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More restaurants than ever add outdoor eating space
Friday, June 23, 2000
By Woodene Merriman, Post-Gazette Dining Critic
Maybe it's because the winters are so dismal and depressing in Pittsburgh. Maybe it's because summer is short.
Whatever the reason, the number of restaurants that serve outdoors grows longer each year. Whether it's at a white plastic table on the sidewalk on the South Side, a deck overlooking the Allegheny in Sharpsburg, or a riverbank patio on the Ohio River in Industry, Pittsburghers want to eat al fresco.
The following list gives a sampling of the variety of outdoor eating spots available this summer. It ranges from a brewery courtyard on the North Side to a hop garden at a microbrew in Lawrenceville, from a Baldwin Township patio with live palm trees to the wraparound porch on a Shadyside mansion. In other words, something for everyone.
Telephone numbers are included so you can call to check before you go. Some restaurants take reservations for their outdoor eating area, some don't. Hours can change.
And if it rains? Then you're on your own. Here at the Post-Gazette we try to be helpful, but we can't do everything for you!
Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, 4412 Liberty Ave., 412-682-8611. Open 11 a.m. to "whatever -- we own the place." Polish American food and char-grilled sandwiches with outdoor seats for 40.
Bravo Franco Ristorante, 613 Penn Ave., 412-642-6677. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday hours vary with show schedules. Italian cuisine. Tables set up on sidewalk, across from Heinz Hall, seats about 24.
Duquesne Deli, street level of Duquesne University Student Union Building, on campus,412-396-4254. Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Umbrella-topped patio seats 30 (general public as well as students) Sandwiches made to order, soups, cappuccinos, etc.
Heinz Hall Garden, corner of Sixth and Liberty, 412-392-4879. Lunch Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Food by the Fluted Mushroom served in the garden with Pittsburgh's only waterfall (manmade, of course). Entrees like grainy mustard chicken salad.
Trolls Restaurant and Sun Deck, 100 Waterfront St., 412-321-8765. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Casual menu served on 100-seat Allegheny riverfront deck. Entertainment on weekends.
Enrico's Tazza D'Oro, Cafe and Espresso Bar, 1125 N. Highland Ave. 412-362-3676. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with brunch 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sidewalk seating for 12. Cafe has coffees from around the world, espresso drinks, teas, desserts and more.
Bellini, 5884 Ellsworth Ave, Shadyside, 412-363-2022. Dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Back patio, with flowers and a fish pond, seats 30 -- as many as can be seated inside this small contemporary Mediterranean cuisine restaurant.
Cafe Zinho, 238 Spahr St., Shadyside, 412-363-1500. Hours: Lunch, Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday. Outdoor tables for 14. Small, casual restaurant with funky decor and fine food. Sister restaurant to Baum Vivant, but different, less expensive menu. Popular entree: shrimp cake, oven roasted, with Dijon mustard and pistachio lime sauce. BYOB.
Casbah, 229 S. Highland St., 412-661-5656. Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner, Sunday, 5-9 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, 5-10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 5-10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m. Mediterranean kitchen and wine bar with a patio to seat 60.
Fajita Grill, 5865 Ellsworth Ave., 412-362-3030. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m.; Sunday, 5-10 p.m. Forty outdoor seats for authentic Mexican cuisine.
Girasole, 733 Copeland St., 412-682-2130. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Modern Italian cuisine, BYOB. Patio seats 16.
Le Perroquet Bistro Francais, 709 Bellefonte St., 412-687-1022. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 5-10 p.m. Parisian look comes from the flower boxes framing the sidewalk cafe, with seating for 12.
Soba Lounge, 5847 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside, 412-362-5656. Dinner, Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m. Pan-Asian cuisine plus a patio to seat 32.
