Find a Fish Fry Around Pittsburgh During Lent

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February 16, 2026

A white baking dish holds a baked Mac and Cheese with a small white plate of the mac and cheese nearby.

Comfort food is one of the cardinal blessings of human life. Mac and cheese, soups, stews, casseroles, burgers, and decadent desserts are all an integral part of living, if not for the delicious taste then for the memories each dish evokes. In the year 2026, cravings for comfort food are only increasing as tensions in the world rise. 300 professional chefs and owners at The National Restaurant Association mark comfort food as one of the leading trends of 2026, noting it “Caters to feel-good emotions, stress relief, and feelings of nostalgia.” What better relief could you ask for when you turn on the news and it seems as if the world is going up in flames?

What is Comfort Food?

With so many different food groups involved, it feels like the definition of comfort food can go on forever. To break it down a bit more, CloudKitchens identifies comfort food as, “…dishes that are rich, savory, or sweet, often reminding people of childhood, home-cooked meals, or special family gatherings. These foods bring feelings of safety, relaxation, and happiness, providing more than just physical nourishment.”

Jambalaya in a bowl placed on a ceramic surface along with a spoon, spices, and lemon — Jambalaya, Recipe by Chef Jackie Page

This might include dishes like those from contributor Chef Jackie Page who focuses on soul food. She cooks up a mix of soul and comfort food recipes for us to share like Jambalaya, Southern Seafood Gumbo, Corn Pudding Cakes, and Braciole to try her culture at home.

A delicious casserole dish of macaroni and cheese, made with a variety of cheeses and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni. — Homemade Mac and Cheese with Five Cheeses, Recipe by Chef Jackie Page

But, comfort food also includes American classics like ooey-gooey and hot mac and cheese. We have experimented liberally with adding other comfort food ingredients like green chiles and bacon to create an endless list of creative mac and cheese recipes. Or, how we taste-tested five different mashed potato recipes from famous chefs to find the best of this must-have comfort food.

A cast iron pan of Green Chile and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes with a spoon, salt, and orange flowers beside the pan. — Cheddar Green Chile Mashed Potatoes by Keith Recker

Why Do We Eat Comfort Food and What Meaning Does It Hold?

It’s simple to say that what comfort food best suits you depends on how you’re feeling, but it’s so much more than that. Whenever you indulge in your favorite dish, you’re supporting more than just your craving. Based on a study published by Cambridge University Press, GoodRx reports, “Foods you enjoy increase serotonin and activate endorphins. These are chemicals your body makes that improve mood and relieve pain.”

A bowl of soup with little round noodle balls, greens, chicken, and lemon slices on top sits in a dark teal bowl with a winter citrus salad sitting nearby. — Lemon and Fregula Chicken Soup, Recipe by Anna Franklin

This explains why when you lay in bed, sick as can be, and start eating a bowl of soup, you instantly feel a little bit better. The next time you’re feeling under the weather, try one of our 25 soup recipes or even our stew recipes and see how the warmth helps you relax. It’s even better when that recipe is made by a supportive loved one.

Comfort Food is Family

Jordan Troisi, an assistant professor of psychology at Sewanee: The University of The South, sums up perfectly the connection between comfort food and family in a 2015 study. He tells Time, “Comfort food seems to be something people associate very significantly with close relationships. This probably comes about by individuals coming to associate a particular food item with members of their family, social gatherings, and people taking care of them, which is why we see a lot of comfort foods [that are] traditional meals or things had at a party.”

An easy breakfast bake made with eggs, presented in a pie dish in the upper left corner, with a piece on a plate, and forks to the right of the pie dish. — Easy Breakfast Bake, Recipe by Anna Franklin

This explains why we flock together around the table. Early in the morning you may gather at the table before everyone heads their separate ways for a hot breakfast dish like our Easy Breakfast Bake that’s made for splitting and sharing.

Pasta Makes Us Happy

Or, perhaps dinnertime is a sacred moment for your family where intimacy and conversation come first and the minutes or hours ticking by on the clock matter the least. Our array of Stanley Tucci Pasta Recipes let you make large portions to feed a whole community while relishing in the comfort of homemade cooking.

