Argentine restaurant, Balvanera, opens its doors in Pittsburgh's Strip District

For the owners of the Argentine restaurant Balvanera, opening in the Strip District is a bit of a homecoming.

Meredith Boyle grew up in Aspinwall. On one of their many trips back to her hometown, her husband Chef Fernando Navas fell in love with the city as well.

So when they had an opportunity to open a second location for the restaurant they established in New York City 10 years ago, Pittsburgh was a natural choice.

“My family is here and we were thinking about where we should raise our family,” Boyle said. The couple has two children. “Pittsburgh was 100% the right choice.”

The brasserie serves dishes that inspired by Buenos Aires and features a selection of more than 200 labels of Argentine wines, said Navas, who is an official culinary ambassador for Argentina, meaning he has been designated by the government to promote the country’s culture and cuisine. He was born and raised in Punta Alta.

The menu features items like empanadas, steaks served with fresh chimichurri and rotisserie roasted vegetables.

Balvanera has set up shop at 1600 Smallman. Most recently, it was the home of the Metropol night club, which closed in 2002. The building itself, built in 1921, has been renovated while paying homage to its industrial roots. I-beams and exposed brick are showcased, while the ceiling in the main dining room highlights the wood floor above – 2x12 beams that had been reinforced to withstand heavy machinery.

About 20 people are employed so far.

Navas and Boyle hope to double the staff.

The Smallman Street building, which also is home to autonomous vehicle company Aurora Innovation, is across the street from The Terminal, the re-imagined Produce Terminal.

The restaurant held a soft opening Thursday. It will start with dinner service Tuesday through Saturday. Boyle said the goal is to expand to lunch and eventually breakfast, where the bar area can act as a bodega serving coffee and light sandwiches and baked goods.

“You can come here in the evening with your family or a date night or those in the neighborhood can come in the morning and enjoy coffee and the scenery,” Navas said.