Moon Baby Premieres New Music Video “Moi” From Her Recent EP Butter Face
Moon Baby premieres her new music video.
Crowdfunding campaign for Pittsburgh Playwrights’ theater artist Mark Clayton Southers
Crowdfunding campaign seeks to aid Pittsburgh Playwrights’ Southers with medical expenses from car accident.
PennEnvironment releases report on fracking near schools, nursing homes and hospitals
New report calls attention to fracking’s proximity to Pennsylvania’s schools, daycares and nursng homes.
Listen Up! Oct. 21
Every Wednesday, we make a Spotify playlist containing tracks from artists covered in the current music section. Check it out below.
LGBT-rights group campaigns for statewide non-discrimination legislation in Pennsylvania
In southwestern PA counties, excluding Allegheny, it is still legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. LGBT advocates seek to change that.
Allegheny County Executive Fitzgerald says he considered ousting controversial jail health-care company Corizon in May
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald sits down with City Paper to talk about issues surrounding the county jail.
Concert announcements: King Diamond, Dr. Dog, Gabe Dixon & Leigh Nash, more
It’s time again for some concert announcements. Some are a little fresher than others, but you’ll find they’re ALL quite thrilling. Without further ado… King Diamond returns to Stage AE on Nov. 23 to play the record Abigail in full. Electric Citizen opens ($27-30, on sale now). Also at Stage AE: Dr. Dog on March 16 ($23-25,…
Pittsburgh City Council passes campaign finance reform
Pittsburgh City Council passes new campaign finance limits.
Poet Gerald Stern at the Carnegie; Hal Holbrook’s “Mark Twain Tonight” at the Byham
Veteran poet, actor topped bills here last week
MP3 Monday: Salvage the Tongue
This week’s MP3 comes from local melodic indie-rock/post-hardcore band Salvage the Tongue. Stream or download the track “Sit Still,” from the band’s new EP Honest, below. This download link has expired, sorry!
Lynn Cullen Live 10/19/15
Video Archive You can listen to the audio archive here. The book isn’t dead. Gluten free trend. Lullabies and why they are often sad. The top 100 companies to work for if you have a family. Audio Only Archive Listen to the Audio Archives on with our new Apple and Android Apps or the computer…
Carnegie Museums celebrate 120 years with online contest
Contest to find the public’s favorite artwork, artifact or experience
Campaign 2016’s Silly Season: A Weekly Tweet Round-Up Oct. 16
Campaign 2016’s Silly Season: A Weekly Tweet Round-Up Oct. 16
Pennsylvania budget impasse not imminent cause for concern for county budget
County budget in “pretty good” shape until the end of the year, according to county controller; care providers in county may need additional assistance.
CP Weekend Podcast – Oct. 16 – 18, 2015
This week: Ghostbustin’, zine-makin’ and play-watchin’ all weekend long
Lynn Cullen Live 10/16/15
Video Archive You can listen to the audio archive here. Dennis Hastert pleads guilty. Homeland graffiti. Still looking for a Speaker of the House. Committee on homegrown terrorism. Cocks not glocks. Audio Only Archive Listen to the Audio Archives on with our new Apple and Android Apps or the computer audio player.
Lynn Cullen Live 10/15/15
Video Archive You can listen to the audio archive here. Democratic debate notes. Walmart in trouble. The death of small business. Audio Only Archive Listen to the Audio Archives on with our new Apple and Android Apps or the computer audio player.
Pittsburgh Savoyards’ Iolanthe
IOLANTHE continues through Sun., Oct. 18. Pittsburgh Savoyards at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Ave., Carnegie. $25. 412-734-8476 or pittsburghsavoyards.org It’s odd: I’m not much of a fan of Gilbert & Sullivan, who composed their landmark light operas during the reign of Queen Victoria, but I actually enjoy Iolanthe. So much…
Best of Pittsburgh 2015
Having been involved in roughly 10 of City Paper’s Best of Pittsburgh Readers’ Polls over the years, I’ve managed to make a few observations about what readers like. For example, we love the places that have always been there for us, like Eat’n Park. The local chain never misses a Best Of list and quite…
Much Ado About Nothing at CMU Drama
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING continues through Sat., Oct. 17. Philip Chosky Theater, Carnegie Mellon campus, 5000 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $10-28.75. 412-268-2407 or drama.cmu.edu Director Anthony McKay has given Shakespeare a swinging makeover in this update of the hilarious Much Ado About Nothing. Nineteen-sixties Italy provides a visually pleasing aesthetic and a strong vehicle for the action. With…
Wysocki: McConnell-Serio building something special at Pitt
University of Pittsburgh’s women’s head basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Serio is better than you or me. Those are my words, not hers, and I can prove that assertion. Now, of course, lots of people are better than me — even monthly-pass-holding Port Authority riders are better than me. (Highfalutin show-offs with their season tickets to the…
Phillip Terman’s new poetry collection
Obsession needn’t always be a bad thing. In a stimulating essay, noted poet Tony Hoagland argues that poetic obsession can be “nothing less than a blessing,” and that “a poet without a compelling, half-conscious story of the world may not have a heat source catalytic enough to channel into the work of a lifetime.” Readers…
Stuff We Like
Humanae/I AM AUGUST. The skin color of each portrait in this outdoor photo exhibit is matched to a Pantone color, serving as a great visual reminder that not everything is so black-and-white. August Wilson Center, Downtown 1989. Ryan Adams’ full-length cover of the Taylor Swift album turns bubblegum pop on its head and gives it…
Pittsburgh gets a Feminist Zine Fest