A Stanley-Tucci inspired plate of Tagliatelle al ragu — Stanley Tucci Inspired Tagliatelle al Ragù, Recipe by Veda Sankaran

There’s even a study by the Behavioral and Brain Lab at the Free University of Languages and Communication IULM where 40 participants ate pasta as they measured various emotional reactions. Professor Vincenzo Russo of the study states to International Pasta Organisation, “The results tell us that it is precisely when we eat pasta that we are most emotionally active. It is, therefore, the real act of tasting and savoring the dish in its full flavor to stimulate the most positive memories and emotions.”

A person smears guac on a taco shell over a table of taco toppings. — Leftover Roasted Chicken Taco Bar, Recipe by Kylie Thomas

But, just in case you’re looking for a quick way to indulge in dinner with the family without too much hard work, our recipes that make use of leftover roasted chicken and beef brisket are your heavenly answer.

So, Is Comfort Food Worth the Effort?

Whether it’s for flavor, feeling, or family, comfort food is a staple of everyday life. Even whenever it takes a bit of time and patience, the finished products sets off all the signals in your brain that point to happiness. It’s no wonder comfort food is everywhere we look.

A delicious Hawaiian burger topped with bacon, pineapple, and red onion, served alongside a refreshing beer on a plate. — Hawaiian Burger, Recipe by Chef Jackie Page

At cookouts we serve up burgers for all to chow down on. During weddings, tables of desserts make an appearance, often featuring a special flavor that holds a memory. Winter makes us turn up the oven and cash in on warming dishes. And, even in the darkest of times, there’s always that pint of ice cream hiding in the back of the freezer.

Story by Kylie Thomas

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Pittsburgh Resources for Immigrant Support and Success

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February 16, 2026

Two hands reach for a plate of immigrant cultural cuisine ina. slaw and dumplings.

Pittsburgh has always been a city of bridges… and we’re not just talking about the steel kind. In recent years, the city’s neighborhoods have been both shaped and strengthened by families arriving from across the globe. They bring languages, traditions, skills, and stories that enrich the region in many ways. But, especially today, building a new life in a new country takes a lot of courage and a lot of community support. In a day and age where immigrants are constantly put down for simply existing, our city’s resources are as crucial as ever, providing everything from legal services to language classes, childcare to cultural advocacy, and most importantly, a feeling of home.

Resources for Immigrants Across Pittsburgh

Hello Neighbor

Friendship can be a huge foundation for stability. The nonprofit matches recently resettled refugees and immigrants with Pittsburgh residents, creating mentoring relationships that ease cultural transitions and combat isolation. The organization also offers youth programming and women’s empowerment initiatives year-round.

ISAC (Immigrant Services and Connections)

Complex immigrant and refugee systems can be a stopping point for many. ISAC provides comprehensive support from legal services and employment assistance to community integration programs. ISAC works to remove barriers that often stand between new arrivals and self-sufficiency.

JFCS Refugee & Immigrant Services

Part of the Jewish Family and Community Services, this program offers resettlement assistance, case management, and employment support for refugees and immigrants. JFCS helps families secure housing, find jobs, enroll children in school, and access healthcare… a.k.a all the critical first steps in building stability.

Literacy Pittsburgh

To help everyone learn to read, Literacy Pittsburgh provides free English language classes, GED preparation, workforce development, and citizenship preparation courses. For many newcomers, improving English proficiency is the key to employment opportunities, educational advancement, and civic participation.

Casa San José

Casa San José serves as a community resource center for Pittsburgh’s Latino population. The organization offers bilingual assistance with housing, employment, and navigating public systems, along with advocacy and community organizing efforts. Their work extends beyond direct services, focusing on empowerment as a whole.

Maya Organization

MAYA provides perinatal mentorship, education, support, and doula care for Spanish-speaking pregnant and postpartum people living in Allegheny County. Their culturally congruent care is delivered by caring and insightful staff who are themselves members of the communities served.

