While we wait for our turn to watch the movie on the big screen, we’re taking inspiration from our favorite The Devil Wears Prada characters to mix up a batch of cocktails Runway Magazine would promote. Whether your heart connects with lovable Andy, witty Nigel, ambitious Emily, or imperious Miranda, we have a cocktail to ensure that your night is as luxurious as a Runway Magazine party.
To put together this series of cocktails, we collaborated with Ritual House in Downtown Pittsburgh to feature the five cocktails below on their menus from April 27 to May 3. Plus, the fifth cocktail is one you can only get at their bar. Miranda would love that exclusivity: “Everyone wants to be us, Andrea!”
We could not be more ecstatic for Andy’s confident transformation in the new film. Our recipe for The Andy (Anne Hathaway) uses bourbon for structure, while Aperol and Amaro Nonino introduce a bittersweet sophistication. Then a final splash of champagne adds a celebratory lift to Andy’s success.
The Short King cocktail channels a refined, expressive, and balanced energy, just like Nigel (or frankly, like Stanley Tucci himself!). Tart pomegranate and fresh lemon create a foundation for Empress 1908 Gin’s botanical depth. Add accents of Luxardo, red vermouth, and a dash of Angostura bitters. You’ll see that this drink has just the right amount of edge.
Always one step ahead, Emily (Emily Blunt) thrives in a world where details matter so we’ve made a cocktail she would approve if it came across her desk. Grey Goose Vodka provides a clean base for Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur’s burst of tropical flavors. Fresh lemon sharpens the focus and a bit of bubbly also adds that perfect finish.
Miranda, portrayed by Meryl Streep, is elegance, style, power, and precision personified. For a cocktail that follows suit, the 18 Karat Espresso Martini is rich and unapologetically luxurious. The secret here is the combination of coffee liqueur and cold brew concentrate. Gold leaf coffee beans are the ritzy, high-end garnish.
Runway Ready
A lychee and blackberry forward cocktail, the Runway Reader embodies Runway Magazine with its mix of trending flavors. This exclusive cocktail from the Ritual House bar team will be available only for purchase at their establishment April 27 to May 3 as you prepare for the film of the year!
All cocktails above will also be available for purchase at Ritual House from April 27 to May 3 as a part of a collaboration between Ritual House and TABLE Magazine.
Story by Kylie Thomas Recipes by TABLE Magazine Staff Photography by Dave Bryce Special Thank You to the Ritual House Team
Just as kids come with their own built-in personalities and senses of style, so do moms. This Mother’s Day, meet your mom where she is, and buy her a gift that reflects her interests, her vibe, her je ne sais quoi. Here are a few mom “types,” with two gift options each — one bougie, one budget friendly.
We’ve included some experiential gifts, too, because moms just don’t like to get gifts, they like to have fun — with you, their friends, and special someones, too.
Let us know what you might add to this list, so we’re sure our mothers are getting the best that’s out there. (And moms, if you’re the one reading this list — and see something you want — quietly share this list with The Kid Who Gets Things Done. You know which one they are.)
Pittsburgh Gift Shopping for Mother’s Day Based on Your Type of Mom
The Globe-Trotting Mom
For moms who like to travel, having a safe and hands-free place for her phone, keys, wallet, and glasses, is key. Visit Roberta Weissberg Leathers on Walnut Street (or online), for a selection of cross-body bags that are a stylish step up from synthetic. Visit Scribe across the street to pick up a travel journal to round out the gift.
Photo From Roberta Weissberg Leathers
A gift certificate for an overnight for two in Bedford Springs, less than two hours from the ‘Burgh, is a seriously splurge-y way to celebrate your mom. The Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa offers eight natural mineral springs, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, restaurants, a golf course, and more than 2,000 acres to explore. Minutes away is the historic town of Bedford, which is worth the drive itself, with its antiquing and a lovely shopping district.
Photo From Omni Bedford Springs
The Yogi
Phipps Conservatory started offering Yoga in the Garden to much fanfare, and this year, it begins the series on May 23 and runs select Saturday mornings through September 12. Classes are held in their lush outdoor garden, among the fountains, ferns, and perennial gardens.
Photo From Inner Light
Inner Light, a serene shop in Mt. Lebanon, features metaphysically inspired jewelry that pairs well with yogic sensibilities. You can also pick up spiritually themed books, botanical beauty products, locally made art, and organic clothing. If your mom is a “seeker,” you can sign her up for a Tarot or astrology reading or a sound-healing class.
The Mom Who’s a Foodie Too
With its 1970s Palm Springs motif, its greens and golds, its velvet chairs, swanky light fixtures, and murals of coastal California, Palm Palm enriches you with glamour. The emphasis on small plates — such as mini lobster rolls, tuna sushi tots; fried burrata with pesto and tomato cream — the meal is like a mini-culinary adventure. A night at Palm Palm feels indulgent, yet light and fun. Plus, the cocktail menu will please any cocktail enthusiast, even mom.
Palm Palm
With our buzzing culinary scene, buying a gift card from Big Burrito Restaurant Group will give your mom a lot of options for her next Saturday night dinner (or Sunday brunch). Big Burrito offers more than just Mad Mex, they run Fox Chapel’s veggie-forward, modern take on Italian, Alta Via; the longstanding Shadyside faves Soba and Casbah; Eleven and Kaya in the Strip District, and more.
