Yesterday I covered all of the Notre Dame related things to do while you are in Pittsburgh this weekend for the ND/Pitt game. Today I am going to cover the non Notre Dame related things that you should do while you are in the ‘Burgh this weekend! (Three of my awesome Pittsburgh friends contributed to today’s post and so I’ll give them credit as credit is due!)

Lets start with place to eat!

Pierogies Plus – Pick up pierogies to go from Pierogies Plus in McKees Rocks. It’s a ramshackle former gas station, but those little old Polish ladies make the BEST pierogies, blintzes and sauerkraut in the ‘burgh. http://pierogiesplus.com/ ~Allison

Kabob-G’s in Castle Shannon – Pittsburgh food is full of choices from many different ethnicities. Looking for some authentic Lebanese cuisine? This is a must stop. Kabob-G Grill is a family-owned, Middle Eastern restaurant specializing in authentic Lebanese cuisine. Its casual atmosphere and BYOB policy is perfect for those intimate get togethers with friends and family. In addition to their weekend specials, raw Kibbeh is available on Saturday nights but it goes fast so call ahead to reserve. http://www.kabob-g.com/menu.html ~Diane

Franco’s in Mt. Lebanon – With two locations in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, Franco’s Trattoria  offers the best in fine Italian cuisine. As a family-owned-and-operated restaurant, their staff is dedicated to providing you with a combination of exquisite food and impeccable service.  They offer fresh seafood and steaks expertly prepared for your enjoyment.  Hand tossed pastas, traditional veal and chicken dishes, and signature desserts made fresh daily. http://francostrattoria.com// ~Diane

Braddock’s American Brasserie is a celebration of the melting pots of cultures that makes Pittsburgh the city it is today. Braddock’s Pittsburgh Restaurant pays tribute to these cultures through it’s diverse, value driven menu. With its down home feel and design, Vibrant atmosphere , great cocktails and wine list, and fast friendly service, Braddock’s American Brasserie is a great neighborhood gathering place. Braddock’s Bar is a tribute to the Whiskey Rebellion and Pittsburgh’s robust “cocktail culture” history, as well as the modern resurgence of hand crafted fresh drinks. With its diverse array of signature handmade cocktails, local and regional beers, diverse wine list, and the same food offerings as Braddock’s American Brasserie, Braddock’s Bar is a must before a ballgame, after work, or as a quick gathering point with friends. Here’s to good food, healthy families, and great whiskey! http://braddocksrestaurant.com/ ~Kristi

Meat & Potatoes – What’s the most well-known food combination? “Meat and Potatoes” are generally the stand-in for “bread and butter” as shorthand for the staples we need to function. With that thought in mind Chef Richard Deshantz had the desire to enhance his culinary vision by opening up a second restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh. Chef Richards’ favorite type of food is simple and approachable; it is the type of food that a chef would eat after a busy day at work. Meat & Potatoes, Pittsburgh’s first gastropub, was born in the spring of 2011. What is a Gastropub? Their definition is the following: A public house (a.k.a. Pub) that serves high end or craft food and libations that also focuses on the fundamentals of food and education. Their doors are open seven days a week for brunch, lunch, dinner and late-nite. Meat & Potatoes is located in the heart of the Cultural District, neighboring the Benedum Center, Heinz Hall, Cabaret, and the O’Reilly Theatre. They accept reservations online through their website and opentable, but always try to keep tables open for walk-ins, nomads, dreamers, and those of you who don’t like to plan. http://meatandpotatoespgh.com/about.html ~Kristi

Seviche – Start with a grand looking space in the heart of Pittsburgh’s cultural district and dress it with a warm South Beach Art Deco interior.  Season with exciting Nuevo Latino Cuisine and colorful Mojito cocktails. Add a dash of Cuban
artwork and mix vigorously with searing hot salsa rhythms. Welcome to Seviche! http://www.seviche.com/ ~Kristi

If you are looking for less food and more libations … Olive or Twist – awesome martini bar with a seasonal drink menu. Voted Best Restaurant for Cocktails by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2012 and 2013. Kristi says her favorite right now is the Dark Knight. http://www.olive-twist.com/

Must see & things to do in the ‘Burgh:

The Incline – Ride either one of the inclines, but most especially the one at Mount Washington. Directly across the Monongahela River from downtown Pittsburgh is 367-foot-high Mount Washington. This is the best place to go for a “grand” view of Pittsburgh and the three rivers. Known as “Coal Hill” in Pittsburgh’s early days, Mount Washington was originally the site of many prosperous coal mines.