FEMINIST ZINE FEST PITTSBURGH Thu., Oct. 15-Sun., Oct. 18. Various venues. Free. feministzinefestpgh.tumblr.com Five years in, the Pittsburgh Zine Fest is virtually a local institution. But even some of its supporters saw something was missing. Hence this week’s inaugural Feminist Zine Fest Pittsburgh, four days of feminist-themed readings, workshops, zine-making, a film screening and a…
Short List: October 15 – 22
SPOTLIGHT: Sat., Oct. 17 — Music It’s been six years since the untimely death of Michael Jackson. Love him or hate him, the eccentric music icon left behind a body of work that few in history can approach. From No. 1 hits, albums and videos to sold-out concerts and global superstardom, Jackson was a key…
Coming Home
Coming Home Directed by Zhang Yimou Starring Gong Li, Chen Daoming, Zhang Huiwen In Mandarin, with subtitles Starts Fri., Oct. 16. Regent Square. Noisy battles get plenty of attention. We are relieved when the tumultuous times end, but in moving forward, there can be a tendency to disregard lingering traumas. The past is over —…
Dan Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival
HUMP! FILM FESTIVAL 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Thu., Oct. 15, and Fri., Oct. 16; and 5, 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Sat., Oct. 17. Row House Cinema, Lawrenceville. rowhousecinema.com There are times you will likely feel uncomfortable watching Dan Savage’s HUMP! Film Festival, the second annual touring collection of amateur-porn shorts. But that’s…
99 Homes
Like a modern economic horror story, Ramin Bahrani’s drama takes us back to 2010, when places like Orlando, Fla., were being ravaged by the housing crisis. A time fraught with terrors like foreclosures and evictions, as well as monsters like speculators and flippers making a fast buck. Laid-off construction worker and single dad Dennis Nash…
Best Activist
If you’ve been to a rally or march over the past year, read or watched any of the media coverage of the local #blacklivesmatter movement or the protests at the Allegheny County Jail, you’ve definitely heard Julia Johnson’s name. “I live this every day. These issues affect me. It hurts me so much, and the…
Rachael Yamagata on Mandy Moore, loving without fear and weathering a decade of music-industry storms
RACHAEL YAMAGATA with MY NAME IS YOU 8 p.m. Thu., Oct. 15. Club Café, 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $20-22. 412-431-4950 or clubcafelive.com Last year, Rachael Yamagata opened for Joshua Radin at the Carnegie Library Music Hall on Valentine’s Eve — the night before the day of love. On a dark stage, in a…
Best Local Male Athlete
As a journalist, I’m supposed to be unbiased when it comes to the people I cover. I’m not supposed to play favorites or show my affinity for one side or another. But when it comes to the center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, those rules fly right into the Allegheny like a towering moonshot from…
On his newest record, Beaver County-based singer-songwriter Matthew Ryan’s work reflects the spirit of Western Pennsylvania
MATTHEW RYAN with JESSE MALIN, DON DILEGO 8 p.m. Sun., Oct. 18. Club Café, 56 S. 12th St., South Side. $15. 412-431-4950 or clubcafelive.com Even though he moved to Beaver County from Nashville about four years ago, singer/songwriter Matthew Ryan hasn’t really performed much around town. “This is my first show in the city other…
Music On The Edge kicks off its 25th season with a fusion of Asian and American music
MUSIC ON THE EDGE: MUSICAL FUSIONS Ensemble N_JP: 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16. Music From China: 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 17. Bellefield Hall, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. 412-624-4141 or music.pitt.edu/mote Concert series Music On The Edge (MOTE) kicks off its 25th season this week, but don’t expect fireworks for the anniversary. The organizers — co-directors…
Critics’ Picks, Oct. 15-21
[AFRO POP] + THU., OCT. 15 “Chachacha” is a traditional form of protest song, played on homemade instruments like the kalimba (a xylophone made out of hollowed-out gourds), and originally sung by Zambian freedom fighters in the 1960s. It’s also the title of a new work by Mathew Tembo, who is an international pop star…
Mighty Oak Barrel
Mighty Oak Barrel 939 Third St., Oakmont. 412-826-1069 Hours: Mon.-Sat. lunch 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner 4 p.m.-close Prices: Appetizers, flatbreads and salads $7-14; entrees and pasta $16-29 Liquor: Full bar For awhile, the charmingly named Mighty Oak Barrel was a word-of-mouth favorite, offering some of the region’s best food and wine in a surprisingly nondescript…
Best Local Visual Artist
www.pop-x.com “Take Me To Another Place,” reads the hand-painted message on the mantel above Baron Batch’s bed. The words feel not like a plea for escape, but simply a prayer for inspiration: Batch is right where he wants to be. Even sleeping in the unfinished, windowless basement of his A.M. Studios — right alongside the…
New Releases
Sikes and The New Violence I’ve Seen Better (Bad Idea Collective) It’s hard to tell how many levels of irony Brian Howe, known by the stage name Sikes, is operating on. I’ve Seen Better, released this past August, is the rapper’s fifth album, and his first featuring his live backing band, The New Violence. Eschewing…
Wallace’s Tap Room rethinks the hotel bar
Hotel bars get a bad rap. And with boring, overpriced draft lists and way too many cocktails ending in “tini,” a lot of them deserve it. But these days, hotels around the world are spending serious time developing beverage programs that leave cookie-cutter bars in the past. The bar at East Liberty’s brand-new Hotel Indigo…
Best Locally Made Wine or Spirit
2401 Smallman St., Strip District 412-224-2827 or www.wiglewhiskey.com The people at Wigle Whiskey understand the weight associated with being Western Pennsylvania’s largest craft distillery. And they embrace it by setting lofty goals. “We want our role in the industry to be the one to bring back traditions, while also innovating and educating,” says co-owner Meredith…
Shawn Burton won a new trial for a murder he says he didn’t commit and has already served 20 years for. So how come the DA’s office won’t let him have it?