Jeremiah’s Place

While not exclusively an immigrant-serving organization, Jeremiah’s Place provides critical support for families in crisis. Offering free, temporary childcare for children up to age six, the organization allows parents to attend court dates, job interviews, medical appointments, or secure housing without worrying about childcare.

AJAPO Pittsburgh

AJAPO (Acculturation for Justice, Access & Peace Outreach) specializes in refugee resettlement and immigration legal services. The organization assists with documentation, family reunification, and citizenship applications, while also providing youth and senior programs.

Community Pharmacy – Lincoln-Lemington & East Liberty

Access to affordable healthcare is a significant challenge for many immigrant families. Community Pharmacy offers low-cost prescription services so uninsured and underinsured residents can access necessary medications. Located in Lincoln-Lemington and East Liberty, the pharmacy fills that critical gap in neighborhood infrastructure.

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania

In addition to its well-known retail presence, Goodwill provides free ESL classes, as well as citizenship and naturalization courses for permanent residents or those applying for permanent resident status. Their workforce development programs also connect participants with job training and placement services.

Squirrel Hill Health Center

Squirrel Hill Health Center delivers comprehensive primary care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay or background. With a strong focus on serving immigrant and refugee communities, the center offers multilingual services, behavioral health care, women’s health services, and social support programs.

Islamic Center of Pittsburgh

The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh serves as both a spiritual home and community hub for the Muslim immigrants in the city. In addition to religious services, the center provides social services, youth programs, and community outreach. It’s a chance for not only faith-based connection but also a support system grounded in shared values.

Somali Bantu Community Association of Pittsburgh

This grassroots organization supports members of the Somali Bantu community through cultural preservation, education support, and advocacy. The association is passionate about cultural pride while also addressing challenges that immigrants face related to employment, education, and social integration.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Photography by Katie Long

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Flying International for an Italian Wedding

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February 16, 2026

Bride Cristina Bartolacci in a lace Ines de Santo wedding gown and white sunglasses, lifting her veil during her wedding in Italy.

Two Pittsburghers living in New York City celebrated their big day in Italy. Cristina Bartolacci and Philip Caputo shared their joy with family and friends, and the bride’s ancestral hometown.

Showcasing Love Italian Style at an International Wedding

As Pittsburgh transplants to New York City, Phil Caputo and Cristina Bartolacci felt fairly confident they knew the majority of people from their hometown who were also living there. It wasn’t until they were set up on a blind date that they finally crossed paths.

Bride Cristina Bartolacci and groom Philip Caputo leading their wedding guests down a stone staircase in the historic town of Colonnella, Italy.

A relationship bloomed from that first meeting at a wine bar in Tribeca. Two-and-a-half years later, Phil proposed near the apartment where Cristina lived after college while teaching English in Italy. Another surprise was just around the corner. Their parents were waiting at a nearby bar that also held special significance to Cristina from her time in Milan. “It was a real full-circle moment,” she says.

A close-up of a bride in a lace Ines de Santo wedding gown being helped into her dress by family members before her wedding.

For their spectacular wedding, the couple returned to Italy. This time it was to the Abruzzo region, where Cristina’s family has deep roots. As the bride’s father, Joseph Bartolacci shared in his reception toast, it was not just a destination wedding. They were “returning home.” It isn’t customary in Italy for the bride’s father to speak, and his emotional tribute to couple both turned heads and warmed hearts.

Bride Cristina Bartolacci and groom Philip Caputo during their wedding ceremony at Parrocchia di San Cipriano in Colonnella, Italy.

Cristina’s mother, Linda Bartolacci, collaborated with Joy Wedding Planner and the couple to plan this very special event. They infused every detail with care and love.

A black and white photo of Joseph Bartolacci, the bride's father, smiling in a suit and tie before the wedding ceremony.

In June of last year, they welcomed friends and family to Colonnella, Italy. “It’s a beach town, so people made it a vacation, which made it feel like we were all together for multiple days, rather than just one evening. We got to intimately spend a lot of time together,” says Cristina.