Photo From Big Burrito
The Flower Lover
Newer to the CSA block is the Floral CSA, where your mom can get locally grown, seasonal flowers delivered (or picked up at set locations) throughout the growing season. Check out the selections from Eleven Mile Farm, such as a 6-week Summer Bouquet option, and CSAs that are delivered to Sewickley and Shadyside/Squirrel Hill neighborhoods. At their beautiful 50-acre farm, Eleven Mile also hosts many events, including a Mother’s Day Workshop on May 9, where participants create arrangements for — or with — their mom.
Photo From Eleven Mile Farm
Tiny Seed Farms also delivers a 16-week Floral CSA blooming with zinnias, sunflowers, dahlia, snapdragons, and seasonal flowers.
Photo From Tiny Seed Farms
Shopping at Roxanne’s Dried Flowers in the Strip District is like the adult version of being a kid in a candy store. It’s a delight to your senses, with a sumptuous array of dried florals, including the Spring Mist Wreath, with its spray of pinks, greens, and whites. There’s a section of gifts less than $50, including a Lavender Garden Bouquet, framed pressed flowers, and a beautiful set of Healing Plants botanical cards.
The Bookish Mom
As our city punches higher for our weight when it comes to all things literary, we have several reading series, including Ten Evenings, which concludes its season with quite the finale. Was your mom a fan of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh or Wonder Boys? Pick up two tickets for Ten Evenings’ Night with Michael Chabon — who studied at Pitt and CMU — for May 11, the day after Mother’s Day. If she invites you as her date, treat her to dinner at the Café Carnegie, which hosts a special Arts & Lectures Dinner Series menu. Make your mom proud and buy the Chabon tickets and make reservations for the dinner in advance — like today.
Photo From Harper Perennial
One of the keynote authors at the 2026 Pittsburgh Book Festival, Catherine Newman, wrote her literary novel, Sandwich, about a woman negotiating menopause, grown children, and aging parents — sound familiar? — set within the backdrop of a week-long family beach vacation. Sandwich quickly hit The New York Times bestseller list, praised for its humor and heart. Newman’s follow-up, Wreck, published in late 2025, reunites readers with the same family. You can pick up her books at White Whale in Bloomfield, Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley, or at one of our many of our independent bookstores. Oh, and tuck in discussion registrations for the Pgh Book Fest — a day-long celebration of the love of the book — held May 30 at the Carnegie Library in Oakland.
Photo From Pgh Book Fest
The Green Thumb
Buy your mom two tickets to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden (PBG), which offers electric cart garden tours, a wonderful way for Moms with limited mobility to explore the gardens. The tours are led by PBG docents every Thursday from April 23 through October. Your mom and her guest can learn how the PBG transformed their 460 acres, land once used to mine coal, into cultivated gardens, woodlands and a heritage homestead that reflects life on the land in the 1700s. Their Canopy Café is a great stop for lunch, and be sure she visits the gift shop, Forage & Finds, which sells native herbs and plants, gardening goods, and artwork.
Photo From Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Gardeners work hard for their home-grown haul. Why not give mom a traditional, high-quality basket to carry her celebrated harvest? We tried to source this locally, to no avail, but this lesser-known item — a hod — is the gardening convenience your mom didn’t know she needed. These mesh-bottomed, pine baskets were originally used by Maine clam diggers as the hod design allowed the diggers to both hold and rinse their catch in the same basket. It makes for a one-stop shopping when it comes to harvesting. Available in three sizes.
Photo From Gardener’s Supply Company
The Loves-to-Stay-at-Home Mom
For Mother’s Day, why not bring a restaurant quality, hot-out-of-the oven meal to your homebody mom? DiAnoia’s allows you to do just that with their Mother’s Day Meal Kit, which comes with freshly baked focaccia, Sicilian cannellini bean dip, gnocchi sorrentina (creamy and cheesy), Tuscan-stuffed chicken, and strawberry shortcake. Order now before they sell out — if they do, check Local Provisions for some of DiAnoia’s frozen pastas, meatballs, and sauces. DiAnoia’s pastry team is also baking pastry trays for the big day.
Photo From DiAnoia’s
Cheeks Lingerie shop in Shadyside is home to lots of luxurious, comfy pajama sets and robes. They sell popular brands such as P.J. Salvage, Cat’s Pajamas, Pluto, Eberjay, and VP La Boehme Robe. Loungewear never looked — or felt — so good.
The Home Chef
Istituto Mondo Italiano is home to all things Italian, including its Pasta Like Nonna series — each BYOB session features a different pasta that you make by hand, then share with fellow classmates at a sit-down meal. Vivianna Altieri, born and raised in Rome, leads a variety of instructionals focused on Italian dishes, from pizzelles and cannoli to mozzarella to gnocchi, as well as a Regions of Italy Cooking Club. Other cooking classes in the ‘Burgh include at In the Kitchen in the Strip District (upcoming offerings include Spanish paella and California rolls) and Crate in Mt. Lebanon (on the docket are cocktails & charcuterie and pierogi).
Photo From Istituto Mondo Italiano
The Rosti Margrethe mixing bowl has earned a reputation as one of those must-have kitchen items. Featured by the New York Magazine, goop, Eater.com, and Dwell, the melamine bowl was created in 1954 by Copenhagen-based designer who named their bowl —with royal permission—after Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, It features a non-skid bottom, a lip that makes it easy to pour, an ergonomic handle, and a lid so it’s easy to store your mixables. Available in red, black, curry, and Nordic green, the Rosti Margrethe comes in a variety of sizes (which also nest, of course). Be sure to tell your mom it’s a bowl worthy of a queen.
