Western PA is full of quality restaurants that care very much about their wine lists. After rigorous research and wine tasting, Alexander Riola, familiar to some as General Manager of Fish nor Fowl, has focused on ten restaurants and wine bars that have stood out over the last year. We will see you at one of these spots to proclaim Salut! Zum Wohl! Santé! over a glass or two.
Become a Sommelier at Pittsburgh’s Wine Bars and Beyond
The Vandal
4306 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
The Vandal is a fun, upbeat restaurant that encourages its guests to celebrate the best thing in life. Its wine program, run by sommeliers Ryan ‘Bert’ Bertonaschi and Emily Slagel, is inviting yet eclectic and approachable. By connecting wine to nature, the senses, sex, pop culture, and emotion, their wine descriptors generate conversation between the guests while amplifying their overall experience. Recommended wine: Savatiano, Papagiannakos, Greek Islands 2018
Allegheny Wine Mixer
5326 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
This casual local favorite has been a wine staple in this city for quite some time now, and for good reason! Sommelier Sean Rosenkrans is arguably the most knowledgeable somm in Western PA, but he does it with a level of care and passion for the wines of the world which creates an open and unpretentious atmosphere! The by-the-glass list is out of this world but do not forget about the reserve list Shaun has curated. The staff will help guide you easily. Recommended wine: Alfred Merkelbach ‘Ürzinger Würzgarten’ Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 1995+1999 (Reserve List)
Solera Wine Co.
4839 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
Opening in the fall of 2024, Solera Wine Co. has taken this city by storm with its beautiful space, fun and inviting wine list and overall charming staff who bring a smile to everyone’s face. Owned and operated by Chef/Sommelier Aaron Gottesman, and Sommelier Tyler Borne, these gentlemen have brought a vibe to the area that the city needed greatly. Their list is simple yet eclectic, has something for every palette to enjoy whilst expanding their wine horizons! Recommended wine: JC Wickens “Swerer” Touriga Nacional, Swartland, South Africa 2020
Fet – Fisk
4786 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield
Fet – Fisk has a fun and vibrant list that complements the seafood-focused cuisine they excel in. Personally, the area that most stood out on their list is their Orange section. Included here is a representative of my home area of the wine world, the Finger Lakes of NY: a gorgeous Geneva #2 Orange Wine. I’m quite jealous I didn’t find it first! Their list has many other standouts that showcase an attention to detail as well as love for the world of wine. Recommended wine: Usonia Geneva #2 FLX Orange wine
Dish Osteria
128 S 17th Street, South Side
I truly love Dish Osteria’s dedication to Italian culinary craft. The food is remarkable, but the wine list, representing more than half of the regions of Italy while avoiding redundancy, is just beautifully done. The island of Sicily holds a dear place in my heart, and they feature the wines of the isle so wonderfully that it brings me back to that ancient land. Recommended wine: Carricante. Bianco Porticello.Tenuta di Castellaro. 2020.
Eleven Contemporary Kitchen
1150 Smallman Street, Strip District
Eleven has become a nice Monday go-to for me. The food is always good, but the wine list continues to be a standout as well, especially the by-the-bottle list! The bottle list is vast and deep, from Italian and Spanish reds to the best the American West Coast has to offer. I especially enjoy the ‘Interesting Whites’ section, with a lovely Oremus Tokaji from Hungary as a stand-out. Recommended wine: 2020 Oremus ‘Mandolas’ Tokaji Dry
Morcilla
3519 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
What a lovely complement to their delicious food menu! The wine list’s focus on the Iberian Peninsula is such a fun treat here in the city of Pittsburgh. The world is starting to recognize the beauty of this area, but Morcilla is ahead of the game. Canary Islands and Priorat? Say no more. Recommended wine: ’23 Bod. Tajinaste ‘Blanco Seco’ Listán Blanco, Islas Canarias
Casbah
229 S Highland Avenue, Shadyside
A larger list than I was expecting, and in the best way possible. By-the-glass options dance with their food menu beautifully while the bottle options keep you guessing on which wine you’d like to try. This list covers every palette, every region, every need in the vino world, and you just can’t get enough. Champagne? One of the best lineups in the city and priced so well that it almost feels wrong! Who can’t appreciate a great Champagne list? Recommended wine: Gewurtztraminer, Zanotelli Trentino, ITA 2021
Pusadee’s Garden
5319 Butler St, Lawrenceville
What a fantastic list here at Pusadee’s. It’s global and eclectic, with a well laid out range of varietals for the city to enjoy and learn from. The bottle list is very well crafted, complementing their food in a lovely way. Their selection of Alsatian wine is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. All of this creates for a stunning experience with friends or a date. Recommended wine: Domaine Weinbach Sylvaner ’21 Alsace, France
Fish Nor Fowl
5523 Penn Avenue, Garfield
And last but not least, my professional home. What Chef Drew Robinson and I are creating here is special. I base all my wine choices on his food, looking to amplify his artwork with each wine’s nuances, body, and presence. We start with Italian sensibilities and work out from there to incorporate the other beautiful palette realms of this globe. I’ve been working hard, like my colleagues around this city, to expand how people view wine. I keep it simple yet intricate, with an eye toward enhancing every guest’s evening. With our expanding Reserve List, I feel there is only more to come at Fish nor Fowl! Recommended wine: Passopisciaro, Passorosso Etna Rosso 2022
Story by Alexander C. Riola
Photography by Laura Petrilla
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