Bride Cristina Bartolacci and groom Philip Caputo exiting the church as guests throw rice to celebrate their wedding.

A black and white close-up of a vintage convertible wedding car adorned with a delicate white floral garland on the hood.

The festivities officially kicked off with a welcome party on the beach the night before the wedding.

The couple is the ninth generation in the bride’s family to marry at Parrocchia di San Cipriano. The ceremony blended Italian and English for their guests from near and far. Father Cristoforo Pujol, a friend of Cristina’s from grade school, officiated. Angel statues donated by her great-great-grandfather graced the altar. “There was a lot of history. So many generations before us had gotten married there, so it was really special,” she says.

A black and white photo of groom Philip Caputo smiling and holding a wine glass.

“In Italy, the tradition when you leave the church is for everyone to throw rice at you to wish you good luck. That was collectively one of our favorite moments. It’s also one of our favorite pictures from the entire day,” Cristina says. Residents also cheered their nuptials from surrounding the piazza and the balconies above.

Bride Cristina Bartolacci, wearing a high-neck lace wedding gown and pink sunglasses, cheers with an orange cocktail during her outdoor reception.

Afterwards, 160 guests gathered in the garden at Relais Villa Corallo, a recently restored 19th century villa situated between the ocean and the Italian countryside. It’s easy to see why Cristina instantly knew this was her dream location when first touring the property.

A sunset outdoor wedding reception in the garden of Relais Villa Corallo in Italy, featuring long tables with glittering chandeliers and floral centerpieces.

The garden’s inherent beauty set the tone for stunning celebration. A roaming saxophonist added jazz inflections to the evening’s music in a very Italian mix of jazz and pop. Long tables adorned with glittering chandeliers and pastel petals arranged by Faieta Fiori Lab welcomed everyone to the garden, along with a color-coordinated prosecco bar offering glasses of bubbles for a “first cin cin!”

Bride Cristina Bartolacci and groom Philip Caputo wave to their guests from a stone balcony of the historic Relais Villa Corallo.

Everything on the menu was locally sourced and highlighted traditional Abruzzese dishes. “A big cornerstone to our love story is food. Phil couldn’t do a lot of the translating and the planning, but it was really fun to see him pick all of the food,” says Cristina.

Bride Cristina Bartolacci and groom Philip Caputo cutting their mille-feuille wedding cake topped with candied strawberries.

There was spaghetti alla chittarra, thin egg noodles with tiny meatballs and red sauce (which the bride ate very carefully in her Ines di Santo wedding gown from Bridal Beginnings in Pittsburgh!) and late-night eats of arrosticini, a regional specialty of small lamb skewers. “We had about 20 of those each at 2 a.m.!” the bride recalls with a laugh. Their dreamy mille-feuille wedding cake featured cream custard and candied strawberries. Sumptuous pyramids of local figs completed the dessert offering.

Wedding guests sitting at a long dinner table under glowing crystal chandeliers during an outdoor reception in the garden of Relais Villa Corallo in Italy.

After the sun had set, Deb Jones Live Music brought the party to the outdoor dance floor. While a joyful dance party is a nearly universal part of American weddings, it’s a novelty in Italy. So much so that local media showed up the next morning to interview guests about the mix of Italians and Italian-Americans that had descended upon San Benedetto del Tronto.

Groom Philip Caputo in a linen shirt and tan trousers dancing with a guest in a light blue floral gown.

As for the bomboniere, or party favors, guests were gifted hand-painted thimbles featuring sunflowers (the bride’s favorite), made in nearby Castelli. They were thoughtfully chosen to honor the long history of master tailors and seamstresses both in the region and in their lineage, in particular, Cristina’s grandmother and grandfather. Bonus: the gifts easily fit in guests’ suitcases.

A candid photo of Joseph Bartolacci, the bride's father, dancing and laughing with guests during an energetic outdoor wedding reception at Relais Villa Corallo in Italy.

An overhead view of bride Cristina Bartolacci dancing with wedding guests and a live singer.