Photo From In The Kitchen
The Die-Hard Pittsburgh Lover
Pittsburghers love David DiCello’s now iconic images of our city, many taken from Mt. Washington. You can order from a wide variety of images — downtown in the moonlight, the Duquesne Incline at dawn, cherry blossoms blooming with the backdrop of a Three Sisters Bridge, Kaufmann’s clock a flurry in snow — as a print, ornament, wrapped canvas, and more. Delivery is also quick.
Photo From Love, Pittsburgh
Perfect for the mom who adores her city and a hip tea towel, the Dear Pittsburgh, I Love You dish towel is a fun, 100% cotton reminder of the place she loves — and of the person who gifted this little delight to her. Find it online or IRL at Love, Pittsburgh, a Strip District, Mt. Washington, and Downtown shop that is chock full of locally made, Pittsburgh-forward goods, like a framed topographic map, a Pittsburgh-neighborhoods puzzle, and a sweet-and-savory gift box with Goat Rodeo caramels, Parma Sausage hot and mild Soppressata, and Steel City Salt Co.’s Everything Salt.
The Pampered Mom
If the ambiance at EsSpa feels European, it comes by it naturally, as spa owner, Eva Sztupka-Kerschbaum hails from Hungary. She opened EsSpa in 2002 and knows the business of enhancing beauty and wellness. Spa services include hydrofacials, light therapy, and plasma fibroblasting. They offer a range of massages, such as Thai, hot stone, Swedish, and warm bamboo. For Mother’s Day, EsSpa offers a BOGO that includes two facials for the price of one.
Photo From Evolve Wellness Spa
Shadyside’s Evolve Wellness Spa is a place where your mom can receive facials, microdermabrasion, massages, lash and brow work, as well as integrative services such as Reiki, crystal attunement, sound massage, chakra balancing, and somatic breath-work. Evolve’s spa packages combine services to give your mom a full journey into well-being.
The Jewelry Lover
Shadyside’s longtime jeweler, Henne, features a Mother’s Day Collection, including a Monica Rich Kosann yellow gold-and-diamond infinity charm necklace, a Shy Creation 14-karat Diamonds by the Yard chain, an EF Collection 14-karat white gold-and-diamond bracelet that spells out “MAMA,” and many other pieces at a variety of price points.
Photo From Henne
Take a trip towards Hartwood Acres to shop for mom at So Me Artisan Wares and Jewelry Studio. Their curated selection of wearables is crafted by local designers and So Me’s owner, a trained bench jeweler, Amy McGinley. So Me is earthy and bohemian yet upscale, its gold and sterling silver pieces enhanced with natural stones and gems, such as turquoise, quartz, and amethyst. So Me also sells vintage and estate jewelry, plus layering and statement necklaces. With its wide array of gifts, you can find lots of other goodies to pick up for mom, including glass avocado vases, wall art, and hand-poured candles.
Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in Michael. Photo Credit: Bruce Talamon / Lionsgate
The music biopic Michael, a partial biography of Michael Jackson, is sure to be one of the biggest movies of the year. Thanks to Mother Mary, though, it’s only the second-best story about a troubled pop star coming out this weekend.
The Reviews are in for the Movie Michael! And They’re Okay!
How do you get to the reality of a figure as exceptional — and unusual — as Michael Jackson? Despite the efforts of a hundred thousand tabloids, there are as many interpretations of (and opinions on) the late King of Pop as there are copies of Thriller.
Okay, maybe not quite that many; it’s the best-selling album of all time.
The task before director Antoine Fuqua is to find not only the humanity and vulnerability behind the 20th Century’s most well-known entertainer, but to do so in a biography that only tells the story up to a certain point. Michael, the lavish biopic released this weekend with the involvement of Jackson’s estate, caps its narrative around 1989. It’s a decision that both sets up a possible sequel and sidesteps, for now, the later years of Jackson’s life, when the scale of his myth and persona collapsed under the weight of rumor and scandal.
But, Michael Still Has Us Happy to Look at the Man in the Mirror
So, then, this is the story of a child prodigy (played in youth by Juliano Krue Valdi) turned entertainment phenom (played as an adult by Jaafar Jackson, nephew of Michael and son of Jackson 5 bandmate Jermaine), who reached heights never touched before or since — despite a tortured, childlike personality that left him awkward, shy and tremendously idiosyncratic. We meet the singer as a child abused into constant rehearsal and onstage perfectionism by an opportunistic, vengeful father (Colman Domingo); the action of Michael sets his pop stardom against his fight to escape his father’s scheming and violence.
Is this the complete story? No. Is it true? Partially (as far as we can tell). But the music-biopic genre is always half document, half enshrinement of myth — and, primarily, an opportunity to get great music onto cinema screens. In that regard, Michael is an unqualified success; its performance scenes rival any in a big-budget biopic. Narratively, the film is a mixed bag; it’s in an awful hurry, and much of it feels incidental. (A CGI recreation of Bubbles, Jackson’s beloved pet chimp, gets far too much screen time.) But convincing facsimiles of Michael Jackson’s most iconic performances are more than worth the price of a movie ticket. He wasn’t the King of Pop for nothing, no matter what the real story was.
