodles.
Check it out at 116 Bakery Square Blvd.
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen Bar
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen Bar on Pittsburgh’s North Shore is the third location for the country star’s eponymous establishment.
Chicken and waffles, Jason’s mac and cheese, a Pittsburgh steak salad and buffalo cauliflower are just some of the offerings on the menu.
“I love coming to Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania to perform, some of the best country music fans in the world are in the area,” Aldean said when the restaurant’s opening was announced. “I’m proud to have a permanent destination where fans can stay connected to my music, hear great country music any day of the week, and sit back and enjoy some of my favorite food and drinks.”
The location, which opened in March, will likely be familiar to Pittsburgh Steelers fans — it’s in the former Bettis Grille 36 space at 393 North Shore Drive.
Nico Bakery and Cafe
Greensburg got its first made-from-scratch bakery in April with Nico Bakery and Cafe.
Croissants, cinnamon rolls, crepes tarts and more are made fresh, as are breakfast and lunch.
The coffee is Greensburg’s own Cardinal Coffee Roasters.
“I really want to try to work with these local people as much as I can,” owner Nico Grunewald, who co-owned French Express in Latrobe from late 2016 to 2020, told TribLive.
It’s located at 132 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
North Homewood Pizza
The first Black-owned pizza shop in Homewood was popular with residents from the get-go. Homewood native and owner Keith Calhoun is credited with bringing pizza back to the neighborhood for the first time since the 1990s. “Everyone loves pizza,” he said.
Everything is made from scratch and Calhoun doesn’t have a freezer in the restaurant.
Try it for yourself at 531 N. Homewood Ave.
Ranucci’s Trattoria
A lifelong dream — 23 years in the making — to own his own restaurant came true for Ranucci’s Trattoria owner Robert Volpe. It opened in the former CC’s Cafe Italian Cuisine space in Sharpsburg in the spring.
The second-generation restaurateur uses the recipes of his great-grandmother, Annette Ranucci, including the signature homemade meatballs. Other made-to-order dishes include spicy veal, a red beet salad and Ranucci’s Sunday gravy — braised braciole, pork and meatballs.
It’s located at 2218 Main St.
Super Smash Burgh
Smash burgers are one of the year’s biggest food trends, and Super Smash Burgh in Penn Hills is a welcome addition to the local dining scene.
“It’s different from what everyone is accustomed to, I mean, your average big ole’ burger. Smashburgers have a crisp to the outside. You can cook it very fast,” owner Marcus Porter told TribLive.
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It opened in June, serving smash burgers with a variety of toppings, wings and even a vegan smash burger.
Try one for yourself at 6520 Saltsburg Road.
Viva La Vida
O’Hara’s newest Mexican restaurant, Viva La Vida, is pretty in pink. It’s owned by young but experienced O’Hara resident Luis Gil-Chacon, who is just 22 years old.
“Our concept is to innovate Mexican food,” Gil-Chacon told TribLive in September. “We have a filet mignon, a nice salmon or cod fish or Mexican sushi. My main inspiration is a fusion concept. It’s taking what you most like and taking pieces of it — I took the best out of Mexico.”
Stop into 1141 Freeport Road in Fox Chapel Plaza for brunch, lunch, dinner or drinks, as well as daily specials.
Uncorked
Sharpsburg got a new jazz and blues-themed wine bar and restaurant in November called Uncorked.
“Sharpsburg is the new up-and-coming suburb of Pittsburgh, with the riverfront development, the existing and new businesses along Main Street and the wonderful people in the borough,” owner Anthony Moret told TribLive.
Dishes like beans and greens, lamb, Kobe beef and seared scallops are served with a side of live music on weekends.
It’s located at 703 Main St.
Other openings
The region is now home to multiple Layne’s Chicken Fingers locations, a Shake Shack and Playa Bowls.
Closings
As new restaurant doors opened, others closed. Here’s a look at the places we said goodbye to this year.
Buca di Beppo
Western Pennsylvania’s last Buca di Beppo, in Station Square, closed in June (its Robinson location shut its doors shortly before the Station Square location). And that’s not the only chain in Station Square to leave, as the Hard Rock Cafe will go out of business early next year.
Cioppino, Osteria 2350
Get to two Strip District establishments before New Year’s Day. The last day of operation for upscale Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar and its more casual sister restaurant Osteria 2350 is New Year’s Eve.
“Unfortunately, the pressures of running a fine-dining business have become increasingly untenable,” the owners said in a social media post.
La Vite
La Vite Ristorante’s popularity apparently wasn’t enough to keep it open. A social media post announced its surprise closing in October. Joe Voloch, director of operations at No Offseason Sports in West Deer, where the restaurant was located, was caught just as off guard as the public was. “It surprised me. We were under the impression that they were doing really well,” Voloch told TribLive.
Merchant Oyster Company
There’s one less place in Pittsburgh to get fresh seafood since Lawrenceville’s Merchant Oyster Company shut its doors for good earlier in December. Owner/chef Dennis Marron told TribLive that several factors went into his decision: an investor deciding to leave the Pittsburgh market, rising seafood costs and staffing difficulties. Its building is for sale.
Redbeard’s Bar & Grill
Mt. Washington staple Redbeard’s Bar & Grill closed on Dec. 21. While not all is lost because there’s a second location still open Downtown, the hilltop neighborhood will certainly miss a great place to watch sports or sip cocktails al fresco.
Smoke
Popular Lawrenceville taqueria Smoke put the news that it would be shuttering out on social media. Its final day in business was Sept. 16.
Soluna
Strip district coffee shop and cafe Soluna abruptly closed for good in September. The closure was announced on social media just days earlier. Founded as a coffee shop, Soluna evolved into serving Latin American cuisine from breakfast and lunch options to savory arepas and sweet pastries.
Station
In February, Bloomfield’s Station restaurant closed after nine years because chef Curtis Gamble was moving to Tennessee.
“We’ve been through a lot in this space,” Gamble said in a statement when the closing was announced. “The irony of this is that we’re doing great, all things considered. Our fantastic team and strong collaborative partnerships have been the fuel behind a lot of our recent successes. I’m going to miss that part of Station and of Pittsburgh.”
Thai Place
Retirement was the reason for the final Thai Place restaurant, located in Pine, closing in October. Owners Surin and Santi Thamwiwat are both 80 years old and are looking forward to spending more time with their two daughters and their grandchildren. “I have mixed feelings about leaving, but it’s time. She is the best cook and everyone loves the way she cooks,” Santi Thamwiwat said of his wife.
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Back and forth
At the end of July, 40 North inside City of Asylum on Pittsburgh’s North Side announced it was temporarily closed. Just a few days later, plans were announced for its rebranding into Alfabeto.
Dave and Andy’s in Oakland announced in April that they were closing because of owner Andy Hardie’s retiring, but by August, a new owner was in place with plans to reopen at the beginning of September.
The Atria’s restaurant in Pleasant Hills closed on Sept. 1 and reopened as Juniper Grill in October. They are owned by the same company.