It’s Oct. 1, barely one week since Juanda Burton-Burch ended chemotherapy for stage-four colon cancer. But already, the 79-year-old matriarch is bound to a hospital bed, unable to eat or talk. In four days she will be dead. One of Burton-Burch’s daughters, Michelle Burton Brown, says visitors have been cycling in and out of her…
Nana’s in Bloomfield offers soul food and a cozy dining experience
The Gibson family is too large and has too many great cooks to have just one restaurant. Its original restaurant, Gibson’s, in Penn Hills, offers Southern specialties and sides and has experienced continued success since opening in 2006. So the family decided to open another location in Bloomfield. Nana’s Place opened in July in the…
The Carnegie’s Edward Hopper show reminds us of the painter’s singular importance
CMOA COLLECTS EDWARD HOPPER continues through Oct. 26. Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. 412-622-3212 or www.cmoa.org Many American masters have contributed to this country’s cultural identity, but only a rarefied few have built its essential foundation. The poetry of Walt Whitman, the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the music of Louis…
Garfield’s “tiny house” has a bigger price tag than expected
A tiny house will soon stand in Garfield. Unfortunately, its costs ended up being not so tiny. Last November, City Paper reported how tiny houses might provide affordable single-family homes in blighted neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. But thanks to unforeseen costs, the expenses associated with the tiny house on North Atlantic Avenue have ballooned to more…
The ToonSeum’s local comics showcase, plus two new pubs by local artists
The local comics scene is booming, and ToonSeum exhibit Drawn in Pittsburgh is a good place to catch up. Curated by comics expert Wayne Wise, Copacetic Comics’ Bill Boichel and comics artist Joyana McDiarmid, it’s a roomful of framed work by about 30 area practitioners (mostly recent stuff, often excerpts of longer pieces). The quality…
This Just In: A look at local news online and on the tube
Down Dog In his monthly District 36 newsletter, state Representative and undertaker Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny) features a column written by his dead dog entitled, “Around the town with Buster.” It’s not clear whether this is the ghost of Buster writing, or someone ghost-writing on Buster’s behalf. In a recent column entitled “Photobombed!,” Buster talks up…
Best Bowling Alley
212 44th St., Lawrenceville 412-683-5992 or www.arsenalbowl.com The sign hanging outside reads: “Where old-school bowling vibe meets nightclub atmosphere,” as heralded by The New York Times. To wit: karaoke and bowling, ’80s night and bowling, bingo and bowling. Plus a funky second-floor layout and a built-in bar. Other Finalists 2nd: Hollywood Lanes, Dormont 3rd: Forward…
Altar Boyz at CLO Cabaret
ALTAR BOYZ continues through Dec. 20. Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret at The Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave., Downtown. $39.75-44.75. 412-456-6666 or clocabaret.com Ah, autumn … a time when the nights begin to draw in, and a touch of frost chills the air. In defiant response, Pittsburgh CLO Cabaret presents the high-voltage, high-concept 2005 off-Broadway…
Savage Love
I am a cis woman in my mid 20s. I get a pang or a spasm of pain in a place deep in my clit/urethra area. I can’t pinpoint which part exactly. It takes me by surprise every time it happens, so I jerk around and press my crotch for a hot second — which…
Best Neighborhood Landmark
Oakland With its dozens of authentically outfitted Nationality Rooms, the Cathedral of Learning pays homage to worldwide cultures from Armenian to Japanese to Welsh. The gothic tower, full of classrooms and offices, rises above Oakland, and inside, its great hall would give Hogwarts a run for its money. Other Finalists 2nd: Point State Park 3rd:…
Best Sushi
1611 E. Carson St., South Side, and 10636 Perry Highway, Wexford www.eatatnakama.com An extensive drink list, entertaining chefs and great views of the South Side passersby on East Carson Street are all pluses, but diners appreciate Nakama for its commitment to high-quality sushi. The red dragon maki and Pittsburgh Penguins roll are customer favorites. Other…
Best Dive Bar
1117 E. Carson St., South Side 412-431-3644 or www.jacksbarpittsburgh.com Aglow in neon at the end of the East Carson bar strip, Jack’s keeps a low profile and a smoke-filled interior. Its barely-there website crows that the bar is “a party on a budget 365 days a year.” With bottom-floor drinks prices and tons of local…
Best Day Spa
337 Beaver St., Sewickley 412-741-4240 or www.sewickleyspa.com When you’re in the mood to “Treat Yo Self,” head to this repeat reader favorite. From massages and facials to seaweed wraps and waxing, Sewickley Spa — which is welcomingly located in a renovated 19th-century house — offers more than 40 treatments to help you feel refreshed and…
Best Desserts
4605 Butler St., Lawrenceville, and 300 Cochran Road, Mount Lebanon www.lagourmandinebakery.com La Gourmandine is a passport to a small French street where the heavenly scent of baking bread and buttery pastry hangs in the air. Fabien and Lisanne Moreau moved from France and brought their pastry skills with them, giving Pittsburgh a taste of almond…
Best Local Male Athlete
The dreads might be gone, but the swagger and talent are still there. Cutch, as he is affectionately known, continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, and this year led the Buccos to another playoff berth. And while we all miss those magical dreads, at least they were auctioned off to benefit Pirates Charities. Other Finalists…
Best Yoga Studio
Multiple locations www.amazingyoga.net This frequent best-of winner offers heated power yoga in a welcoming and supportive environment. At $7 for 7 days of unlimited yoga, the intro special is a steal. If you’re looking to build strength, stamina and maybe a little inner peace, head to one of the studio’s three (soon to be four)…
Best Trivia Night