Other Pop Star Movie Mother Mary Reigns Supreme
In a quirk of scheduling, there’s another story about a troubled pop star in theaters this weekend — and this one, while fictional, has just as much (if not more) to say about fame and interpersonal relationships.
It’s also an arresting, transportive work by a rising auteur. If you watched both back-to-back, you’d likely be humming Billie Jean on the way home — but you’d have dreams about Mother Mary when you went to bed.
Or, perhaps, nightmares. Anne Hathaway stars as Mary, a Gaga-esque idol succumbing to the rigors of stardom. She returns to the home and studio of her estranged friend and former designer, Sam (Michaela Coel), requesting a dress for a comeback show — and, it seems, to unburden herself of the fears and doubts that are haunting her. (Perhaps literally.)
Photo by Frederic Batier / Courtesy of A24
A Real Pop Star on Deck
The music in Mother Mary, by Daniel Hart with contributions from Charli xcx and Jack Antonoff, more than sells the notion that the title character is a sensation. And the production design — from the eye-catching costumes to the almost accusatory beams of light in Sam’s studio — is excellent.
The performances, though, make Mother Mary exceptional. Essentially a two-hander, Hathaway and Coel spar, collaborate, recriminate and conspire, careening theatrically (and yet groundedly) through a feature-length discussion. By turns metaphorical and real (and that distinction, too, is explicitly discussed), David Lowery’s script is as clever as it is beguiling — and these actresses seem to breathe the words out of their souls. To say more would be to rob the viewer of discovering what Mother Mary is and isn’t in real time — one of the film’s dark delights.
So yes, Michael has the superstar moments. But Mother Mary transcends.
Story by Sean Collier Featured Photo Courtesy of Bruce Talamon / Lionsgate
Treat mom to a culinary journey of recipes this Mother’s Day! Moms dedicate their days to making sure we’re happy and well-fed. This year, return the favor by treating her to a celebration she won’t forget. Whether mom’s a breakfast aficionado, lunch lover, or a dinner diva, there’s a recipe here to make her heart (and stomach) smile. After all, gifts mean the most when they’re handmade (or home-cooked) with care.
You can’t go wrong when it comes to Avocado Toast. But, you can certainly make sure it’s excellently dressed for mom’s big day. We smother a slice of your favorite sourdough toast in ricotta cheese, chèvre, honey, shaved carrot, and slices of only the ripest avocado. Garnish it with salmon roe and hemp hearts to really win mom over.
What better than a bright and inviting Tropical Smoothie Bowl to kick off a celebratory morning? This rainbow beauty tastes even better than it looks. Take a bite of berry and dragonfruit smoothie base with chunks of dark chocolate granola, chia seeds, goji berries, and all the fresh fruit you desire. It even includes a scoop of Vital Protein Collagen Peptides for rejuvenation.
Don’t skimp out on flat, thin, flavorless pancakes. Mom deserves a special plate of Stack ‘em High Pancakes. Get creative with this dish by adding fresh fruit, local maple syrup or honey, and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Allow the pancakes to be the star of the show, or serve them alongside other breakfast favorites like eggs and bacon.
In case mom’s not a fan of pancakes, waffles are the perfect substitute. They’re a bit more hearty than pancakes and this recipe makes them from pureed sweet potatoes so you get your nutritious boost for the day. The citrus curd on top is the perfect, vibrant topping for starting off a sunny day.
If you’re letting mom sleep in on her special day, prepare her brunch with an Asparagus, Leek, and Jarlsberg Quiche. Inspired by our queen Martha Stewart this quiche is full of everything that makes you feel good. The rich, nutty Jarlsberg cheese adds a distinctive touch that’s deliciously savory.
Embrace the spring season and the closeness of summer with a salad that reminds us of lounging by the pool. Not only is our Strawberry Pecan Salad simple to make, it also makes a huge bowlful so you can serve lunch to your whole family. We top ours with balsamic vinaigrette, but feel free to have a selection available at the table so everyone can have the dressing they love.
Fresh vegetables can create a hearty sandwich with flavors you might not expect. Our Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Sandwich balances gentle sweetness with savory appeal. Made with a deliciously addictive marinade for the carrots and a creamy chickpea spread, you just might have to make one for yourself too. Plus, the added crunch from English cucumber is the type of thing our taste buds live for.
We know potatoes are a go-to side dish so we upgraded Potato Rösti to make sure your lunch is elevated and personal. Garnish crispy shredded potatoes cooked to perfection with a combination of trout roe, crème fraîche, plus plenty of chives and dill. To quote Chef Joey Hilty who made this recipe, “the more herbage, the better.”
This Vietnamese style sandwich gives you another interesting way to use zucchini that’s not just in a salad. A combination of spicy mayo, refreshing cilantro, and plenty of fresh veggies is a rejuvenating lunch for Mother’s Day. Try serving it with one of our signature sides.
A fresh breath of spring and a sign of the start of summer, our Eggplant and Smoked Mozzarella Tart is your luxurious answer to lunch. A flaky crust holds melted smoked mozzarella, soft goat cheese, and toasty eggplant. A drizzle of honey finishes off this lunch for the entire family.
Craving a unique and flavorful fish dish to impress mom? This Seared Salmon with Borscht Risotto and Horseradish Crème Fraîche offers a refreshing exploration of unexpected pairings. Imagine the rich, savoriness of borscht infused into creamy risotto and a touch of zesty horseradish crème fraîche for the finishing touch.
