The temperatures are rising and the sun is actually out shining (we don’t miss Pittsburgh cloudy days!) which means it’s time for summer menu updates from some of your favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh. These establishments are making use of fresh, seasonal ingredients to bring you a plethora of choices and make sure there’s something for everyone. So grab your family, friends, or even your dog (that’s right, it’s outdoor dining season) and get ready to dive into flavors unlike anything you’ve had before.
Summer Menu Updates at Pittsburgh Restaurants
Fig & Ash
Deutschtown
Besides Fig & Ash’s delicious contemporary menu (which is locally-inspired and seasonally-focused), you can cool down with an herbaceous summer cocktail featuring a Philadelphia-brewed gin. The Absolute Shrub-ish is a mixture of Bluecoat Gin, bianco vermouth, and Chartreuse extract with a house-made green apple and fennel shrub.
Altius
Mount Washington
Fresh, local produce and ingredients are the Altius way. Which also makes summer the perfect season for their elevated cuisine with all the farmers’ market stands open for business. Bite into a dish that’s filled with Pittsburgh produce with their Heirloom Tomato Salad. A roasted garlic and basil vinaigrette come together with burrata, micro basil, marcona almonds, pickled shallots and banana peppers.
Alta Via
Market Square and Fox Chapel
A more recent addition to Market Square, Alta Via delivers Italian cuisine to the heart of the city and beyond. This year, they’re taking advantage of Pittsburgh’s sweet corn supply to bring you a dish that combines corn with other succulent bites. Their Grilled Corn includes chanterelle mushrooms, shallots, thyme for a small dish perfect to accompany their Steak Fiorentina. While it’s currently available at their Market Square location, you’ll have to wait a little longer for it to roll out at Fox Chapel.
EYV
Deutschtown
EYV stands for Eat Your Veggies, the mantra of this vegetable-forward restaurant. To make sure you get your greens and more this summer, EYV is taking asparagus and giving it their creative touch based on the flavors in the classic French sauce, Gribiche. Their Asparagus Terrine is paired with a soft boiled then fried duck egg, bitter greens base, a champagne vinaigrette, and topped with sorrel from Gerts Greens microgreens farm in Dormont.
Täkō Tôrtä
Bakery Square
Fusing Mexican street food with other international flavors, Täkō Tôrtä is sure to present you something new with every menu item. This summer, start off with the Cafe Gringa, their take on an espresso martini, or Mango Cantarito featuring mango and grapefruit alongside reposado tequila. Then, dive into Korean Rice made from verde rice, kimchi, spicy cucumber, skirt steak, peanuts, avocado, and red dragon sauce. Or, enjoy their vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl with black bean falafel, quinoa, farro grain, charred carrots, fried brussel sprouts, crispy chickpea, and a lemon tahini dressing.
Over Eden
Lawrenceville
What better place to enjoy a summer dinner than amongst the rooftop at Over Eden? Get out in the sun and plan for a dinner menu featuring perfectly paired cocktails. Order their Oxtail Birria Tacos that stuffs slow-braised oxtail in a corn tortilla with onion, cilantro, and a slightly spicy mole. Or, taste summer flavors in their BBQ Pineapple Burger made from Fat Butcher ground beef, their signature house BBQ sauce, grilled pineapple, and an avocado mayo. Then order a Strawberry Basil Mule or Spicy Margarita to wash it all down.
The Commoner
Downtown
Cool down in the aesthetic atmosphere of The Commoner. Here you’ll find comfort food with a twist and a plethora of cocktails ready to help relax you. Their Arctic Char with roasted zucchini and caramelized lobster sauce is a great way to start the meal before diving into another new arrival, Scallops with kombu sauce, asparagus, peas, and caramelized pearl onions. Plus, a spritz and summer are the perfect combo especially when it’s a friendly mocktail. The Commoner’s I Spritz You Not! is crafted with non-alcoholic orange aperitif, fig shrub, and club soda for a drink everyone can enjoy.
Square Cafe
East Liberty
Breakfast and brunch are an essential part of the day. Take in these two favorite meals in the open-air atmosphere of Square Cafe’s rooftop deck. To celebrate summer, Square Cafe has put together a menu of unforgettable drinks to sip amongst the deck. Try a frozen cocktail like their Strawberry Froscato with Moscato, vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and frozen strawberries or the Blackberry Frose, a mix of Rosé, vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and frozen blackberries. But, if cocktails aren’t your thing, try a fresh-pressed juice such as Jade Kale, Amber Carrot, and Ruby Beet.
The PA Market
Strip District
There are a lot of new items coming to PA Market. From drinks to charcuterie to even a brand new sandwich menu, there’s much to explore. Start off your exploration with their new seasonal margarita, the Polar Plunge South of the Border. It’s made with a house-made passion fruit peach cordial, calamansi, and a splash of smoke. Beverage in hand, you can also visit the market’s Charcuterie station. Try a Smoked Salmon Board with crostini, everything spread, cucumber, pickled onion, capers, tomatoes, cornichon pickles, and radish. Plus, before you leave, grab a sandwich to take home from their new selections of Smoked Salmon, Muffaletta, Spicy Italian Grinder, Caprese Melt, Roasted Turkey, and Zaatar.
LeMont
Mount Washington
Executive Chef Michael Campbell plans to give couples and families a special evening out atop Mount Washington. With amazing views of Pittsburgh, you can take part in a summer menu highlighting berry essentials like his Strawberry Almond and Feta Salad with a White Balsamic dressing. Or, choose to share their new Filet Tips appetizer packed with onions, peppers and mushrooms, sautéed filet mignon, and tossed in a Bordelaise sauce all on top of a bed of fries.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.