4104 Penn Ave., Bloomfield 412-621-4900 or www.brillobox.net Head to pub-quiz night at Brillo to get sucked into the world of MC extraordinaire Dave Mansueto. Running on what seems like pure nervous energy and quick wit, Mansueto mans clever cuts of pop music while interjecting questions. Over several rounds, teams compete to win food and gift…
Best Bicycle Shop
62 S. 15th St., South Side 412-390-3590 or www.thickbikes.com Shopping here feels like stumbling around the basement of a well-organized bike geek. In fact, the recently renovated store offers a wide selection of used bikes for sale in its basement, in addition to new bikes and all the latest gear upstairs. And if you can’t…
Best Local Music Venue
400 North Shore Drive, North Side 412-229-5483 or www.stageae.com Stage AE is, quite literally, a venue for all seasons. In the warmer months, big tours, like Death Cab for Cutie and Mac Miller, take to the outdoor stage, but there are plenty of indoor shows of all sizes throughout the year. And, it’s a venue conveniently…
Best Haunted Attraction
118 Locust St., Etna 412-781-5885 or www.scarehouse.com It’s 6:30 p.m. on opening day and a man in full, bloody makeup, with a listless chainsaw at his side, struggles with the ScareHouse Banner in the parking lot of the Pittsburgh Zoo. A short queue has already begun to form. A staff member in a day-glo orange…
Best Local Female Athlete
Before she was a starting defender for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, Klingenberg played the sport she loves at Pine-Richland High School. So, while the rest of the world “discovered” her during her exceptional play at this summer’s World Cup, locals in the know have been fans for years. Other Finalists 2nd: Swin Cash,…
Best Tattoo Shop
5001 Penn Ave., Garfield 412-661-0503 or www.artisanpittsburgh.com Jason Angst — who opened Artistan in 2011 with his wife, Meliora — has been drawing since birth (almost), and you’ve probably seen his finely rendered artwork on the bodies of your fellow Pittsburghers. Angst and the other resident tattoo artists represent a range of styles, but quality…
Best Monthly/Weekly DJ Night
1306 E. Carson St., South Side. 412-431-4668 or www.smiling-moose.com Run by DJ Adam Rahuba — of the PittPunk website and production company — Pop Punk Night is the last Saturday night of each month. Rahuba showcases the “poppier side of punk.” So while you might hear a few Ramones classics, you’re sure to hear lots…
Best Fashion Icon
As the owner of Eons vintage clothing store in Shadyside, you could say fashion is in Richard Parsakian’s blood. But through his involvement with organizations like the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Planned Parenthood and the local arts community, he’s as well known for his philanthropy as for his excellent fashion sense. Other Finalists 2nd: Kiya…
Best Local Theater Company
1300 Bingham St., South Side www.citytheatrecompany.org In its converted historic church, City focuses exclusively on new plays by established and up-and-coming playwrights like Daniel Beaty, Jessica Dickey and John Patrick Shanley. The company consistently presents polished productions — including the occasional world premiere — and its actors and directors include both local and visiting talent.…
Best local hip-hop performer to be the next Mac Miller
www.jasirix.com When Jasiri X started rapping, he was told that nobody wants to hear music with a message. So when his track “Free the Jena 6” — about six black Louisiana high-schoolers charged with the beating of a white student — started getting national play, he was a little surprised. “I’d been told so much…
Best Locally Made Wine or Spirit
2401 Smallman St., Strip District, and 1055 Spring Garden Ave., North Side 412-224-2827 or www.wiglewhiskey.com Since opening in 2012, Wigle has gone from being the first post-prohibition distillery in the city to the most-awarded craft distillery in the country. The whiskey-maker opened an outdoor garden at its barrel house last year, and continues to create…
Best Body-Piercing Shop
95 S. 16th St., South Side, and 115 Oakland Ave., Oakland www.hotrodpiercingcompany.com A quick look at Hot Rod’s Instagram stream shows the excited faces of customers and suggests the possibilities for piercings: curved barbells for the eyebrows, a triple helix in the ear, double-nostril for the nose, and more. The shop, now with two locations,…
Best Downtown Lunch Spot
942 Penn Ave., Downtown 412-281-2810 or siennapgh.com Lunchers can tuck into a variety of gourmet meatballs in sauces and gravies, such as pork Bolognese, chicken gravy, “government cheese” and spinach-almond pesto. Sliders, panini and grinder sandwiches can be filled with classic beef, spicy pork, vegetarian or turkey. Other Finalists 2nd: NOLA on the Square 3rd:…
Best Place to Hide From Zombies
In George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, the 1978 horror film that depicted people fending off zombies from inside the Monroeville Mall, only two survive. Today, a strategist might advise against holing up in a space that provides the undead with ample room to surround it, but Pittsburghers are nothing if not loyal to the…
Best Burger
Multiple locations www.burgatorybar.com Burgatory would be worth the trip just for its selection of traditional and off-the-wall burgers — like the Piggy Butter and Jelly, featuring pickles, bacon, peanut butter and habañero jelly. But add the option of elk, bison, veggie or crab patties, plus the fantastic milkshakes (spiked with alcohol or not), and it’s…
Best Barber Shop
4504 Butler St., Lawrenceville. 412-326-5964 or www.mistergroomingandgoods.com Steaming hot towels wrap Jeremy Jacobs’ face as he reclines in a barber’s chair. His nose and mouth are exposed just enough to breathe, and to mumble that he’s feeling pretty relaxed. Under the towels is a sizable beard. “I’ve had it since senior year of high school,”…
Best Food Truck
www.pghtacotruck.com The fast, fresh and economically priced tacos have made this relatively long-running food truck a favorite around town. Seasoned meats and veggie substitutes are wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with lively accompaniments — opt for ground beef, more exotic Thai chicken or curried potatoes. The truck makes a lot of regular stops: Keep…