More than anything, the celebration “was so joyful,” says Linda. “You could feel Phil and Cristina’s love. That’s what made it so magical.”

Story by Nicole Barley
Photography by Krup Studio, Giacomo Vesprini and Marco Romandini

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4 Must-Try Bottles of Wine in 2026

By

Abdul Rafay

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February 15, 2026

Red wine pours into a wine glass against a wine background.

New year, new you? Well, that might be a little ambitious, but incorporating new wines into the new year is much more feasible. Here are 4 must-try bottles for 2026.

Wine Bottles That Are a Must-Try in 2026

Sparkling: Ken Forrester “Sparklehorse” 2019, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Made entirely of Chenin blanc, this Cap Classique is aged for 18 months on the lees, plus an additional couple of years in bottle. It offers a rich mouthful of creamy bubbles redolent of baked apple, pie crust, and pear tart. In PA, by special order on finewineandgoodspirits.com.

White: Galen Glen Stone Cellar Riesling 2022, Lehigh Valley, PA

Some critics out there have called this Pennsylvania’s best white wine, and it’s hard to argue. It’s simultaneously rich in aromatics and flavors of citrus, peach, and apple, but it remains razor sharp and light on the palate. It finishes dry, too. It’s plenty juicy and delightful now, but you can hang onto this for years if you want a more honeyed and richer expression.

Rosé: GD Vajra Rosabella 2023, Langhe, Italy

While we often gravitate toward southern France for pink wines, head instead to Piedmont, Italy, for this absolute delight. Made from Nebbiolo, the powerful red grape of Barolo and Barbaresco, this rosato is a gem thanks to its aromas and flavors of red raspberries, tart grapefruit, and zesty apple. This wine is incredibly food-friendly, too, and makes an excellent partner for charcuterie.

Red: Bodegas Vegalfaro “Caprasia Anfora” Bobal Crianza 2020, Utiel-Requena, Spain

It’s hard to believe this kind of quality comes at such a low price, but that’s often the case with Spanish wines – including this Bobal from the Valencia region. If you like dark fruits (think blackberries, mulberries, plums) with a hint of toastiness and herbs like lavender, this wine is for you. It’s bright, it’s fresh, and it’s made from organic grapes to boot.

Story by Adam Knoerzer
Photo Courtesy of Max Tutak

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Artist in Residence (Chocolate Cherry Negroni)

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February 15, 2026

Artist in Residence cocktail in a stemmed glass, garnished with a Luxardo cherry wrapped in a lemon twist, featuring flavors of citrus gin, cherry, and chocolate bitters.

In this Negroni-adjacent cocktail, Hayman’s Citrus Gin and Cynar are joined by Cherry Heering, Luxardo, and chocolate bitters. The notes of cherry and chocolate bring sensuality to this perfect winter quaff. Rob Hirst at Hey Babe is the auteur-mixologist of the drink.

Print

Artist in Residence

Author: Rob Hirst

Print Recipe

Description

Smooth and balanced, it’s a cozy winter drink with a touch of elegance.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 oz Hayman’s citrus gin
.75 oz Cynar
.75 oz Cherry Heering
.25 oz Luxardo Maraschino
1 dash chocolate bitters

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Shake together in a tin with ice.
Garnish with Luxardo cherry wrapped by a lemon twist.

Try These Other Cocktail Recipes from Rob Hirst at Hey Babe

Recipe by Rob Hirst, Hey Babe
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Teacher’s Pet (Laird’s Apple Brandy Cocktail)

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February 15, 2026

A bright yellow Teacher's Pet cocktail with apple brandy and sage honey, garnished with a lemon peel and sage leaf in a unique glass.

Laird’s Apple Brandy, sage honey, lemon juice, and Peychaud’s Bitters are finished with a spray of Laphroaig in this cocktail recipe from Rob Hirst at Hey Babe. The scotch opens the tastebuds, making the notes of apple and honey more complex and more seductively delicious. Why does that 1980 hit by The Police, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, come to mind?

