Taste of the Weekend: May 6 to 9
A classic tiki cocktail from Hidden Harbor in Squirrel Hill.
Stuck on your weekend plans? We’re here to help, with a guide to where you should eat and drink for the next few days.
Sun is in the city’s future (we hope), so on this list, you’ll find spots with great food and worth-the-wait patios. There’s something for everyone here, from bistro dining and French-inspired menus to sun-kissed cocktails. And hey, it’s Mother’s Day. Bring Mom along, too.
Fine Dining
pouletbleupgh.com
A bistro oasis awaits you at Poulet Bleu, Lawrenceville’s resident French-inspired eatery. Their patio is a beloved Pittsburgh spot, separated from the street by a red-brick-accented fence that makes the space feel like a different world.
Take your time at the restaurant; it’s part of the magic. Order a bottle of wine and start with a bowl of their rich, French onion soup and the fresh beef tartare. Make sure to leave room for dessert - the souffle for two is a treat.
figandashpgh.com
New – and long-promised – in the Northside is Fig & Ash, a wood-fired kitchen specializing in comfort foods. Bring some solace to your soul (and dry out from the rain) inside their renovated building on East Ohio Street or take refuge on their intimate, covered patio.
Their short rib meatloaf is a fan favorite, topped with a horseradish crème fraîche.
Casual Eats
The Old School Double Burger at Provision PGH
provisionpgh.com
I recently had the joy of eating The Old School Double Burger from Provision, located inside Federal Galley, and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. Two wagyu Smashburgers, stacked on a potato bun, are dressed with American cheese, shaved red onion, lettuce, and fry sauce. It’s simple and utterly delicious; the patties are so thin they almost melt in your mouth.
Grab a few beers, find a spot on Federal’s massive beer garden, and order that burger. You won’t regret it.
Drinks
hiddenharborpgh.com
Rain or shine, there’s always tropical vibes inside of Hidden Harbor, Squirrel Hill’s resident tiki bar. Their outdoor seating area covers both tiki drinks and libations from neighboring Independent Brewing Company, with a menu of snacks and shareables.
Tiki drinks are typically rum-based, though you’ll find other spirits on the two-restaurant menu. I love the classic Astro Aku Aku, a mix of apricot, papaya, falernum, and 151-proof Demerara. Get ready for an explosion of flavor.
bridgesandbourbonpgh.com
Though named after a spirit, cocktails of all kinds are the specialty at Bridges & Bourbon Downtown. Their menu bills inventive concoctions served out of wild glassware – take the Black Canary, for example, a drink using gin, blackberries, cherry blossom water, honey, lime, grapefruit, and prosecco, served out of a bird-shaped glass.
With both indoor and outdoor seating (and a few party-sized igloos), Bridges & Bourbon is a great way to start or end your night out. Grab a cocktail or two and something from their list of appetizers – you can’t go wrong with the classic charcuterie board.
STORY BY MAGGIE WEAVER / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HIDDEN HARBOR
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