Best Vape Shop
4136 Library Road, Castle Shannon, and 4023 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville steelcityvapors.com This electronic-cigarette shop is more than just a vape convenience store. Steel City’s knowledgeable staff helps patrons find the right vapor flavor and strength. Visit the store and try out some of the more than 80 flavors it carries. And a lot of…
Best Outdoor Dining
5747 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside 412-362-5273 or www.harrisgrill.com On warm days and nights, patrons can be found sitting out on the patio, with its ample seating and vine-covered gates. The breezy ambiance makes Harris Grill a great spot for happy-hour drinks and appetizers (Tuesday is Free Bacon Night), as well as the perfect perch for scoping…
Best Local Pet Store
5880 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside 412-362-7387 or www.petagogypgh.com If a plastic toy and run-of-the-mill pet food are all you desire for your pet, a big-box store probably has you covered. But all items at Petagogy are hand-picked. Pet food and snacks are healthful; pet toys and supplies are selected because they are unique, and many are…
Best Gallery for Local Artists
5015 Penn Ave., Garfield www.mostwantedfineart.com Jason and Nina Sauer’s independent gallery helps anchor the Penn Avenue arts corridor with its DIY vibe and bustling but mellow atmosphere. This “community-service organization disguised as an art gallery” tackles everything from trans-racial adoption and creepy doll art to Jason Sauer’s enthusiasm for demolition derby. Other Finalists 2nd: SPACE,…
Best Flea Market
Trader Jack’s Flea Market 999 Steen Road, Bridgeville. 412-257-8980 It’s 11:30 a.m. on Sunday at Trader Jack’s Flea Market, in Bridgeville, and I’m haggling over the price of a large wooden cross with the classic depiction of Jesus nailed to it. The item is sitting among other miscellaneous pieces of merchandise — like a cordless…
Best Juice/Smoothie Bar
3418 Penn Ave, Lawrenceville 412-586-5060 or www.pittsburghjuicecompany.com It’s no coincidence that Pittsburgh Juice Company — founded by siblings Naomi and Zeb Homison, the latter a national yoga champion — is attached to a hot-yoga studio. But you don’t have to undergo sweaty stretching to treat yourself to PJC’s cold-pressed juices, smoothies, juice shots and raw vegan…
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
562 Camp Horne Road, North Hills 412-847-7000 or www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Hundreds of dogs and cats need a caring home, and Animal Friends stand by to match you with a furry companion. Its North Hills location has drop-in hours, or you can search online. And once you get your pet, there are resources to help with training…
Best Indian Restaurant
7795 McKnight Road, North Hills 412-364-1760 or www.tajmahalinc.com It’s worth the drive to McKnight Road to visit Taj Mahal, where a vast menu, representing cuisine from many regions of India, offers something for everyone. If you’re the indecisive type, opt for one of the popular dinner or lunch buffets, and bring your appetite. And don’t skip…
Best Local Bookstore
4754 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield 412-224-2847 or www.eastendbookexchange.com Nothing makes a neighborhood feel more welcoming than a cozy bookshop. East End Book Exchange offers quality used and rare books; perhaps trade in your old books for store credit? But it’s not all just commerce: East End also hosts a variety of literary events such as book-release…
Best Pizza
2128 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, and 713A Washington Road, Mount Lebanon www.mineospizza.com Pittsburgh has room for many styles of pizza, and everyone will claim a favorite, but Mineo’s continues to make our Best Of list. The pizza house serves hot and greasy, slightly crispy-bottomed slices (as well as doughy Sicilian-style squares) in an unpretentious, old-school…
Best Neighborhood Market
601 52nd St., Lawrenceville 412-408-3798 or www.52ndstreetmarket.com Tucked into a corner building on the steep street that it’s named for, the 52nd Street Market looks sunny and inviting. Dora Walmsley and Deirdre Kane, co-owners of the grocery, named the Best Neighborhood Market by City Paper readers, are still glowing from the joint one-year anniversary party…
Best Food Festival
419 S. Dithridge St., Oakland www.stnickspgh.org This is the one worth marking the calendar for — it rolls around every May. Conveniently located in central Oakland, the church-run festival offers a week’s worth of Greek food (from baked goods and snacks, to full meals), as well as live music and outdoor seating. You can even…
Best Thrift Shop
Multiple locations www.goodwillswpa.org Goodwill operates more than a dozen retail thrift stores in Greater Pittsburgh, including three in the city’s happening neighborhoods of South Side, East Liberty and Lawrenceville. Stop by to see what’s new in gently used clothing, furniture, books, housewares and, at some locations, even computers. Other Finalists 2nd: Red, White and Blue,…
Best Late-Night Menu
Multiple locations www.eatnpark.com Honestly, there’s something about crunchy food late at night, and Eat’n Park has diners covered: planks of fried zucchini, baskets of crisp onion rings and piles of fresh-cut potato chips, all offered at a late-night discount. The after-hours menu also includes breakfast dishes for those looking turn their late night into an…
Best Local Store to Buy Music
1210 E. Carson St., South Side 412-488-8800 or www.davesmusicmine.com This perennial CP readers’ favorite has aisles and stacks of vinyl, CDs, VHS, cassettes and books that one can easily get lost in. New, used, buy, sell, trade. There are even concert tickets for local venues — including Club Café, The Rex Theater and Mr. Small’s…
Best Dance Company
2900 Liberty Ave., Strip District 412-281-0360 Founded in 1969, this acclaimed company features nearly 30 dancers from around the U.S. and beyond. Known for its mainstay Nutcracker at the Benedum each December, the company has recently begun upping its game and raising its profile nationally. Its new season begins this month with a mixed-repertory show…