Print

Teacher’s Pet

Author: Rob Hirst

Print Recipe

Description

Sweet, herbal, and complex, it’s a drink that feels both playful and refined.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 oz Laird’s bonded apple brandy
.75 oz sage honey
.75 oz lemon juice
Big dash of Peychaud’s bitters
Spray of Laphroaig

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Garnish with lemon peel and sage.

Try These Other Cocktail Recipes from Rob Hirst at Hey Babe

Recipe by Rob Hirst, Hey Babe
Photography by Dave Bryce

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The Terms of My Surrender (Cinnamon-Spiced Rye & Rum Cocktail)

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February 15, 2026

A vibrant golden drink served over ice in a textured glass, garnished with an orange round and featuring rye and rum cocktail.

This cocktail from Rob Hirst at Hey Babe blends Old Overholt Rye with Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice. You’ll find it quite easy to surrender to its sweet warmth. Not to mention, the cinnamon syrup comes in handy on your bar cart all year long. Who knows what brilliant ideas you’ll conjure up in such a relaxed state? Nibble on the orange garnish until you hatch a plan and then get to work the next morning (or sleep in a little later… we won’t judge).

Print

The Terms of My Surrender

Author: Rob Hirst

Print Recipe

Description

The Terms of My Surrender is a warm, spiced cocktail made with rye, Jamaican rum, cinnamon syrup, and lemon.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 oz Old Overholt Rye
.75 oz Smith & Cross Rum
.75 oz cinnamon syrup
.75 oz lemon juice

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Shake together in a tin.
Garnish with orange round cut out.

Try These Other Cocktail Recipes from Rob Hirst at Hey Babe

Recipe by Rob Hirst, Hey Babe
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.

Hey Babe’s Rob Hirst Mixes Up a Trio of Cocktail Recipes

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February 15, 2026

Hey Babe co-founder and mixologist Rob Hirst visited TABLE Studios recently to shake up a trio of heartfelt cocktails.

The pale and elegant façade of the East Liberty YMCA offers up a Beaux-Arts sort of elegance. If you succumb to its charms, you get that, and more. Thanks to Hey Babe, the bar and lounge that occupies the building’s ground floor lobby, you get the staff’s friendly faces and kind words, and a glowy, radiant space to sip, savor, and hang out with friends. Even when every seat is full, as it was on a recent visit, there’s an intimacy, a warmth, in the air. It’s a satisfying place to be.

That’s no accident. Founders Danielle Cain and Rob Hirst have 50 years of hospitality experience between them. Among the local spots they’ve been a part of are Casbah, Kaya, Soba, Mad Mex, Sienna Mercato, Round Corner Cantina, Kingfly, and Eleven. They’ve clearly identified the ingredients needed to make a bar that draws us in and keeps us coming back. They’ve deployed their knowledge wisely at Hey Babe.

Visit any evening except Sunday. There are no reservations. If that makes you hesitate, head over on weekdays between 4pm and 6pm for “Golden Hour.” In addition to special prices on beers, cocktails, and food, you’ll enjoy watching an evening at Hey Babe take shape.

Shake Up a Cocktail Recipe from Hey Babe’s Rob Hirst

Artist in Residence

In this Negroni-adjacent cocktail, Hayman’s Citrus Gin and Cynar are joined by Cherry Heering, Luxardo, and chocolate bitters. The notes of cherry and chocolate bring sensuality to this perfect winter quaff.

The Terms of My Surrender

Old Overholt Rye blends with Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum, cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice. You’ll find it quite easy to surrender to its sweet warmth. Who knows what brilliant ideas you’ll conjure up in a relaxed state? Nibble on the orange garnish until you hatch a plan.

Teacher’s Pet

Laird’s Apple Brandy, sage honey, lemon juice, and Peychaud’s Bitters are finished with a spray of Laphroaig. The scotch opens the tastebuds, making the notes of apple and honey more complex and more seductively delicious. Why does that 1980 hit by The Police, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, come to mind?

Mixology by Rob Hirst, Hey Babe
Story by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.

Trivia Nights in Pittsburgh: The Analog Trend Making a Comeback

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February 15, 2026