City Cast Pittsburgh
🍷 A new tapas spot with almost 400 wines
May 17, 2024 · — Adrian González
It’s Friday! Pittsburgh’s unique accent is the subject of much lore (and sometimes the butt of a joke), but as a linguistics nerd, I can’t tell you how excited I was to find “The Yinzers of Glasgow: On the Scottish Origins of Pittsburgh’s Unique Dialect,” a deep dive from Pittsburgh native Ed Simon.
🗣️ Ready to practice your accent? We have a guide to speaking Pittsburghese.
What's CITY Talking About?
City Credit Card Issues Continue
Pittsburgh City Council has declined a controversial $1,200 payment to ex-city employee Mario Ashkar over city credit card expenditures. City Controller Rachael Heisler previously flagged $18,460 in payments to Ashkar for contracting work that were made through PayPal using a city credit card, a move that violated city policy but not the state’s ethics law, according to one official. [TribLive]
Can Tourism Revive the Arts in PGH?
Recent reports from the nonprofit Americans for the Arts show a promising uptick in cultural tourism and spending in Allegheny County post-pandemic, despite local art event attendance remaining below pre-COVID levels. Initiatives like Uber vouchers and more accessible admission prices were contributing factors. [NEXTpittsburgh]
Health Code Violations at Two Popular Restaurants
The Allegheny County Health Department issued consumer alerts for The Bagel Factory in Squirrel Hill and Mia Pizza in Bloomfield following health violations. Inspectors found fresh mice droppings at both locations, as well as a live mouse caught in a glue trap at The Bagel Factory. [Patch]
- City Cast Pittsburgh executive producer Mallory Falk recently visited one of these establishments and had a highly relatable reaction to the news. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
What To Do
Friday, May 17
- 🍅 Pittsburgh Regional Food Systems Summit at Carnegie Mellon | 8 a.m - 5 p.m. | free | Oakland
- 🇬🇷 Greek Food Festival at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral | 11 a.m. - midnight | pay as you go | Oakland
- 💡 International Creatives Day Learning Party at Assemble | 6-9 p.m. | free | Bloomfield
- 🎨 Akwasi Afrane Opening Exhibition at Mattress Factory | 6-8 p.m. | free | North Side
- 🧑🎤 Recovery Friendly 80s Party and costume contest | 7 - 11 p.m. | $15 | Monroeville
- 🐈 Kitty Bingo with Kitty Queen Cat Rescue | 7:30 - 9 p.m. | $25 | Ross Township
Saturday, May 18
- 🍵 Restorative Herbal Mornings at Garfield Community Farm | 8-9 a.m. | $10; free for neighborhood residents | Garfield
- 🛍️ Handmade Arcade Spring Market at Construction Junction | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | pay as you go | Point Breeze
- 🛶 Kayaking with Venture Outdoors | 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | free | Sharpsburg
- 🧑🌾 May Work Days at Kincaid St. Garden | 10 a.m. - noon | volunteer | Garfield
- 🪞 Annual Garage Sale at WorkshopPGH | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | pay as you go | Wilkinsburg
- 😋 AANHPI Social Hour at Ineffable Cà Phê | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
- 🪆 Garage Sale at Protohaven | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | pay as you go | Wilkinsburg
- 👕 Community Clothing Swap at the Union Project | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | free | Highland Park
- 🐶 Plants for Paws at Greenhouse Co-op | noon - 3 p.m. | $10 | Greenfield
- 👐 Pittsburgh Healing Festival at Schenley Park Overlook | noon - 7 p.m. | $10-40 | Squirrel Hill
- 🇬🇷 Greek Food Festival at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral | 1 p.m. - midnight | pay as you go | Oakland
- 🍹 Hidden Harbor Spring Fling at THIS IS RED | 3-10 p.m. | $20 | Munhall
- 💪 Pre and Peri Menopausal Workshop at Rebel Wellness | 4-6 p.m. | $50 | Shadyside; livestream
- 🎉 Out of Hand: The Archive Edition at Contemporary Craft | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | $75+ | Lawrenceville
Sponsored Content
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Food & Drink
Barcelona Wine Bar
Spanish-style tapas fans have a new go-to place at Barcelona Wine Bar, a rustic and cozy eatery serving Mediterranean, Spanish, and South American cuisine — plus, an impressive selection of nearly 400 wines. I’ve tried all but four of their charcuterie & cheese platters and have yet to be disappointed.
Yaba’s Middle Eastern Street Food
A fast casual spot with build-your-own bowls, salads, and wraps. They have three meat shawarma choices and a falafel option that you can top with up to five toppings, a good spread of sides, and even smash burgers.
Space Bar
This isn’t just any space-themed bar, it’s an immersive cocktail destination designed by two sci-fi lovers. Drink highlights include The Fifth Ele-Mint, a smokey gin and sake combo, and Dark Side of the Moon, a dessert bourbon cocktail with dulce de leche ice cream. They also have cider, beer, and wine.
Today on City Cast
Troy Polamalu, Park Priorities, and a North Side Horse Runs Free
Have we got stories for you this Friday! A North Side horse took a river plunge this week, the state DCNR wants you to weigh in on the next five years in park investments, and a few sports legends are headed back to the Burgh for a new fundraiser for the Neighborhood Resilience Project. Plus, we’re pouring one out for all of you who bought tickets to the Sudden Little Thrills music festival. (Lookin' at you, Sophia.)
That’s all for today. And for those looking to visit the other side of the commonwealth, Frontier Airlines just announced twice-a-day, nonstop flights between Pittsburgh and Philly. Enjoy your weekend!
Free · Daily