Best Coffeehouse
3623 Butler St., Lawrenceville 412-918-1864 or espressoamano.com Espresso a Mano’s tagline says it all: “espresso bar and gathering place.” With a neighborhood vibe, inviting interior and energetically friendly staff, this Lawrenceville coffee shop is a far cry from corporate. “We just try to make great coffee and be really nice to people,” says Matt Gebis,…
Best Japanese Restaurant
1611 E. Carson St., South Side, and 10636 Perry Highway, Wexford www.eatatnakama.com Popular Nakama is great for a night out, to see and be seen. (Steelers have been spotted dining here.) The restaurant offers both hibachi and sushi, where options range from the most elemental shrimp tempura roll to, for more advanced diners, sea-urchin nigiri.…
Best Sports Bar
393 North Shore Drive, North Side 412-224-6287 or www.jeromebettisgrille36.com Why is this spot, located next to Heinz Field, the city’s Best Sports Bar? Sure, it’s got great food and big-screen TVs, along with 36 beers on tap, 36 different bottles of wine and 36 different martinis. But there’s also its namesake, Jerome Bettis, No. 36…
Best Local Beer
147 Julius St., Larimer 412-537-2337 or www.eastendbrewing.com You’ll likely recognize this brewery’s growlers, featuring a sun shining behind a frothy pint. East End Brewing has been making beer for more than a decade, and now offers four year-round brews, six seasonals, and several favorites and “one-offs.” Try a sample at the Pittsburgh Public Market, or…
Best Local Store to Buy Furniture
Multiple locations This home-furnishings store was founded nearly 100 years ago in tiny Mount Pleasant. It has since expanded into both Pittsburgh and Cleveland but is still run by the Levin family. Your convenient one-stop for beds, couches, tables, desks, TV stands and the all-important “accents.” Other Finalists 2nd: Perlora, South Side and Strip District…
Best Wings
321 Bigham St., Mount Washington 412-431-9313 or bighamtavern.com With 30 varieties of wing flavors, Bigham Tavern is a must-stop on wing night — or any night. Can you handle the heat? Try the Cluckin’ Hot (a dry rub with ranch and cayenne). Or do something different with Thai Spicy Peanut. Get there early on Wednesdays…
Best New Restaurant
214 Sixth St., Downtown 412-471-8256 or www.takopgh.com Once, Pittsburgh had very few Mexican restaurants. Now we have enough that plain old tacos barely create any notice; instead, Pittsburghers are rushing to embrace fusion cuisine where tacos are just the jumping-off point for deliciously exotic flavors. There’s no better example of this than at Downtown’s Tako,…
Lynn Cullen Live 10/14/15
Video Archive You can listen to the audio archive here. Margee Kerr, a sociologist and an expert on fear speaks on the physiology and culture of fear. Audio Only Archive Listen to the Audio Archives on with our new Apple and Android Apps or the computer audio player.
Best Italian Restaurant
3801 Butler St., Lawrenceville 412-622-0111 or www.piccolo-forno.com Located in the heart of happening Lawrenceville, this cozy, casual family-run restaurant is always a lively spot. The menu offers wood-fired pizzas (including margherita and quattro formaggio), small plates and antipasti, panini and fresh-made pastas. It’s also BYOB, so you can bring your own favorite Italian bottle selection.…
Best Car Dealer
Multiple locations www.rohrich.com In business since 1938, the Rohrich family clearly has experience on its side when it comes to selling cars. With a huge array of options in new and used vehicles, from family-style to luxury rides, the seven locations offer something for every driver looking for a set of wheels. Other Finalists 2nd:…
Best Restaurant Wine List
947 Penn Ave., Downtown 412-697-1336 or www.thesonomagrille.com Sonoma Grille has one of the most extensive and diverse wine lists in the city, with an emphasis on West Coast wines. Patrons can partake in their favorites from the Napa and Sonoma valleys, or opt for wine flights to try out new varieties and wineries. Nibble on…
Best Place to Buy Vintage Clothing
5850 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside 412-361-3368 Eons has been a go-to for avid vintage-shoppers for years. Walking into the shop is like being caught up in a whirlwind of decades, but the clothing is carefully organized into men’s and women’s, then labeled by year and style. From art deco to mod, hippie to haute couture, treasures…
Best Taco
4115 Butler St., Lawrenceville 412-224-2070 or www.smokepgh.com Formerly in Homestead, Smoke BBQ Taqueria, now in Lawrenceville, still serves up its fan-favorite “chickenapple” and chorizo taco, but has since added more vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. The new location has bigger everything — staff, kitchen, meat-smoker and a flour-tortilla-maker that can produce hundreds of tortillas an…
Best Thai Restaurant
903 Penn Ave., Downtown, and 856 Western Ave., North Side. www.nickysthaikitchen.com At this long-time favorite, start with a fresh spring roll and tom yum soup, and move on to the green curry with chicken; for dessert, try custard with sticky rice. At the BYOB North Side location, dine outside on the lovely patio filled with…
Best LGBT Bar
5801 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside 412-661-5600 Looking for a gay-friendly spot that doubles as a sports bar and plays music videos? 5801, in the heart of Shadyside, has what you’re after. It’s a destination for LGBTQ nightlife on two levels, plus an outdoor patio in the summer. Weekly events include team trivia night on Tuesdays. Other…
Best Restaurant Beer List
Multiple locations www.sharpedgebeer.com Remember that beer you had abroad last year? Sharp Edge probably has it. A lengthy menu offers beers from countries as diverse as Jamaica and the Czech Republic, plus local Pennsylvanian breweries and other craft favorites. And for Belgian-beer selection, Sharp Edge is unparalleled. Other Finalists 2nd: Fat Heads, South Side 3rd:…
Best Local Shoe Store