Take brussels sprouts from ordinary to extraordinary with an Orange and Apricot Sauce that adds just the right amount of sweetness. This vibrant sauce combines the sweetness of apricot jam with the tang of orange juice. A sprinkle of fried onion adds a textural contrast, making this dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Bring a little adventure into your Mother’s Day dinner with an infusion of Korean flavors. The tangy, spicy notes of kimchi perfectly balance the richness of the pork, creating a complex and satisfying dish. So why not ditch the ordinary and give mom a taste of something new with this Braised Pork Shoulder & Kimchi Soup.
Head out to your local Italian grocery store and pick up a bag of handmade gnocchi to treat mom to the best. You’ll learn to make an arugula pesto that adds an earthy touch to the gochugaru shrimp and grated gruyere cheese. Presentation is key here so take your time arranging the plate in a beautiful way for mom.
For mom’s who love Latin cooking, a Creamy Chipotle Chicken Enchilada Skillet replaces that trip to a Mexican restaurant for something made with love. All in one skillet you’ll make a mix of rotisserie chicken, chipotle peppers, tortillas, and melted cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. Serve right from the skillet and top with sliced avocado, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro.
You can’t have Mother’s Day complete without a dessert as sweet as mom’s love. Our Berry Cobbler with Banana Ice Cream is all about nostalgia. It features a bubbling berry filling nestled beneath a golden, buttery crust and creamy banana ice cream. This classic cobbler is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth and bring back warm memories.
Not every dessert has to be super-sweet to be delicious. Instead, these Triple Citrus Shortbread Squares mix a tender shortbread dough with fresh lemon, lime, and orange juice and zest. Top each of these little bites with a smooth homemade whipped cream and an edible flower that just so happens to come in mom’s favorite color.
Want to make a dessert that impresses? This tart uses bright kiwi and lime as the stars of the show. The filling is smooth and just tangy enough to match the buttery homemade crust. You can really get creative with your topping here, carefully pipping on whipped cream and placing fresh fruits.
Maybe you don’t want to go as decadent with dessert after a filling and satisfying meal. Instead, make these Teatime Pecan Balls inspired by the romance of Bridgerton. They’re light and delicate with a soft buttery bite full of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. They’re perfect served alongside mom’s favorite tea.
Let’s make a toast to mom! This Mother’s Day Spring Pea Cocktail recipe is a light and mouthwatering way to show Mom how much you care. Sip a refreshing sweet pea simple syrup shaken with fresh lime juice and perfectly balanced with gin and a touch of minty liqueur. Top it all off with sparkling Prosecco for a fizzy finish.
Someone as sweet and comforting as mom deserves a cocktail that gives off the same energy. This Mother’s Day Lavender Lemon Drop balances rich lavender with tangy lemon. Plus, you can even put in a little extra effort and make the lavender simple syrup from scratch so that every aspect comes straight from the heart.
Spritzes are one of our go-to cocktails for celebrations and warm spring days. It’s refreshing, cooling, and a delicious way to relax on mom’s big day. This Blackberry Crush Spritz uses fresh crushes blackberries with a simple syrup, lemon juice, vodka, and seltzer for a burst of natural fruit flavor.
Even if mom doesn’t drink, you can still mix her up a mocktail that’ll whisk her away to a magical garden. This enchanting butterfly, non-alcoholic gin and tonic infuses botanical zero-alcohol gin with lemon juice, homemade butterfly pea flower simple syrup, and tonic. It’s really the edible butterfly and crushed dried blueberry garnish that brings this vibrant beverage to life.
Just in case you’re looking for further non-alcoholic options, Chef Richard Sandoval’s Art of Zero-Proof recipe collection runs through all your favorite cocktails in mocktail form. There’s a Smoked Old Fashioned, Blackberry Penicillin, Aloe & Apple White No-Groni, and plenty of others.
Welcome May! The month of the year that brings sunny weather, hotter temperatures, and takes us just on the brink of summer break for the kiddos. To kick off the month from May 4-10 there are events throughout Pittsburgh that keep your days and nights busy. Whether you’re attending a concert, celebrating an ancient Irish festival, or competing for house plants, we’re sure this next week in the city is one you’ll remember.
Pittsburgh’s philanthropic and literary circles are coming together for one big celebration of Autumn House, a non-profit publisher in Pittsburgh. Rebecca Haywood, Dr. Kathy Humphrey, Adam E. McKinney, and Adriana E. Ramírez will all read one of their favorite poems as you dine on hors d’oeuvres and take part in a cocktail reception prior to the reading. Plus, Colter Harper makes an appearance treating guests to live music throughout the night.
Treat mom to a high tea with her favorite people… her kids! As you dine at The Frick’s Café, you’ll feel as if you’re in a painting as you look over the green landscape. The food menu includes options like a Cheese Board, Liege Belgian Waffles, and lunch sandwiches. There are also special cocktails and mocktails for mom as well as baked goods from Mediterra Bakehouse, Glen’s Custard, Jak’s Bakery, and other local establishments.
Pete Yorn’s musicforthemorningafter came out in 2001 but 25 years later it stands as a fusion of alternative-rock and folk-pop. Yorn’s come a long way from touring with Semisonic and Blues Traveler whenever the album was first released so to celebrate he’s giving the songs a stripped‑down treatment to deliver something special to the fans. It’s an intimate and passionate night where nostalgia takes over.