Sunnyledge, Fifth and Wilkins avenues,412-683-5014. Expanded outdoor seating area at historic mansion turned boutique hotel and restaurant can accommodate up to 50 guests. Outdoor cocktail hour, Tuesday-Friday, 5-7 p.m., with more than 30 flavored martinis. Lunch, Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; tea, Tuesday-Sunday, 3-5 p.m.; dinner, Tuesday-Saturday, 6-9:30 p.m., Sunday brunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Carnegie Cafe, 4400 Forbes Ave., 412-622-3225. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (also Monday after July 4). Cafe in Carnegie Museum of Art has 35 seats outside in the fountain court. American bistro style food.
Il Valletto, 4626 Forbes Ave., 412-621-3550. Lunch, Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5-10:30 p.m. Italian cuisine. Patio seating for 16-28 in front of restaurant.
Lucca, 317 Craig St., 412-682-3310. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m. Patio above street level shaded by an awning. Good spot for people-watching or view of Cathedral of Learning.
Union Grill, 413 N. Craig St.,412-681-8620. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open up, tables are set up on the sidewalk under the awning, and the front third of the restaurant takes on an open-air feel.
Sweet Basil Bar and Grille, 5882 Forbes Ave., 412-421-9958. Monday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 5-9 p.m. American menu featuring fresh fish, salads, Heart Smart menu, and a selection of pasta and vegetarian dishes. Patio seats 36.
Carson St. Deli, 17th and Carson streets, South Side, 412-381-5335. Open daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m., except Sunday, when the closing is at 6 p.m. Twenty-eight or more seats outside.
Paparazzi Ristorante, 2100 E. Carson St., 412-488-0800. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Seven bistro tables on oversized sidewalk, decorated with hanging flower baskets and other plants. Northern Italian menu and live entertainment, Wednesday through Sunday.
Church Brew Works, 3525 Liberty Ave., 412-688-8200. Monday-Thursday, lunch, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., dinner, 4-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, lunch, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., dinner, 4-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-9 p.m. Hop Garden accessible from restaurant seats 70, has new retractable awning. Full dining room menu served, featuring eclectic American cuisine, sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas. Patio parties every Wednesday with live music.
Cafe Victoria, 946 Western Ave., 412-323-8881 Lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner, Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30-10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Restored Victorian garden is new this year for outdoor eating.
Jerrys 1888, 520 E. Ohio St., 412-321-3718. Kitchen open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Seats for 30 on second-floor deck. Sandwiches, appetizers, salads and daily features.
Penn Brewery, 800 Vinial St., 412-237-9400. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. German biergarten with cobblestone courtyard, German decor, seats for 100 and new food items: Pretzels and 'At (an appetizer basket), chargrilled salmon with fresh papaya salsa, beer steamed mussels, vegetable strudel, Tuscan grilled chicken salad.
Benkovitz Seafoods, 23rd and Smallman streets, 412-263-3016. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wide variety of fish and seafood, plus grilled sandwiches (Thursdays and Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) on the patio.
Kaya, 2000 Smallman St., 412-261- 6565. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Caribbean cuisine, and an outdoor cafe that seats 55.
Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle, 2329 Penn Ave., 412-642-6622. Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight. Irish and American food, with seats for 30 outdoors.
Roland's Iron Landing, 1904 Penn Ave.,412-261-3401. Opens every day at 11 a.m., closes at 9 p.m. Sunday, 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and midnight Friday and Saturday. Long second-floor porch lets diners look down over busy Penn Avenue. Lobster, steaks, about 300 microbrews and more on menu.
Cafe at the Frick, Frick Art and Historical Center, 7227 Reynolds St. 412-371-0600. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Cafe has 40 seats on the stone patio, many of them under an awning. Unique sandwiches, soups and lunch entrees. Fresh pastries and desserts available throughout the day.
Bourbon Street Square, 634 Camp Horne Road, 412-369-9916. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Three outdoor eating areas: 50-seat New Orleans style patio with wrought iron gate, tables and natural brick; Hurricane Deck, an open air wooden deck that seats about 30; and a smaller (15-20 seats) private balcony/deck area. Cajun and traditional American food.