5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill 412-521-3530 or www.littlesshoes.com Despite online shopping, there are certain things that are best done in person, and while being assisted by knowledgeable professionals. That’s the kind of service you get at Littles. It sells the latest styles for customers of all ages, but in an atmosphere reminiscent of where you…
Best Bakery
531 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont 412-826-1606 or www.oakmontbakery.com Oakmont Bakery has such a large variety of baked goods that you’ll be glad there is a long wait in line: Now, you can take your time to decide what to pick. Options include a variety of bagels, breads, cookies, pies and pastries, as well as regional favorites…
Best Chinese Restaurant
Multiple locations www.sesameinn.com Sesame Inn offers something for every palate. Classics such as General Tso’s please those seeking comfort, while spicy Hunan and Mongolian dishes await those looking to branch out. (Fussy kids can get chicken fingers.) The restaurant also offers Thai dishes, including stirfrys and curries. Other Finalists 2nd: China Palace, Shadyside 3rd: Wai…
Best New Bar
1500 E. Carson St., South Side 412-586-7644 The Flats on Carson just turned a year old, and judging by revelers’ Instagram pics, its birthday party looked like a blast. The multi-level bar here boasts more than 50 beers — a selection of them rotating drafts — 25 whiskeys, and seasonal craft cocktails. The menu offers…
Best Drag Performer
www.sharonneedles.com Aaron Coady, a.k.a. Sharon Needles, is Pittsburgh’s favorite drag queen, but Needles is certainly not confined to the city limits. A nationally and internationally known performer, she’s toured throughout the U.S., Europe, Australia and Canada. She’s also graced the cover of OUT and IDOL magazines and was the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season…
Best Literary Event
www.themoth.org The local incarnation of the popular public-radio storytelling program includes the monthly local StorySlam, at the Rex Theater, and the big annual GrandSlam, at the Byham Theater. But the highest-profile event is the annual Moth Mainstage, which offers celebrity hosts and nationally touring ‘tellers and consistently sells out the Byham. Other Finalists 2nd: Free…
Best Bread
Multiple locations www.mancinisbakery.com Mancini’s Bread was founded in 1926, which is exactly how long Pittsburghers have been boasting about great their hometown loaf is. The bread, with that perfectly crusty exterior and soft, pillowy inside, is a staple for sandwiches across the city, and spotted on tables in houses, diners and fancy restaurants across the…
Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant
Multiple locations www.madmex.com This Mexican restaurant isn’t “mad” as in angry, but “mad” as in a crazy, out-of-the-box fusion of Mexican, Southwestern and Asian cuisine. And if that doesn’t sound mad to you, you’ve obviously never had a Gobblerito, featuring turkey, black-bean mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn and gravy rolled in a tortilla and served with…
Best Cocktail List
4300 Butler St., Lawrenceville 412-402-9522 or www.tenderpgh.com If the atmosphere of this old bank-building-turned-bar isn’t enough to make you feel as though you traveled back in time, the evocative names on the seasonal cocktail list — say, the Van Buren — might. But don’t expect stuffy: When it comes to booze, Tender mixes classic and cutting-edge.…
Best Day Trip
724-329-8591 or www.dcnr.state.pa.us An hour or so drive from the city, Ohiopyle is a choose-your-own-adventure destination, with something for everyone. Go whitewater rafting, bike the Great Allegheny Passage, hike to Cucumber Falls or swim in the Youghiogheny River. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (the second-place winner) is close by and, if you’d like to extend your…
Best Local Comedian or Comedy Troupe
www.billcrawfordlive.com Bill Crawford has been lighting up the airwaves at WDVE since 2012, where he still hosts the morning show with Randy Baumann. Starting out doing standup at the Pittsburgh Improv, Crawford has joked his way onto TBS and toured clubs across the country. Family life as a father of two young girls propels his…
Best Sunday Brunch
100 W. Station Square Drive, South Side 412-261-1717 or www.grandconcourserestaurant.com When it comes to picking the city’s best Sunday brunch, it’s hard to compete with the Grand Concourse. There’s the extravagant ambiance offered by dining in the beautiful, historic 114-year-old Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station, plus the generous selection of hot and cold foods.…
Best Middle-Eastern Restaurant
Multiple locations www.aladdinseatery.com While this long-running regional chain offers such Lebanese-American favorites as falafel, baba ghanoush and stuffed grape leaves, it’s also known for its fresh, tasty pita sandwiches and “pitzas,” all on homemade pita bread. Aladdin’s is also veg-friendly, with meatless options for everything on the menu. Other Finalists 2nd: Ali Baba, Oakland 3rd:…
Best Bartender
1916 Smallman St., Strip District www.cavopgh.com He’s fast and he remembers patrons’ favorite drinks. But Walter’s many fans typically rate him most highly for his ready smile and charming personality — a reminder that even for a repeat Readers’ Poll winner with more than a decade of experience, customer service isn’t limited to efficiency. Other…
Best Local Jewelry Store
5501 Walnut St., Shadyside 412-682-0226 or www.hennejewelers.com Housed in a luxurious space, Henne has been offering opulent jewelry to Pittsburghers for more than 120 years. Like most high-end jewelers, Henne has a wide selection of engagement rings, but also has an extensive collection of vintage bracelets and necklaces, and upon request, will help you design…
Best Jazz/Blues Band or Performer
www.jillwestandbluesattack.com The Blues Attack consists of blues-scene stalwarts Gregg Krupa (guitar), Sudden Steve Binsberger (keys), Nick Crano (drums) and Hank Raffetto (bass). But this longtime area favorite, seen at gigs from local bars to the Gateway Clipper, is best known for the booming voice of Jill West, who delivers on both original material and classics…
Best Happy Hour