Do you love beer and plants? What about some friendly competition? Test your luck at Roots to Petals Plant Bingo over at Local Remedy Brewing in Oakmont. Participate in six different rounds with chances for plant and plant-accessory prizes. Not to mention, you’ll learn how to care for each prize plant before the round starts so even those with a not-so-green thumb can attend and start their own oasis.
We’re at the mid-point between the spring equinox and summer solstice which is actually an ancient Irish festival they call Bealtaine. This time is all about embracing the transformative powers of fire in a community-centric space. Connect with your neighbors through music, dance, art‑making, and community ritual, taking this ancient tradition into the modern-age of Pittsburgh.
Plus, check out our calendar for other events for the week and beyond!
Story by Kylie Thomas Featured Photo Courtesy of Roots to Petals
Blaise Hayward turns pocket change into sharply observed photographs about what still holds America together.
Photographer Blaise Hayward’s 50 State Quarters Project
Canadian-born Blaise Hayward didn’t set out to create a photographic series about American identity. He was just emptying a piggy bank.
It was the summer of 2023, and Hayward, a professional photographer, sat at the kitchen table of his family’s New York City apartment, rolling loose change he had poured from a cast-iron monkey bank. The statehood quarters—with their designs celebrating each state’s history, landmarks, and symbols—caught his attention immediately. “They looked so cool,” he recalls. But alongside their individuality, he noticed a shared detail.
“I saw that the phrase e pluribus unum—‘out of many, one’—was on every coin,” says Hayward, 61. “I started to really think about that phrase. It resonated with me.”
At the time, civic unity felt in short supply. In the 30 years he had lived, worked, and raised a family in the United States—after immigrating from Toronto to Manhattan with his wife, Rebecca, in 1996—he had never seen the country so politically fractured and oppositional. “There was all this divisiveness in Washington, very much an us-against-you dynamic,” he says.
Liberty and Justice for All
The idea came to Hayward quickly: photograph all 50 state quarters in intimate, close-up portraiture. Each state—equal by design, distinct in identity—would get the same artistic treatment, without any hierarchy. The coins wouldn’t be pristine but the opposite, worn down by circulation, in all their scratched, dulled, knocked-around glory. “I wanted quarters that had passed through countless hands,” he says.
It was also a celebration of an only-in-America phenomena: living in Manhattan, Hayward had long noticed how strongly the country’s citizens identify with their home states, even after moving away. “Americans are very state-proud,” he says. “That’s interesting.”
From Commercial Photography to Passion Projects
Hayward’s idea for a numismatic series arrived at a turning point in his career. For more than two decades, he was a sought-after commercial photographer, shooting major campaigns for brands like Chase and Verizon. When the industry contracted—and the pandemic finished the job—he pivoted to fine art.
Kayla Farrell
He began creating bronze and stone sculptures, along with tightly-focused photographic series, including botanical studies of single blossoms. In early 2023, he turned his lens on vintage concert tickets, transforming creased, dirty stubs—from a 1966 Beatles show in Tokyo to an Iggy Pop concert in Croatia in 1991—into gallery-worthy images. The quarters, with their built-in backstory, felt like a natural next subject.
Finding the right coins required persistence. Hayward made countless trips to his local bank, fielding quizzical looks from increasingly curious tellers. Searching for specific states, he sometimes cracked open dozens of rolls for a single match. Minnesota—the most elusive—appeared in the final roll the bank had on hand. He photographed the series over two days in his Union Square studio, slightly elevating each coin so it cast a natural shadow, one that shifts subtly depending on the coin’s wear pattern. The digital pigment prints, produced on matte cotton-rag paper to emphasize texture, range in size from 16 x 16 inches to 42 x 42 inches.
What Does the Pennsylvania Quarter Represent?
For Hayward, the Pennsylvania quarters carry a particular resonance. “I think it sums up where we are right now,” he says. The design is layered with symbolism: an outline of the state, an image of the bronze Commonwealth statue crowning the capitol dome in Harrisburg, a keystone, and the state motto—“Virtue, Liberty, and Independence” which we take a deeper look into. The phrase traces back to the original Quaker ideals of the state’s founder William Penn, who envisioned a society rooted in moral conduct, religious tolerance, and civic responsibility. “I think all three concepts are equally fragile in 2026,” says Hayward.
Still, he isn’t cynical. After more than two decades in the U.S., Hayward became a citizen and now holds dual citizenship. Experiencing the country as both an insider and an outsider simultaneously gives him a unique vantage point to understand the country’s strengths and weaknesses. “I like that I’m an immigrant,” he says. “It gives me a different perspective.”
Hayward is careful not to align his quarter series with any political party or partisan platform. For Americans encountering their own quarter at an outsize scale, his message is direct: “Hope. Unity. Understanding. Optimism. Tolerance,” says Hayward. He pauses. “We can all use more of that.”
Story by Kathleen Renda Photos Courtesy of Blaise Hayward
For months, an anthropomorphic Pop-Tart has been training for the NFL Draft. This Friday, the walking breakfast pastry will achieve his destiny: Being toasted and subsequently devoured by hungry Pittsburghers.