Buck's American Grille Pub, 8 Brilliant Ave., Aspinwall, 412-781-0355. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m. American food, outside seating on the sidewalk.
Hartwood Restaurant, 3400 Harts Run Road, Glenshaw, 412-767-3500. Dinner, Wednesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m., Sunday brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hawaiian-style fish a specialty. Bookshop and restaurant with seating for 30 on patio with stone walls and flowers.
Hideaway Restaurant, Venango Trail Golf Course, 970 Freeport Road, Warrendale, 724-776-0058. Lunch, Monday-Friday,11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner, Monday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Restaurant on 18-hole golf course has outdoor seating for up to 40 where you can watch the duffers and the geese on the fairways while you have lunch or dinner.
North Park Lounge Deckhouse, 20810 Perry Highway, Cranberry, 724-772-2233. Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday-Wednesday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m. With seats for 225 and a bar for 75 more, the owners claim this is the largest outdoor dining facility in the North Hills. Enclosed deck has a roof, so inclement weather isn't a factor. Local bands, Thursday-Saturday. Casual American foods cooked over open flame on a hardwood grill.
Sewickley Cafe, 409 Beaver St., Sewickley, 412-749-0300. Lunch, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; dinner, Monday-Thursday, 5-8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Closed Sunday. New York style casual cafe, with seats for 52 in the garden.
Silky's Crow's Nest, 19th Street and River Road, Sharpsburg, 412-782-3707. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, noon-2 a.m.; Sunday, noon-midnight. Munchies, salads, sandwiches and dinners served outdoors on the large deck, big enough for 64, and the smaller deck, set up for 25, as well as indoors. Decks overlook the Allegheny River.
Atria's, 110 Beverly Road, Mt. Lebanon,412-343-2411. Opens every day at 11 a.m. Closes at 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday. All-season sun room seats 40. French doors open wide for open-air dining experience, but room is also air-conditioned. Front garden patio, with heaters for cool days, seats 35.
Getaway Cafe, 3049 Sussex Ave., Baldwin Township, 412-343-1333. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. American and ethnic dishes from Italy, France, Mexico and Greece. Patio with live palm trees seats 35.
Good Wood Grill, 928 McLaughlin Run Road, Bridgeville. 412-257-9663. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 2-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m. International cuisine with emphasis of foods prepared in the wood-fired oven and on the wood-fired grill. Patio seating for 30.
Houlihan's, 1741 Washington Road, Upper St. Clair, 412-831-9797. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Courtyard seats 32. Far-ranging cuisine (American, Mexican, Chinese, Irish, etc.).
Kate & Allie's Cafe, 184 Castle Shannon Blvd., Mt. Lebanon. 412-341-5283. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Small cafe with 36 outdoor seats on patio and deck. Made from scratch foods, from muffins and omelets to Beef Wellington and grilled vegetable platters. BYOB.
Legends on the Green Restaurant, Frosty Valley Golf Course, 2652 Hidden Valley Drive, Upper St. Clair. 724-942-3003. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. every day, serving lunch and dinner. Contemporary Italian cuisine. Patio with seats for 25 overlooks golf course.
Sam and Tony's Cafe, Parkway Center, Building 4 West, Green Tree, 412-922-2233. Cafeteria-style restaurant has seats for 24 outside at umbrella tables. Monday through Friday, breakfast (from about 6:30 p.m.), homemade soups, sandwiches, daily hot special -- but just until 3 p.m.
T.G.I Friday's, 2800 Oxford Drive, Bethel Park, 412-854-5610. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Casual restaurant across from Village Square Mall, with patio that seats about 30.
Wright's Seafood Inn, 1837 Washington St., Heidelberg, 412-279-7900. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. Century-old seafood house has new outdoor garden area with seating for 35. Full fish and seafood menu.
Cedar House, 2002 Montour Church Road, Oakdale, 412-787-9966. Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Northern Italian and American cuisine, with outdoor seating for 12 to 15 people.
