More information DumplinZ Cafe is located at 411 7th Ave., Downtown, and is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; nonsmoking. Phone: 412-281-6062; Web site: www.dumplinzcafe.com. Prices range from $3.09-4.49 for "Try Me" portions, $4.29-$7.19 for "Like Me" Portions and $6.19-$8.29 for "Love Me" portions.

Everyone knows that here in Pittsburgh we love pierogies, but new business owner Alex Gershanok is betting that Pittsburgh residents are ready to embrace a host of other stuffed pastas as well. When Gershanok first moved to Pittsburgh from St. Petersburg, Russia in the late 1970s, he noticed that while pierogies were everywhere, the similar Russian pelmeni was very difficult to find.

The DumplinZ Cafe, at 411 Seventh Ave., Downtown, offers dumplings from all over the world, including six kinds of ravioli, three Russian pelmenis, two kinds of Chinese dumplings, and (don't worry) four kinds of pierogies.

On a recent Friday afternoon, only a few weeks after a quiet opening, the small, brightly colored, sunny cafe was filled with students, local workers and shoppers who all seemed happy with the restaurant's concept.

DumplinZ Cafe combines fast, convenient service; inexpensive, tasty food and an attractive space. Offerings besides dumplings include pita sandwiches, salads, and dumpling soups. Brightly painted walls are decorated with framed Russian posters, a chart of filled Italian pastas, and various other depictions of relevant foodstuff.

The place also sells interesting condiments such as jars of preserves, several types of pickled mushrooms, other pickled vegetables, boxes of teas, and small bags of Prestogeorge coffee.

The "Try me," "Like me," "Love me" portion sizes both allow for different appetites and, as Mr. Gershanok hopes, encourage people to "try a variety of things." The menu also will feature a monthly special: This month try Pumpkin Ravioli, and next month look for Turkey Pelmeni.

DumplinZ does not actually make its dumplings, but instead sources them from a wide variety of manufacturers, looking for the best-tasting and highest-quality available.

Mr. Gershanok hopes to eventually source from several local suppliers. At the cafe dumplings are finished with suitable toppings, such as sour cream, sauteed mushrooms and onions on pierogies, and soy sauce and green onions on Chinese pork or vegetable dumplings.

Mr. Gershanok hopes that the cafe will be popular not just at lunchtime, but also for to-go dinners and even at breakfast. Current breakfast offerings include sweet fruit dumplings, as well as potato pierogies with baby sausages, cheese and eggs.

Later this year they will consider expanding their hours to the weekend, especially as holiday shoppers begin to converge on the Downtown area.

If the store is successful, they will also consider opening other stores, perhaps in Oakland or Shadyside.