The Pop-Tart ‘Sacrifice’ is Coming to Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft and You Can Try a Bite
The Pop-Tarts® Bowl, an annual college football bowl game, has featured a curious tradition since 2023: A walking, smiling Pop-Tart mascot has been lowered into a giant toaster at the conclusion of each contest, with a (genuine) giant Pop-Tart emerging from the toaster to be eaten by the winning team.
Don’t Worry: This is the Dream of Every Pop-Tart, We’re Told
Rest easy: We are assured that, narratively, the Pop-Tarts want to be toasted and consumed, seeing it as the natural dream of all ambulatory morning snack foods. Prior toasted Pop-Tarts have held signs reading “Live Your Dream” and “Dream It, Achieve It” as they’ve been sacrificed.
While clips from the Pop-Tarts Bowl have gone viral online, it’s never been something that fans could participate in — until this Friday. During the NFL Draft, Pop-Tarts will host the first ever Edible Mascot Sacrifice for fans, as Pop-Tarts Protein Slammin’ Strawberry “goes pro” via a giant toaster, with fans able to line-up for a piece of the tasty results.
Where and When to Grab a Piece of Pop-Tart
The event is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. this Friday, April 24 at Nova Place on the North Side. (While traffic and transportation will be challenging during the NFL Draft, Nova Place is a short walk from some of the areas serviced by additional public transportation this weekend.)
For the first two hours of the gathering, fans can get photographs with the mascots and toaster. When the clock strikes 3:00 p.m., Slammin’ Strawberry will ascend to the top of the toaster and meet his gleeful, if warm, fate.
Fans will then be able to enjoy a piece of the oversized Pop-Tart, while supplies last — so queue up early if you’re angling to enjoy the fruits of Slammin’ Strawberry’s sacrifice. It’s the first such ritual held outside of the Pop Tarts Bowl itself, making Pittsburghers and visiting fans the only non-athletes ever afforded a bite of glory.
Story by Sean Collier Photos Courtesy of Pop-Tarts®
The ’Burgh literary scene may slow down during the summer — but it never stops. Readings, marquee events, and lectures are scheduled this May. (And don’t forget to check the websites of independent bookstores around the city such as Stay Gold Books, Riverstone Books, and Woolly Bear Books and Gifts to see what they have planned, too.)
Book Lover? Add These Pittsburgh Literary Events to Your May Calendar
Though Jayne Anne Phillips is best known for her fiction — she’s written six award-winning novels (she received a Pulitzer for Night Watch) and two acclaimed collections of short stories — I’ve always thought of her as a poet. Her prose is lyric, tender, and hard-hitting all at once. Phillips will discuss Small Town Girls, her highly-anticipated memoir-in-essays about growing up in West Virginia upbringing, with author Christa Parravani as part of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s Speaker Series. (It’s a series worth noting; the goal is to “provide local access to quality speakers while promoting global understanding and a broader cultural awareness.”) The event is free, but registration is required.
Pittsburgh is truly a writer’s town, alight with literary luminaries. This event features a pairing of bright lights: esteemed journalist and writer of all things Rust Belt and Appalachian, Jody DiPerna, and the notoriously generous and prolific writer, editor, and cultural critic, Ed Simon. DiPerna and Simon will discuss his recent book, Writing During the Apocalypse, best described as the defiant love song of a writer facing the four horsemen — here, political insanity, pandemics, war and climate change—head on. Events at White Whale Bookstore are free, but please RSVP to attend in-store (or you can register for a livestream).
In addition to being a world-renowned sanctuary for writers in exile — and offering numerous special projects in support of literature, free speech, and social justice — City of Asylum hosts more than 150 free music and literary events in Pittsburgh each year. May is Jazz Poetry Month, where you’ll find a “celebration of experimentation, collaboration and connection between art forms and between artist and audience.” A deeply rooted tradition that springs from City of Asylum’s origins, this year Jazz Poetry Month features: James Brandon Lewis with his punk-jazz fusion band, The Messthetics; Spanish Pianist Marta Sánchez performing with City of Asylum Writers-in-Residence; and poet-vocalist Erika Denae J’s book launch and album teaser. Register to see these free events either in-person (you must register prior to arrival) or via livestream.
Michael Chabon isn’t from Pittsburgh, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so. His first two novels, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and Wonder Boys, both of which were made into films, draw heavily on his time as a student at both CMU and Pitt. He’s been plenty busy since then; you might know him from his Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay or one of his many other books of fiction and nonfiction. As of this writing, in-person seats for Chabon’s appearance with Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures are still available — or you can purchase an online pass and watch at home. If by chance you can’t get seats, be sure to try the box office on the day of the event. And keep an eye out for additional free offerings through Arts & Lectures later this summer.
May-August (Second and Fourth Tuesdays), Hop Farm Brewing Company
Founded sometime around 1975 by legendary poet, former police officer and boxing mentor Jimmy Cvetic, Hemmingway’s Summer Poetry Series has always been a labor of love and a celebration of poetry and community. Since Cvetic’s passing in 2019, co-curaters and hosts Joan Bauer and Kristopher Collins carefully tend to the series. Readings, which begin promptly at 7 p.m., take place at Hop Farm Brewing Company on Butler Street. This summer’s readers include Sony Ton-Aime (May 12th), Anjali Sachdeva (June 23rd) and Emily Mohn-Slate (August 25th), among many others. Come for the readings, stay for the open mic — and share that poem you have tucked away!