The best way to get to Mt. Washington is to park at the bottom and take an incline to the top. More than a dozen of these inclines, also known as “inclined planes or funiculars”, once carried passengers and freight between the coal mines and neighborhoods of Mount Washington and the city of Pittsburgh and rail yard at Station Square. Two of the oldest of these inclines still survive.

The restored Monongahela Incline, built in 1870, carries residents and tourists between Mount Washington and the Station Square shopping complex. About a mile down the road, at the other end of Mount Washington, the beautiful Duquesne Incline still retains its original, 1877 ornate wooden cable cars. The top station features many excellent displays and photographs of Pittsburgh history, as well as a gift shop and outdoor observation deck. ~Allison

Falling Water – For art and architecture fans alike, a trip to Falling Water is a must see during a visit to Pittsburgh if you have a free afternoon. Falling Water is recognized today as arguably Frank Lloyd Wright’s finest work and the last Wright house with its setting, original furnishings and artwork intact. Edgar Kaufmann jr., son of the house’s patron, entrusted Falling Water and land around it to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 1963. [Description from http://www.pghtrip.org/] For more information: http://www.fallingwater.org/ ~Allison

The Andy Warhol Museum – The Andy Warhol Museum is one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world with over 12,000 works by Andy Warhol. Located in the city of Warhol’s birth, The Warhol presents provocative and challenging exhibitions and programming that explore all that art can and should be.  [Description from http://www.pghtrip.org/] For more information: http://www.warhol.org/ ~Me!

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh – The Carnegie Museums of today are a lot different from the Carnegie Museums founded by Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1895. But then, Andrew Carnegie would have expected nothing less, since he created his museums to be places of exploration that are constantly changing.

Today you will find: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. The collection of museums serve to educate young people and attract lifetime learners of all ages. They are the largest, most far-reaching cultural organization in the Pittsburgh region, known throughout the world for our vast art and scientific collections and our scientific research. And they are also a community leader in educational outreach. http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/interior.php?pageID=5 ~Diane

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Phipps is a great steel and glass Victorian greenhouse and has been inviting visitors to explore the beauty and mysteries of plants since 1893. Set amidst one of Pittsburgh’s largest greenspaces, Schenley Park, Phipps Conservatory stands as a cultural and architectural centerpiece of the city’s Oakland neighborhood.

In recent decades, Phipps has evolved into one of the region’s most vibrant, thriving cultural attractions, bringing fresh perspectives and artists into our historic glasshouse environment. Phipps has also become a strong advocate for advanced green-building practices, sustainable gardening and a new environmental awareness. http://phipps.conservatory.org/about-phipps/index.aspx ~Diane

The Fountain at Point State Park in Pittsburgh – (From Carnegie Magazine, Summer 1985. Derived from Thomas E. Morgan’s essay, “The Plume of Pittsburgh”.)  No other large American city has a spectacular fountain as its symbol and visual focal point. St. Louis has its arch; Philadelphia, Independence Hall; New York, the Statue of Liberty; San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge; and Seattle, the Space Needle. The one European city boasting a fine fountain as a main attraction is Geneva, Switzerland, where a jet of water rises out of Lake Geneva to perhaps 400 feet, the highest such fountain in the world. (Read more here.) ~Diane

Strip District – Dripping with character, the Strip District is a place like no other. One visit and you can sense the energy and vitality of “The Strip”, as it’s called by locals. With its gritty atmosphere, The Strip is alive with energy. And one look around and it’s easy to envision what must have been like in decades past. Old factories and warehouses have been converted to lofts and upscale residential living. Today, the heart of this neighborhood beats strong with thriving businesses where you can find all kind of wares—from fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish and spices to housewares and sports paraphernalia. And the prices can’t be beat! (Description from VisitPittsburgh.com Read more here.)

PNC Park – This is a must see destination for baseball fans. PNC Park is an intimate, classic-style ballpark that embraces the progressiveness of Pittsburgh while saluting the spirit of early ballpark originals. Its scenic vistas of downtown and the riverfront create an exciting and dramatic urban sports venue. [Description from http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ballpark/information/index.jsp] Stroll around the park and then talk a walk down the river front. (Unfortunately they are not doing any more tours in 2013 but ballpark tours will resume in 2014.) ~Allison

I hope this helps you fill some of your time while you are in Pittsburgh for the ND/Pitt game. I know I myself can’t wait to get there!

Cheers & GO IRISH!