Garden Grill, Pittsburgh Marriott, 777 Aten Road, Moon, 412-490-6690. Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Steaks and seafood from the wood-burning grill in the courtyard, with seats for 30. Cigars available, as well as full bar service.
Hyeholde, 190 Hyeholde Drive, Moon. 412-264-3116. Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner, Monday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m. Upper terrace can accommodate up to 20 people for lunch or dinner. Or, Elegant Picnic and Spur of the Moment picnics in one of the gardens, on the ground or at a table.
Sharp Edge Creekhouse, 288 W. Steuben St., (Route 60), Crafton, 412-922-8118. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 1-9 p.m. Outdoor seating for 50 on front and back decks. Italian-American cuisine, pizza and 44 draught beers.
Drew Menas Restaurant, 1456 Lincoln Highway, North Versailles, 412-829-7022. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Deck seats 25 for American cuisine. Fish is a specialty.
Grandview Golf Club, 1000 Clubhouse Drive, North Braddock, 412-351-5390. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Large wraparound dining deck with view as far as Laurel Ridge to the east and Downtown Pittsburgh to the west. Kennywood Park is just across the Monongahela. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mystery Lovers Bookshop and Cafe, 514 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, 412-828-4877. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Desserts and coffee or tea for two to eight people outdoors.
Olde Time Saloon and Restaurant, 235 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, 412-828-2990. Monday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Seats for 25 on outside covered porch, served by the restaurant kitchen, or, on Fridays, an outdoor grill.
Smartie Arties, 1808 Golden Mile Highway, Plum. 724-327-8991. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Big (seats 80) outdoor deck with tables under large awning or umbrellas. Full bar with three draft beers and 32-inch television set also on deck. Pizza, wings, 50 sandwiches, appetizers, large salads and some dinners.
Bruegger's Bagels serves 15 varieties of bagels, soup, sandwiches and more outdoors, on the sidewalk or a patio, at these locations:
McKnight-Seibert Shopping Center, 4805 McKnight Road, 412-369-7138; Wexford Plaza, 10502 Perry Highway, 724-934-0577; Market Square, Downtown, 412-281-2515; Holiday Center, 3767 William Penn Highway, Monroeville, 412-856-2981; South Park Shops, 5213 Library Road, Bethel Park, 412-833-9381; Thorn Run Crossing, 1134B Thorn Run Road, Moon, 412-264-2243; 333 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, 412-820-8930; 1801 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-2833; 5217 Clairton Blvd., Pleasant Hills, 412-885-4719. Hours vary, call individual store to check.
Einstein Bros. Bagels has outdoor seating at these locations: The Shoppes at Penn Center, 3462 William Penn Highway, 412-823-8370, 30 seats; PPG Place, 410 Market St., Downtown, 412-434-0343, 20 seats; 20263 Route 19, Cranberry, 724-779-6244, 12 seats; 979 Greentree Road, 412-928-1717, 15 seats. Einstein Bros. Bagels are open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m., except the PPG shop, which is closed on weekends and the Cranberry outlet, which is open until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Benjamin's, 468 Philadelphia St., Indiana, 724-465-4446. Lunch, Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., dinner, Monday-Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 4:30-11 p.m. Restored Victorian house with seven dining rooms inside, outside dining for 85 more. Brick patio surrounded by shrubs and flowers; awning and umbrellas for tables. Gas heaters for cool evenings.
Lock 6 Landing, 610 Midland-Beaver Road, Industry, 724-728-6767. Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; dinner, Monday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-8 p.m. Two outdoor dining patios, bar and docking for boats, on bank of Ohio River; separate menu for outdoor dining emphasizes steamed shrimp, Maryland blue crabs, other seafood.
Co-owner Tom Chianelli and (off duty) head waiter Dave Meyers chat on the patio of Café Victoria on the North Side. (Tony Tye, Post-Gazette) 
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