Multiple locations www.madmex.com The “Happy Hora” at this mini-chain of local Tex-Mex restaurants is a weekday favorite, running 4:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Take the edge of the work day with a budget-priced 22-ounce Big Azz Margarita ($7), or a half-priced draft. Once relaxed, don’t be surprised if happy hour slides into a convivial dinner.…
Best Contemporary American Restaurant
1150 Smallman St., Strip District 412-201-5656 or www.elevenck.com Exactly 11 years after opening, this exponent of contemporary American cuisine remains a huge favorite for Chef Derek Stevens’ seasonal menu — from roasted chicken to sea scallops with grits, and from tuna tartare to the celebrated Eleven Burger. Add its elegant yet casual atmosphere and extensive…
Best Strip Club
3100 Liberty Ave., Strip District 412-281-3110 or www.cheerleaderspittsburgh.com Is your football-watching routine feeling a little stale? You might try moving the party to Cheerleaders. The upscale gentleman’s club is a hybrid sports bar/strip joint, offering a comfortable low-key atmosphere, as well as daily drink specials, an extensive food menu, party packages and high-profile dancers. Other Finalists…
Best Nonprofit
www.hellobully.com Since 2005, Hello Bully has been rescuing, rehabbing and re-homing frequently maligned American pit-bull terriers, including animals that were once used in dog-fighting and could now use a friendly couch instead. Donations go toward medical care, spaying and neutering, and the Hello Bully Halfway House, which helps rescued dogs make the transition to a…
Best Pop/Rock Band
www.bastardbeardedirishmen.com This band has been a hit with Pittsburghers since bursting onto the city’s music scene in 2008. A regular on our Best Of Pittsburgh list, the band has opened for national acts like the Dropkick Murphys and even gained a sponsorship from Jameson Irish Whiskey. Other Finalists 2nd: The SpacePimps 3rd: Nevada Color
Best Waitstaff
321 Bigham St., Mount Washington 412-431-9313 or www.bighamtavern.com With this establishment’s quirky menu humor, it’s only natural that the waitstaff at Bigham Tavern would follow suit with a fun and friendly demeanor that keeps customers returning. But the Bigham crew isn’t just fun and games — they’re also tops in filling drinks and taking precision…
Best Steakhouse
247 North Shore Drive, North Side 412-222-4014 or www.hydeparkrestaurants.com Because this upscale steakhouse is located near the sports arenas, you’re just as likely to see Neil Walker jerseys as you are Armani suits. All your traditional cuts of beef are here, but Hyde Park also offers options like imported Japanese Waygu beef, and steaks that…
Best Club
1916 Smallman St., Strip District www.cavopgh.com Cavo calls its look “bordello chic,” and indeed, its vast, exposed-brick-and-concrete interior incorporates back rooms and cozy nooks, and feels both intimately spacious and welcomingly sophisticated. With its menu of modern American cuisine, it’s a favorite for events from DJ nights to private parties. Other Finalists 2nd: Diesel, South…
Best Hair Salon
1213 E. Carson St., South Side 412-488-4488 or www.salonivy.net Whether you’re looking for a cut-and-color, eyebrow waxing, spray tan or makeup application for a special occasion, this salon is a tried-and-true choice for our readers. The staff of eight quality-trained stylists is equipped to handle hair of all ethnicities. And regulars rave about Ivy’s affordable…
Best Metal Band
www.dethlehem.com Who would have thought that a band that claims to have battled dragons would find its greatest victory on the pages of City Paper, where it’s captured its fourth award (third in a row) for top metal band. Add to that a new album, Destroyers of the Realm, this past January and it’s been…
Best Local Mascot
www.pirates.com The Pirate Parrot was hatched at Three Rivers Stadium on April 1, 1979. Since then, he has spent his summers cheering on the team, posing for pictures, launching hot dogs and taunting the opposition. These days, he’s one of the most well-known figures to ever wear a Buccos jersey. Other Finalists 2nd: Iceburgh, Pittsburgh…
Best Seafood
2208 Penn Ave., Strip District, and 308 Forbes Ave., Downtown www.pennavefishcompany.com Lunch at the Downtown spot offers a variety of upscale sandwiches, while the dinner menu has more refined entrees like Chilean sea bass and grouper with braised kale and green tomatoes. The sushi and clam chowder are not to be missed, nor are the…
Best Bar to Pregame
1014 Fifth Ave., Uptown 412-281-2583 or www.bluelinegrille.com Given its immediate proximity to Penguins games, hockey fans are sure to take advantage of Blue Line’s Monday through Friday happy hour, when a selection of spirits, beers and wines are under $5. To really cool down, try the bar’s shock-a-vodka system, which chills shots to 5 degrees…
Best Social Media Personality
www.pghdad.com Curt Wootton hits a cultural nerve with his sitcom-style portrayal of the typical yinzer known as Pittsburgh Dad. Anyone who knows and loves this city is reminded of a loved one when Wootton’s character sighs over a PennDOT project, or threatens to ship his kid off to a psychologist if he becomes a Ravens…
Best Alt-folk/Alt-country Band
With songs about working-class struggles, whiskey and dysfunctional relationships, this folk band hailing from Butler seems to hit all the right chords with Pittsburghers. With its latest album, Nevertheless, The Armadillos continue to win this category, and keep us dancing along to the rhythm of a stand-up bass and the twang of a mandolin. Other…
Best City Tour
Station Square 412-402-3825 or www.justduckytours.com See our fair city from both land and river; this tour company uses military amphibious vehicles (DUKWs, or “ducks”). But getting driven into the river is just part of the fun of these lively Downtown tours that incorporate history, fun facts, fowl puns and a lot of quacking. Other Finalists…
Lynn Cullen Live 10/13/15
Video Archive You can listen to the audio archive here. More on gun nuts. Democratic debates. Muslim terrorists vs. crazy white guys. The new New York. No more nudes for Playboy. Audio Only Archive Listen to the Audio Archives on with our new Apple and Android Apps or the computer audio player.
