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Mineo's Opens at PIT, Hard Rock Closes in Station Square - Pittsburgh Food News

2024-12-17

DiAnoia’s Eatery brings back the Feast of the Seven Fishes through Dec. 22, offering a $76 prix fixe menu with various seafood dishes. Reservations are recommended. (Photo: Courtesy of DiAnoia’s Eatery)

Feast of the Seven Fishes at DiAnoia’s

DiAnoia’s Eatery at 2549 Penn Ave., Strip District, dianoiaseatery.com, is a must-visit during the holidays. Their Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner is a tradition that continues to delight. The menu includes baccala fritters, scallop crudo, acqua pazza, squid ink capellini, and branzino. These dishes are not only delicious but also perfect for sharing family-style. It’s a celebration of Italian cuisine and a great way to spend the holidays.In addition to the Feast, DiAnoia’s also offers a Christmas Clam Pizza from Pizzeria Davide through Dec. 28. This specialty pie features clams in a white wine and garlic sauce with mozzarella, provolone, and parsley. It’s a unique twist on a classic pizza.For dessert, DiAnoia’s bakes panettone, a holiday sweet bread made over three days with candied orange and lemon peel, raisins, and toasted pistachios. Panettone will be available until Dec. 22 and can be ordered online along with holiday cookie platters.

Old Thunder Brewing Company’s Four Years Celebration

Old Thunder Brewing Company at 340 Freeport Rd., Blawnox, oldthunderbrewing.com, is celebrating four years in business with a party, beer releases, and new merch. On Sat., Dec. 21 from 12-10 p.m., you can try double dry-hopped IPA False Kingdom and the birthday-themed Midnight Candles, a bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout with vanilla beans. Taqueria Pastorcito and Black Cat Pizza will also be on site with food. A new T-shirt by Permanent Hangover honors the brewery’s origins as a post office.

The Commoner x Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s Winter Warm-up

The Commoner at Sixth Ave., Downtown, thecommonerpgh.com, invites you to take in the new “Aurora” light installation with hot chocolate and cocktails. On Sat., Dec. 21 at 5 p.m., they will host a Winter Warm-up event in Mellon Square. Under the “Aurora” lights, they will set up shop and offer “inventive eats and avant-garde cocktails.” The menu includes black truffle hazelnut cookies, spiked hot apple cider, and the Challen Ice, a cocktail honoring “Aurora” artist Joshua Challen Ice that features Beefeater gin, crème de menthe, Domaine de Canton liqueur, allspice dram, and coconut milk.

Mineo’s Pizza House at Pittsburgh International Airport

Mineo’s Pizza House at 1000 Airport Blvd., Moon Township, flypittsburgh.com/dining, is set to open a location at PIT in spring 2025. The Squirrel Hill pizza shop, founded in 1958 and a two-time winner for Best Pizza in Pittsburgh City Paper’s Best Of PGH Readers’ Poll, will offer its famous pizza, hoagies, salads, and appetizers in the airport’s new airside terminal. Mineo’s also has locations in Mt. Lebanon and Allison Park.

Best Buddies Tastebuds Event at David L. Lawrence Convention Center

A group of 35 Pittsburgh chefs partnered with Best Buddies Pennsylvania for its annual Tastebuds banquet and fundraiser. Chefs like Kate Laskey of Apteka, Chad Townsend of Millie’s, and Jamilka Borges of Lilith worked with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD or “Buddies”) for months to create signature dishes. The Dec. 9 Tastebuds banquet at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center was a success, with more than 800 attendees. Pittsburghers can learn more about Best Buddies and donate online.

Brewers Bar’s New Ownership and Legacy

Brewers Bar at 3315 Liberty Ave., Lawrenceville, brewersbarpittsburgh.com, known as Pittsburgh’s oldest gay bar, will reopen under new ownership after 45 years. Owner Carol Held announced on Facebook that the bar will temporarily close at the end of the year but will remain a safe space for the LGBTQ community. She also thanked staff and patrons and asked them to support other local bars. QBurgh wrote a tribute to Brewers, describing it as a “refuge” and a “cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community.”

Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh’s Permanent Closure

Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh at 230 W. Station Square Dr., South Side, cafe.hardrock.com/pittsburgh, announced its permanent closure on Feb. 13, 2025. The Station Square location opened in 2002 and operated for nearly 23 years. According to a statement given to KDKA, the restaurant’s lease expires in February, and ownership decided not to renew. The spokesperson said they are grateful for the support and memories.

Lara Borrasso’s Passing at Ruggers Pub

Lara Borrasso, a beloved 15-year bartender at Ruggers Pub at 40 S. 22nd St., South Side, ruggerspub.com, passed away suddenly on Dec. 2 at age 38. She was twice voted Best Bartender in CP’s Best Of PGH Readers’ Poll in 2019 and 2022. Known for her quick drink-making, flair, and friendliness, she had recently moved to Key West, Fla. with her fiance.Ruggers manager Alex Gordon posted a tribute on the pub’s Facebook page, describing her as “intelligent, hilarious, tough as nails, and the fastest bartender.” She was a mentor and a source of necessary tough love. Ruggers Pub wouldn’t be the same without her, and her memory will live on. Donations can be made to True Colors International in her memory.

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