🍝 Our 2025 food + drink wish list

🚗 New Turnpike Toll Rate Now In Effect

Toll rates on the PA Turnpike increased by 5% this year, and they’re expected to keep rising through 2050. But a new system for collecting tolls means lots of drivers should end up paying lower fees despite the price bump. [Union Progress]

👋 Sam DeMarco Leaves County Council

DeMarco is resigning from his role as Allegheny County councilman and chair of the county’s Republican committee to work for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. He’ll serve as southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for McCormick’s office. Council will appoint an interim member from the same political party within 30 days. [KDKA]

• Bob Macey, the longest-serving member on the current council, also announced he won’t run for re-election in 2025. [P-G]

🎨 Arts Fest Will Be Shorter This Year

Because of multiple Downtown renovation projects, the Three Rivers Arts Festival will be held for four days instead of the usual 10, from June 5-8. Officials eventually plan to move the festival to the Cultural District, which is getting a new civic space on 8th Street. [TribLive]

🔉 Pitt Students Study Healing Power of Sound

Sound healing has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine, but it isn’t as widespread in the U.S. — at least not in clinical settings. A new course at Pitt is training medical students to host sound baths while contributing to scientific research about their effectiveness, like whether they can improve someone’s heart rate. [90.5 WESA]

Here are our team’s top picks for the Pittsburgh spots we’re most inspired to taste in 2025 ⬇️

🍜 Kyuramen

📍 East Liberty

This new spot has homemade noodles, rich broth, and savory sides like chili garlic edamame and purple sweet potato fries — need I say more? But wait, there’s actually more: I’ve always wanted to try omurice — fried rice topped with an omelet that’s cut open to cascade over the dish in all of its luscious goodness. — Francesca Dabecco, senior newsletter editor

🍷 Balvanera

📍 Strip District

I love Argentinian food and wine, and Balvanera seems to top everyone’s list for both. Look for lots of platitos, or small plates; homemade sausages; decadent veggies like rotisserie beets and roasted carrots; and grilled steaks served with fresh chimi and salsa criolla. And I will be saving room for dessert — both the brûléed basque cheesecake and the torta de manzana, a warm brown sugar cardamom cake topped with cider roasted apples and crème fraîche ice cream. — Megan Harris, host

🥟 Namaste Momo Corner

📍 Whitehall

I’ve personally declared 2025 to be my year of momos, or Nepali dumplings! While Namaste Momo Corner serves up plenty of other plates, I will be ordering all five types of momo dishes. I’m most excited about their steamed momos in a spicy tomato soup and the fried momos tossed with raw veggies and chutney. — Sophia Lo, producer