Formerly the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, the Pgh Book Fest kicks off at 10 a.m. on May 30 and runs all day. (Schedules are still developing as of press time.) Pgh Book Fest is free and has offerings for readers of all ages and interests; a cast of thousands (not quite, but almost) will be on hand, so come on out for author talks, poetry readings, workshops, local booksellers, literary exhibitors, vendors and much more. You’ll also be able to hear nationally known authors of various genres of fiction and nonfiction including Steven Rowley (Lily and the Octopus,The Celebrants) and Beronda L. Montgomery (When Trees Testify). The Pgh Book Fest website is under construction as they rebrand and gear up for this year’s event, but you can keep abreast of details on Instagram.
Ilene Levy always wanted to own a store. She just never planned to own six.
Ilene Levy’s Cheeks, Glassworks, and Other Shops for Home Decor and Fashion in Pittsburgh
To her surprise, this retail dynamo known for her trademark oversized glasses has become one of Pittsburgh’s most prolific as well as impactful independent shopkeepers. Over the past three decades, Levy has amassed a portfolio of fashion and home goods boutiques that stretches from Shadyside to Squirrel Hill and into East Liberty, though she never set out to scale. Instead, she followed a buy-and-build strategy, acquiring and shepherding established businesses, then doubling down with an intensely hands-on approach to customer service that’s her calling card.
“I just saw the right opportunities,” says Levy, who champions the pleasures of in-person shopping and the value of walkable neighborhood retail.
Lingerie, Sleepwear, Decor, Luxury Bedding, and More
Levy’s first purchase, Cheeks, established her template. When she bought the store in 1997, it focused primarily on lingerie, sleepwear, and hosiery at its Shadyside and Squirrel Hill locales. Levy expanded the offerings to include bedroom-adjacent fashion—comfy robes, snuggly pajamas, lounge-worthy leisurewear—while ramping up personalized bra fittings. Investing in one of the store’s French-made, $245 Empreinte bras, Levy insists, is “a life changer.”
From there, Levy moved into tabletop, decor, and giftware with Glassworks, a compact jewel box of a boutique now located across the street from Cheeks. Curated with a collector’s eye, it brings together Baccarat crystal barware and vases, hand-painted Italian porcelain plates from Ginori 1736, colorful Smeg mixers and coffee makers, as well as MacKenzie-Childs’s whimsical checkerboard ceramics. Next door, Feathers is devoted to what Levy calls “pure luxury” for dressing the bed, from Scandia Down pillows stuffed with Hungarian white goose down to French-made Yves Delorme sheets and shams in combed cotton and linen.
The Grind Continues…
Levy’s most consequential move came last fall with the acquisition of Contemporary Concepts, two expansive registry and gift stores representing more than 300 brands, including Waterford, Wedgwood, and Le Creuset. To navigate the scale, she enlisted a retail consultant, Anne Dauer, for the first time. The purchase effectively unified much of the city’s high-end tabletop and bridal registry business, bringing brides, corporate clients, and collectors into a single Levy-run orbit of china, crystal, and silver.
Running a half-dozen stores means Levy is working non-stop seven days a week. She freely gives customers her cell number, answers emails at midnight, and texts at dawn. “We match prices, we gift wrap, we hand deliver,” she says. “We do whatever it takes,” including once packing up every candle in stock at Glassworks and driving them over to a frantic customer. For the always-in-motion Levy, retirement clearly isn’t an option—or even a consideration—because “I’m still working on a ten-year plan for the businesses,” she says with a laugh.
Story by Kathleen Renda Photography by Laura Petrilla
As fans and hopeful athletes arrive in Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft, celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern and a host of NFL legends will offer a one-of-a-kind dinner — for a good cause.
Twenty Local Restaurants, One Very Big Meal for the NFL’s Taste of the Draft
The Taste of the Draft, a second-year event held the night before the NFL Draft, invites more than 20 restaurants to prepare signature dishes in a philanthropic smorgasbord.
Cheryl Johnson, owner of Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe in Braddock, will be bringing her signature sweet potato pie to the Taste of the Draft. “It’s a 100-year-old recipe that came from my grandmother. I’ve tweaked it, of course, over the years,” Johnson says. “And we’ve just introduced a new pie, which we call the Gen 4 — it’s a smaller version of our pie.”
Johnson says that the NFL selected her and other regional restaurants after an exhaustive process; “you had to come to the meetings and tell your story.” She’s excited, she says, to see what — and who — will be a part of the event.
“They bring guest chefs. Andrew Zimmern is going to be there, and a couple of other ones too — they don’t tell us everything, either! That’s part of the surprise.”
Benefitting Student Hunger Efforts from GENYOUth
Taste of the Draft will benefit GENYOUth, a national nonprofit dedicated to student hunger (learn more about student food insecurity) and physical activity. Grants form GENYOUth tied to the NFL Draft are expected to benefit more than 50,000 students at 91 schools in Western Pennsylvania, providing approximately 13 million in-school meals.
The cause is important to Johnson, and also not the first time that Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe has fought food insecurity.
“We had a contract with United Way [during COVID] and we fed close to 10,000 people … We were at different housing complexes on the east side of Pittsburgh, and we delivered three times a week.
“When we would drive into these communities with our vans … people would run to us, because they knew that they were getting something they were going to eat,” Johnson adds. “It’s always about the young people. It’s about giving back to them from my heart.”
